Savannah Mammals in Uganda

Ugandan savannah national parks, unlike its neighbours, deliver one of the most unmatched Big wildlife experiences. This is especially in the great Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, Lake Mburo and Kidepo Valley. They shelter healthy numbers of these exclusive African animals. While Uganda is world famous for its primates encounters, its open grasslands and riverine nature shelter the enchanting  Big 5, except the black rhinos, along with towering giraffes and grazing antelopes.

The enchanting lions.

Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth in the far western corner, or Kidepo valley savannah parks are one of the most iconic wildlife spots to spot the captivating big cats of lions while on Uganda safaris. A variety of them can be spotted in these areas, even though their numbers are largely affected by availability of prey, and human pressure to their natural habitats. A pride of adult lions can deliver up to 10 to 15 members, with dominant males guarding the territories.  What makes the Uganda’s lions stand out is their famous tree-climbing nature. They are spotted in the Ishasha sector in the mighty Queen Elizabeth. Spotting these relaxed yet furious brings one of the most rewarding safari experience especially on thrilling Uganda safari drives.

The hard to spot camouflaged leopards.

The leopards stand out as the most stunning, and rare species of the country’s big cats. They are almost everywhere, especially in the riverine spots of Queen Elizabeth or Kidepo. However, they remain hard to spot for many. Leopards stand out for their strength. Males weigh up to 90 kg, popularly known for their habit of pulling a prey twice their weight into trees. This is done to keep it away from other predators like hyenas or lions. Night drives on Ugandan safaris offer the best moment to spot a variety of them. Though, they are fewer in numbers compared to lions.

The mighty African Buffalo.

The African buffalo is less hyped, yet it remains one of the most dangerous animals on the African continent. The buffalo’s strength, size and unpredictable moves makes it exceptional. Large herds of buffaloes can be spotted roaming the grasslands of the great Murchison falls, or Queen Elizabeth and Kidepo. Buffaloes are huge in size with an adult male weighing up to 800 kgs. Their forming of large herds means they scare and easily defend themselves from predators. Buffaloes are also renowned for consuming large amounts of vegetation, creating routes for other wildlife. Watching their herds as they drink on water holes, or roam grasslands along the game drives, is always one of the most thrilling wildlife experiences.

Elephants, the habitat creators.

Uganda is endowed with one of the largest concentrations of the African savanna elephant. It prides itself as the largest land mammal on earth. Murchison Falls is one of the most sought after destinations to spot them in abundance while on Ugandan safaris. Queen Elizabeth is also ideal to spot elephants. Elephants’ feeding capacity is mind blowing. They can consume up to 200 to 300 kgs of vegetation on a daily basis. They drink upto 200 liters of water daily. During the dry seasons, elephants are renowned for their digging up large water body sources that offer drinking water to other animals. This makes them unique animal species. Their intelligence, and calm interactions makes every encounter deeply moving.

The long necked giants of Giraffes.

Only the Rothschild’s giraffe, one of the world’s endangered subspecies, find shelter in the Pearl of Africa. The lighter coat makes them stand out and easily spotted. Some of the most vibrant safari hubs that harbour them in large numbers include Kidepo valley, and the great Murchison The Rothschild’s giraffe are renowned for their long necks that stretches up to 6 meters, helping them to feed and maneuver through trees than other herbivores. Even though Giraffes can be underestimated by many, they have a unique walking style, and bring tough kicks for self defense. Watching them spread their front legs dramatically as they try to drink water is one of the most exciting wildlife experiences.

Rhinos, the horned giants.

Many years ago, especially around the 1980s, huge populations of rhinos faced  many challenges like many African animals in the form of displacement and poaching activities. As of now, visitors on Uganda safaris can only track the southern white rhinos at the private Ziwa rhino sanctuary.  White rhinos are grazing animals, and feature square lips, and when compared to the black rhinos, the white rhinos are less aggressive and extra social  than black rhinos. Sighting the horned giants roaming the savanna plains of Uganda is one of the lifetime memories that stayed with many visitors forever, and they carry a raw conservation history.

Antelopes, the grazing animals.

It is very hard to visit a Ugandan savanna park and miss out on the grassland herbivores of Antelopes, the country is endowed with a variety of them and can be sighted on almost every game drive, bringing the most unmatched wildlife experience. Popular species that are hard to dismiss include Uganda kob especially in the savannah plains of Queen Elizabeth or the mighty Murchison falls. Waterbucks, topis, duikers, oribi and bushbucks are other antelope species that can be spotted on Ugandan safaris.