Organizing a Big five safari in Uganda – Best way to see big five animals in Uganda
Organizing a Big Five safari in Uganda is a must-do adventure for anyone fascinated traveler by wildlife. Big Five refers to Buffalos, Elephants, Lions, Leopards and Rhinos and the term comes from the animals considered most dangerous to hunt. Now the thrill comes from photographing them in their natural habitat.
Rhinos went extinct in Uganda in the 1980s, and while southern white rhino have been reintroduced in the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, there are no reserves in Uganda where you can do Big Five safaris. For Big Four which are Leopard, Lion, Buffalo and Elephant safaris, Uganda has two options in its western region.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is the best reserve in the country for wildlife diversity and its famous tree-climbing Lions, and Murchison Falls National Park for large herds of Elephant, Giraffe and Buffalo.
The other Big Four reserve lies in a remote area of northern Uganda. Kidepo Valley National Park which is the country’s most rugged wilderness, and in addition to the Big Four, it conserves species found nowhere else in Uganda, such as Caracal, Cheetah and Aardwolf and there are plans to reintroduce the white Rhino.
Uganda is one of the upcoming top destinations in East Africa that you can spot the big five wild animal. Most of the Uganda wildlife safaris base on this ‘big five’ animals to market and sale their safari packages and offers. The historical origin of the term ‘big-five’ was given by the big-game hunters who carried out a practical experiment of hunting these African wild animals and they found out that these five animals where very difficult to hunt, therefore the name big five referred to the very most difficult animals to hunt in the African jungle. And without disagreeing with the big-game hunters, the big five animals are so gentle, aggressive and cunning, they become wild and dangerous when they sense danger or an enemy thus they will always fight back to defend themselves.
Great Adventure Safaris presents to you the big five package offers that are found in Uganda, we have experience in designing tour packages that can be customized to enable you to enjoy the big-five animals in Uganda. Please feel free to contact us any time so that we can organize your big five Uganda safari.
The Big-five Animals
The African Elephants: these are very gentle, giant creatures, they are herbivorous, they have a thick skin without hair and they have a long trunk, a long upper incisor, large and corn-shaped ears. The uniqueness of the Elephant is that it can camouflage in the short and tall Savannah grassland. They play a big role in maintaining the ecosystem since they eat huge junks of grass.
The Lions: these are the top most predators, and it is the largest in the cat family and feeds on fresh thus they are carnivores. The Lion is the King of the jungle and it can be spotted in almost all the savannah National Parks however famous tree climbing Lions are found in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park. They prefer the savannah grassland where they can hunt the kobs, zebras and other prey animals.
The Leopards: they have a nocturnal nature, very sensitive and fierce; they are carnivorous animals that feed on fresh. They are very had to spot though they can be seen very early in the morning while on an early morning game drive. They are found in National Parks like Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Lake Mburo and Kidepo Valley National Park.
The African Cape Buffalos: they can easily be spotted and very common while on a Uganda safari game drive and they move in large herds in the savannah vegetation and the males are the heads. The cape buffalos become very dangerous when they have been disturbed by hunters and predators especially if they are wounded. They can be spotted in Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, Semiliki, Lake Mburo and Kidepo Valley National Parks.
The Rhinos: these are also large animals and they have a thick skin and them one or two horns at the nasal bridge. The Rhinos have extinct from the National Parks due to illegal hunting, but they been conserved in a private non-profit territory known as Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Nakasongola where you can find the Rhinos in Uganda and at the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre..
Where to find the Big-five in Uganda?
The Big-five animals can be spotted on your safari to Murchison Falls National Park of Uganda when you make an en-route stop at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and trek the White Rhinos there before heading to Murchison Falls National Park where you will find the Big four on your game drives and boat safari on the mighty River Nile.
Some of the Uganda National Parks that travellers can easily spot the Big four animals includes, Queen Elizabeth National Park in south western Uganda. The National Park is famous for the tree climbing Lions, large numbers of Elephants, and here you miss out the Rhinos since it is far away from the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre.
Murchison Falls National Park which is located in north-western Uganda is the largest National Park in Uganda and it is a home to the big four animals surviving in the natural environment and the route to this National Park gives you a chance to trek the Rhinos on your en-route stop at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is one of the two places to find the Rhinos in Uganda after the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre, it is a private non- profit animal territory that has been conserved and protected as a home to remaining few Rhinos in Uganda.
Best time to see the Big-five in Uganda
The best time to see the Big-five is during the dry season and on an early morning or an evening game drive. This is during the months of December to February and June to mid-October when there is no too much rain, and the roads that lead to the national parks are not slippery.
However some you can come in the rainy season which is usually the mating season and the safari rates are low compared to that in the dry season since it’s a high season.
With Great Adventure Safaris is your premier operator when it comes to organizing a Big-five safari in Uganda with our English speaking driver guides who will take you through African jungle to search for these animals, will ensure that you get the best safari experience. Please book with us and for more information about the Big-five animals in Uganda.
Activities to do
Game drives in the vehicle are fun, but nothing can beat a ranger’s practiced eye. Go on a drive or walk guided by a ranger. You will learn plenty, and see much more than you might have on your own.
Length of stay
If you are keen on seeing all of the Big Five, give it at least five days in Uganda and you must consider that when organizing a big five safari in Uganda with our safari experts. But remember, there are no guarantees in the wilderness.
What to pack?
Carry your camera, lightweight binoculars, hat and sun block. Even in the height of dry season, take a jacket along for night drives. While in Uganda’s park, try to dress predominantly in dull bush colours of khaki and olive green.
