Uganda safari giants are the backbone of savanna wildlife safari adventures. Uganda is a diverse safari destination offering a wide range of exclusive and experiential safari moments. The country lies in the Great Lakes region and is popularly referred to as the Pearl of Africa. Uganda safari adventures feature several wildlife species but Uganda safari giants are exceptional.
Below the top 5 safari giants you should ensure to add to your Uganda safari adventure and Discovery Journeys.
Mountain Gorillas
Mountain gorillas are giant apes that live in the forested mountains of East and Central Africa. They are rare and endangered primate species whose population is still threatened by habitat loss. Mountain gorillas are vegetarian with a bigger percentage of their diet comprising plant vegetation.
A fully-grown mountain gorilla can weigh over 200 pounds making them one of the safari giants in the primate world. Mountain gorillas live in families that are led by a dominant gorilla called silverback. Silverback was derived from the back of an adult male that develops a silver lining as it grows in age. Males fight for dominance and have to maintain their superiority and protect their families if they are to remain heads.
The mountain gorilla population is currently estimated at 1100 in the wild with Uganda having the highest population. There are over 450 mountain gorillas in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in southwestern Uganda. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is a protected area and a level of a National Park covering a land area of 331 square kilometers. The park is the ultimate gorilla trekking destination where you can meet with the Uganda safari giant apes.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is another home to Mountain gorillas. It is also located in southwestern Uganda in the Kisoro district and is part of the Virunga massif. This gorilla park has only one gorilla family that offers an incredible Uganda Safari giants experience with the apes. Mountain gorilla trekking is an exclusive primate safari adventure and one of the best Uganda Discovery Journeys you can take.
Elephants
Elephants are the land’s largest mammals and Uganda has them in plenty. They are some of the favorite safari animals of the open savannas’. Elephants often move in herds that are led by a female Matriarch. These safari giants are impressive to watch because of their size alone. Elephants’ noticeable body features include the large ears that they keep flapping to regulate their temperature.
They have protruding tusks that are elongated canine teeth. Elephant tusks are used to forage for food, digging, and sometimes protection against predators. These tusks are however a curse as poachers hunt elephants to take them away. Elephant tusks are commonly known as ivory and are perceived to have great value. There are ongoing sensitization and elephant conservation efforts to ensure the safety of these safari giants.
Uganda savanna wildlife destinations have elephants in large numbers. They include Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth, and Kidepo Valley National Parks. All these destinations are unique and offer great wildlife safari experiences with the Uganda safari giants and other wildlife species present. Elephants can easily be spotted on game drives because of their large sizes. They are also sociable and one of the best Uganda safari giants you should always look for.
Hippos
Hippos are the third largest mammals and to differ from elephants they live on both land and water. They are dwarfs compared to other savanna wildlife species but grow in large sizes regardless of their height. Hippos live in groups of up to 20 individuals popularly known as schools. They are some of the finest Uganda safari giants and make Uganda safari experiences more enjoyable.
The Kazinga channel is the best place in Uganda to see Hippos. Kazinga Channel is a water channel that connects Lake Edward and Lake George in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The channel has the highest concentration of hippos with its population believed to be the highest in East Africa. There are hippo pools along the Kasenyi sector and in Ishasha the southern sector of the park.
Murchison Falls National Park is another Uganda safari destination where you can see hippos. They graze along the open short grasses before heading to the Nile River waters for relaxation. The Nile Delta area has hippo pools and the River Nile banks also have several of these. Hippos in Murchison can best be spotted while on a boat cruise to the Delta of the bottom of the falls.
Hippos are mainly vegetarian but are some of the deadliest wild animals you can encounter. They are believed to kill more humans than lions and you are therefore required to be cautious when around them. The good thing with their large size they can easily be spotted several meters away.
Rhinos
Rhinos are rare Uganda safari giants that can only be seen at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Uganda is believed to have had a reasonable population of both white and black rhinos that unfortunately went extinct. Uganda currently has only white rhinos that were just reintroduced after extinction. They are 40 in total and there is hope that they will eventually be reintroduced back to the savanna parks.
There are 42 rhinos in Uganda with two at the Uganda Wildlife Educational Center (Entebbe Zoo). Rhinos are the second-largest land mammals and no doubt among Uganda safari giants. They are also part of the Big Five mammals along with elephants, lions, leopards, and buffaloes. These safari animals were named the big five because they gave trophy hunters a hard time to kill.
Rhino safari adventures in Uganda are enjoyed on foot trekking to where they are. Rhinos have poor sight though with a great sense of smell. They are therefore able to detect you from afar and you are required to keep a distance of at least 15 meters. Rhinos are also sociable and live in groups called a crash. They have a life span of 40 to 50 years and are among the few wildlife species with no predators.
Human beings are the major threats to the survival of rhinos as they poach them to get their horns. The encroachment of the Rhino habitats because of the increase in human population has also led to habitat loss that greatly the survival of these safari giants.
Giraffes
Giraffes, land tallest mammals are our other featured Uganda safari giants. These are very impressive as they majestically tower the open savanna ecosystems. Uganda has the Rothschild’s giraffe species in large numbers. Murchison Falls National Park is the best Uganda safari destination with giraffes. They are mainly concentrated in the northern sector of the park and are easily spotted while on game drives there.
Pian Upe Game Reserve in Northeastern Uganda also has giraffes and other rare wildlife species like the roan antelopes. Giraffes were just reintroduced there in a bid to boost the reserves’ wildlife diversity. Kidepo Valley and Lake Mburo National Parks also have reasonable giraffe populations and are great Uganda safari destinations to explore.
The giraffe’s height is iconic and enables it to forage on tree leaves at a reasonable tree height. Giraffes’ long necks enable them to spot danger or look out for feeding opportunities. They also use their long necks to fight and their long legs can kick even some of the savanna’s most feared animals like the lions.
All these safari giants make Uganda safari adventures enjoyable. Uganda has a lot of experiences to offer including birding and cultural and historical safaris. You are free to customize your Uganda safari featuring any of these species and experiences. For more savanna wildlife numbers you can combine a Uganda safari with Tanzania outdoor adventures. Tanzania unlike Uganda has numbers of the major savanna wildlife species. Contact us now to start planning your wildlife adventure.
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