Elephant herd in Uganda
Wildlife & Nature

Africa's Most Diverse Wildlife

Uganda hosts 10 national parks, over 1,000 bird species, half the world's mountain gorillas, and the Big Five — all in one extraordinary country.

Wildlife Highlights

Uganda's Iconic Animals

Encounter some of Africa's most remarkable creatures in their natural habitats across Uganda's protected areas.

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Critically Endangered

Mountain Gorilla

Over 460 mountain gorillas live in Bwindi and Mgahinga. Uganda is the world's best place for gorilla encounters up close.

African elephants in Uganda
Vulnerable

African Elephant

Large herds roam Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth National Parks — among the largest individuals on the continent.

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Vulnerable

Tree-Climbing Lions

Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth NP is one of only two places in the world where lions famously climb fig trees to rest.

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Vulnerable

Hippopotamus

Thousands of hippos inhabit the Kazinga Channel. Boat safaris offer some of Africa's best hippo-viewing experiences.

Grey Crowned Crane — Uganda's national bird
Least Concern

Grey Crowned Crane

Uganda's national bird — elegant with its golden crown. Found in wetlands and grasslands across the country.

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Critically Endangered

Rothschild's Giraffe

Murchison Falls NP is home to the Rothschild's giraffe — one of the most endangered giraffe subspecies in the world.

Birdwatching

A Birder's Paradise

Uganda is called Africa's premier birdwatching destination, with over 1,000 recorded species — more than twice the number found across all of Europe.

  • ðŸĶœ African Green Broadbill — endemic to the Albertine Rift region
  • ðŸĶĒ Shoebill Stork — prehistoric-looking dweller near Lake Albert's swamps
  • ðŸĶ… African Fish Eagle — iconic call echoes across Uganda's waterways
  • ðŸĶ Grey Crowned Crane — national bird found across the country
1,000+

Recorded bird species — more than in all of Europe combined

Colourful birds of Uganda

Protected Areas

Uganda's National Parks

Uganda's 10 national parks and 12 wildlife reserves cover more than 20% of the country's total area.

01

Bwindi Impenetrable NP

UNESCO site, mountain gorillas, forest birds — SW Uganda

02

Murchison Falls NP

Largest park, big game, spectacular waterfall — NW Uganda

03

Queen Elizabeth NP

Tree-climbing lions, Kazinga Channel, crater lakes — W Uganda

04

Kibale Forest NP

Highest density of chimpanzees in Africa — W Uganda

05

Lake Mburo NP

Zebras, impalas, hippos — closest park to Kampala

06

Rwenzori Mountains NP

UNESCO site, glaciers, unique alpine flora — W Uganda

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