The Uganda big five are the most sought after animals for many tourists who come for safari into the Pearl of Africa. A safari to Uganda minus spotting the Uganda big fives is always considered incomplete. Get in touch with the best company today as we take you to Ugandas top tourist destination for the big five. Big five include rhinoceros, elephants, Loin, leopard and Cape buffalo. These can be spotted in Uganda national parks like Murchison falls, Queen Elizabeth national park, for the first four, at Ziwa rhino sanctuary rhinos can be spotted since it is a sanctuary for these specific animals

List of Uganda big fives and where they are found

African Elephant (Loxodanta Africana)

This is known as Africa’s largest mammal and considered the most intelligent to watch while on safari. It is a member of the genus Loxodanta comprising of two living elephant species that is African Bush elephant and African forest elephant. A male elephant carries a weight of up to 6400 kilograms and height varies between 4 meters for males and 3.5 meters for females. African elephants can be spotted in Kidepo valley national park, Queen Elizabeth national park, and Murchison falls national park.

African Buffalo (Syncerus caffer)

This is the most common and is differentiated by color, size and the shape of the horn. Buffalos spend most of their time in herds between 50-500. Buffalos can run up to 37 miles per hour and are considered prize trophies. They tend to get rid of and avoid open areas of grassland without wood shelter. In Uganda they are found in Murchison falls national park, Kidepo valley national park and Queen Elizabeth national park

African Lion (Panthere leo)

This is a large cat of the genus Panthera with a short rounded head, round ears, dark, hairy tuff and muscular broad chested body. Adult males are larger than females as their mane extends from the head to the shoulders. Lions are considered the most social among the cats and live in prides of between 5-15. These are found in Kidepo, Murchison and the most famous being Queen Elizabeth national park at the Ishasha sector

Leopard (Panthera pardus)

This is one of the cat species in the genus panthera with a yellowish to dark golden fur with dark spots. It has a slender and muscular body ranging from 92-183cm. Males weigh 30- 70 Kilograms while females weigh between 20-43 kilograms. The leopard has been listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List due to the fact that its populations are currently threatened due to fragmentation and habitat loss. The best park for sighting these leopards is Queen Elizabeth national park though a few and rare sightings have been made at Lake Mburo and Toro Semliki wildlife reserve

Rhinoceros

Also commonly known as rhino, it is one of the largest remaining mega fauna herbivore weighing over half a tone in adulthood. Known for eating leafy material hence the ability to ferment food. They are mostly identified by their horn snouts. They are considered to be with a poor sight but have sense of hearing and smelling. Rhinos have become extinct due to the high rate of poaching for medicinal purposes. However in Uganda rhinos can be found at the Ziwa rhino and wildlife ranch in Nakitoma Nakasongola district, a favorite stopover for tourists heading to and from Murchison falls national park as well as connecting to other national parks.