When most people think of safari destinations, countries like Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa often come to mind first.
But after visiting Uganda, I genuinely believe it deserves a place on every wildlife lover’s bucket list.
During my three weeks in Uganda, I visited both Lake Mburo National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park. Between the two parks, I saw an incredible variety of animals, stunning landscapes and some unforgettable moments that I still think about today.
What Animals Can You See on Safari in Uganda?
Uganda is home to four of the Big Five animals:
- Lions
- Leopards
- Elephants
- Buffalo
The only member of the Big Five that is not commonly found in Uganda’s national parks is the rhinoceros, although rhinos can be seen at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
Beyond the Big Five, Uganda is packed with wildlife. During a safari, you might also see:
- Hippos
- Crocodiles
- Warthogs
- Hyenas
- Antelopes
- Zebras
- Monkeys
- Hundreds of bird species
One of the things I loved most about Uganda was how diverse the wildlife was. Every game drive felt different, and there was always something new around the next corner.
Lake Mburo National Park
Lake Mburo was my first safari experience in Uganda.
Compared to some of the country’s larger parks, it feels smaller and more intimate, but that’s part of its charm.
The park is known for its large populations of zebras, antelope species and birdlife. The scenery is beautiful, with rolling hills, open savannah and lakes dotted throughout the landscape.
It felt like a gentle introduction to safari life and gave me my first real taste of Uganda’s incredible wildlife.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
If I had to choose a safari highlight from my entire trip, it would undoubtedly be Queen Elizabeth National Park.
The park is enormous and incredibly diverse, with savannah, wetlands, forests and lakes all supporting different kinds of wildlife.
This is where I experienced some of the most memorable wildlife encounters of my life.
One morning, we spotted a leopard mother playing with her cubs. Watching them interact in the wild felt almost unreal. The cubs chased each other through the grass while their mother kept a watchful eye nearby.
It was one of those moments that reminds you just how special safari can be.
The Famous Tree-Climbing Lions
Queen Elizabeth National Park is also famous for its tree-climbing lions.
Most lions spend their time on the ground, but in the Ishasha sector of the park, lions are often found resting high up in fig trees.
Seeing lions in trees is already unusual enough.
But during my visit, something even more incredible happened.
A lioness and her two cubs climbed down from a tree and crossed the road directly in front of us.
It was one of those rare wildlife moments where everything seems to stop.
Watching them move through the landscape just a short distance away was easily the highlight of my safari experience in Uganda.
Boat Safari on the Kazinga Channel
One of the best things about Queen Elizabeth National Park is that safari isn’t limited to game drives.
Visitors can also take a boat safari along the Kazinga Channel, which connects Lake George and Lake Edward.
This turned out to be one of my favourite activities in the park.
The channel is famous for its huge populations of hippos and crocodiles. During the boat trip, I saw countless hippos lounging in the water and crocodiles basking along the shoreline.
The birdlife was equally impressive, with kingfishers, eagles, storks and many other species visible throughout the journey.
The boat safari offered a completely different perspective compared to exploring by vehicle and is something I would highly recommend.
Is Safari in Uganda Worth It?
Absolutely.
Uganda may be best known for mountain gorillas, but its traditional safari experiences deserve just as much attention.
From zebras in Lake Mburo to leopards, elephants, buffalo and tree-climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda offers an incredible variety of wildlife and landscapes.
For me, the combination of classic game drives, boat safaris and unforgettable wildlife encounters made it one of the most rewarding safari destinations I’ve ever visited.
And if you’re lucky, you might even witness a lion family climbing down from a tree and crossing the road right in front of you.