Where to see the Big Five Safaris in Uganda and Rwanda?

A safari with a highlight about the big five safaris is one of the known ultimate safari experiences with in Africa.

Uganda and Rwanda are one of the unique prime destinations that are a home to the big five safaris. The big five safaris include lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, and the rhinoceros.

In Uganda the big five safaris can be encountered with in the following parks like Queen Elizabeth national park, Lake Mbulo national park and Kidepo valley national park and Murchison falls national park while in Rwanda it is a Akagera national park.

Uganda and Rwanda boast a rich tapestry of land scapes, from mists expansive savannahs to the dense forest and they are the habitants for these iconic animals.

In this article, we are going to explicate about where to see the big five safaris in Uganda and Rwanda.

What are the big five safaris?

The big five animals refer to the animals that were difficult to hunt on foot long ago. Seeing the big five creatures on a safari is very exceptional. However, today the big five safaris are now termed as the must-see animals on a safari in Africa. These big five safari include.

Lions

The lion is among the big five Safari and is usually referred to as the king of the jungle. Lions are popularly to be very social and powerful animals on earth. They usually live in groups of up to 20 members.

Lions usually stay in savannahs, open woodlands and also grasslands. Lions are nocturnal animals and are active during the cooler parts of the day.

Leopards

Leopards are among the family of the big five safari creatures and are one of the most iconic animals with in Africa.  Leopards are elusive and they mainly follow into the solitary animals.

They are popularly known for being strong and generally stay in dense forests and savannahs. A leopard can climb a tree while carrying heavy prey and they can usually rest on trees. In addition to that leopards are mainly carnivores that feed on other animals including the impala, jackals, antelopes and many more.

Elephants

This is one of the most sought animals among the big five and is among the largest land mammal and usually weigh 6000kg. They are mainly social animals that live in groups.

Elephants have a thick skin ranging at 2.5cm thick, they are also known for eating a lot for instance they can spend three quarters a day eating.

Buffalo

These are among the powerful and they lie under the big five animals. They mainly move in large groups and usually stay in savannahs and grasslands. Buffalos are said to be the most dangerous animals among the big five safari.

African buffalo usually stay in woodlands, riverine valleys and also savannahs. They also follow in to the herbivores that is to say they feed on grass, leaves and other plant species.

Rhinoceros

Rhinos are one of the hardest animals to see in the wild and today they are among the endangered animals. Rhinos are classified into black and white rhinos.

Today in Uganda rhinos are found in Ziwa rhino sanctuary. This sanctuary is situated with in Nakasongala district and is the only place that conserves Rhinos. They normally feed on grass, stems, fruits and also leaves.

Where to see the big five animals in Uganda and Rwanda?

In Uganda.

Queen Elizabeth national park.

This is Uganda second largest national park and is among Uganda’s popular safari destinations. The park was gazetted in 1952. The park is located in the western parts of Uganda.

Queen Elizabeth national park is one of Uganda’s few parks that is a home to the big five safaris. These big five animals are usually spotted during the game drives. Note Queen Elizabeth national park is also a home to the tree climbing lions and chimpanzees at kyambura gorge.  The park is composed of a rich bio diversity and scenic views.

Murchison falls national park.

Murchison falls national park is Uganda’s largest national park and is one of the dramatic safari destinations in Africa.

Despite the fact that the park is popularly known for its spectacular falls, this unique habitant is also a home to the big five animals such as lions, leopards and elephants.

The big five animals in Murchison falls national park can be seen around the Nile delta. Rhinos in Uganda are generally seen with in Ziwa rhino sanctuary. A trip to Murchison falls national park gives you an opportunity to see the big five since the sanctuary is very near Murchison falls.

Kidepo valley national park.

This is one of Uganda’s natural hidden wonders that is situated with in the northern parts of Uganda. The park is also a home to the big five animals including lions, elephants, and buffaloes.

These animals can easily be seen during game drives. However, you can still enjoy other activities within this park including cultural encounters with the Karimojongs. Despite the fact that park receives a few tourists because of its remoteness the park is composed of a variety of animals.

Where to see the big five animals in Rwanda?

In Rwanda, the big five animals can be still done with in Akagera national park.  Akagera national park is nestled within the eastern parts of Rwanda.

The park hosts a variety of animals including the big five such as lions, elephants, leopards and buffalos.  In Akagera, elephants are among the highlight and they can be seen around lake Ihema.

Some of the activities to enjoy while in Akagera include game drives and also boat cruises.

Best time to carry out a big five safari in Uganda and Rwanda.

A big five safari can be carried out at any time of the year, though the best time of carrying out a big five safari both in Uganda and Rwanda is generally the dry season.

This is because during the dry season game drives are carried out with ease since the roads are not slippery thus easy movement of cars.  Adding to that wildlife is more visible since the sky is very clear.

However, tourists can still visit during in the wet season and still enjoy the experiences. Despite the fact that game drives and boat cruises are a bit strenuous but they can still be done.

In conclusion, both Uganda and Rwanda are premier destinations for big five safaris and offer immersive safari experiences to tourists. Whether you are interested in exploring Uganda’s lush expansive national parks or Rwanda’s unique landscapes both destinations offer unforgettable wildlife adventures.

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