What Animals is Uganda Known For?

Africa is usually assumed to be a country by many people outside the African continent. In their understanding, Africa is a country. It is why many people assume to have experience in traveling in Africa by simply visiting one or two countries. But Africa has over fifty independent states with a lot of things not in common. For instance, South Africa experiences winter while Libya is a desert. Coming down in the middle of Africa, you find the tropic around the Congo and neighboring countries.

The sad part about mentioning Congo, is the long term bad press the Congo has suffered that any country that shares its borders with Congo is usually considered insecure. We can never rule out insecurity in Africa but it is relative. The security in Kigali is different from the security in Nairobi. It is very rare to get magged in Kigali yet in some parts of Nairobi, it seems like a common occurrence.

Some African countries have made for themselves names beyond wildlife. For instance, instead of Democratic Republic of Congo being known for mountain gorillas and several other wildlife species. It is mainly known for minerals. In the same way, there is a lot about Nigeria but it has been generally and internationally known for scammers. Equally, Uganda still still bears the image of the reign of Idi Amin who most people outside the continent compare to Hitler.

With such a bubble of negative press, it is very hard to even conceive that there is something good in Africa besides wildlife. Since Africa is known for political unrest, diseases and wildlife by most of the people outside the continent, what are those wildlife species that would fit the narrative of flagship wildlife species in Uganda.

Mountain Gorillas

The grey crowned crane is Uganda’s national emblem. However as of today, the mountain gorillas are valued more by a growing number of people than the grey crowned crane. There are more cases of people who are in prison for killing a mountain gorilla than killing a grey crowned crane. Given the rareness of the mountain gorillas, gorilla trekking is one of those activities that distinguishes Uganda from all the other African countries.

Currently, in the whole world it is only Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo that have natural habitats for the endangered mountain gorillas. This is one of those things that make the mountain gorillas in Uganda exceptional.

Tree Climbing Lions

Lions are known as land dwellers. It is not common to find lions that climb trees. Though this too is not exceptional to Uganda alone, the tree climbing lions of Queen Elizabeth National park are among the most popular wildlife in Uganda. For anyone visiting Uganda, Ishasha sector stands out for the tree climbing lions.

However, we ought to put a disclaimer. Unlike mountain gorillas that offer above 90% chances of seeing them on any given day, the tree climbing lions offer a fifty fifty chance of seeing them. It is not everyday that these lions will feel like climbing and sleeping in tree branches. This is only a common occurrence if they have eaten, satisfied and only in a mood of resting. You will not find them sleeping in tree branches when they need to be out looking for something to eat.

Chimpanzees

Chimpanzees could be some of the most popular species of the ape family. Though their natural habitats are only found in Africa, there are chimpanzees scattered around the world courtesy of zoos and wildlife trafficking. But if you wish to see these animals in their natural habitat, the best place to see them is in Uganda. The country offers around five different chimpanzee tracking destinations.

The most popular of these is Kibale forest national park. Chimpanzees are some of the animals to include on your Uganda wildlife bucket list. It is one of those animals that make Uganda safaris exceptional. By chimpanzee tracking, you get a chance to experience both the savannah and the tropics.

Besides the animals, it is also important to note that the shoebill is the most popular bird among birders in Uganda. Therefore on top of the above three mentioned animals, consider adding a shoebill tracking tour and may be a Rhino tracking tour.