THE BIG FIVE IN UGANDA
The big five originally refers to as difficult in hunting and they are found at UWEC if you want to see the all. The big five and the big game animals in Uganda you must see Buffalo, Elephant, Leopard, Lion and Rhino. These are large, fierce and sneaky species that once were targeted by hunters who gunned them down in droves for trophies and meat.
The big five animals are still hunted today especially in south Africa where legal game hunting is a big market with the elite and privileged. Public opinion leans towards disgust over the killing of the big five and you can see the practice dying out. But a shift toward tourism has also made seeing the big five an “awe- inspiring” goal for any safari goer.
The name Africa big 5 sounds intimidating and dangerous but these mammals need our help to survive extinction. African elephant lion and leopard are all classed as vulnerable by the international union for the conservation of nature due to poaching for their horns, the western black Rhino was declared in 2011 and the last male northern Rhino died in 2018. Conservation efforts have helped keep Uganda’s northern white Rhino alive in the heavily protected Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
LION (Panthera Leo)
The lion is characterised of well- muscled cat with long body, large head and short legs. Size and appearance are considerably between the sexes. The male outstanding characteristic is his mane which varies between different individuals and population. It maybe entirely lacking or fringe the face or full and shaggy covering the back of the head, neck and shoulders and continuing onto the throat and chest to join a fringe along the belly. In some lions the mane and fringe are very dark giving the cat a majestic appearance.
Lion is the largest and most imposing African carnivore and the most sought after a member of big 5, the African lion is the most sociable of the large cats, living in loosely structured prides of typically five of 15 animals. Lions have a special significance in the most countries on the continent. In Uganda, they enjoy a reputation as king of the beasts and are popular symbols of loyalty, strength and bravery.
In Uganda, you can find lions in three national park that is Murchison falls national park, kidepo valley national park and queen Elizabeth national park. In queen Elizabeth national park, at ishasha sector you can find lions that are known for their unique behavior of climbing trees and have been branded the “Ishasha tree- climbing lions” by tourists who flock to ishasha sector to have a sight of this rare behaviours
LEOPARD (Panthera pardus)
The leopard is the most elusive and the smallest of African big 5 animals. Leopards are sneaky and harder to spot and naturally shy exclusively nocturnal, they spend the day light hours hidden from the view. Leopards are solitary cats haul large kills zebra or antelopes and take them to tree to eat alone in peace which means they don’t like competition.
Leopards impressively shy cats that can be distinguished from cheetahs by their rosette shaped spots and more powerful build as well as their preference for wooded or rocky habitats. They are found in virtually all habitats which offer adequate cover and they are present in most of Ugandan national parks such as queen Elizabeth national park, Murchison falls national park, kidepo valley national park, lake Mburo national park, mount Elgon national park and in Semuliki national park.
AFRICAN ELEPHANT (Loxodonta Africana)
African elephant is the world’s largest of all African big 5 found in Uganda and the most enduring symbol of nature’s grace and fragility, also one of the most intelligent and entertaining to watch on the African safari game drive. Its intelligence, have intense emotions and are great at solving problems. They display deep social bonds all the time and believed that they have a biggest memory.
African Elephants are found in all national park in Uganda except lake Mburo national park. They are mostly likely seen in queen Elizabeth national park, Murchison falls national park, kidepo valley national park and I can also recommend you to take a boat safari on the Nile in Murchison falls or at Kazinga channel in queen Elizabeth national park to see these giants gracefully flocking the water banks in massive herds.
AFRICAN BUFFALO (syncerus caffer)
Kiswahili name “Mbogo” or “Nyati”
A young one is called a calf.
Buffalo are grazers and feed mainly on grass and they are good swimmers.
African buffalo ox species is an adaptable and widespread creature that lives in large herds on savannah and small herds in forested areas. The African buffalo which known as cape buffalo is the most dangerous of all African game species especially if wounded or solitary. It’s a reputation has placed it among the African big 5 animals recognised worldwide.
African buffalo are large, even- toed ungulates, characterised by their stocky build and heavy horns, horns are present in both sexes and they are not ridged. The buffalo is easily distinguished from other animals because of its dark black colour and characteristic horns, smaller and lighter, curving outward, backward and upwards. Ears are large, fringed either hair and hang below massive horns.
Buffalos can be seen in almost all national parks and large forests in Uganda. In queen Elizabeth national park and Murchison falls national park you can be able to see the hybrid of savanna buffalo of East Africa and the red buffalo of West African forest.
RHINOCEROS (Rhino)
Rhinoceros commonly known as rhino is a large, herbivorous mammal identified by its characteristic horned snouts. The word Rhinoceros came from the Greek word Rhino meaning nose and ceros meaning horn.
Rhinos are universally recognised for their massive bodies, stumpy legs and either one or two dermal horns. In some species the horns may be short or not obvious. They are renowned for having poor eyesight but their senses of smell and hearing are well developed.
The biggest of the 5 surviving species occurs in Uganda, the Northern white rhino and can be seen in the massive protected ziwa Rhino sanctuary and the Uganda Education Centre in Entebbe which are commonly referred to as Zoo.