Uganda Wildlife

Uganda wildlife

We arrive in Entebbe and immediately notice the warmer, more humid climate. After a good night’s rest, we set off early the next morning for our first stop – Queen Elizabeth National Park. As we drive along dirt roads flanked by swaying grasses and palm trees, our guide points out colorful birds in the treetops and stops so we can glimpse a troupe of baboons scampering through the brush.

Upon entering the park, we see grasslands stretching to the horizon, dotted with solitary acacia trees. It doesn’t take long before we spot our first elephants – a large bull walking alongside a group of females and calves. Further on, we come across a family of warthogs foraging in the dirt and are warned to keep our distance – the tusks of the males can inflict a nasty wound!

After a picnic lunch by the Kazinga Channel, we board a motorboat to look for wildlife along the waterway that connects Lake Edward and Lake George. Almost immediately, we see massive hippos submerged up to their eyes, keeping a watchful eye out for crocodiles. Scanning the shores, we spot gorgeous topi antelope and mongoose darting in and out of the bushes. But the real thrill comes when a pod of Nile crocodiles bask along the shoreline, their scaly bodies littering the banks as far as we can see.

The next day takes us to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. After a hike deep into the dripping jungle, we are rewarded with extremely rare sightings of mountain gorillas – a family of silverbacks with several younger gorillas clinging to their backs. We sit in awe, watching them forage, play, and simply enjoying this special chance to observe these majestic apes in the wild. By nightfall, as the forest comes alive with the cacophony of different cries and hoots, we feel truly privileged by all the incredible wildlife experiences we’ve had in Uganda.