Uganda is an East African tourism hub, the small country has a total number of ten national parks and game reserves where you will be able to spot the big five mammals. Wild life tour will take Murchison Falls National Park, the largest conservation national park, Queen Elizabeth National Park to mention but a few. Big five was derived from the big hunters and five of the wildlife animals to hunt and these include;
Leopard
Among the big five, a leopard is listed as a vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature red list due to habitat loss. Leopards are characterized by its fur covered by rosettes and more densely packed. Leopards are carnivores and not scared of anything. They are also nocturnal as well as secretive and have the ability to adapt to various habitats ranging from rain forest to montane areas. Leopards also have the ability to run at a speed of up to 58 kilometers per hour.
While on an early game watch out for the leopard in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park.
African Elephant
Avery giant mammal characterized by long trunks with protruding two ivory like scissors , small eyes, large floppy ears, wide and thick legs with a very tiny tail. The present hunting in need of ivory is leading to their extinct but some are still surviving in the savannah grassland. Elephants can be spotted in Murchison national park, Kidepo national park and queen national park.
Cape Buffaloes
This is the common animal among the big five that you will never miss to spot while on a game drive in the savannah parks. They live in herds of about 1000 members. African Buffalo are regarded as being very dangerous animals when attacked and several people are killed by them, they are also capable of killing cub lions as a preventive measure.in Uganda cape buffalos are in Queen national park, Murchison national park and Lake Mburo national park.
The Rhinos
Rhinos are large and massive with a grey thick skin and a protruding iconic horn. Rhinos became extinct in 1980’s due to poaching and civil unarrests but they are being bled back.so far in Uganda there are more than 20 rhinos in Zziwa rhino sanctuary on the way to Murchison falls national park.
African Lion
Lions are king of the jungle living in a pride. A pride usually comprises about five to six adult females, a set or coalition of adult males, and any cubs. They are carnivorous and prefer to live in the savannah, tall grass and bush thickets. Male lions grow thick mane around their neck and shoulders while females have a thin fur. Lions can be seen in Murchison falls, Queen Elizabeth and Kidepo national park.
