Where to see the Big Five in Rwanda & Uganda
Elephants, rhinos, buffalo, lions, and leopards are the Big Five, the most sought-after savannah creatures. As the most challenging creatures to hunt on foot, the big game hunters gave these animals the moniker “Big Five.” Where to see the Big five in Rwanda and Uganda is when one visits Akagera National park, the only national park in Rwanda with these big five species. In Uganda one can see the big five species when one visits Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Kidepo Valley National Park
Akagera National Park
The largest national park in Rwanda and one of the oldest on the African continent is Akagera National Park. The national park’s initial area was 2,500 square kilometers. One of Rwanda’s largest national parks is Akagera National Park, where visitors may take the country’s top wildlife safari trips. Amazing wildlife species including leopards, lions, elephants, giraffes, rhino, zebras and hippos abound in the park in eastern Rwanda.
Major tourist attractions in Akagera National Park
Game drives
Game drives can take place in the morning, afternoon, and evening on the plains, hills, and lakes. The park’s roads have been upgraded since African parks and the Rwanda Development Board began collaborating.
Boat cruises
Boat journeys to Lake Ihema are well-known. Elephants, hippos, and crocodiles may be seen drinking along the shoreline throughout the boat excursion. Numerous bird species, including African darters, African jacanas, cormorants, fish eagles, and kingfishers, breed in the lakes and surrounding marshes.
Nature walks
With the assistance of a park guide, you can plan a nature walk through specific areas of the park, which offers you the chance to observe the park’s abundant biodiversity. The nature walk entails following designated park paths that lead to forests, lakes, and swamps.
Cultural Visits
In order to permit visitors to participate in cultural visits, Akagera National Park’s administration works with local communities. Community guides are in charge of these excursions.
How can one get to Akagera National Park?
Located in Rwanda’s extreme northeast, 110 kilometers from Kigali International Airport, Akagera National Park is accessible by road. It takes around two and a half hours to get there in a decent, comfortable four-wheel drive safari vehicle.
Where to see the big five in Uganda
Murchison Falls National Park
The oldest and biggest safari park in Uganda is Murchison Falls National Park, also referred to as Kabalega National Park locally. It is located at the end of the Albertine Rift Valley. Murchison is situated in the Masindi District, 305 kilometers north of Kampala. Although Murchison Falls is a fun place to visit year-round, December through February is thought to be the ideal time of year. Another fantastic time to visit is from June to September. The park is a naturally a protected area with over 76 mammal species and 450 bird species.
One of the locations in Uganda where you can have a great chance of seeing all five of Africa’s game species is Murchison Falls National Park; however, on the way to Murchison Falls National Park, you can see the white rhinos at Ziwa rhino sanctuary.
Major tourist attractions in Murchison Falls NP
River Nile
The longest river in the world and a popular tourist destination, the River Nile flows through Murchison Falls National Park. Numerous animals congregate here to wash and drink from the sand banks, making it an essential source of water for the park’s ecosystem.
Bird watching
For Ugandan birding safaris, Murchison Falls National area is a highly rewarding site. More than 450 bird species call the area home, including savannah, aquatic, and Albertine Rift unique species.
Paraa
Locals call the Parra area of Murchison Falls National Park, near the banks of the Nile River, the “home of hippos,” and hippos can be seen there as well. Paraa is a highly picturesque and significant place that is worth exploring while on a Uganda safari in the park.
Budongo Forest
The quantity of African mahogany trees and the presence of chimpanzees in Budongo Park are well-known. The mahogany trees in the park are over 80 meters tall and have a circumference of 20 meters. The Budongo forest is home to about 360 bird species, 290 butterfly species, 475 tree species, and 9 monkey species.
How can one get to Murchison Falls NP?
Via road: It takes about four to six hours (305 km) to drive from Kampala to the headquarters of Murchison Falls National Park at Paraa (85 km from Masindi). From Kampala, the southern gates (Kichumbanyobo and Masindi South Gate) offer the most direct access to Murchison National Park.
Queen Elizabeth NP
There are so many amazing things in Queen Elizabeth National Park! Situated in the Kasese District of Uganda, this Uganda safari/Uganda tours park is home to a variety of wildlife species due to its diverse ecosystems, which include lakes, lush marshes, shady, moist forests, and expansive grassland.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to a wide range of wildlife, such as the Egyptian elephant, African buffalo, Ugandan kob, hippopotamus, waterbuck, warthog, giant forest hog, Nile crocodile, leopard, spotted hyena, chimpanzee, and lion. In total, there are about 600 bird species and 95 animal species in the park.
Major tourist attractions found in Queen Elizabeth NP
Lake Katwe
The Katwe Salt Crater Lake is one of the crater lakes that cap the crater area of Queen Elizabeth National Park, which is well-known for its magnificent crater drive. It is situated in the northwestern section of the park, north of the Mweya Peninsula. Because Katwe has inlets but no exits, it is a saltwater crater lake.
Kazinga Channel
During the dry season, when tourists are most active, Kazinga Channel is home to the bulk of Queen Elizabeth National Park’s wild species. It is the location of the well-known launch cruise.
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