Safari guides · Uganda
Big 5 in Uganda: Where to See Each Animal
Yes, you can see all of the Big Five in Uganda. Here is where each one lives, how likely you are to see it, and a route that links them with the gorillas and chimpanzees.
You can see all of the Big Five in Uganda: lion, leopard, elephant and buffalo in Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth national parks, and white rhino on foot at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Ziwa sits on the road north from Kampala to Murchison, so one route can cover all five in about a week. Add Kibale for chimpanzees and Bwindi for mountain gorillas, and one trip covers big game and both great apes.
Where to see each of the Big Five
| Animal | Best places in Uganda | How likely? |
|---|---|---|
| Lion | Queen Elizabeth (Kasenyi plains, tree-climbing lions in Ishasha), Murchison Falls north of the Nile | Good chance with patient game drives |
| Leopard | Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth | Possible, never certain |
| Elephant | Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, along the Kazinga Channel | Very likely |
| Buffalo | Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls | Very likely |
| Rhino | Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary (white rhino, on foot) | Very likely at Ziwa; not found in the national parks |
Rhino: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Rhino is the one animal you will not find in Uganda's national parks today. Instead, you see white rhino at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, north of Kampala on the road to Murchison Falls. The visit is on foot with a sanctuary ranger, which makes it a memorable hour on any Big Five trip. The sanctuary's own page gives 1.5 to 2.5 hours for the trek, between 07:00 and 17:00, and asks for closed shoes.
Because Ziwa sits on the drive north, it adds rhino to a Murchison trip without adding a night.
Murchison Falls: four of the five and the Nile
Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda's largest park, where the Nile forces its way through a narrow gorge. UWA gives the drive from Kampala to the southern gate as about 305 km, or 4 to 5 hours, then another 1 to 2 hours to most lodges.
- Game drives north of the Nile: elephant, buffalo, lion and, with luck, leopard. Giraffe live on the north bank too.
- The boat trip toward the base of the falls, with hippo, crocodile and birdlife along the river.
- The top of the falls, where you feel the force of the river.
Plan at least two nights for game drives and the boat; three days is ideal with Ziwa. See our Murchison Falls guide and the 3-Day Murchison Falls Safari Adventure.
Queen Elizabeth: tree-climbing lions and the Kazinga Channel
Queen Elizabeth National Park links the crater lakes, open savannah and the Kazinga Channel between Lake George and Lake Edward. UWA puts it at about 410 km from Kampala, at least 7 to 8 hours, so most trips reach it as part of a circuit with Kibale or Bwindi.
- Kasenyi plains: morning game drives for lion, buffalo, elephant and antelope.
- Ishasha sector: in the south of the park, famous for its tree-climbing lions. Mornings are best.
- Kazinga Channel boat trip: hippo pods, elephant and buffalo at the water's edge, and plenty of birds.
UWA also runs an experiential lion tracking activity in Queen Elizabeth. It has limited places and a separate fee, so ask us if you would like it quoted. Read more in our Queen Elizabeth guide or see the 3-Day Safari to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Elephant and buffalo: the easy two
Elephant and buffalo are the two you are most likely to see, often several times a day, in both Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth. The Kazinga Channel boat trip is one of the best ways to watch elephants at the water's edge without the vehicle.
Leopard: the hardest to find
Leopards live in both big savannah parks, but they are shy and mostly active early and late in the day. Your guide watches for them in trees and thickets on every drive. Some guests see one on day one; others never do. We will never promise one, and you should be wary of anyone who does.
Beyond the Big Five: Uganda's extras
What makes a Uganda Big Five safari different is what sits alongside it:
- Mountain gorillas in Bwindi. See how to book a gorilla permit.
- Chimpanzees in Kibale. See our Kibale chimpanzee tracking guide.
- Shoebill, a rare prehistoric-looking bird, on early boat trips in Mabamba wetland near Entebbe or on a longer boat trip to the Lake Albert delta in Murchison.
A route that covers all five
Our Big Five routes usually run like this: Entebbe, Ziwa for rhino on the way north, two nights in Murchison Falls, south through Fort Portal to Kibale for chimpanzees, then Queen Elizabeth for lions, the Kazinga Channel and Ishasha. Add Bwindi at the end for the gorillas.
- 8-Day The Big-5 Uganda Tour, from $3,288 per person
- 10-Day Wildlife, Big 5, Chimpanzee and Gorilla Safari, from $3,713 per person
- 8-Day Uganda Luxury Safari, Big Five Wildlife Adventure, from $4,984 per person
Prices are our published from-prices per person, excluding international flights, and every trip is confirmed in a written quote. For a full breakdown, read Uganda safari cost 2027.
When to go for the Big Five
Game drives are easiest in the drier months, June to September and December to February, when tracks are firm and animals gather near water. Uganda's parks are open all year, though, and the green months bring fewer vehicles and lush scenery. Our best time for a Uganda safari guide has the detail.
Planning from abroad? Our country guides cover flights, currency and timing for your trip: from the USA, from the UK, from Canada, from Australia, from the Netherlands, from Germany, from Belgium and from Scandinavia.
Questions before you book? Send us a message on WhatsApp at +256 789 487 378, email info@mwanzotoursuganda.com, or use the Plan your journey form. We reply within one business day.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see the Big 5 in Uganda?
Yes. Lion, leopard, elephant and buffalo live in Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth national parks, and you see white rhino on foot at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, which sits on the road to Murchison.
Where can I see rhinos in Uganda?
At Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, north of Kampala on the way to Murchison Falls. You walk with a sanctuary ranger to see white rhino, usually for 1.5 to 2.5 hours. Wear closed shoes.
Where are the tree-climbing lions in Uganda?
In the Ishasha sector of southern Queen Elizabeth National Park. Morning game drives give you the best chance.
How many days do I need for a Big 5 safari in Uganda?
About eight days for the Big Five and Kibale chimps, or ten days to add Bwindi gorillas as well.
Is a leopard sighting guaranteed?
No. Leopards are shy and often active at dawn and dusk. Your guide knows where to look, but no honest operator can promise one.