Due to the blessings from nature, Uganda has been called “Africa compressed in one country” or “The Jewel of Africa.” Numerous wildlife species are one of these offerings. Uganda’s animal population has flourished due to its wildlife reserves. Each park is home to a wide variety of creatures, from the tiniest rodents to mammals like the African elephant and several primate species. On a safari to Uganda, you can explore the wildlife reserves, which provide breathtaking views, various activities, and an undulating landscape. The following resources are worth visiting when in Uganda.

The Bokora Corridor Wildlife Reserve is named after the Bokura ethnic group. It is situated in northeastern Uganda, in the Karamoja subregion. It has a 2056 square kilometer surface area. Activities available at this reserve include birding at the Loporokocho marsh, trekking to Mount Kadam, and nature walks due to the variety of fauna and bird species. Among the most sought-after animals in reserve are Rothschild’s Giraffe, Spotted Hyenas, Lions, Topis, Reedbucks, Oryx, Oribis, Cheetahs, Striped Hyenas, Kobs, Lesser Kudu, Buffalo, Lion, Zebras, Roan Antelopes, and Elands. The Ostrich, Eastern Bronze-Napped Pigeon, Dusky Turtle Dove, Grey Cuckoo-Shrike, Hartlaub’s Turaco, African Hill Babbler, Alpine Chat, Jackson’s Hornbill, Black-Throated Wattle-Eye, Yellow-Warbler, Lemon Dove, White-Headed Buffalo-Weaver, and Thick-billed Honey Guide are just a few of the birds that can be seen at the reserve.

The reserve is situated among the districts of Bulisa and Masindi at the bottom of the rift valley cliff on the west side of Murchison Falls Nature Reserve. It is 473 km² in size and is home to 240 different bird types, 600 Uganda Kobs, and 1200 oribis, among other animals. The reserve’s well-kept trails enable visitors to partake in activities including game drives, nature walks, and communal visits to learn about local customs, campsites, barbecues, and bird watching.

One of the largest game reserves in Uganda was founded in 1926 and is called Toro-Semiliki. It is located in western Uganda, halfway between the Kabarole and Ntoroko districts. In the Toro-Semiliki Wildlife Park, you may go on a guided primate walk that lasts up to 4 hours, take a ferry ride on Lake Albert, go bird watching, hike for 7 kilometers to the Nyaburogo Gorge, or visit the local community to watch them play a dance performance or create handicrafts.

Karuma Wildlife Park is known for the Karuma Falls, its most notable feature. However, there is much to this place than just viewing the roaring cascades. It is abundant with primates, and when taking a nature walk here, you may see Olive Baboons, Black & White Colobus Monkeys, Vervet Monkeys, and L’Hoest Monkeys. In addition, the reserve is home to antelopes such as Uganda Kobs, Oribis, and Topis, as well as water buffalo, leopard, Rothschild giraffes, elephant, and lions. The Karuma Wildlife Reserve is located in the Kiryandongo District.

Forty different animal species can be found in the Katonga Wildlife Reserve, situated along the Katonga River. These animals include the timid Sitatunga Antelope, African Elephant, Reedbuck, Ugandan Kob, River Otter, and Waterbuck. Only accompanied nature hikes, treks, and canoe safaris are offered at Katonga Wildlife Reserve. The best ways to travel to Katonga Wildlife Reserve are on foot or by boat due to the absence of built-up road networks.

The 265 square kilometers Kigezi Wildlife Reserve is situated in Western Uganda’s Rukungiri District. Kigezi Wildlife Reserve is the place to go if you want to view an African elephant. Elephants moving to Queen Elizabeth National Park from the Democratic Republic of the Congo use it as a refuge. Diversity of bird groups can also be seen, along with Kobs, Water buffalo, Giant Forests Hogs, Bushbucks, and Topis. There are no accommodations on the reserve, so if you want to spend the night there, bring your tent.

The 166 square kilometer reserve is situated in northwest Uganda’s Arua district on the west bank of the Albertine Nile. The way to define the location’s geography is as grass fields, sparse savannah woodlands, and wetlands. Birding is a great activity at this reserve, home to Marabou populations, African fish eagles, and Grey-crowned cranes. Visitors to the Ajai wildlife reserve can go on nature walks and game drives. During a nature walk or game drive, you may see the Uganda Kob, Hartebeest, Warthog, Hippopotamuses, Leopard, Oribi, Crocodiles, Python Snakes, Waterbucks, Buffalo, Common Duiker, Olive Baboon, Black and White Colobus, and Vervet Monkey. Given that the area was once home to white rhinos, plans are in the works to restore rhinos and Nile buffalo.

Because the chimpanzee species at Kyambura Wildlife Park is so well-known, chimpanzee trekking with expert trainers is the primary task there. The reserve is a well-liked location for wildlife viewing because it provides water to the creatures in Queen Elizabeth Nature Reserve. Birdwatchers won’t be left down on their trip to Kyambura since the area is home to several bird species, including White-Tailed Larks, Pink-Backed Pelicans, African Broadbills, and Falcons. You should include a guided nature or woodland walk on your Kyambura bucket list. It would be a worthwhile trip given the reserve’s location, which is next to the Kazinga Channel and northeast of Queen Elizabeth National Park.

North of the Murchison Falls-Amuru District in Northern Western Uganda is where you’ll find the East-Madi Wildlife Reserve. There are 50 mammal species, 181 bird species, and 374 plant organisms in the 831 km2 reserve, making nature treks, wildlife watching, and birdwatching, among the things that may be done there. Among the monkeys seen are Blue Monkeys, Colobus Monkeys, Vervet Monkeys, and Red-tail Monkeys.

Uganda’s fifth most endangered restricted wildlife refuge is the Matheniko Wildlife Reserve, on the northeastern side of the country in the Karamoja subregion. Although this is the case, the reserve is home to various animals and birds, including the Lesser Kudu, Roan Antelopes, Bright’s Gazelle, and Ostriches (which are unique to this area and Kidepo National Park). Old rock drawings believed to be at least three thousand years old can also be seen in Matheniko Wildlife Reserve. The Matheniko Wildlife Reserve offers a variety of activities, such as birdwatching, outdoor excursions, and collective cultural excursions.

World’s second-largest conservation area. It is situated in northern Uganda’s Nakapiripirit District. Pian Upe wildlife reserve offers a variety of activities, including organized nature hikes and animal safaris, traditional group visits, bird watching, and mountain climbing on Mt. Kadam.

Between Murchison Falls and Kibale Forest Park, along the western rift valley trail, sits the 87-square-mile Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve. Because the reserve is situated in the Albertine Rift Valley and close to Lake Albert, fishing is a must-do activity. Although there are many fish species, the Nile Perch is the best catch. Guided treks and nature walks are safe additions to your Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve itinerary because there aren’t any predators. Both ATV quad biking and mountain bike safaris are possible due to the reserve’s geology. Although it’s not a frequent sport in Uganda, couples on Safari will enjoy the opportunity to go fossil hunting at the Kabwoya Nature Preserve. With approximately 460 different bird species to see while taking a bird walk, Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve is a birder’s heaven.