Best National Parks in Uganda to see giraffes on a game drive

Uganda hosts the Rothschild giraffes and these live in National Parks like Murchison Falls National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park and were introduced to Lake Mburo National Park too. If your niche is to see giraffes in Uganda, these three destinations have high chances for you to spot the elongated necks of these ungulates the giraffes.

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We advise tourists to have an open mind during Uganda safaris because most wild animals traverse the National Parks freely, and it is hard to specify where they spend their day. 

To get the best results from your Uganda game safari in these National parks, it is best to do early morning and late afternoon game drives when most wild animals are either emerging from night hideouts or returning home. 

In case you are doing a film, photography, or research about the giraffes, you need to specify your reason for singling out to see the giraffes so that special arrangements can be made for you while on safari. 

During the game drive in Kidepo Valley National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, or Murchison Falls National Park, you may spot animals like lions, waterbucks, bushbucks, cheetahs, herds of elephants, cape buffaloes, reedbucks, aardvark 

and many others. Although not all these animals may be found in these national parks, there is a lot more to see while on Uganda safari.

Where To See Giraffes On Game Drive In Uganda

Murchison Falls National Park

Bisected by Victoria Nile to form the north and southern sectors is Murchison Falls National Park. This park lies on the northern end of the Albertine rift valley, where the bulky Bunyoro escarpments merge into the vast plains of Acholiland. Murchison Falls National Park covers about 3893 square kilometers but is adjoined by Karuma and Bugungu wildlife reserves, covering all 5072 square kilometers of land.

During the game drive on the northern banks of Murchison Falls National Park, especially when taking the Buligi trails, you may have a chance to see several wild animals. Like giraffes, waterbucks, bushbucks, hartebeest, elephants, cape buffaloes, oribi, warthogs, leopards, hippos, and others, the River Nile corridor provides a water source for their animals all year around.

While on a launch trip in Murchison Falls National Park, you may get the opportunity to spot several wild animals that move to the shore to quench their thirst. The launch trip to Murchison Falls departs daily at 0900 and 1400 hours.

Along the way, you have chances to spot the giraffes than move to the shores to quench thirst. Other animals you may spot on the shores include herds of buffaloes, elephants, waterbucks, bushbucks, lions, leopards, hartebeest, warthogs and others.

Chimpanzee trekking in Kaniyo Pabidi forest is exciting, but you can also look for other primates, such as blue monkeys, black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, red-tailed monkeys, and others.

A variety of birds flock the showers of River Nile to feast on the freebies in the marshy shoreline. Some of the birds include yellow footed flycatchers, ituri Batis, Black headed Gonolek, Vitelline Masked Weaver Pytilia, Blue Naped Mouse bird, Spotted Morning Thrush and others.

Kidepo Valley National Park

Placed in the North Eastern corner of Uganda is Kidepo Valley National Park, famous for its long list of wild animals, including ungulates like Rothschild giraffes, cape buffaloes, Bohor reedbucks, Jackson’s hartebeests, oribis, klipspringer, bush pigs, Jackson’s hartebeests and other.

So many carnivores spend their day time in the plains of Kidepo Valley National Park prowling in the ungulates. Some of them include bat-eared foxes, striped hyenas, aardwolf, caracals, cheetahs, lions, leopards, spotted hyenas, and so many others.

Kidepo Valley National Park also boasts a long list of bird species as More than 463 bird species are residents here. Some of the birds in Kidepo Valley National Park include ostriches, Kori bustard, Abyssinian scimitarbill, yellow-billed and Jackson’s hornbill, little green and red throated bee eaters, and others.

To enjoy the best of Kidepo Valley National Park, you drive through tracks that go through the Narus Valley, where most wild animals normally congregate. The Morungule mountains rise above the plains a few kilometers northeast of Apoka. With a ranger guide, you can explore their stunning beauties.

Lake Mburo National Park

Lake Mburo National Park hosts some giraffes that were introduced after Uganda Wildlife Authority realized they can survive in the environment of this park. Lake Mburo National Park lies in western Uganda and is the closest Uganda National Park from Kampala as it takes about 3 to 4 hours to get there. 

The different vegetation zones of this park favor the survival of various ungulates including Rothschild giraffes. Other animals that living in Lake Mburo National Park include herds of elephants, cape buffaloes, impalas, waterbucks, bushbucks, Uganda Kobs, elands, Impalas, Bohor reedbucks, Oribi, Burchell Zebras and others.

The bird list of Lake Mburo National Park is long with chances of spotting species like African finfoot, saddle bill stork, Tabora cisticola, great snipe, Abyssinian ground hornbill, white winged wabler and others.

When Is The Best Time To Plan A Uganda Safari To See Giraffes?

Planning a Uganda safari to see giraffes is open all year around; however, the dry season is most preferred when the grass is lower. Even though giraffes are tall, their high bushes and thickets may cover their bodies, obstructing you from clearly taking and filming photos.

Generally, the dry season in Uganda is normally June to September and December to February, all factors kept constant. The dry season is also the peak Uganda tourism season, so advance booking for logistics to support your Uganda safari is required.

If you wish to see the birth of infants in the wild, the wet season may provide you with the right opportunity. In general, the wet season in Uganda is normally March to May and late September to November. The grass in these game parks is taller, providing a suitable environment to hide infants from predators.

There are fewer vehicles on the tracks of these Uganda game parks to disrupt your chance to observe and take enough photos of their giraffes plus other wild animals that you get the opportunity to see.

How much is a Uganda game Safari?

The cost of Uganda game safari depends on the safari package you choose but the cost of the park entrance fees per individual cuts across all budgets. At Encounter Africa Safaris, we package out Uganda safaris according to high-end, mid-range, and basic. When you enquire from us about your Uganda safari specifying national parks with giraffes, our tour consultant works with you to customize an itinerary that suits your interests and budget.

When costing the Uganda safari inclusive of destinations hosting giraffes, some of the items we consider to make a quotation include number of people traveling with, number of people traveling with, accommodation cost, transport cost, and others.

How Safe Is Uganda For A Safari?

Uganda is safe for safaris as Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger guides are on the ground to give protection to the wild animals, their habitat, and visitors in the parks. There are several checkpoints in and out of these game parks, and ranger guides often patrol the park to check on the security.

In these Uganda game parks are other Uganda security agencies who work closely with park authorities and ranger guides to keep law and order.

As a tourist, you must report to the park headquarters to register your presence in these national parks. Follow the game safari guidelines while in the game parks so as not to fall prey of predators in these game parks. Some of them include not getting out of your room at night when staying within or on the outskirts of the game parks as this is dangerous, and making short calls in the park because you are not sure of what is watching you and others.

Do hire a vehicle in good condition for your Uganda safari to avoid getting stuck in the middle of nowhere while on Uganda safari. You may fall prey to carnivores in the wilderness.

What else to do on Uganda safari?

Gorilla Safaris In Uganda

You can do gorilla trekking, where only one hour is allowed with a fully habituated gorilla family. The gorilla habituation experience is open to the public, too, where four hours are allowed with a semi-habituated gorilla family.

Two destinations are home to the mountain gorillas in Uganda: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park. One must secure a gorilla permit to be allowed to do either of these activities.

Chimpanzees safaris in Uganda

Uganda hosts a population of about 5000 chimpanzees living in destinations like Kibale National Park, Kaniyo Pabidi, Kalinzu Forest, Budongo Forest, Kyambura Gorge, and others. You can do chimpanzee trekking, where tourists have only one hour with a fully habituated chimpanzee community, or chimpanzee habituation experience, where tourists can spend four hours with a semi-habituated chimpanzee community.

You must book a chimpanzee permit from the Uganda Wildlife Authority for either activity.

Golden Monkey Safaris in Uganda

Golden monkeys are some of the endangered primates in the world currently living in few destinations like Mgahinga forest in Uganda. They live in communities under the leadership of an alpha male. Golden monkeys have golden brown hairs on their lower body and a larger body structure compared to other monkeys.

Although golden monkeys are habituated, they still possess their charming nature. You must secure a golden monkey safari permit to do golden monkey trekking or golden monkey habituation experience.

Birding in Uganda

Uganda boasts a long list of birds that is over 1000 bird species a list compared to no other in Africa. Different Uganda safari destinations can be added to your list of sights to visit for Uganda birding adventure. Some of the Uganda birding destinations include Mabamba swamp, Mabira forest, Mpanga forest, Bwindi forest, Mgahinga forest, Lake Bunyonyi, Musambwa Island to mention but a few. Keen birders on Uganda safaris have a long list of destinations to choose from including game parks.

White water rafting on Uganda safari

No experience is needed for you to feel the thrill of white water rafting on Uganda safari as on the ground are experienced and knowledgeable instructors to take you through all the necessary procedures. You can do white water rafting at Itanda Falls in Jinja or in Murchison Falls National Park.

Mountain climbing on Uganda safari

Uganda is endowed with several highlands that you can hike in a day or more. You can hike the Rwenzori mountain ranges that overlook Queen Elizabeth National Park. The trek may take about 7 days and over to get to Magheritah peak. Guided excursion mountaineering is possible too at Mountain Muhavura, Mountain Sabyinyo and Mountain Gahinga.

What Is The Packing List For Uganda Safari?

• A travel Journal to take notes of your moments on Uganda safari
• Binoculars to get a clearer view of the far ranging attractions in the park.
• Sunscreen to smear on your body in case stinging insects attack you during the game drives or Boat ride
• A torch to use for lighting when the lights go out especially in the night. Most accommodations in Uganda National Parks use solar power.
• Pack wilderness friend wear but try to avoid bright colors as these may be misunderstood by animals and insects and they attack you.
• A camera to photos and keep as memories of your Uganda safari
•  Some hard cash to change into local currency in case you wish to do any local transactions. Credit cards are not commonly used in Uganda because of there lengthy procedures.
• Carry an extra fully charged battery for the camera or your phone to exchange with when one runs low.
• Insect repellant as the wilderness is habitat to a number of insects that may be stingers.
• Pack a First Aid kit just in case of an injury while in the wilderness and if you have any personal illness. Do not forget some of health documents from your doctor.
• Toiletries, just in case the lodge doesn’t provide
• Energy snacks to bite while on game drives and other activities in the pack.

For a safari experience like no other, Contact us for more information.