Most travelers think of wildlife safaris to Uganda when planning a holiday to Africa. Although Uganda is popular for its endangered mountain gorillas, the country also hosts some impressive wildlife in its national parks and reserves – with all the African Big Five Animals. If you are planning a safari to Uganda and wondering ‘‘What is the biggest wild animal in Uganda? ‘’ The Biggest wild animal in Uganda and the world at large is an African elephant (Loxodonta Africana).
The African Elephant is one of the African Big Five Animals and can be seen in different National Parks in Uganda. The other Big Four African Animals are the lion, leopard, rhino, and Buffalo. Besides being one of the African Big Five animals, the African Elephant is also the largest or biggest animal in Uganda and the world at large. If you are traveling to Uganda and wondering What is the biggest wild animal in Uganda? The African elephant is the answer. The Big Five African Animals were the deadliest animals to hunt on foot in Africa, as stated by the early big game hunters in Africa. Uganda is one of the 36 African Countries where you can spot these massive mammals during game-viewing safaris or wildlife safaris in National Parks and Reserves.
African Elephant is the biggest wild animal and the world’s largest land mammal and perhaps the most enduring symbol of nature’s grace and fragility. The African elephant is one of the most intelligent and entertaining animals that you shouldn’t miss out on your wildlife safaris.
The African Elephants have large ears that allow them to radiate excess heat. The upper incisor teeth of African Elephants develop into tusks that become elongated, and they grow throughout their lifetime. The African Elephant has two sub-species species, the savanna (or bush) elephant and the forest elephant. The savannah African elephants are larger than forest African elephants. The identical difference between the savanna and forest elephants is their size (Savanna elephants are larger than forest elephants) and their tusks (Savanna elephants have tusks that curve outwards, while forest elephants have tusks that are straighter and point downward). The other thing is that the forest elephants are darker than the savannah elephants.
African elephants are large animals and a fully grown male African elephant has an average weight of 6300 kilos, and the smallest adult male almost dips 4000 kilos – a weight that is twice more than the average family SUV. The female elephants are however smaller than the male elephants and in normal conditions a female adult weighs just over half of the weight of the male weight.
The tallest male, standing 4 meters tall, and the tallest female, standing 3.4 meters tall, differ in height somewhat more than in weight. Aside from their general sizes, the male and female vary noticeably in that the male has a more rounded forehead while the female has an angular one. An elephant’s brain, which may weigh up to six kilos, is notably known to be the biggest of any living creature.
Uganda is one of the places where you can spot the African elephant during your wildlife safaris. Some of the best places to see African Elephants on safaris in Uganda include; Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Kidepo Valley National Park. For the very best sighting of African Elephants, a boat safari to the Nile in Murchison and Kazinga channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park offers great chances for sightings.
Does Uganda have wild Animals?
Uganda is home to over 345 mammal species registered, 142 reptile species, 86, amphibians, 501 fish species, 1,242, butterflies, and higher plants (4,500). If you are wondering if there is wildlife in Uganda? Uganda is one of the most bio-diverse countries in Africa. Some of the must-see in Uganda are the primates including mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, red-tailed monkeys, golden monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, and many more. Carnivores – Lion, Leopards, African wildcats, cheetahs, hyenas, among others.