Top Destinations for Spotting Big Cats in Uganda

The big cats in Uganda include lions, leopards and cheetahs. In case you are planning a trip to Uganda the key destinations for seeing these primates include Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park and Murchison Falls National Park.

Other parks like Lake Mburo National Park have healthy leopard populations but are not frequently visited because they don’t have lions and cheetahs. visitors can combine a tour to all three destinations to see these big cats in their natural environment.

Queen Elizabeth National Park in Western Uganda is known for tree climbing lions which is a rare behavior seen in few places globally. The Ishasha sector in the southern part of the park is particularly famous for this unique view having more than 35 lions.

According to researchers, these lions climb trees as a mechanism of running away from tsetse flies on the ground. Lions also run away from heat and look for shedding in the trees as they wait for their target prey.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is also the only destination in Uganda where leopard tracking takes place. This activity involves an experienced guide and a leopard with a radio caller around its neck. This helps the guide in tracking leopards and studying their behavior in their natural environment. Leopards in the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park can best be spotted in Kyambura gorge, Ntungwe and Kasenyi mating grounds.

You are advised to use 4 by 4 wheeled safari vehicles because roads to Queen Elizabeth National Park are not in good condition especially during the rainy season.

Kidepo Valley National Park in the northeastern region is another prime location for big cat watching. It is less visited with hidden treasure which leaves its natural beauty untouched. It is also home to more than 20 cheetahs with conservation projects which clarifies rumors that cheetahs were extinct in Uganda.

This has been achieved with the aid of the government and NGOs that have put in place anti-poaching and encroaching measures. Cheetahs in Kidepo Valley National Park are best seen during the dry season.

Kidepo Valley National Park is also known for its big lion population of more than 132 lions which are usually seen in Narus valley searching for water during the dry season. The lions in this park also climb sausage trees so that they can easily see their prey.

The best time to see big cats in Uganda is during the dry season in the months of August, June and August because they are not dispersed in search of water across the park.

Murchison Falls National Park is located 305 kilometers from Entebbe. It has lions and leopards which are seen along River Nile banks during morning and evening drives and these can be seen during the dry season. Spots for viewing lions include Victoria track famous for expecting lionesses and their cubs, Albert and Queen’s track.

Murchison Falls National Park also has leopards in the savannahs, riverine forests and woodlands. These leopards are exposed to poaching and encroachment threats which has resulted into the loss of their natural environment.

Best time to visit and see big cats in Uganda

The best time to see the big cats is during the dry season because the grass is thin and these animals gather around water sources for cooling and hunting their prey. On the other hand, you can choose to have your big cat tour during the wet season which also has its advantages.