Giraffes in Uganda National Parks

Giraffes in Uganda are found in Kidepo valley National Park, Murchison Falls National Park and Lake Mburo National Park. Giraffes in Uganda can easily be spotted early morning and late afternoon hours because this is the time most animals come out of their hiding or are returning home. On your drive, you may encounter other wild animals like lions, cheetahs, reedbucks, waterbucks, cape buffaloes, elephants among others.

Where To See Giraffes On Game Drive In Uganda

Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park is the largest and oldest conservation area in Uganda and it is one of the top destinations for spotting giraffes. It is located on the northern end of the Albertine rift valley. The park is home to the Rothschild’s giraffe, a category known for its distinctive pattern and lighter coat. Visitors can embark on thrilling game drives across the savannah plains of the northern bank of the Nile River where herds of giraffes can often be seen gracefully moving around Murchison Falls. While taking the Buligi trails on the northern banks of Murchison Falls National Park, you have a chance to watch giraffes with other wildlife like buffaloes, oribi, warthogs, elephants, lions, leopards and hippos that move to the shore to quench their thirst and take baths.

The shores of River Nile have a wide flock of birds like the spotted morning thrush, blue naped mouse birds, black headed gonolek, vitelline masked weaver pytilia, yellow footed flycatchers, Ituri batis among others.

Kidepo Valley National Park

The park is located in the remote northeastern corner of Uganda. Kidepo Valley National Park offers a truly off-the-beaten-path experience. This park is celebrated for its stunning scenery and a healthy population of giraffes. The vast open savannahs and rugged landscapes provide an ideal setting for game drives, during which visitors can see giraffes along other iconic African species like zebras, cape buffaloes, oribis, bushpigs, bohor reedbucks, lions, bat-eared foxes, spotted hyenas, caracals, aardwolf and cheetahs. The park is isolated which ensures that visitors have a more private and less crowded wildlife viewing experience. For a memorable trip, drive through Narus valley because it is where most wild animals usually meet.

The park also has an array of more than 463 bird species which include kori bustard, red throated bee eaters, Abyssinian scimitarbill, yellow-billed and jackson’s hornbill, little green bee eaters and many others

Lake Mburo National Park

Lake Mburo National Park is located in western Uganda and is one of the nearest parks taking 3 to 4 hours from Kampala. It is characterized by its variety of vegetation zones including open savannahs, acacia woodlands and wetlands that favor the survival of several wild animals like burchell zebras, Uganda kobs, elands, elephants, cape buffaloes, waterbucks, oribi, impalas, hippos and others.

Currently, Lake Mburo has become a haven for Rothschild’s giraffes after a successful translocation project aimed at increasing their population. Game drives here offer visitors the chance to see these elegant creatures in a closer setting compared to larger parks.

Tourists are assured to also meet different bird species like white winged warbler, tabora cisticola, great snipe, African finfoot, saddle bill stork and many others in Lake Mburo National Park.

Best season for giraffe trip in Uganda

The best season to plan a giraffe safari is during the dry season because the grass is thin which gives you better views of these tall creatures. This season is in the months of June to September and December to February. You are reminded that this is a peak season therefore advance tour and accommodation booking is necessary.

On the other hand, the wet season is preferred by some tourists that wish to see giraffes giving birth because this season is associated with taller grass which is suitable for hiding infants from predators. The wet season covers months of March to May and late September to November. This season also has fewer tourists which gives you a private and quiet adventure.

What is the cost of a Uganda giraffes game drive?

There is no actual estimation of a Uganda game tour but with your help, our tour consultant customizes for you a suitable itinerary depending on your budget and interests. we craft packages that range from high end, mid-range to basic.

When pricing your giraffe trip, we consider items like accommodation cost, number of people you are travelling with, meals, transportation and others to make your quotation.

How safe is Uganda for  Giraffes Watching

Uganda is currently safe for trips because Uganda Wildlife Authority has put on ground ranger guides who make sure that tourists, wildlife and its environment is protected. Every game park has checkpoints in and out of the park that are patrolled constantly for security purposes.

You are advised to follow game trip rules while in the park for example not moving outside during night hours while staying within or near the park because it is risky, reporting your presence to the park headquarters for record keeping among others.

Hiring a vehicle in good condition that is fueled to full tank capacity is also advisable while on your trip to avoid getting stuck in the wilderness with hungry carnivores.

Other must do activities on Uganda safari

Gorilla trekking

This activity includes one hour of being in the presence of a fully habituated gorilla family. Destinations for gorilla trekking are Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Note that permits for gorilla trekking must be secured in advance especially during the peak seasons.

Chimpanzee trekking

Uganda has more than 5000 chimpanzees living in Kibale National Park, Budongo forest, Kyambura gorge, Kalinzu forest and Kaniyo Pabidi forest. Chimpanzee trekking gives visitors a chance to spend an hour in the presence of a fully habituated chimpanzee community. you can also choose do chimpanzee habituation where visitors spend 4 hours with a semi-habituated chimpanzee family.

Golden monkey trekking

These endangered species have golden brown hairy bodies and a larger body structure in comparison to other monkeys. You can track them in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda with a compulsory golden monkey trekking permit that is supposed to be secured in advance from Giant Holiday Safaris or Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Birding

Uganda has many bird watching destinations like Mabira forest, Mabamba swamp, Mgahinga forest, Musambwa island, Bwindi Forest, Mpanga forest, Lake bunyonyi and others. Visitors get to see more than 1000 bird species with beautiful sceneries.

White water rafting

White water rafting is an adventurous activity that needs no experience and is led by experienced instructors. This sport takes place on rivers with varying degrees of rapids and participants are required to have safety gear like helmets and life jackets. Tourists then work in teams to paddle and steer the raft through challenging watercourses. Tourists can do white rafting in Murchison Falls National Park or Itanda Falls in Jinja.

Mountain climbing

Uganda has many highlands that visitors can climb in one or two days for example mountain Rwenzori that overlooks Queen Elizabeth National Park. The Rwenzori trek takes around 7 days to reach Magheritah peak. You can also take guided trips to mountain Sabinyo, Gahinga and Muhavura.

What to pack for a Uganda trip

• Binoculars for a closer view of wildlife.
• A travel journal for taking notes on your trip.
• Sunscreen to prevent you from sun burns and uv rays.
• Insect repellant to scare away stinging insects during your game drive.
• A torch for lighting in the night incase solar power goes off.
• Light weight clothing for comfort especially during the dry season.
• First aid kit for treating minor injuries if there is any.
• Snacks for energizing you while on your treks.
• A wide brimmed hat to shield you from the scotching sun.
• Camera for capturing intimate moments with wildlife.
• Hard cash for changing into local currency if you wish to do local transactions. This is because credit card machines in Uganda usually have long queues.