Extraordinary Animal Behavior

The extraordinary animal behavior in Uganda is something that makes its animals to stand out in East Africa and Africa as a whole. Uganda’s wildlife thrives in diverse ecosystems, displaying remarkable behaviors that make the country a top destination for nature enthusiasts.

Mountain gorillas display complex social bonds in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Gorillas form tight –knit family groups. They are more humble than the chimpanzees. They communicate through vocalizations, gestures and facial expressions, demonstrating intelligence and emotional depth.

Hippos travel long distance for food. Despite spending their days submerged in water, hippos leave rivers at night to graze, sometimes covering several kilometers in search of fresh vegetation.

African elephants are one of the amazing animals in the country with extraordinary animal behavior in Uganda. These giants communicate over vast distances. They produce low-frequency sounds that travel for kilometers, allowing them to coordinate movements and warn others of danger. Elephants have long-term memories of about 50 years.

Chimpanzees are another unique creature in the country. The largest number is found in Kibale National Park. Chimpanzees design sticks to extract termites and use leaves to scoop up water proving their problem solving skills is something stunning to view.

Amazing National Parks in Uganda that showcases extraordinary animal behaviors

Uganda is a blessed country with 10 National Parks, 12 wildlife reserves and 5-community reserve. Each National Park has a unique slogan, unique feature and that extra ordinary animal behavior that makes it to stand out among the many.

You might be wondering whether Uganda is only a country of wildlife. Moreover, the answer is simple, besides its iconic wildlife, the country has a lot in package to offer. Wildlife is only its keystone species however; one can enjoy its amazing culture.

The country has about 56 tribes each having their unique culture, culinary and others do have certain animal as their totem and extraordinary animal behavior that they imitate.

Different National Parks in Uganda and the extraordinary animal behavior

Lake Mburo National Park

Lake Mburo National Park, The whispers of the wild began as a controlled hunting area in 1933. In 1963, the government ungraded it to a game reserve. By 1983, it became a National park under the Obote regime, partly to weaken the Banyankole Bahima pastoralists who supported anti-government rebels.

These pastoralists lost their grazing land without compensation. When the Obote regime collapsed in 1985, they returned, expelled park staff and destroyed infrastructure.

The new government re-gazette less than half the original land in 1986, creating Uganda’s smallest Savannah Park. Lake Mburo National  Park shelters over 68 mammal species and about 300 different birds. The park has key animals such as zebras, impalas, buffaloes and Rothschild’s giraffes among others.

History of Lake Mburo National Park

Lake Mburo National Park did get its name from the local legend. Long ago two brothers Mburo and Kigarama lived in the valley. One night Kigarama dreamt of the great floods and warmed Mburo to leave.

Mburo ignored the warning and stayed. The floods came, drowning him and forming the Lake called Lake Mburo. The waterbody took his name, while the nearby hills became Kigarama, honoring the brother who escaped. The Lake offers many tourism activities such as birds watching, boat cruise that comes with animal spotting like hippos among others.

The following are the amazing animals with the extraordinary animal behavior

 Zebras

Lake Mburo National Park is the only park in Uganda where one can spot the Zebras besides CTC conservation area and Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre. Zebras form tight family groups and they graze near water.

Each zebra’s stripe pattern is unique, like a figure print. They often roll on dust to deter parasites.

Impalas

Lake Mburo National Park is the only park where one can spot the impalas. Impalas live in bachelors’ herds or harems. Males do mark territories with scent glands and defend it with dramatic horn clashes.

Rothschild’s giraffes

They do browse acacia trees and use their long tongue to strip leaves. These extraordinary animal behaviors make them so unique with a different trait in the wild. They often stand still for long periods, scanning for predators.

Lake Mburo National Park do have others animals such as leopards which hunt at night and prefer rocky outcrops near Rwonyo. They stash kills in trees to avoid scavengers.

Hippos spend day light submerged in Lake Mburo and graze on land at night. Buffaloes do gather in herds and wallow in mud to cool off and protect their skin. They respond aggressively when threatened, especially when the calves are nearby.

Besides the animal, the park has numerous bird species such as village weavers at the park’s gate to welcome you among other different bird species like grey crowned crane, papyrus gonolek, bare –faced-go-away-bird, African finfoot, African fish eagle, red-faced-barbet among others that is worth visiting.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, the ultimate gorilla experience was established in 1991. The park was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1994 due to its exceptional biodiversity and ecological significance.

The park was formed from the previous protected forest area and its boundaries were expanded to safeguard the habitat of the endangered mountain gorillas.

The park lies along the Albertine rift in southwestern Uganda covered by one of Africa’s oldest and most biologically diverse rainforests that existed over 25,000 years ago.

The iconic animal in the park is Mountain gorillas

The dominant silverback gorillas do lead the family. Their movements are guided by food availability. They do lay nests each night from leaves and branches.

The park do have other animals such as the chimpanzees. They have an extraordinary animal behavior of using tools to extract insects or crack nuts. A behavior that highlights their intelligence and adaptability.

The chimpanzees are noisier to the gorillas. The other animals in the park are the forest elephant, black and white colobus monkeys, red duikers, different bird species and other nocturnal species.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is another place where one can as well witness the unique behavior of the gorilla. It is a place where silver meets gold.

This means in the month of October and September, the golden monkey meets the silverback gorilla and play peacefully in the bamboos. A unique behavior that is worth viewing. That period is as well the bamboo-shooting period.

The park was gazetted in 1991 and the only park in Uganda where one can witness the extraordinary animal behavior of the golden monkey.

Enjoy hiking experience and spot different bird species while at the park.

Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park, the World’s most powerful waterfall. The park was established in 1952, making it Uganda’s oldest and largest national park. It is the class A+ category and the most visited national park in Uganda.

The park was originally part of the Bunyoro-Gulu Game reserve, which had been created in the early 20^th century after communities were evacuated due to a sleeping outbreak. Explorer Samuel Baker named the falls in 1864, in honor of geologist Roderick Murchison.

The park is a home to the big four out of the big five. Within the park, the following are the extraordinary animal behavior.

                                                           Lions

Lions are often seen resting in fig trees and around the savannah grasslands during the heat of the day, a behavior believed to be influenced by the park’s warm climate and tsetse fly avoidance.

Elephants

The elephants often dig for water in dry riverbeds, a habit that helps other animals to access the hidden water sources.

Giraffes

The giraffes have some extra-animal behavior such as necking. A thing that is funny and interesting to the tourists while spotting the animals. Such extraordinary animal behavior is breathtaking.

Nile crocodile

These amazing creatures do bask along the riverbanks and like using ambush tactics near the base of the falls.

The park is a stunning place worth visiting. Besides the listed animals above, the park has different bird species such as yellow-billed stork along the Albertine rift, Abyssinian ground hornbill, Southern bishop, different types of vultures among other bird species and the animals.

Kidepo Valley National Park

The True African wilderness is one of the most exciting places worth visiting with the highest number of buffaloes in Uganda. It is the only park in the country where one can spot the ostriches. For the best extraordinary animal behavior in Uganda, that park has a lot to offer.

The park is as well the home of the big four out of the big five. Kidepo Valley National Park is one of Uganda’s most remote and spectacular protected areas, tucked away in the Northeastern corner of the country near the borders with South Sudan and Kenya. It is a true wilderness gem, often described, as Uganda’s most isolated and least disturbed national park.

Location

The park is situated in Kaabong District, Karamoja region. Covers an area of 1442km2 and dominated by rugged savannah and the towering mount Morungole at 2,750 meters. The park is home to over 86 mammal species including lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, buffaloes and the rare species like bat-eared fox, aardwolf and caracal.

The park hosts about 480 bird species making one of Uganda’s top birding destinations.

Unique features

Narus valley having the permanent water and Kidepo valley with the seasonal riverbeds. Kidepo Valley National Park features Kana Ngorok hot springs, a permanent water source in the North. Vegetation in the place includes acacia woodlands, borassus palm and open grasslands.

Kidepo Valley National Park was named by CNN travel as one of the Africa’s most beautiful national parks. The park offers game drives, nature walks, birding and cultural encounters with the Karimojong and the IK communities.

The following are some of the extraordinary animal behavior in Kidepo Valley National Park

Leopard

Leopards in Kidepo use rocky outcrops to stash kills and hide from rivals. Their stealth blends perfectly with the terrain, making sightings thrilling and rare.

Elephant

During dry seasons, elephants dig into sandy river beds to reach underground water. Their actions create temporary wells that benefit other species, turning them into ecosystem engineers.

Buffaloes

Cape buffaloes in Kidepo display coordinated defense. When threatened, they form protective circles around calves, with dominant males leading charges against predators.

Cheetahs

Cheetahs in Uganda are only in Kidepo valley National Park. They rely on explosive speed and open savannahs. They hunt solo, using short bursts and zigzag chases to outmaneuver prey like Oribis and reedbuck.

Marvel at cheetah’s incredible acceleration and hunting prowess.

Lion prides

Witness lion’s social dynamics, hunting tactics and the majestic roars. The park’s diverse wildlife and unique landscapes offers opportunities to observe these in their natural habitats.

Queen Elizabeth National Park

The medley of wonders is one of the places worth visiting. Queen Elizabeth National Park is the second largest park in Uganda and one of the most visited in the country. The park displays Uganda’s rich biodiversity and dramatic landscapes.

Did establish in 1952, the park stretches across Lake Edward and Lake George and spans districts like Kasese, Rubirizi, Kamwenge and Rukungiri.

The park hosts over 95 mammal species and more than 600 bird species, making it a prime destination for wildlife enthusiasts. Visitors explore savannah plains, tropical forests, crater lakes and wetlands while spotting the elephants, hippos, lions and chimpanzees.

Rwenzori Mountains frame the park’s backdrop, adding to its scenic allure. Queen Elizabeth National Park attracts travelers with its tree climbing lions in Ishasha, boat cruises along the Kazinga channel, and chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge.

The following are some of the animals with their unique behaviors in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Tree-climbing Lions of Ishasha

Unlike other lions in Uganda, the ones in Queen Elizabeth National Park basically in Ishasha sector do climb fig and acacia trees.

Why do the lions climb trees?

• Need to escape the biting tsetse flies.
• Cool off from the heat.
• Get a better vantage point to spot prey like Uganda kobs.
• The lions feel more safe and less stress while up on the tree.

Elephant

The park hosts over 2,500 elephants, often seen in family groups of 10-15 individuals. They communicate using low –frequency rumbles and are known to wade through swamps and crater valleys, creating trails that other animals do follow. The elephant have a very strong memory of about 50 years.

Chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge

These endangered primates live in a rainforest gorge surrounded by savannah. They exhibit complex social behaviors, including tool use and cooperate hunting. They are more noisy compared to  the gorillas.

Buffaloes

Cape buffaloes form massive herds, sometimes up to 2,000 individuals with strict dominance structures. Males often compete for leadership and their reddish –brown coloration is due to interbreeding with forest buffaloes from the DRC.

Hippo

The park has over 5,000 hippos, the Kazinga channel is one of Africa’s densest hippo habitats. The hippos spend the day submerged and emerge at night to graze up to 50kg of vegetation, often travelling several kilometers inland.

Avian

The boasts over 600 bird species. Birds like the African skimmer and papyrus Gonolek are often seen performing intricate mating dances and territorial displays.

Semuliki National Park

Semuliki National Park, the true birders haven. Is one of the unique and amazing parks worth visiting. The park lies in western part of Uganda, near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. It protects East Africa’s only lowland tropical rainforest, making it a unique ecosystem in the region.

The park covers about 220 square kilometers and it sits within the Albertine rift valley, offering lush scenery, hot springs and rich biodiversity.

The following are some of the unique things in the park

The rare chimpanzees

The park do have some of the unique chimpanzees that walk upright on two legs though for a short distance. A behavior linked to their search for food.

Male and female hot springs

The park have unique hot springs with the genital shape for a male and female thus the name male and female hot spring.(sempaya hot spring)

Animals like buffaloes and antelopes gather around the hot springs to lick mineral rich salt deposits, a behavior rarely seen elsewhere.

Flying squirrels gliding through the forest

The pygmy scaly-tailed flying squirrel, a rare nocturnal mammal, uses skin flaps to glide between trees. A spectacular adaptation to dense forest life an experience that is worth viewing.

Butterfly congregation

With over 300 butterfly species, Semuliki National Park host dazzling swarms, especially after rain. This offers a very good experience to the butterfly lovers.

Bat roosting colonies

Semuliki hosts rare bat species, including fruit bats and insectivorous types. Some roost in hollow trees and caves, forming colonies that can number in the hundreds. Their emergence at dusk creates a dramatic spectacle.

Kibale Forest National Park

Kibale Forest National Park sits in western part of Uganda and displays one of Africa’s most diverse tropical rainforests. The park spans about 795 km2 and stretches across districts like Kabalore, Kamwenge and Kasese. It connects with Queen Elizabeth National Park to form a vital wildlife corridor.

Visitors explore Kibale to track chimpanzees and observe 13 primate species, including red colobus and L’hoest’s monkeys. The forest also supports over 350 tree species, 70 mammals and 372 bird species making it a hotspot for biodiversity.

The following are the amazing animals in the park

Chimpanzees

Chimpanzees in Kibale modify sticks to fish for termites or spear the bush babes showcasing advanced problem solving. They live in complex communities of up to 150 individuals, led by an alpha male who maintains order through alliance and displays.

During the chimpanzee habituation experience, visitors observe how chimps gradually adapt to human presence without losing their natural instincts.

Nocturnal primate adaptation

Bush babes and pottos emerge at night with enhanced vision and hearing, navigating the forest canopy in near total darkness. Their calls echo through the forest, creating a mysterious nighttime chorus guided by night walks.

Mongoose Behavior in Kibale

Some species, like the banded mongoose, live in large communal groups of up to 20 individuals. They cooperate in foraging, grooming, and raising young. Mongooses use anal gland secretions to mark territory and communicate with other, a behavior that helps maintain group cohesion.

They often reuse burrows dug by other animals or shelter in hollow logs and tree roots, showing adaptability in forest environments. Mongooses emit distinct vocalizations to warn group members of predators like snakes or birds of prey.

They feed on insects, small reptiles, eggs, and fruits. Their keen sense of smell helps them locate hidden prey in leaf litter.

Where to Spot Them

• The Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, adjacent to Kibale, offers great chances to see mongooses during guided nature walks.
• Look for them early in the morning or late afternoon, when they are most active and foraging near forest edges or swampy areas.

Mt. Elgon National Park

Mt. Elgon was once the largest mountain in Africa far exceeding the current Mt. Kilimanjaro. Numerous erosion has reduced its height to about 4321m reducing it to the 4^th highest peak in East Africa and the 8^th in Africa. The park’s caldera stretches to about 40 km2.

Mt Elgon National Park is located in Eastern region of Uganda near the border with Kenya. The park covers an area of 1,279km2 named after Mt.Elgon an extinct volcano that is one of the oldest and the largest in East Africa.

The park has the largest volcanic base in the World spanning about 4,000km2. There are numerous activity that one can enjoy while at Mt.Elgon national park such as hiking, bird watching, exploring the ancient caves and waterfalls within the park.

The park features diverse landscape including montane forests, bamboo zones and moorland offering breathe taking views and unique natural experience.

The following are some of the animals with extraordinary animal behavior in the park

Elephants

The forest elephants in Mt. Elgon have adapted to the high –altitude environment, roaming the mountainous terrain with ease.

Elusive forest animals

The park’s forest ecosystem support a range of elusive animals, such as bushbucks, duikers and hyraxes, which exhibit unique adaptations to their environment.

The diverse ecosystem such as the park is a haven for birdwatchers with species like Alpine swift, Hartlaub’s Turaco and the Jackson francolin. The geography of the park supports a wide range of animal behaviors, making it an exciting destination for the wildlife lovers.

Mt. Rwenzori National Park

Mt. Rwenzori National Park was established as a park in 1991 and UNESCO recognized it as the World heritage site in 1994 because of its exceptional biodiversity and the scenic beauty. The mountain stretches across western Uganda along the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The park displays the majestic Rwenzori Mountains also known as the “Mountains of the Moon.” Which rise dramatically above the Albertine rift valley. Mt. Stanley, the highest peak, reaches 5,109 meters and ranks as Africa’s third tallest mountain.

Rwenzori Mountains are the tallest mountains in Uganda, the tallest horst mountain in Africa and the third tallest mountain in East Africa. Unlike many African peaks, the Rwenzori Mountains are formed through tectonic upright not volcanicity.

Despite the equatorial location of the mountain, the upper peaks remains snow capped year round due to the high elevation. The mountains have different peaks each separated by deep gorges such Mount Stanley, Baker, Emin, Gessi and Speke among others.

The following are some of the extra-ordinary behavior of the animals in the park

Elephants

The forest elephants in Rwenzori Mountains are smaller than the ones in savanna parks. These elephants occasionally roam in the dense Rwenzori forests. The forest elephant and the leopards have been spotted as high as 4,000 meters an unusual elevation for such large mammals. Their ability to traverse steep, rugged terrain is a testament to their strength and adaptability.

Rwenzori otters

The otters are well adapted to the aquatic life and found in the park’s rivers and streams.

Chimpanzees

Chimpanzees in the lower montane forests exhibit tool use and complex social interactions, including grooming rituals and coordinated hunting.

High altitude bird life

The Rwenzori turaco, endemic to the region, thrives in misty montane forests and uses loud calls to communicate across thick vegetation. Long eared owls and black eagles soar at altitudes above 3,000 meters, adapting to thinner air and colder temperatures.

Three-horned chameleon

The three-horned chameleon, found in the park’s bamboo and heath do change color dramatically not just to camouflage but also to regulate body temperature. Sometimes it is as well hard for the guides to identify them.

The extraordinary behavior of the animals in the country is an amazing activity worth viewing. Book your trip with Beyond sight safaris where every trip is a story.