Uganda, known as the “Pearl of Africa,” is home to a rich variety of wildlife, including the African elephant (Loxodonta africana). Elephants are among the most iconic animals in Uganda’s national parks and wildlife reserves. These majestic creatures can be spotted roaming in vast savannahs, dense forests, and near water bodies, making Uganda a prime destination for elephant lovers. Whether you are interested in a classic safari experience or a more adventurous off-the-beaten-path exploration, there are several places where you can find elephants in Uganda.

1. Queen Elizabeth National Park – The Best Place for Elephant Encounters

Queen Elizabeth National Park, located in western Uganda, is one of the most visited parks in the country and arguably the best place to see elephants in Uganda. The park is home to an estimated 2,500 elephants, making it one of the largest elephant populations in the country. The elephants in Queen Elizabeth can be spotted during game drives in the Kasenyi Plains, the Mweya Peninsula, and the Ishasha sector, where they roam freely across the open savannah and near water sources.

One of the best ways to observe elephants in this park is by taking a boat safari along the Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway that connects Lake George and Lake Edward. Here, large herds of elephants can be seen coming to drink, bathe, and play along the shores, often mingling with hippos, buffaloes, and a variety of water birds. The Kazinga Channel boat cruise offers a close-up view of these magnificent creatures, making it one of the most exciting wildlife experiences in Uganda.

2. Murchison Falls National Park – Home to Large Elephant Herds

Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest and oldest national park, is another prime location for spotting elephants. Situated in northwestern Uganda, the park covers an area of over 3,840 square kilometers and is home to one of the largest elephant populations in the country. The elephants here thrive in the vast savannah landscapes and along the banks of the Nile River, where they can be seen drinking and cooling off in the water.

A game drive in the Buligi sector of the park offers the best chance to encounter herds of elephants roaming through the golden grasslands. The Paraá area, near the Nile ferry crossing, is also a hotspot for elephant sightings, where these gentle giants are often seen moving between the river and the lush vegetation.

Visitors can also enjoy a boat safari on the Nile River, where elephants frequently gather along the shores. The boat cruise takes travelers close to the base of the Murchison Falls, where the river narrows and crashes down a 43-meter gorge, creating a spectacular sight. It is not uncommon to see elephants feeding along the banks, sometimes even crossing the river in search of fresh grazing areas.

3. Kidepo Valley National Park – The Remote Wilderness of Elephants

For travelers looking for a remote and untouched wilderness experience, Kidepo Valley National Park in northeastern Uganda is an excellent place to find elephants. Kidepo is one of Uganda’s most spectacular parks, featuring rugged landscapes, dramatic mountain backdrops, and vast open plains teeming with wildlife. The park is home to a healthy population of elephants, which can often be seen grazing in the Narus Valley and along the banks of the seasonal Kidepo River.

Unlike the more popular national parks, Kidepo Valley is far less crowded, offering a more exclusive safari experience. Game drives in this park provide visitors with stunning views of elephants roaming freely in the wild, with no fences or human interference. The dry season is particularly ideal for elephant sightings, as they gather near waterholes to drink and cool off. The elephants in Kidepo are known to move freely across the border into South Sudan and Kenya, making their movements more unpredictable compared to other parks.

4. Kibale National Park – Forest Elephants in the Wild

While most of Uganda’s elephants are found in savannah parks, Kibale National Park in western Uganda is one of the best places to see forest elephants (Loxodonta cyclotis). These elephants are smaller than their savannah counterparts and have rounded ears and straighter tusks. They are more elusive and harder to spot, but lucky visitors may catch a glimpse of them as they move through the dense rainforests.

Kibale National Park is primarily famous for its chimpanzee trekking, but it also provides a chance to see rare forest-dwelling elephants. The best time to find them is during the early morning or late evening when they emerge from the forest to drink at water sources. Since these elephants are shyer than savannah elephants, they are often detected by following their tracks or listening for the sounds of rustling vegetation.

5. Semuliki National Park – A Hidden Gem for Elephant Lovers

Semuliki National Park, located in western Uganda, is another lesser-known destination where elephants can be found. This park is home to both savannah and forest elephants, making it unique among Uganda’s national parks. The elephants here are more elusive, as they tend to inhabit the thick forests and riverbanks of the Semuliki River. However, game drives in the park’s savannah areas provide opportunities to spot them as they emerge to graze.

Semuliki’s hot springs, diverse birdlife, and rich biodiversity make it an exciting place for nature lovers who want to explore beyond traditional safari destinations. Since it is one of Uganda’s less-visited parks, visitors can enjoy a peaceful and uncrowded experience, making elephant sightings even more special.

Uganda offers multiple opportunities to observe elephants in their natural habitat, whether in the open savannah or dense rainforests. Queen Elizabeth National Park and Murchison Falls National Park are the top choices for travelers looking for guaranteed elephant sightings during game drives and boat safaris. For those seeking a more remote and adventurous experience, Kidepo Valley National Park provides an untouched wilderness where elephants roam freely. If you are interested in forest elephants, Kibale National Park and Semuliki National Park offer a chance to spot these elusive giants in a rainforest setting.

Are there elephants in Mgahinga and Bwindi National Parks?

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, both located in southwestern Uganda, are primarily known for their mountain gorillas rather than elephants. However, these parks are also home to a small population of forest elephants (Loxodonta cyclotis).

Forest elephants are more elusive and smaller than their savannah counterparts, with rounded ears and straighter tusks. In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, they inhabit the dense rainforest but are rarely seen due to their shy nature and the thick vegetation. Visitors on gorilla trekking expeditions may occasionally come across elephant tracks, dung, or heard rustling in the forest, but actual sightings are rare.

Similarly, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, which is part of the larger Virunga Conservation Area, also hosts a few forest elephants. These elephants move freely between Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. However, due to their low numbers and preference for deep forests, they are rarely encountered by tourists.

Although seeing elephants in Mgahinga and Bwindi is uncommon, their presence highlights the incredible biodiversity of these parks. For more reliable elephant sightings in Uganda, Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls, and Kidepo Valley National Parks are better destinations.