The African Elephants in Uganda

Elephants are the largest wild animals in the world which are also found in Uganda's National Parks. Also called the African / Savannah Elephant, they can leave in the wild for between 50-70 years but some elephants can grow up to the age of 80 years. A fully grown savannah elephant in Uganda will weigh between 3500kgs to 12000kgs. Females are known to be slightly smaller than males, a baby elephant (calf) will normally weigh about 105kgs after the long gestation period of the mother which runs for 22 months.

elephants in Uganda

Uganda has got the Savannah and Forest Elephants. These different species can be well-observed if you travel to places like Murchison falls National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park more especially in Ishaha and make comparisons with the elephants which cross back and forth into Uganda and Congo from the Ntungwe River. You can notice the difference in size and colour and again, the forest elephants are more distructive than those in the Open Savannah grass lands.

An Elephant will use its trunck for many purposes but most especially to draw water and grass for feeding but will also use the trunck to create way in the wild and some times raise the trunck up with ears wide when it sights danger. The trunck can take in up to 15-litres of water in a single draw. The tusk of an elephant will also help it to draw water especially in clearing the weed away from the water,clear the thickets and get good grass, help push trees down to get fruits and also help in digging salt.

These tusks for a fully grown elephant, they can measeure up to 3-meters and can also weigh up to 90kgs. Elephants will spend around 16 hours feeding on grass, shrubs, tree branches and will consume atleast 140-270 kgs in a day. They spend most of the time feeding and they will normally rest more or less than 2 hours in the wild.

Where to spot or locate Elephants in Uganda

However: Those on Gorilla tracking in Bwindi and also on Chimpanzee tracking/ Habituation in Kibale Forest National Parks might see the African Forest Elephants there.

Safaris to see Elephants of Uganda

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