The Reptiles found in Uganda

Uganda is home to many amazing reptiles

The reptiles found in Uganda- in this content, you will find the information, Background, National parks, Wildlife reserves, where you will be able to sight number of reptiles such as the Lizards, Nile crocodiles, Tortoises, Terrapins and Chameleons found in Uganda.

Common snakes in uganda

Uganda also referred the Pearl of Africa, is diverse and has a lot to see and do yet it’s not been discovered by many little is known and a few have felt the taste of Uganda, Uganda has got various types of snakes some of which are venomous and other non-venomous. The truth is Ugandan snakes are shy and once they hear a shout or something moving towards it, they will as much as possible to find safer places to hide away from danger and can only be forced to attack when they can’t hide anymore or provoked. During your in different destinations, will certainly sight some of them most especially the python and others you will see them crossing the road in front of your Vehicle.

The Puff Adder: this is one of the most common snakes in Uganda, they are found in the Savannah parks, they are friendly to wards humans but at the same time, dangerous when intimidated they will be forced to attack you. It’s mostly sighted by safari visitors, during your safari in various savannah parks, and they enjoy feeding on rodents, you may come across it.

Gabon Viper: This one is the largest among all the African snakes, measures up to 2 meters long, it has heavy build, black and brown skin pattern with some gold patches on it. Its colour is the perfect mix for a camouflaged for the tropical forest in Uganda. Uganda is beyond what you can imagine, interesting in exploring the reptiles in Uganda, go on a safari with adventure in the wild safaris, you will love every minute you will spend with us.

Rock Python: Rock Python is the largest snake type in Africa, it’s length measures over 5 meters long. It’s skin, is Gold on black mottled kind. This snake is not venomous but kill their prey by strangulation, and wrapping their body around the prey, swallowing it whole after, they will take a deep nap for some quite time for even about two months.

They feed on small antelopes, large rodents, they can even kill small child and swallow it, you may not come across them during your safari, but the perfect place to find is the bat cave in Maramagambo forest in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Black Mambas: they are very poisonous and are of great threat to humans and have been reported to be killing many villages, they move faster than a human being and can strike a person when they are attacked. They are not black in colour as the name suggest, but the interior of the mouth is black. They are mainly spotted in Eastern Uganda.

Green Mambas: These are most often sighted on trees, they do not move on the ground, they are even found in roofs of houses, latrines, shrubs and bushes, they are also poisonous but not very aggressive as the black Mamba.

Mole snake: these are mostly sighted in Savannah parks, they feed on moles and other rodents, they measure up to 2 meters long.

Egg Eating Snakes: This snake feeds on eggs as the name suggests, they swallow a whole egg and regurgitate the egg shell later.

Boom Slag: Despite no serious cases of this snake attack on humans in Uganda, they are very toxic though not aggressive in behaviour, they black-ganged, they are usually spotted on trees.

Monitor Lizards Uganda

In Uganda, you will have an opportunity to sight the various monitor lizards, some on them are Savannah lizards, water lizards, you will spot them during the game drives and during the boat cruise safaris on different water bodies in Uganda offering boat safaris.

The water monitor lizards, can also be found along the Kazinga channel in Queen Elizabeth national park, Murchison falls national park, here there are higher chances to sight the monitor lizard along the Nile and a cross the savannah monitor and measure up to 2 metres long. When you visit these national parks, you will have a great opportunity to come across the monitor Lizards.

As you walk around the park, you will come across one, there is no need to panic that are harmless and will not attack you. They look like crocodiles but do not actually behave like the crocodile, the monitor lizard, raid crocodile nests in search for their eggs.

Nile Crocodiles Uganda

Uganda’s Nile crocodiles, are one of the largest living reptiles in Africa, the Nile crocodiles are harmful and can kill somebody and eat up the person, despite these, there are no cases of tourists being attack by the crocodiles although there some cases of locals who come to Nile some times they are attacked by the crocodiles. But you are on a safer side, reason being that you will view them on the boat trip in the Nile at Murchison falls national park or at the Kazinga channel boat trip in Queen Elizabeth national park, you will also view them at the shores in Lake Mburo National parks.

The Nile crocodiles, in most often, feed on fish and also prey on mammals that come to drink water. So exciting to watch the crocodiles, do not miss the Nile Crocodiles while at the launch trip on the Nile and other national parks that offer the boat safaris.

Chameleons in Uganda

There are many of these that can be sighted in Uganda, yet you may not sight many of them because of their attitude of changing colours, they can change the colour and camouflage to avoid being seen by their potential enemies, they change colour according to their mood but not the environment or the surrounding therefore, you need be so keen since you may screen upon feeling it on your head. They harbour many forested areas in Uganda for example, savannah areas in Uganda as well as forested areas like in Kibale forest National park and Budongo forest.

Graceful Chameleon:   Yellow and green in colour, and white stripe along the flanks of it.

Giant Chameleon:  It is bulky and dark green in colour with yellow stripes and a small horn.  It feeds on small reptiles and insects.

Flap-Necked Chameleon: this one is mainly sighted on Savannah and wooded areas. Its bright and green in color measuring around 15 cm long, but they can grow and double in size and will turn tan brown under certain conditions. One of the fascinating reasons you will need to have reptile safari tour in the Pearl of Africa.

House Gecko: This reptile species appears present in every house/room, it has plastic shape but they are not. They feed on insects and are mostly harmless to humans, with the exception of their saliva, in cases you leave items that are used regularly such as toothbrushes, and they lick it and may have consequences.

Terrapins: They are rather flatter than the tortoise and most often found on rocks near the water, will be the Nile soft- shelled Terrapin, its wide flat shell, can be one meter in length in some cases.

Tortoise: the commonly sighted is the leopard Tortoise, with its shell that is leopard like in pattern, they weigh up to 30 kilos. Book your safari with us and you will Explore Uganda and Beyond. Uganda is one of the best countries in Africa to have unforgettable experience.

If you’re a visitor to Uganda safari, the chances of seeing any of the snakes listed are very small, but reptiles you’re sure to see particularly if you’re visiting any of the national parks include the Nile crocodile, monitor lizards, chameleons, and occasionally a turtle. Don’t miss out on the most thrilling and exciting experience and the moment of having and encounter with the gentle giants of Bwindi and Mgahinga on trekking gorillas after the reptiles ‘ tour, Visit the Nile or track the chimpanzees in the home of the primate. It’s a lifetime experience in any of Uganda’s wildlife parks such as Uganda safaris, Uganda gorilla safaris, chimpanzees, and primates trekking. For further enquiries about your information about Uganda safaris, including golden monkeys trekking, wildlife safaris, chimp trekking, birding as well as adrenaline activities in Jinja at the source of the Nile. Contact us at Advantage in the wild safaris, and we will make the impossible, possible for you.