The Reptiles found in Uganda in Parks, Reserves, and Other Places
The Reptiles – some of which you rarely come across during your visit to Uganda
The Reptiles found in Uganda: Here, you will find the Information, Background, Parks, and Wildlife Reserves where reptiles such as Nile Crocodiles, Snakes, Lizards, Tortoises, Terrapins, and Chameleons are found in Uganda.
The most common reptiles seen by Tourists are the enormous Nile Crocodiles and Nile Monitor Lizards. Various Chameleons are also often spotted by Tourists on a safari.
Though Snakes are common in Uganda, they are rarely seen on a Safari. House Geckos, Tortoises, and Terrapins are often more seen by Visitors.
Preventative Snake attack measures can quickly be taken, such as wearing boots, thick socks, and long trousers. None of our clients have ever been attacked by a snake while on a Safari with us.
The proper boots and clothing on any walking, hiking, or trekking safari will make the difference in keeping you safe.
Most likely, you will see many crocodiles, monitor lizards, and chameleons. If you want to see more reptiles, we can arrange for a safari where you will do just that.
The Reptiles found in Uganda
The Nile Crocodiles of Uganda:
Thank goodness that Nile Crocodiles feed primarily on fish, and the ones found in Uganda are the largest living reptile in Africa, dating back 150 million years.
They will prey on mammals as they come to water, and here in Uganda, you have cases along lakes where someone is killed by a crocodile every year.
Still, you coming on Safari are pretty safe since you will view them on a boat launch trip along the Nile at Murchison Falls or along the Kazinga Channel Shores and at Lake Mburo as you journey on the lake.
The recent flooding of Lake Victoria and other lakes has caused a marked increase in the presence of Nile Crocodiles near villages. While on a safari, remember that you are in the wild and not a zoo.
Crocodiles attack humans. Mankillers are regularly captured by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and then taken to Murchison Falls National Park, where they are released.
Mon
itor Lizards:
Monitor Lizards are common in Uganda and can be seen inside and out of the parks. Many mistake them for crocodiles. There are some similarities, but the Monitor Lizards are pretty different.
If you come across one, do not fear, they are harmless to you. They look like crocodiles but do not behave like them. They raid Crocodile Nests for the eggs that are there.
Here in Uganda, you find the savannah monitor and the water monitor. You will see them on game drives and boat launch trips.
The water monitor can often be found along Kazinga Channel. In Murchison Falls, there is an excellent chance to come across the savannah monitor and the Water Monitor Lizard along the Nile. The savannah monitor can be over 2 meters long.
It is good to keep your distance from them while you are on a nature walk. All nature walks require that a ranger is with you.
Snakes Found in Uganda:
There are many different kinds of snakes found in Uganda. The good news is that you rarely see them, and they usually are pretty shy and slither away as they sense your approach. You might see a few cross the road in front of your vehicle and spot a Rock Python or two along with your Safari.
Rock Pythons: This is Africa’s most giant snake, lengths often over 5 meters in length. Gold on black mottled kind of skin. They are not venomous and kill their prey by strangulation, wrapping their bodies around them, swallowing it whole, and off to a nap that can last a couple of months. They feed on large rodents and small antelopes. They could kill a small child. You will not come across too many. The bat cave in Maramagambo Forest is a good place in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Puff Adder: One of the most often encountered snakes in Uganda. They are found in the savannah parks. It feeds primarily on rodents but will strike when threatened. It is a sluggish kind of snake, and because of that, you can more easily disturb it, but again it is not often that a safari visitor comes across one.
Gabon Viper: This is the largest African Viper, over 2 meters long, has a stout build, black and brown skin pattern with some gold on it. A perfect mix for the rainforests of Uganda.
Black Mambas: A most poisonous snake, this snake is associated with many stories about killing villagers. Usually, the Black Mamba will only strike when attacked and then repeatedly. It is found in Uganda, especially in the eastern part of the country. Black Mambas are pretty fast and able to move faster than humans. They are not black, but the interior of their mouth is.
Green Mambas: You usually do not see the Green Mambas on the ground but in trees, even on the roofs of homes, latrines, and shrubs and bushes. Poisonous but not as aggressive as the Black Mamba.
Boom Slang: A tree snake is back-fanged and non-aggressive in behavior, yet it is a very venomous snake. It has not caused any fatalities in Uganda and, for that matter, in the rest of Africa.
Green Tree Snake: A non-venomous snake found in trees.
Mole Snake: Up to 2 meters in length and found in the savannah parks and feeds on moles and other rodents as the name suggests.
Egg Eating Snakes: Again, the name tells the story. This snake feeds on bird eggs, and they swallow the egg whole and regurgitate the shell sometime later.
Chameleons-Geckos-Tortoises-Terrapins
Chameleons: 
In Uganda, there are many chameleons but few to be seen. We know them best for being able to change their colors depending on their mood rather than their background and surroundings.
Here in Uganda, you might come across one along a path or a road as you travel or take a walk, such as in the Foothills of the Rwenzori Mountain.
Flap-Necked Chameleon: You can find it in the savannah and wooded areas. It is around 15 cm long, bright and green in color, but it can grow to double in size and turn tan or brown under certain conditions.
Graceful Chameleon: Yellow and green, and white stripe along its flanks.
Giant Chameleon: It is bulky and dark green in color with yellow stripes and a small horn. It feeds on small reptiles and insects.
House Gecko: No matter where you go, you find this little visitor in your room, almost plastic-like, don’t worry, they are harmless and eat insects.
Tortoises: Most common is the leopard tortoise, with a leopard-like shell in the pattern. They can weigh up to 30 kilos.
Terrapins: Somewhat flatter than tortoises, the most common found on a rock near the water will be the Nile soft-shelled Terrapin, a wide flat shell that can be one meter in length in some cases.
The Reptiles found in Uganda are there. However, most visitors to Uganda rarely see a snake in Uganda, but reptiles are here in Uganda, including the various snakes listed above. You often come across crocodiles, monitor lizards, chameleons, a turtle here or there – you might see a python on a game drive or at the Maramagambo Bat-cave, where they live right with their prey…enjoy Uganda. The Reptiles found in Uganda – are not as scary as they might seem.
