Plain or Burchell’s zebras are one of the most fascinating wildlife species within two of National Parks in Uganda and Rwanda’s only Savannah National Park. These mammals are well known for their distinctive stripped coats. Just like human fingerprints, no two Zebras have the same or exact stripes and are mainly seen as a form of camouflage to safeguard them from their predators such as Lions and leopards making it difficult to distinguish one Zebra from the other.
It is also believed that the stripes also keep insects at bay or maybe act as a sort of sunscreen that assists them in recognizing one another. Much as these are speculations or beliefs, one thing that is for sure true about them is that they have unique stripes from one individual to another. These animals live in small family groups along other family groups in larger herds.
Seeing these exceptional Burchell’s Zebras grazing and moving in groups and grooming one another is one of the most beautiful sightings you will ever have in a destination. The Burchell’s Zebras are worth seeing in only two places in Uganda that include;
Lake Mburo National Park
This National park is situated in Western Uganda, about 260 kilometers from Kampala City and easily accessed en-route to other parks that include Queen Elizabeth National Park, Mgahinga National Park, Rwenzori Mountains National park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Burchell’s Zebras are one of the most popular wildlife species in this National Park and is what sets this place apart from the other savannah parks such as Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls National Parks. You can stop by Lake Mburo National park to see these fascinating animals before proceeding to the other National parks in western and south-western Uganda.
Kidepo Valley National Park
Situated in the far North-eastern corner of Uganda at the border with South Sudan and Kenya, this National Park is a haven to numerous exceptional Wildlife species with the Burchell’s Zebras being one of them. The fact that these animals are found in only two places in Uganda, Kidepo Valley National Park is your perfect choice for a safari because there are also other wildlife species that you will encounter at the destination during a safari that you will not find in Lake Mburo National Park. These include the hunting dogs, bat-eared fox, Wild dogs, striped Hyenas, Caracal, the cheetahs, Lions, Elephants, Pangolins, Aardwolf, Uganda Kobs and birds such as the Ostriches among others.
The only place to see the Burchell’s Zebras in Rwanda is the Akagera National Park. This Savannah Park is found within North-eastern side of the country bordering Uganda and Tanzania and is also known for other wildlife species such as the Big five animals among other interesting attractions.
In conclusion, the Burchell’s Zebras are interesting wildlife species found within Uganda’s Lake Mburo and Kidepo Valley National Parks, and Rwanda’s Akagera National Park while on a safari. These animals are known for their distinctive stripped coats that vary from one individual to another hence you can visit the mentioned destinations so as to learn and understand more about them.