Embark on a majestic journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park and get yourself immersed in the wilderness teeming with natural wonders and untamed beauty. Located in western Uganda in Kasese District, Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the popular travel destinations, the second largest and the most visited National park in the Pearl of Africa. Also known as “A Melody of Wonders”, Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s most popular and diverse conservation area. Queen Elizabeth National Park enjoys a fabulous setting on the rift valley floor, surrounded by lakes, Escarpments, and the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains.
A varied of habitats , including, grassland ,acacia, woodland, forest , wetlands , and open water sustain a wide range of mammals , while the park’s 604 bird species is quite a remarkable tally for protected area covering less than 2000km. Queen Elizabeth National park is a beautiful Park with plenty to see and do on your Uganda safari. The park was founded in 1952 and named to commemorate a visit by the Queen of England. Covering an area of over 700 sq miles between Lakes George and Edward, it is the second largest and most visited park in Uganda.
The park spans between Kasese, Rubirizi, Rukungiri and Kamwenge districts and it’s an inclusion of QENP, Maramagambo forest, Kyambura gorge bordered by Kigezi game reserve, Kibale Forest and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Queen Elizabeth National Park also features the 40 kilometers long Kazinga Channel connecting lakes Edward and George. Superfine Safaris Limited gives you a guide to Queen Elizabeth National Park, about the attractions, where to sleep how to get there and activities in QENP.
Wildlife in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Like said already, Queen Elizabeth National Park has a high concentration of wildlife, one of the reasons for high tourist visits. The park is home to over 95 mammals and 500 bird species. Animals in Queen Elizabeth National park include African buffalo, Uganda kobs, Nile crocodile, African bush elephant, lions, leopards, Hippotamuse, African leopard, Giant forest hogs, waterbucks, warthogs, and the famous tree-climbing lions in Ishasha sector. Some birds in Queen Elizabeth National park include Long-tailed Cormorants, African Jacana, Fish eagle, Pied Kingfisher, Wattled plovers, Black crake, African fish eagle, egrets, ibises and African kingfisher among others.
Things to See and Do in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Travelers on Uganda safaris to Queen Elizabeth National Park have an endless list of things to see and do giving them a memorable experience. The top tourist activities in Queen Elizabeth National Park include:
Game Viewing
Go game viewing in the open Savannah’s of Queen Elizabeth National Park for a close encounter with wild animals in the wilderness. Early morning game drives give you a chance to catch up with early risers grazing, browsing, and hunting before retiring for day rest. Expect to see a huge number of wild animals including herds of elephants, buffalos, lions, hippos, Uganda kobs, waterbuck and giant forest hogs among others. Experienced guides help you spot different animals and explain unique features about each spotted animal.
Kazinga channel boat cruise
Boat Cruise at Kazinga channel
Join a boat cruise at Kazinga channel for a fresh feeling of cold breezes and great views. The 40 kilometers long Kazinga channel connects Lakes Edward and George. The banks of Kazinga channel is the best spot for bird watching sheltering numerous birds such as saddle-billed stork, African shoebill, Great white, Yellow-billed stork, Pink backed pelicans, African fish eagle, African kingfisher, Ibises, White egrets, yellow billed stork, hammerkops and Africa jacana among others. More so, you will see large crocodiles resting lazily on the riverbanks. Hippos, buffalos, and monitoring lizards are also spotted along Kazinga channel. Kazinga boat cruise is done in the morning at 10:00am and in the afternoon at 2:00pm. Endeavor to keep time.
Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge
Go chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge for a magical encounter with man’s closest relatives. The nature walk in this underground forest in search of the endangered chimpanzees is a humbling experience no traveler should miss. Interestingly, chimps in Kyambura gorge do not go far hence short trekking time. Spend an hour in the company of chimpanzees, embrace their human-like characters, take pictures and have fun with your close relatives. The rules and regulations of chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge are similar to those in Kibale Forest Park. They include keeping a distance of seven meters away, avoid direct eye contact, do not use flashlight cameras and speaking at a low tone among others.
Crater lake exploration
Visit to explore different caret lakes in Queen Elizabeth National park. Each lake is different from the other in terms of activity taking place, history and location. Crater lakes in Queen Elizabeth National park include Katwe crater lake known for salt mining, Lake Munyanyange for flamingoes, Lake Nyamunuka its healing waters, Lake Bunyampaka and Bunyaruguru crater lakes among others.
Lion tracking
Drive to kasenyi plains for the experimental lion tracking experience. The activity is all about learning in-depth about the kings of the jungle in Queen Elizabeth National Park. You will join a group of rangers and researchers and drive through the kasenyi plains following the directions of radio calls set up in the park. Radio calls trap the movements of lions in the park giving you a direction to take. A 3 Days lion tracking tour gives you the very best of lion tracking experience. Buy a lion-tracking permit at $50 and enjoy this magical experience.
Tree climbing lions
Tree climbing lions in Ishasha
Do not miss visiting to see the famous tree-climbing lions in Ishasha sector south of Queen Elizabeth National park. Keep your eyes up to see lions staring at you from up in the acacia and fig trees. The feeling of looking up to see a lion above your head is magical and memorable. Do not miss it
Accommodation in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Wondering where to sleep in Queen Elizabeth National Park? No worries, a variety of luxury, mid-range and budget lodges and camps have been set up in Queen Elizabeth National park to serve you with first-class food and sleeping services at affordable rates. The top lodges in Queen Elizabeth National park include Mweya Safari Lodge, Ihamba Lakeside Safari Lodge, Enganzi Lodge, Buffalo Safari Lodge, Pumba Safari cottages, Park view Safari Lodge, Katara Lodge, Marafiki Lodge and Simba Safari lodge among others. Superfine Safaris Limited helps you book accommodation services in any lodge of your choice in Queen Elizabeth National Park ensuring your safety, comfort and good stay.
Best time to visit Queen Elizabeth national park
The park can be visited all year round and all activities can be done throughout the year. However during the dry season in the months of June, July, August, September, December, and January, rain is minimal and grass is short which makes game viewing easier. In the wet season, the vegetation is green and sceneries beautiful for photographs.
Getting to Queen Elizabeth National Park
You can get to Queen Elizabeth National park by air or road transport. If you arte using road transport, the park is roughly 3 hours and 30 minutes drive from Kampala via Masaka Mbarara Kasese road. Alternatively, fly from Kajjansi to Kayonza airstrip if you have limited time.
People also ask
What is special about Queen Elizabeth National Park?
Queen Elizabeth National park is known for being the popular and most visited park in Uganda. The park shelters abundant wildlife which comprise of 95 mammals and over 600 bird species. The popular activities done in Queen Elizabeth National park include game viewing, bird watching, boat cruising, salt mining, nature walks and camping among others
How Many lions are in Queen Elizabeth National Park?
Roughly 130 lions are recorded in Queen Elizabeth National park. These are seen roaming in the plains of Kasenyi and Ishasha where tree climbing lions live up in the acacia and fig trees. Uganda as a whole has over 400 lions which are scattered in different savannahs Parks especially Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls and Kidepo Valley National park.
How much does Queen Elizabeth National park cost?
The cost of visiting Queen Elizabeth National park is determined by many factors. These include the activities to do and how long one is spending in the park. The cost include $40 park entrance fee, $30 for boat cruise at Kazinga Channel, $10 vehicle entrance, $50 chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge
What is the big five in Queen Elizabeth National Park?
Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to the big four “Lions, Elephants, Leopards and Hippos”. Rhinos are absent in Queen Elizabeth National park but can be seen at Zziwa Rhino sanctuary in Nakasongola. In addition to the big four, Queen Elizabeth shelters several other wild animals which include Uganda kobs, Waterbucks, Warthogs, Gazelles and Topis among others
Conclusively, Queen Elizabeth National Park is your ultimate Uganda safari destination. Enjoy game viewing, boat cruise, and chimpanzee trekking in Queen Elizabeth National park with Superfine Safaris Limited
