Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the most visited and popular Park located in the western part of Uganda in Kasese district close to mountain Rwenzori. Queen Elizabeth National Park is an amazing National Park derives its name from the Queen of England in 1952 which before was called Kazinga National Park. Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Uganda which sites 1978 km surrounded by many district Kamwenge, Kasese, Mbilizi and so on area making the second largest Park in Uganda. Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to a variety of animal and bird species including the fascinating tree climbing lions of Ishasha. The park is approximately 400 kilometers from Kampala of about 6 hours and is known for its variety of wildlife and several beautiful crates lakes that winding through the rolling hills, the panoramic display of the Kazinga channel with an awesome view of the hippos, buffaloes, elephants and several bird species lined up at the shores. With a continuation towards Ishasha sector plains, another surprise of tree climbing lions resting of on trees waiting to pounce on the Uganda Kobs and other preys will blow one a way.
Wildlife in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is resident of more than 95 species of mammals making it the most poplar Park in Uganda and is among the most diverse parks in Africa for mammals. The wildlife mammals which are found in Queen Elizabeth National Park, this include Uganda Kobs, Waterbuck, Warthogs, Lions, Leopards, Hyenas, Giant Forest Hogs and a great variety of antelopes. With luck, Topis can be observed in the Ishasha sector. The area around Ishasha is famous for its tree-climbing lions, with dark manes, that like to rest in large fig trees, with over ten species of primates, which includes Chimpanzees, the park has a considerable primate diversity, but not quite as much as Kibale National Park which sports 13 primate species. The Maramagambo Forest wildlife, which is part of Queen Elizabeth National Park includes seven different primate species: Chimpanzees, Black and White Colobus Monkeys, L’Hoest’s Monkeys, Baboons, Red Tailed Monkeys, Blue Monkeys, and Vervet Monkeys, as well as 2 nocturnal species: Pottos and Bushbabies.
Bird life in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park harbors approximately of about 619 bird species making the second highest Park in Africa and the 6th highest Park in the world, this remarkable number is enabled by the park’s diverse habitats and making it the best place for bird lovers. Shoe Bill, Martial Eagle, Eagle Owl, Papyrus Gonolek, Lesser & Greater Flamingoes, White tailed lark, Verraux’s Eagle Owl. There are more than 95 mammalian plus numerous species of butterflies. A numbers of migrants hit the highest point in February and March and are nothing short of incredible with hundreds of thousands of White-winged Terns hovering over the water, millions of common sand Martins and Yellow -wagtails roosting in reed-beds and lesser numbers of palaeartic waders like the Ringed Plover
What to do and see in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Game Drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Game driving in Kasenyi plains which located in north east of Queen Elizabeth National Park strategically on the western shores of the adjacent stunning Lake George, just near to the area where the Kazinga Channel confluences with this lake. Game viewing safari in Kasenyi plain (Queen Elizabeth National Park) offer you an opportunity of seeing cats feed on the large numbers of Uganda Kobs and antelopes as some lions have learned to hunt buffalo and as well tree climbing lions.
Game Drive in Ishasha Sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park
Game drive at Ishasha area which located south-western edge of Queen Elizabeth National Park which is the most all around enjoyed stop as well as the most made a trip to national park inside Uganda, taking game drive in Ishasha sector you will be in position to spot the tree climbing lions which is globally famous within this Queen Elizabeth National Park. Game drive within Ishasha sector it also offers you a classic game viewing experience under vast rift valley skies and expects to see buffaloes, hippos, elephant, topis, Impala, Kobs and among others.
Night Game Drive
Night Game Drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park expose you witness Africa’s night, is a completely different world at night which is what makes night game drives so special with a lot of the excitement surrounding night drives is the possibility of viewing nocturnal animals which are more active at night than during the day. The night wakes up with the sound of hyena calling to formation. Lions stretch with a yawn relaxing muscles for the night’s hunt. The elusive leopard may be seen on patrol for that early evening hunt. Other nocturnal animals hop& dash around the savannah.
Hot air balloon safaris in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Hot air balloon safaris in Queen Elizabeth reward tourists with the views of the vast savannah plains and large herds of elephants, buffaloes and antelopes among others.
Hot air balloon safaris in Queen Elizabeth National Park are conducted by Balloon Tours Uganda Ltd, with 10 years’ experience in ballooning and licensed by Civil Aviation Authority to operate hot air balloons in the country since 2014.
Manufactured by Kubicek balloons in Czech Republic, the only hot air balloon operated by this company accommodates up to 16 passengers with no minimum number and there are plans to introduce a bigger one that can accommodate 24 persons.
Hot air balloon safaris in Queen Elizabeth National Park starts very early in the morning with converging at the meeting point (Kasenyi gate) at 5:30 am, the early morning drive at dawn offers chances of encountering the nocturnal animals especially leopards, lions and hyenas. You will be directed by the ground crew to the lift-off point which usually changes daily depending on the prevailing weather condition. You will have a chance to see and even take photos of the balloon inflation process, then be briefed by the pilot on the safety standards of the activity.
Take off and ride for 45-60 minutes in the sky (from tree tops to 2500 feet above sea level) while relishing the panoramic views of the Park as well as the wildlife below. On landing, you will have a toast with the crew and bush breakfast, followed by a certificate of participation.
Bush Breakfast
Bush Breakfast – After an early morning game drive, we take you to an exclusive vista or water hole to soak in reminisce the morning activities just experienced, while enjoying a freshly cooked breakfast. We do organize Bush breakfasts for a chance to enjoy freshly prepared breakfast, al fresco, in the middle of the plain, surrounded by wildlife, as you enjoy the fresh breeze at the break of down and the bush coming to life in the early morning hours of the day.
Nature Walks
Nature Walks takes you through the Kyambura gorge where you may spot different primates and the many bird species found in the forest within the gorge. The passageway to the canyon is additionally a wonderful spot for a picnic. The Kyambura gorge is such a one of a kind fascination as it gives great perspectives to the guests down the forest which additionally offers great photograph diagramming and video taking spots.
Visit Kyambura gorge
Kyambura is located on north-eastern side of Queen Elizabeth National Park roughly 30 km from Park Headquarters. Kyambura Gorge traverses a separation of 11 km and connections to the Kazinga Channel, which frames the northern limit of the hold. Visit the Kyambura gorge helps you to spot bird species, butter fly and trekking the chimpanzee in Kyambura gorge where you slope down a gorge of 100m deep with the sights of magical lush mature tropical forest thriving below sea level supporting counts of chimpanzees. Hiking the gorge’s steep slopes in search of chimpanzee is a challenging task that the whole encounter to go beyond the chimps
Visit the local communities
The local communities around the Queen Elizabeth National Park are the Bakonzo and Basongora Tribes – What makes Africa beautiful are its people. Welcoming & friendly, you will experience cultures from Africa’s past, today. The Bakonzo and Basongora tribes are located in the Ruwenzori Mountains. These communities continue on their daily activities as food gatherers, farmers and pastoralists. Join them on a Bakonzo feast.
Mweya peninsula
Most of the travelers that come visiting the Mweya Peninsular take part in a 2-hour boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel. This boat is a 20 seater mechanized boat run by the park authorities and this has 2 rides that happen in the morning and late afternoon respectively. Sometimes however, the boat may go 3 times a day if there is an overflow of guests who would wish to participate in this activity. While at the mainland in Mweya, appreciate the astonishing viewpoints that are above the water with sights that extend all the way to the Rwenzori Mountains. This Peninsular is one of the finest places where one can catch sight of a leopard. It is also a point where the beautiful northern piece of the north sector of the National Park meets.
Kazinga channel
The two segments of this channel are for the biggest part perceived as the remarkable fields in the Queen Elizabeth National Park which give visitors the opportunity to embrace the scenic nature and uncommon vegetation. The Kazinga channel connects Lake George and Lake Edward, Lake George is located on the other hand is located east while Lake Edward in west of the Kazinga Channel and can be accessed through the channel. Kazinga channel is sustained by a number of streams that spill out from the extraordinary Rwenzori Mountains that are north of the lake and the soundless waters from the lake flow specifically through the significant Kazinga Channel and proceed on toward the west into the adjoining Lake Edward. These two lakes connected by the Kazinga Channel are just a portion of the very common wonders that help get more presence of different wildlife species, birds and vegetation that are tour magnets in the area.
Bird watching in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is the best Park among the 10 National Park where you can do bird watching and it harbors approximately 619 bird species making the second highest Park in Africa and the 6th highest Park in the world. Queen Elizabeth National Park has the best spotting area for bird lovers which include boat cruise on Kazinga channel exposes bird species like the Great-white and Pink-backed Pelicans, Great and Long-tailed Cormorants, Common Squaco Heron, African open-billed Strok, White-faced Whistling and Knob-billed Ducks, African Fish Eagle. Kyambura George, Katwe soda lakes, Mweya peninsular, Maramagambo forest and among others which offers you unique birding experience on Uganda safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Boat cruise along Kazinga channel
Boat cruise along the Kazinga channel which is stretches of about 40-meter length and it joins Lake Edward in western and Lake George eastern side. Kazinga channel is one of most prime attractions activity which last 2 hours while floating on water of Queen Elizabeth National Park that many tourists are pulled to go and see while on Uganda safari. Boat trip on Kazinga channel hosts numerous flora and fauna which can enjoy while on boat cruise. The shores of this channel attracts a great number of wild animals like the hippos, elephants, crocodiles, antelopes and others which makes the channel a superb place that draws many visitors on a wildlife safari in Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park. This bewildering channel gives you the best survey opportunities and remarkable natural life that is all under the park. The Kazinga also comprises of different segments like the Northern Kazinga and the Kasenyi fields. Launch trip on the Kazinga channel provides the most relaxing way to view game in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Chimpanzee Tracking
Chimpanzee trekking in Queen Elizabeth National Park takes place in Kyambura Gorge which known is famous for its primate populace and the main place with habituated chimpanzees in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The Kyambura Gorge encounter is more than finding chimpanzees in their common environment: they shows guests about the environments of Kyambura Gorge’s climatic “underground” rain timber-land, including vegetation sorts; winged animal distinguishing proof and conduct; and chimp and monkey nature.
Visit Maramagambo Forest
A visit to Maramagambo Forest is worthy while, the forest moves from the edge of Kichumbanyobo all through to the Lake Edward making it the perfect reason for climbing the mountains and having nature walks which last about half an hour to as long as the biggest part of the day. The half day treks offer you a chance to find the portions of crater lakes such as Lake Kamunzuku is known as transparent lake and Lake Nyamusingire which is a crater Lake. There are trees that project shaded trails through the sublime verdant woods offer extraordinary ordeals contrasted with the experience go while in open savanna. Maramagambo Forest has seven diverse primate species which you may spot amid your guided nature stroll among which are Chimpanzees, Black and White Colobus Monkeys, L’Hoest’s Monkeys, Baboons, Red Tailed Monkeys, Blue Monkeys, and additionally the Vervet Monkeys. Owing to its location, Maragambo has a high variety of butterflies. The bat and the hunters cave are the other enjoyable experiences that the forest has and not forgetting the many bird species.
Visit Northern crater area
The place has a scenic view area of explosion craters, some containing salt lakes, formed by volcanic activity some thousand years ago. Some of these craters are dry. These characteristic stunning vantage points are waterless during the dry season.
Visit Lake Edward
Visit Lake Edward in Queen Elizabeth National Park which bordering between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo in Kasese District. Lake Edward has got two National reserves on its shores such as the Virunga National Park is in the Democratic Republic of Congo, comprising of the North-Western shores of the lake, the Semuliki Valley and the low valley grasslands and marshlands of Rutshuru, Rwindi and Ishasha rivers. The lake’s North-Eastern shores boarder Queen Elizabeth National Park, a tourist attraction in Uganda recognized for its biological importance. Kigezi Game Reserve is placed on the South-Eastern shorelines of Lake Edward.
Lake Edward is a home to lots of fish and therefore fishing is a vital activity for local residents. The water’s edge has got diverse animals like elephants, crocodiles, lions, buffaloes and hippopotamuses can be seen. The lake and its environs are also home to various perennial and wandering bird species.
Visit Lake George
Visit Lake George in Queen Elizabeth in National Park which lies within the Park and it covers a total surface area of 250 square kilometers (97 sq mi) and is a part of Africa’s Great Lakes system. Lake George has the fauna which is majorly dominated by different herbivores and such different attractions activities include fishing at Lake George is the prime economic activities carried out by the locals, the Lake is endowed with many fish species examples are; Tilapia Nilotica, Thermocyclopshyelinus, Haplocromis and nigripinnis among others. Boat cruising can be done at the lake providing tourists with great opportunities of viewing aquatic birds and animals plus observing the lakes indigenous Flora and fauna. Nature guided walks can be taken around the lake with great views of birds and the outstanding scenery, in addition to this, visitors can also visit the nearby fishing villages and interact with the locals and learn about their ways of life and different fishing methods used and how they depend on fishing there are also lots of souvenirs to buy and take back home for remembrance. Sightseeing and wildlife like hippos, antelopes, Uganda Kobs, Buffalos, warthogs, monkeys, hyenas, zebras, baboons among others.
Visit Kasyoha-Kitomi Forest Reserve
Kasyoha-Kitomi Forest Reserve which located in South of Lake George and Kazinga channel in the Albertine Rift eco-region few distances to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Kasyoha-Kitomi Forest Reserve is one of Uganda’s few remaining medium altitude moist forests which offer you scenic view of Crater Lakes like the Twin Lake of Kamweru and Kyeema, transparent Lake Kamunzuku and others. Kasyoha-Kitomi Forest Reserve hosts over 308 bird species which makes it ideal place for bird watching, and the reserve also harbors different primates such as chimpanzees, red tailed monkeys, and Olive baboons, vervet monkeys, red colobus monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, L’Hoests monkeys and many more. One can also opt to do nature walk that take you through a 3 hours’ forest trail as observing different mammal species most of which are commonly sighted in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Other wildlife species you can spot include Uganda Kobs, bush duikers, topis, Oribis, bush bucks and many others. The other mammals include forest elephants, giant forest hogs, forest buffaloes, leopards, bush pigs, lions, warthogs and others. Other activities include canoeing, swimming in the Crater Lakes, Camping, explore the legendary close by cave, primate adventures, fishing, boat cruise, hiking, sightseeing at the twin Lakes and among others.
Best time to do activities in Queen Elizabeth National Park
The park offers good game viewing and wildlife adventures all year round. The best to do above activities is December, January and February and June to July during the dry season is the best time to view the wildlife. It’s easier to spot the wildlife since they gather around the water sources. March, April, May, October, and November: There are few activities taking place and some lodges and camps in high rainfall areas close down; roads and forest trails can be in poor condition.
How to get to Queen Elizabeth National Park
The journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park takes about 6 hours drive depending which route you have used; the shortest route takes you through fort-portal with about 410km and offers detours Kibale, Semuliki and Rwenzori Mountain National Park. Alternatively you can use Masaka, Mbarara and Bushenyi and passes to Lake Mburo National Park which takes you 420km.Visitors tracking gorillas in Bwindi can easily access Queen Elizabeth National Park through the Ishasha sector.
Kihihi Airstrip
It’s very possible to fly in Queen Elizabeth National Park through Kihihi airfield, reaching here, your tour guide will be waiting to transfer you to your Lodge and also take you for game drives and other activities there within the Park. The drive takes 45 minutes to Queen Elizabeth National Park from Kihihi airfield. Aerolink operates two flights from Entebbe International Airport to Kihihi Airstrip which is just a one hour and twenty minutes.
Mweya airstrip
It’s very possible to fly within the park to Mweya airstrip which takes less than one and half hour flight from Entebbe International Airport. Mweya airfield is located in Kasese District in Mweya in western Uganda. Mweya airstrip serves the area of Mweya and the neighboring areas of Queen Elizabeth National Park and the Lake Katwe Explosion Crater.