QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK

“A medley of wonders”

Queen Elizabeth National Park is a popular savannah park in Uganda, located about 389 km from the capital Kampala and can be accessed by road on an approximately 6.5hr drive. This park was founded in 1952 as Kazinga national park and later renamed after Queen Elizabeth ІІ to commemorate her visit to Uganda putting that aside, the park has also made it in CNN, Forbes Magazine, African Safari Geographic, Huffington Post, and other found magazines because of its classic big game, sparkling lakes and fertile wetlands, kazinga channel, endless Ishasha sector whose fig trees hide the lions ready to pray on the Uganda kobs, ecosystem, 600 bird species, 10 primate species including the chimpanzees, rolling hills, lions, hippos, elephants, buffalos, kobs and so much more making it one of Ugandans most popular wildlife safari destinations. Occupied by lakes, savannah grasslands, forests and wetlands this park will definitely blow your mind.

WHAT TO DO

Birding

This is the greatest of any national park in East Africa with over 600 species. Classified as an important birding area, the parks savannah and forest linking to the forests of Congo allows you to spot East as well as Central African species. Being a top bird destination you will have a chance to see the Yellow-throated Cuckoo, Sedge warbles, Pink-backed Pelican, Verreaux’s Eagle Owl, Papyrus canary, flamingos, African fish eagle, and much more.

Chimp tracking

Discover the chimpanzees in their natural environment at Kyambura Gorge also known as ‘the Valley of apes’ with savannah grasslands swaying away as you head to the gorge in the Northern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Get to know more about the ecosystem of Kyambura gorges’ rainforest, vegetation types, bird identification and behavior, and chimp, and monkey ecology while here, Red tailed monkeys, baboons, butterflies, and different bird species can also be encountered among other 10 primates in this magnificent forest.

Cave

The bat cave underneath the shady Maramagambo forest is the home of bats and numerous pythons that visitors can view.

Game drive

The park which is the 6th highest diversity in the world and the highest in Africa is home to about 95 mammals including 4 of the big game that can be seen through tracks at Kasenyi, north Kazinga plains, and the Ishasha sector. One is often guaranteed sights of buffalo, elephants, antelopes, kobs, baboons, and warthogs, the giant forest hog is among the others on your game drive, you may also see the salt lake Bunyampaka and enjoy shopping at the open craft centre where locals engage in selling souvenirs to sustain their way of life. With our professional guides in the early morning or at dusk is the best way to track the lions and maybe the leopard. Not forgetting during this game.

Launch trip

Kazinga channel is the way to enjoy this lovely park. With a stretch of about 40km, this natural water channel connects Lakes Albert and Gorge and is a habitat to Nile Crocodiles, a large number of hippos, elephants, and buffalos while elephants can be seen on the shoreline. The boat trip can depart in the morning, afternoon, or evening and takes about 2 hrs using an engine boat or a local boat driven by licensed and well-trained local guides.

Hiking/Nature walks

To actively explore the landscape and wildlife of Queen Elizabeth national park, aim for locations like the shady Maramagambo forest and see millions of bats hanging in the caves, different tree species to learn from, Mweya peninsula for a scenic view and Ishasha River where you may spot a variety of forest and savannah species as well as having the opportunity to closely view the hippos on foot, another walk is the hike that can also be done at the salt lake Katwe of 27 km offering a view of mountain Rwenzori.

Salty Lake Katwe

Salt mining is the main economic activity in the area of Lake Katwe  salt mining works have been ongoing for several years and often tourists visit here to learn and observe how salt is traditionally mined. The Katwe Explosion Crater Lakes are found in the northern part on the highest elevation of the park from here, tourists enjoy sweeping views of the Rwenzori Mountain ranges, lakes George and Edward, and the western rift valley escarpments. Birds like flamingos are often seen

The Tree Climbing Lions of Ishasha

The tree-climbing lions are also a major attraction in Queen Elizabeth national park in the southern part of the park. These dramatic lions have adapted to climbing trees because of the nature of trees, these figs and acacia trees are in such a way that lions can scratch their way to the top tree branches. This behavior helps give them a wonderful sight of their prey, keeps them from the ants, and tsetse flies off the ground. After a good meal, these lions are often found relaxing on the fig and acacia trees an amazing thing to see.

Aside from the tree-climbing lions other animals and birds can be seen like the Elephants, buffaloes respectively, and yes not forgetting great scenery as well. This sector is used to enroute to Bwindi impenetrable national park.

Getting to Queen Elizabeth National Park

By road

Queen Elizabeth can be accessed two ways that is from Kampala, via Mbarara to the east of the park (covering a distance of 250 miles) Driving directly from Kampala will take about 8 hours along a tarmac road or Fort Portal to the north (slightly longer at 260 miles). Depending on where you are going you could head straight from Kampala to Queen Elizabeth National Park where your activities start. However, some guests make it from Bwindi impenetrable national park after gorilla tracking for about 4 hours or from Kibale national park after chimp tracking which takes about 3 hours.

By Air

At the Kajjansi Airfield near Kampala, one is able to charter an airplane or join a group leaving on a particular day if any, which is more affordable than a private charter. The closest airfields to Queen are Mweya, Kasese, and Ishasha.

Where to stay

Queen Elizabeth national park has a variety of accommodations located just outside the park or near the park; therefore depending on your budget, you may consider various classifications that are budget, Midrange, and high-end/luxury. Feel free to work with your operator on which type of accommodation works best for you but be also concerned about making payments in advance, especially for the peak season when availability may be questionable due to high guest turn up, this makes it easy to have a smooth customized safari as all are pre-arranged.

Luxury

Mweya safari lodge: For those demanding something more luxurious and exclusive, the “Queens Cottage” and “the presidential cottage” will be sure to meet your demands.

The queens cottage offers unique monastic architecture with a grand balcony that arranges spectacular views of lush vegetation and rich wildlife while in the room, enjoy a luxury master bedroom with a king-sized bed, Bathroom en-suite with shower and sunken bath, Twin Bedroom with en-suite bathroom, large living/dining room, kitchenette full facility, large balcony, 41″ plasma TV screen with DSTV connection, mini bar, AC Units, safes/telephone.

The presidential suite also does not disappoint as it avails one with, finely designed luxurious amenities which give a full reward of elegance with unique rustic furniture pieces that scream comfort, ample space, and ultimate privacy. The spacious balcony is accepting of the remarkable views of the Kazinga channel. In-room expect a Main bedroom with king-size bed, Luxury bathroom en-suite with shower and sunken bath, Twin bedroom with en-suite bathroom, small kitchenette with full facility luxury living room with furniture and fittings,

″ Plasma TV screen with DSTV connection, extended balcony overlooking Kazinga Channel, Mini Bar Fridge, AC Units, and a Safe.

Midrange

The bush lodge: The lodge has 12 self-contained bandas, spaciously placed between the local bushes with all rooms having an ensuite bathroom with running water for your hand basin, a flushing toilet, and an outside shower with 24/24 hours hot water, 2 shower heads for couples to take their bath together at will, a private terrace overlooking the seasonal Kamera River. The rooms are built on a raised wooden platform and made from a fine combination of canvas and local materials, mosquito netted windows that allow a 180-degree view of nature.

There is also a large dining tent for the restaurant that is stationed to overlook the Kazinga Channel and have the Rwenzori mountain range as a backdrop while enjoying your tasty food. In the evenings on good days, tables are placed outside, and organize a starlit dinner. Paraffin lights and a campfire create a warm environment for your 4-course dinner. A stay in this lodge starts from $110 per night.

Budget lodge  

Irungu forest lodge: Irungu Lodge is surrounded by the Queen Elizabeth National Park and borders the Kazinga channel, the lodge has a truly unique setting draped with the sounds of Uganda’s unmatched wildlife. The lodge is ideal for Solo travelers, couples family and groups extending you to ensuite rooms with maximum privacy with an authentic safari ambiance. The start price per person is $60pp per night

One thought on “QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK

  1. June 19, 2023
    Reply

    This is owesome

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