Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Set against the rugged Rwenzori Mountains, the “Mountains of the Moon,” Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP) is the most sought-after wildlife sanctuary in Uganda. Covering an area of about 1,978 square kilometers, Queen Elizabeth National Park offers a fascinating blend of extensive grasslands, dense forests, glittering crater lakes, and rich marshlands. Founded in 1952, with a change in name in tribute to the British royal family, this park is now a universal hallmark of biodiversity. To the contemporary tourist, Queen Elizabeth National Park is synonymous with the true African safari experience, enabling one to spot four of the Big Five along with some endangered primates and over 600 different birds, all within one amazing ecosystem.
Attractions to see in the Park
What makes Queen Elizabeth National Park such a remarkable safari destination is the diversity that can be found in its various sectors, each with their own distinctive scenery and wildlife.
Kazinga Channel: It is a natural channel of about 32 kilometers that links Lake Edward to Lake George. It is a crucial part of the park and one of the richest places when it comes to hippo and Nile crocodile populations in the entire African continent.
Ishasha Sector: This sector lies in the far south of the park. One of the things that make it popular across the world is that it contains tree-climbing lions.
Kyambura Gorge: Often called the “Valley of Apes,” this 100-meter-deep tropical canyon is a dramatic gash in the savannah floor. It serves as a hidden sanctuary for a habituated community of chimpanzees and other forest primates.
Kasenyi Plains: The quintessential African savannah, these open grasslands are the park’s main breeding ground for Uganda Kob, which in turn attracts large prides of lions and elusive leopards.
Explosion Craters: The area features many huge craters caused by the volcanic activities that took place in the region in the past. The 27 km long Crater Drive provides views that cannot be found anywhere else in East Africa.
Maramagambo Forest: This forest is one of the few surviving medium altitude tropical forests in the region. It is known for its “Bat Cave,” where Egyptian fruit bats live along with snakes which feed on them.
Activities to do in the park
Be it for the thrill of adventure or photography, there is no dearth of things to do that can take you closer to nature’s core.
Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise: If you are looking for a unique wildlife safari experience, then taking a boat safari through the Kazinga channel for two hours may well be your ticket. You can watch elephants basking in the waters, buffalos wallowing in the mud, and myriad other water birds.
Game Drives: Game drives usually take place either during the morning or late afternoon and involve visiting the Kasenyi and Ishasha areas to observe predatory animals and large groups of herbivores.
Chimpanzee Tracking: Chimpanzee tracking involves venturing deep inside the Kyambura Gorge to follow our closest relatives through the thick canopy with the help of knowledgeable rangers.
Lion Tracking: In addition to tracking the movements of the lions in the wild, visitors may participate in research programs conducted by Uganda Carnivore Project by following radio-collared lions, contributing to wildlife conservation, and getting the chance to see lions.
Bird Watching Tours: Over 600 different kinds of birds are found in Queen Elizabeth National Park, among which are Shoebill Storks, Pel’s Fishing Owls, kingfishers, and many others.
Community and Cultural Tours: Take a tour of the Katwe Salt Lake to understand the age-old process of mining salt by the community, or alternatively learn traditional dance and craft from the Kikorongo Women’s Community.
Best time to Visit Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Queen Elizabeth National Park can be visited at any time of the year, but it is always best visited during the dry seasons (June – September and Dec to Feb). During this period, the grass is short, thus enabling one to easily see the lions and leopards. Animals gather in large numbers near the Kazinga Channel and at the waterholes. Bird lovers have an amazing experience during the Wet Seasons, which occur between March and May and October and November, when the migratory birds from Europe and North Africa migrate here. The scenery is lush green, providing breathtaking photographs even with sometimes muddy roads.
Where to Stay in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
All the types of accommodation in and near the park cater to various budgets and preferences. For example, there is Mweya Safari Lodge, which provides an experience of a lifetime with a pool next to Kazinga Channel, and there is also the Kyambura Gorge Lodge with super luxurious eco-tented cottages overlooking the sunken forest. On the other hand, there are also mid-range places of stay Buffalo safari lodge, Elephant Hab lodge, Elephant Plains lodge and many others where one will have the pleasure of enjoying safari style tents and cottages close to the jungle sounds of the night.
How to get to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
The park is located in western Uganda and is about 400 kilometers away from Kampala city. It will take you approximately 6-7 hours to reach the park by road. This entails enjoying the beautiful scenery of driving through the tea estates of Fort Portal or the rolling hills of Mbarara. If you want to make best use of your time in your African safari, you can fly directly to Mweya or Kasese airstrip from Entebbe International Airport and Kajjansi Airfield. Your flight duration will be less than one hour and gives you a beautiful aerial view of the rift valley and Rwenzori ranges.
Book a safari with Wilder Africa Holidays to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Wilder Africa Holidays offers amazing experiences to Uganda’s best Parks, that is Bwindi impenetrable, Mgahinga, Queen Elizabeth, Rwenzori, Lake Mburo, Murchision falls, Kidepo valley, Mountain Elgon, Semuliki and Kibale Nationalpark.Plan/Contact us today on info@wilderafricasafaris.com for our discounted packages, tailor-made trips. We organize authentic safari experience, get in touch today with our professional tour consultants to plan your trip.
