Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the most visited Parks in Uganda. it is famously known for the tree climbing Lions, Kazinga Channel boat cruise, Kyambura gorge and being a birder’s haven.
Location
Located in South western part of Uganda. It is 424 Kilometers from Entebbe to Queen Elizabeth National Park via Masaka-Mbarara road. Via Mubende-Fort portal road it is 450 kilometers. Masaka-Mbarara road is highly recommended as the road is in better condition.
Alternatively, from Kigali International Airport to Queen Elizabeth National Park the distance is estimated at 275 Kilometers via Kagamba-Ishaka road up to Katunguru town.
The Park boarders Rwenzori National Park, Virunga National Park of Congo and Kibale forest National Park. The interconnection of the parks facilitates the movement of wildlife from one park to the other.
History
The Park was gazzeted in 1952 with the local name Kazinga National Park before being renamed to Queen Elizabeth National Park in 1954. This was in commemoration of Queen Elizabeth II who visited the Park during her tour in Africa. It is also the same year that she had been coronated as the Queen after the passing away of the father King George the 6th.
Size
It covers an area of 1978 kilometers squared, ranking as the second largest park in Uganda after Murchison Falls National Park.
It is home to 95 mammal species and the highest number of birds in Uganda which is an average of 612 species. The conducive habitat ranging from the savannah grass land, woodland, Tropical rainforests and wetlands significantly influenced their existence in higher numbers.
What to do in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Game Drives
In the North Kazinga plains, is home to a variety of Wildlife species ranging from browsers, grazers, carnivores and the bulk feeders like Elephants and Hippos. The favoring vegetation cover consisting of Savanna grasslands and woodlands influenced the animal distribution. Both Night and Day game drives are conducted in this region. Animals expected to encounter are Lions, Hyenas, Leopards, Waterbucks, Buffaloes and a variety of colorful bird species.
Tree Climbing Lions in Ishasha. In the southern part of the park, game drives are also conducted in search of the tree climbing lions. This unique behavior is rarely sighted in other parks of the World. Prides of Lions can be seen on the branches of fig trees relaxing. This normally occurs during the afternoon when it’s hot. They adopted to this abnormal behavior as a survival instinct to cool off from the scorching sun, sight the far horizon and running away from flies on ground.
Boat cruise at Kazinga Channel
The boat cruise in Queen Elizabeth National Park is famously known for the abundance of wildlife along the shores of Kazinga channel. Animals come to drink water and cool off from the scorching sun after feeding from mainland. The Channel stretches 40 kilometers from the North Eastern part of the Park to the South West Joining two lakes; George and Edward. Animals like buffalos, Herds of Elephants, Hippos, Crocodiles and bird species like Kingfishers, Eagles, cormorants, storks and many others can be sighted at a closer range. The activity takes 2 hours.
Nature walks
Guided by Armed Rangers, Nature walks are carried out in different areas of the park like Kyambura gorge, Mweya Peninsula and imaramagambo forest. During the activity, wildlife expected to be encountered are primate species like black and white colobus monkeys, Red Tailed monkeys, Vervet monkeys, animals like Elephants, Hippos, Buffalos, Waterbucks and a variety of colorful bird species. The activity draws you closer to nature like never before! You experience details of wildlife around you and appreciate the fresh breeze and sounds of nature.
Chimpanzee tracking at Kyambura Gorge
Kyambura Gorge is 16 kilometers long and over 100 feet beneath the earth crust. A forest is nestled In the Gorge harboring chimpanzees, and 7 other primate species. Other residents in the gorge are crocodiles, Hippos, Buffalos and Elephants that are attracted by River Kyambura that crosses through the gorge on its way to Lake George.
The uniqueness of tracking chimpanzees in this little known but magical forest is that you encounter a variety of wildlife as mentioned above and other primate species like Black and white colobus monkeys, vervet, red tailed and the scenic views! The gorge ranks among the “must do” activities during the visit in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Bird Watching
With the population of bird species in the park for which it ranks the first in Uganda, it’s without doubt a bird haven for bird watchers. An average of 612 bird species is no match for any park within the country. Savannah, Tropical Forest and wetland birds are among the inhabitants of Queen Elizabeth National Park. A number of migratory bird species find their way to the park in big flocks hence boosting the population increase of species as mentioned. The Intra-African and Palearctic birds are seasonal, that find their way to the park due to either scarcity of food or bad weather in the countries of origin. Some fly as far as Europe and others African countries. Some of the Palearctic birds are the Terns, Bee eaters and Gulls while for the Intra African migrants are the African skimmers and Flamingos among others.
Volcanic crater exploration
The park is well known for the scenic landscapes attributed to the existence of enormous volcanic explosion craters in different regions. Some of the craters are dry while others wet. In the areas of dry craters, the scenic views of different vegetation covers or zones within the same area live you speechless on how it’s possible to have different patches of forests in the craters surrounded by the endless savanna plains! When you almost thought that it can’t get better, the crater lakes are mind blowing!
Queen Elizabeth National Park crater lakes are regarded as some of the most beautiful lakes in the world. Lake Kamengo stands out as one of the top ten! Salt lakes like Katwe, Bunyampaka and Nyamununka are among the best to look out for. It is from some of the salt lakes that you can experience salt mining with the indigenous people living in the park.
Accommodation Facilities in and around the Park
Depending on your taste, there is a wide range of lodges and camps to choose from when visiting Queen Elizabeth National Park. These are categorized in form of Luxury, Midrange and Budget. Some are located in the park while others at community boundaries with the Park.
Luxury Lodges
Mazike Valley Lodge. With a scenic view of Queen Elizabeth National Park, the lodge is nestled on top of the Eastern escarpment of the Albertine rift valley in Kyambura, Rubirizi district. It is right at the demarcated boarders of the park and the community. Known for its Luxury treat, the scenic views of Kyambura Gorge and Sunsets while overlooking the vast plains of the park, add value to the lodge making it a serene environment that anyone would wish to visit. Animals like Elephants, Antelopes and on a lucky day Chimpanzees can be sighted in the horizon!
As it is always said, luxury attracts class, expect 5-star services that may rarely be encountered in other premises.
Their accommodation is structured in form of cottages with unique architectural designs that depict traditional cultural styles of housing, spacious and magnificent views of the park. Only 8 cottages are available so as to offer keen attention to each of their clients. Most of their drinks are part of the package both alcoholic and non, including wines, Champaign and local beers among others.
What to do while at the lodge
Community experience. The lodge organizes community visits in the nearby villages. The activity includes traditional dances of the Bakiga and Banyaruguru tribes, visiting farmlands and coffee experience.
Hikes. The region is known for volcanic features like crater lakes and highlands. These are great spots for people that love hiking. A private local guide can be hired to take you for a hike through farmlands, twin lakes and local homesteads. Expect to be blown away by the scenic landscape.
Other luxury lodges around the park are Elephant Plains Lodge and Mweya Safari Lodge.
Midrange Lodges
The Lodge is strategically located between Queen Elizabeth National Park and Kalinzu forest for easy access of Chimpanzee Tracking and Safaris. Overseeing Queen Elizabeth National Park from the top of the Eastern escarpment of the Albertine Rift, beautiful sceneries of the far horizon, lake Edward, Kazinga Channel, Sunsets and wildlife are inevitable to miss given the location of the lodge. It is in Rubiirizi district, right at the boundaries of the park and Kichwamba Community. However, it is averagely 30 minutes’ drive to kazinga plains, the designated area of game drives.
The lodge has 12 cottages with beautiful views of the park, spacious rooms and a swimming pool. Activities to indulge in during your stay are Hikes and community experiences. Hikes are carried out from volcanic craters like Twin Lakes; Mirambi and Katinda, Chema and Kamweru among others. A walk-through farmland of bananas, coffee plantations and sharing experiences with the local people, are worth your time. The Culture of Banyaruguru people and Bakyiga is one to lookout for!
Other midrange lodges are Buffalo Lodge, Twin lakes Safari Lodge, Kasenyi Safari Camp, Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge and Elephant Hab Lodge among others.
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