Queen Elizabeth National Park : Formerly known as Kazinga National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park is a prime wildlife destination in Uganda and the most popular savannah national park renowned for a rich biodiversity including rare tree climbing lions and the highest number of birds found in any protected area in East Africa.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is referred to as a Medley of Wonders is found in western part of Uganda laying between Lake Gorge and Lake Albert with the Kazinga Channel crossing through the park’s 1,978 square miles land area. The park also lies a stride the Equator with monuments on the both sides of the road making latitude 00, Queen Elizabeth National Park stretches in districts of Kasese, Bundibugyo and Bushenyi.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is situated in the Albertine region together with Kyambura and Kigezi wildlife reserve, together they form the most diverse ecosystem in Africa, the rich bio – diversity in the park comprises of crater lakes, forest, savannah, woodland and acacia and various species of flora and fauna.
This fascinating Uganda safari destination is situated against the backdrop of Rwenzori Mountains – mountains of the moon, stunning Lake George and Lake Edward. The signature crater lakes are situated between dramatic green rolling hills.
The park is home to over 95 mammal species with 4 of the Big Five that is with no rhinos and over 600 bird species
This wilderness wonder was named Queen Elizabeth National Park after Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain following her visit to Uganda in 1952.
Weather & Climate in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Climate in Queen Elizabeth National Park is warm with temperatures remaining stable year-round, this is attributed to the park’s location near the equator. Daytime temperatures rise to around 29°C/84°F and slowly fall to about 17°C/63°F at night.
Wildlife In Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to over 95 mammal species including 4 of the Big Five namely elephants, leopards, lions and buffaloes. The park’s Kazinga Channel which is one of the remarkable attractions is home to thousands of hippos in East Africa, the channel connects Lake George to Lake Edward.
The park’s Ishasha Sector found in the Southern region of the park is home to the rare tree climbing lions. Other animals found in the savannah plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park dotted with acacia and euphorbia trees include leopards, Uganda kobs, topis, hyenas, banded mongoose, warthogs, bushbucks and waterbucks.
Birdlife In Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to 618 bird species which is the 6th highest diversity in the world and the highest in Africa making it a great destination for Uganda Birding Safaris, the park comprises of diverse habitat for birds ranging from Savannah, numerous crater lakes, forest and woodlands.
Bird species in Queen Elizabeth National Park include White-faced Whistling, Spur-winged Plovers, Squacco Heron, Fish Eagle, Pink and white backed Pelicans, Long tailed Cormorants, African Jacana, Yellow backed Weavers, open-billed Stork, Water-Thick knee, Pied kingfishers, Wattled Plovers, the Black Crake, the Knob-billed Ducks, malachite, black-ramped buttonquail, Collard Pranticles, papyrus canary, verreaux’s eagle-owl, black bee-eater, squacco heron, African fish eagle, swamp fly-catcher, long-tailed cormorants, Martial Eagle, Black- rumped Buttonquail African Skimmer, White winged terns, White-winged Warbler, shoebill, African skimmer, Verreaux’s Eagle-owl, Grey-headed kingfisher, papyrus gonolek, Papyrus Canary, the thin-tailed Nightjars, Grey Wood pecker, black & African Emerals Cuckoos, Hairy breasted Barbet, speckled Tinker bird, the purple-headed starling and the Green Hylia among others.
Safari Activities In Queen Elizabeth National Park
Game Drives
Game viewing is the most popular activity to do on a Uganda safari in this popular Uganda Safari destination, this amazing wildlife activity allows you to see 95% of wildlife residing in the park’s savannah grasslands, swamps and acacia woodlands.
Game drives are offered as morning game drive, afternoon game drive and full day game drives and they are mainly done in three sectors of the park that is Kasenyi plains – situated near Kazinga Channel, Ishasha sector famous for the tree climbing lions and the Katwe crater fields.
As you explore the park from the comfort of your safari vehicle and from a pop-up roof, you will be able to see many animals including hyenas, leopards, buffaloes, lions, water buffaloes, waterbuck, Uganda kobs, warthogs, hyenas, giant forest hogs, bushbuck and reedbucks among others.
Boat Safaris On Kazinga channel
Boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel is an amazing and exciting safari activity to do in the park, the launch cruise is done on the Kazinga Channel which connects Lake George to Lake Edward. This water channel is home to a large population of hippos and crocodiles which you will see during the launch cruise, the banks of the channel attract a variety of wildlife including elephants, buffaloes among others which you will see drinking water and cooling off.
The swamps along the banks of Kazinga Channel are home to several water birds such as shoebills, African Mourning Dove, Diederik Cuckoo, Squire-tailed Nightjar, Slender-tailed Nightjar, Swamp Nightjar, Blue-naped Mouse bird, Grey-Headed Kingfisher, Little Bee-eater, Nubian Woodpecker, Martins, Swallows among others.
Boat cruise on Kazinga Channel depart from the Jetty lasting between 2-3 hours and are done in morning and afternoon.
Chimpanzee Tracking In Kyambura Gorge
Chimpanzee trekking in Queen Elizabeth National Park is done in the beautiful Kyambura Gorge – an underground forest, 100 meters below the Kichwaba escarpment. The forest is home to 10 species of primates including a large population of chimpanzees, olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys among others.
Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge starts with briefing then followed with a guided walk-through underground forest, you will have a chance to spot many birds and other primates, when you locate the chimpanzees. You will enjoy watching chimpanzee jump from one branch to another, pick fruits and take amazing pictures.
Bird Watching
Queen Elizabeth National Park is a great Uganda birding destination hosting 600 bird species, this fascinating activity offers birders a chance to spot several colorful bird species found in various habitats around the park. Some of the birds to lookout for include White-faced Whistling, Spur-winged Plovers, Squacco Heron, Fish Eagle, Pink and white backed Pelicans, Long tailed Cormorants, African Jacana, Yellow backed Weavers, open-billed Stork, Water-Thick knee, Pied kingfishers, Wattled Plovers, the Black Crake, the Knob-billed Ducks, malachite, black-ramped buttonquail, Collard Pranticles, papyrus canary, verreaux’s eagle-owl, black bee-eater, squacco heron, African fish eagle, swamp fly-catcher and long-tailed cormorants among others.
The best birding areas in the park include Lake Munyanyange, Kazinga Channel, Kasenyi plains, Kyambura Gorge, Mweya Peninsular, Maramagambo forest, Katunguru Bridge and various crater lakes.
Nature and Forest Walks
Nature walks and forest walks are a great way to explore Queen Elizabeth National Park, this eco-friendly activity is done of foot and offers visitors a chance to explore areas that cannot be explored on a vehicle. For safety purposes, nature and forest walks are done with a ranger guide and they are available at the Mweya Peninsular and along the Ishasha Sector.
In Mweya Peninsular, you will a chance to spot various bird species, scenic views across Kazinga Channel and Lake Edward.
Nature and Forest Walks also offer you a chance to walk along Ishasha River for a close-up encounter with hippos, another greater site is the famous bat cave and sights of several bird species.
Community Walks And Cultural Experience
Community walks and cultural experiences in the park are done in the adjacent fishing villages where visitors get a chance to engage with local communities, be entertained by local dances and drama and engage in several daily activities such as harvesting and cooking of local meals such as vegetables and making crafts.
Kikorongo Women’s Community Project offers cultural performances of dance, drama, music and fire making, basket weaving and making of paper beads. Another amazing community to visit is Nyanzi’ibiri Cave Community for scenic views around the historical cave and museum.
Getting There
The park is situated in western Uganda which is approximately 5-6 hours of drive from Kampala. The park can be accessed by road and air means of transport.
By road – From Kampala the park is reached via Mbarara – 420 kilometers or via Fort Portal via Kasese – 410 kilometers.
By Air – There are chartered and domestic flights from either Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip to several Airstrips serving Queen Elizabeth National Park that is Mweya, Kasese and Ishasha.
Best Time To Visit Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is open all year long, however the best time for wildlife viewing is from January to February and June to July which are dry seasons. In this season, the vegetation cover in the park is thin and animals are seen in large numbers congregating along the remaining waterholes.
Where to stay
There are several accommodation options to stay at in form of lodges, camps and tented camps. These accommodations are categorized as budget, midrange and luxury.
- Mazike Valley Lodge
- Ishasha Wilderness Camp
- Mweya Safari Lodge
- Katara Lodge
- Engazi Game Lodge
- Bush Lodge
- Kasenyi Safari Camp
- Park View Safari Lodge
- Enjojo Safari Lodge
- Pumba Safari Cottages
- Topi Lodge among others