Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is often referred to as a “Medley of Wonders” due to its incredible diversity and stunning landscapes. The park boasts a variety of ecosystems, including sprawling savannahs, shadowy moist forests, volcanic craters and fertile wetlands.
This rich biodiversity makes it home to over 95 mammal species, including the famous tree-climbing lions and more than 600 bird species. The park’s landscapes, with rolling hills, crater lakes and the scenic Kazinga Channel, offer breathtaking views and a unique safari experience.
The Kazinga Channel, which connects Lakes Edward and George, offers spectacular boat safaris where visitors can see large herds of buffalo and elephants coming to drink. Whether you’re on a game drive, a boat safari or a nature walk, Queen Elizabeth National Park promises an unforgettable safari experience.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is located in the western part of Uganda, is one of the country’s most famous and diverse national parks. Established in 1952 and later renamed to honour Queen Elizabeth in 1954 after her visit, the park spans over 1,978 square kilometres.
Activities in Queen Elizabeth National Park
The following are the amazing activities that one can enjoy while at the park;
Game Drives
We have an early morning or late afternoon game drive through the park’s diverse landscapes in the way that you will be able to encounter elephants, buffalo, antelope and if you’re lucky, the famous tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector. The thrill of spotting these majestic animals in their natural habitat is unparalleled.
Guided game-drive cost $25 foreign non residence, $20 foreign resident and UGX 25,000 East African citizen and for the self-drive cost $10 foreign nonresident and foreign resident 10,000 East African Citizen
Boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel
A boat safari on the Kazinga Channel offers a unique perspective of the park. As you glide along the water, you’ll see large herds of elephants, buffalo and hippos, all coming to the water’s edge to drink and cool off. The channel is also a haven for birdwatchers, with over 100 species often spotted during a single cruise.
Chimpanzee Tracking in Kyambura Gorge
Kyambura Gorge, also known as the “Valley of Apes,” is a stunning underground forest within Queen Elizabeth National Park. It’s the only place in the park where you can track chimpanzees in their natural habitat.
Chimpanzee tracking starts with a walk down the escarpment, followed by a trek through dense tropical forest. The trek usually takes about 2-3 hours, depending on how quickly you find the chimps.
Once you locate the chimpanzees, you’ll have the opportunity to observe them for up to an hour. These intelligent and playful creatures are our closest relatives and watching them in their natural environment is a truly unique experience.
Besides chimpanzees, the gorge is home to other primates like black-and-white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys and baboons. Bird enthusiasts can also spot a variety of bird species, including the African Finfoot and the African Skimmer.
Bird Watching
With over 600 bird species, Queen Elizabeth National Park is a birdwatcher’s paradise. From the iconic African Fish Eagle to the elusive Shoebill Stork, the park’s varied habitats offer endless opportunities for bird enthusiasts to add to their life lists.
The permit for bird watching at the park costs$25 foreign nonresident, $20 foreign resident and UGX 20,000 East African citizen.
Exploring the Crater Lakes
The craters are located north of the Mweya Peninsula and are the highest elevation within the park. Unlike typical volcanoes that pile up debris around their vents, these explosions discharged ash and rock over a wide area.
Crater lake in Queen Elizabeth National Park
The largest crater, Kyemengo Crater, is particularly stunning. The craters are filled with water, forming beautiful crater lakes that are popular for hiking and nature walks. You can see wildlife such as buffaloes and elephants along the crater drive, which offers spectacular views of the Western Rift Valley and the surrounding escarpments.
Community and Cultural Visits
We have communities such as;
Leopard Village (Muhokya Village) and this village is known for its exceptional patience with wildlife, especially leopards. The community promotes social and economic development through ecotourism.
Kikorongo Women Community Known for their vibrant cultural performances, including dance, drama, music and fire-making competitions. They also offer African Art-craft Workshops.
Katwe Village which is located near the Katwe Salt Lake, this community is involved in salt mining. Visitors can learn about the salt mining process and see traditional grass huts.
Kasoga Community Situated on the Lake George Ramsar site, this community offers insights into local fishing practices and daily life.
These communities provide a unique cultural experience, allowing visitors to learn about local traditions, crafts, and their ways of life.
Why are the tree climbing lions mostly viewed in Queen Elizabeth National Park ?
Queen Elizabeth National Park is the only place in Uganda where you can see clearly the tree-climbing lions because of the unique conditions in the Ishasha sector.
During the rainy season, the ground gets infested with tsetse flies, which bite and irritate the lions. Climbing trees helps them avoid these pests.
The savannah can get extremely hot, especially during the dry season. The trees provide a cooler environment for the lions to rest.
The trees in Ishasha, particularly the sycamore fig and acacia trees, have wide branches that are perfect for the lions to rest on. Being up in the trees gives the lions a better vantage point to spot prey in the open savannah.
These factors create the perfect environment for tree-climbing lions, making Queen Elizabeth National Park a unique destination for this rare behaviour.
How to get to Queen Elizabeth National Park ?
There are different ways through which one can get to Queen Elizabeth national park as shown below;
By Road
From Kampala, the most common route is via the Masaka Road and Mbarara Road, covering a distance of about 410 kilometres which takes around 7-8 hours drive.
You can take the A109 Road from Entebbe, which is a bit faster, taking about 6 hours and 35 minutes.
By Air
You can fly to Kasese, Mweya, or Ishasha airstrips from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield. These flights are usually arranged by tour operators and take about 1-2 hours.
For a more personalized experience, you can also book a chartered flight to these airstrips.
By Bus
Buses from Kampala to Kasese or Kabale are available, and from there, you can take a local taxi to the park.
Once you arrive, you can enter the park through any of the three main gates: Kabatooro Gate, Katunguru Gate or Ishasha Gate.
Accommodation
Mweya Safari Lodge which is a luxury lodge located on the Mweya Peninsula, offering stunning views of the Kazinga Channel and Lake Edward. It features spacious rooms, a swimming pool with extremely good service.
Jacana Safari Lodge nestled on the rim of Lake Nyamasingiri crater, this lodge offers 10 lavish chalets built with natural materials, blending seamlessly with the surroundings.
Kyambura Game Lodge Located near Kyambura Gorge, this lodge provides comfortable accommodations and opportunities for chimpanzee tracking.
Hippo Safari Lodge Situated near the Kazinga Channel and offers great wildlife viewing opportunities, including hippos and elephants.
Enganzi Game Lodge which is a midrange located on the Kichwamba escarpment, offering beautiful views and comfortable rooms.
Savannah Resort Hotel that is a budget-friendly option with basic but clean accommodations, ideal for travelers on a budget.
Little Elephant Lodge, a charming lodge with cozy rooms and a friendly atmosphere, perfect for a relaxing stay .
These are some of the lodges though others would prefer to sleep in Kasese town as they carry out the activities in the park.
Permits.
Park entry at Queen Elizabeth National Park goes to $40 foreign nonresident, $30 foreign resident and UGX 20,000 for East African citizen, a guided game drive costs around $25 foreign nonresident,$20 foreign resident and UGX 25,000 for East African Citizen,chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge is $100 per person, bird watching and nature walk is $25 foreign nonresident,$20 foreign resident and UGX 20,000 East African citizen, Mongoose costs $30 Foreign nonresident,$25 foreign resident and UGX 30,000 East African Citizen .
It’s better for one to check with Uganda Wildlife Authority in case of any changes or use a reputable tour company such as Beyond sight safaris for the best experience.
