Queen Elizabeth National Park located in the districts of Kasese, Kamwenge, Rubirizi, and Rukungiri. The park is approximately 400 kilometres (250 mi) by road south-west of Kampala. The city of Kasese lies to the northeast of the park, while the town of Rubirizi is to the southeast. The park adjoins Kyambura Game Reserve to the east, which itself adjoins the Kigezi Game Reserve and thus the Kibale National Park to the northeast
Queen Elizabeth National Park is the most popular savanna park in Uganda and the best place to see lions including the Tree Climbing lions making it the perfect destination for a Uganda Wildlife Safari. It prides in a great diversity of habitats that include lakes, savannah grasslands, forests and wetlands that serve as home to the biggest variety of large mammals in the country.
The park was founded in 1952 as Kazinga National Park by combining the Lake George and Lake Edward Game Reserves. It was renamed two years later to commemorate a visit by Queen Elizabeth II and the last remaining communal grazing rights of the Songora herders were rescinded causing thousands more to move across the border with their herds into the Virunga National Park most only beginning to return after 1964 due to the strife caused by the Mulele rebellion there.
It occupies an estimated 1,978 square kilometres (764 sq mi). The park is known for its abundant wildlife including African elephant, African buffalo, Ugandan kob, hippopotamus, topi, waterbuck, warthog, giant forest hog, Nile crocodile, leopard, spotted hyena, chimpanzee and lion. Overall, the park is home to 95 mammal species and over 600 bird species.The area around Ishasha in Rukungiri District is famous for its tree-climbing lions whose males often sport black manes. In 2020, Uganda Wildlife Authority executive director Samuel John Mwandha stated
The area is also considered a potential lion stronghold in Central Africa, if poaching is curbed and prey species are allowed to recover. The resident lion population are actively monitored by the Uganda Carnivore Program and the Uganda Wildlife Authority through the use of radio collars and other conservation initiatives.
The park is also famous for its volcanic features including volcanic cones and deep craters many with crater lakes such as the Katwe craters from which salt is extracted.
The park is one of Uganda’s most popular tourist destinations annually receiving one of the highest number of visitors of any of the country’s national parks. Popular activities include chimp tracking in Kyambura Gorge, boat cruises, guided game drives including to view tree climbing lions in the Ishasha sector, night drives and nature walks. Visitors can also go on a lion experience with the Uganda Carnivore Program, with proceeds going toward carnivore conservation.
The park is also connected by daily domestic flights from Entebbe International Airport, which land at Mweya Airstrip, Kihihi Airstrip and Kasese Airstrip. Tourist accommodations at the park include a range of lodges and tented camps.
Attractions in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Tree Climbing Lions
With just two populations of these unique lions in the whole world, explore the southern Ishasha sector to track these lions commonly seen up in the fig and acacia trees.
The Kazinga Channel
This natural water channel connects Lakes Albert and Gorge and is home to a large number of hippos, Nile Crocodiles, elephants and hippos which can easily be seen on the thrilling Kazinga Boat Ride
Kasenyi Plains
These plains are popularly visited by tourists on a Uganda Wildlife Safari as they are home to a very large number of antelopes, the Uganda Kobs, lions and several large predators
Kalinzu Forest
This offers very rewarding chimpanzee tracking experiences and it is located on the southeastern corner of the park
The Kyambura Gorge
This verdant forested 100meter deep valley with peculiar is home to a large number of primates and popular for Chimpanzee tracking tours in Uganda.
Mweya Peninsular
This is a stretch o f land that protrudes into Lake Edwards is commonly visited during game drives as it offers perfect game views while exploring the various game tracks.
Lake Katwe Salt Works
Within the alkaline Lake Katwe, salt mining works have been ongoing for several years since that is the main economic activity in the area. Large number of tourists visit here to learn and observe the traditional method of salt mining
The Katwe Explosion Crater Lakes
These lakes found in the northern part are found on the highest elevation of the park. from here tourists enjoy sweeping views of the Rwenzori Mountain ranges, the western rift valley escarpments and lakes George and Edward.
Accommodation
With a wide variety to lodges, campsites, hotels and tented Camps, Queen Elizabeth National Park offers accommodation for everyone like the Ishasha Wilderness Camp Queen Elizabeth National Park irrespective of your budget and these range from luxury, mid-range to budget facilities. Best time to Visit Queen Elizabeth National Park
The Dry season that runs from January to February and from June to September is considered the best time to visit with the peak safari time in Uganda being from June to September, while Migratory species arrive in August to December, and March to May offering the best birding time
3 Day Trip Itinerary
Day 1: Kampala to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Morning:
Departure from Kampala: Leave early in the morning (around 6:00 AM) to avoid traffic and make the most of your day.
Distance: The drive is approximately 375 km and takes about 6-7 hours.
Route: Take the Mbarara Road (Kabale-Mbarara Road), which is well paved and scenic.
Stopover: Stopover in Mbarara for a quick lunch.
Afternoon: Arrive at Queen Elizabeth National Park and check in into lodge and head out for a brief game drive.
Accommodation: staging at Mweya Safari Lodge
Evening: There is evening game drive If time allows for a chance to see wildlife as it starts to cool down. There are elephants, buffalo, lions, and various antelope species.
Dinner & Overnight Stay: Return to our accommodations, have dinner rest for the night.
Day 2: Exploring Queen Elizabeth National Park
Morning: There is early morning game drive which Starts our day . The best times to see wildlife are during the early morning and late afternoon
Birdwatching: The park is home to over 600 species of birds, so it’s a great place for birdwatching.
Midday: Return for breakfast after our drive, return to our accommodations for breakfast and a short rest.
Relax or Boat Safari: After breakfast, we choose to go on a boat safari on the Kazinga Channel. This is a great way to view wildlife, as the channel is rich in hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and a variety of birdlife. The boat trip lasts about 2-3 hours.
Afternoon: Explore the Ishasha sector which is located in the southern part of the park and is known for its tree-climbing lions. It’s a less-visited area of the park, and you might have the chance to see these unique lions.
Evening: There is evening game drive those that missed a game drive earlier they can go on another one in the evening. The park is very active in the early evening so you may get a chance to spot nocturnal creatures.
Dinner & Overnight Stay: Return to our lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3: Return to Kampala
Morning: Breakfast & checkout return to your accommodation for breakfast, check out and begin our journey back to Kampala.
Midday: Drive back to Kampala depart from the park around mid-morning and head back to Kampala. A break for lunch and route in Mbarara or along the highway.
Afternoon: Arrive in Kampala: we should arrive back in Kampala by late afternoon or early .
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