About Queen Elizabeth National Park Uganda (Medley of Wonders)
Queen Elizabeth National Park is shared by districts of Kasese, Bundibugyo and Bushenyi in western Uganda about 5-6 hours’ drive away from Entebbe or Kampala. It expands up to 1978sq.kms which makes it the second largest national park after Murchison Falls National Park.
It consists of a vast savanna grassland, humid forests, shady, fertile wetlands and a home to four of the big five game. Over 10 primate species call this park their home plus over 620 bird species. Queen Elizabeth National Park was founded in 1952 to offer refuge to variety of its wildlife species.
Wildlife species in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park Uganda safari boasts of its huge concentration of wildlife species including over 5000 hippos, 3000 African elephants, 10000 Buffaloes, several antelope families, warthogs and over 620 bird species.
You can also look out for 10 distinct primate species in this park including chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, baboons to mention but a few.
Activities to do in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Game drives in Ishasha and Kasenyi Sectors
Game drive is one of the reasons why thousands of tourists flock into this safari Park. A game drive in this park offers visitors to see variety of wildlife species including the African elephants, buffaloes, lions plus the tree climbing lions, leopards, Uganda Kobs and not to forget many birds.
The game trails to explore while on a game drive at Queen Elizabeth National Park include Kasenyi sector in the north and Ishasha sector in the south where the tree climbing lions are found.
Boat cruises on Kazinga Channel
Launch cruise or boat cruise is another major reason why most tourists visit “Medley of Wonders”, Queen. It is best done along Kazinga channel and can last for 2 to 3 hours with a chance for you to see a huge concentration of hippo, crocodiles, water birds as well as buffaloes, elephants and antelope families.
Birding Safaris (Bird Watching Tours)
With over 620 bird species, Queen Elizabeth National Park is remarkably a birder’s haven. Birding tour (Uganda Birding safari) in this park gets you the best sights at varied bird species including the black bee-eaters, martial eagle, African skimmer, white winged warbler, papyrus gonolek, and papyrus canary, and corncrake, flocks of flamingos, pink backed pelicans, African broadbill, and shoebill storks.
Nature walks and hikes
Guided nature walks or hikes at Queen Elizabeth National Park Uganda safari is best done in Maramagambo forest, Kyambura Gorge, the Mweya peninsular and hike via the Ishasha River.
Chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura gorge
Chimpanzee tracking safaris take place around Kyambura gorge famously known as the lost valley. This area is the valley for primates that you can find in the gash savannah. There are over 10 primate species in Queen Elizabeth national park and along your trek in the gorge, you will meet a variety of wildlife species and birds as you enjoy your exciting moments in your life.
Volcano explosion craters
You can also embark on Volcano explosion crater exploration which is about 27kms’ drive and Katwe Salt Lake which is 12 kilometers’ drive.
Hot air balloon safaris
A hot air balloon tour in Queen Elizabeth National Park is an exceptional experience that allows you to catch a glimpse at varied wildlife species while in the air.
You will also have great views the Rwenzori Mountains of the moon, great western rift valley, explosion of craters, lakes such as Lake George and Edward, elephant’s herbs, buffaloes all kinds of antelopes.
Accommodation options at Queen Elizabeth National Park
Some of the accommodation choices at Queen Elizabeth National Park include Mweya safari lodge, Kyambura gorge lodge, Kyambura game lodge, jacana safari lodge, Ihamba safari lodge, Enganzi lodge and the samba safari camp as well as Mweya hostel for the budget visitors.
Getting to Queen Elizabeth National Park
The Park is accessible by road or by air. This safari park is situated in western Uganda and by road, you can take the Kampala-Masaka-Mbarara-Bushenyi route which is 420kms and or from Kampala via Fort Portal to Kasese which is 410kms. Alternatively, you can fly from Entebbe Airport or Kajjansi airfield to Mweya airstrip.