Queen Elizabeth National Park
Overview
Size, mammals and Bird Species
What to do in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Accommodation facilities in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Location
Located in south western part of Uganda, it is estimated at a distance of 424 Kilometers from Entebbe to Queen Elizabeth National Park via Masaka-Mbarara road. The distance is calculated
until you arrive at Mweya Peninsular whereas via Mubende-Fortportal 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 gazzetted 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 safaris
It is in the North Kazinga plains where game drives both day and Night are commonly conducted due to easy road accessibility, accommodation facilities, availability of other activities like boat cruises, Chimpanzee tracking and Nature walks. A variety of animal species like Lions, Leopards, Elephants, Buffalos, Uganda Kobs, Waterbucks, Warthogs and quite a number of bird species can be encountered.
Ishasha tree climbing lions
In the southern part of the park, game safaris are always concentrated on searching for the tree climbing lions. It is a unique behavior that is rarely sighted in other parks. 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. This behavior is common in Ishasha the extreme south of the park bordering Virunga Volcanoes National Park.
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 the channel that can have come to drink water and cool off after grazing from the mainland. The Channel stretches 40 kilometers from the North Eastern part of the Park at Lake George to the South Western part at Lake Edward hence joining the two lakes. 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
Protected by Armed Rangers, Nature walks are carried out in different areas of the park like Kyambura gorge, Mweya Peninsula and imaramagambo forest among other places. 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. Wildlife is encountered up close and personal!
Chimpanzee tracking at Kyambura Gorge
Kyambura Gorge, 16 kilometers long and over 100 feet beneath gorge, their lies a forest in which one of the inhabitants are the chimpanzees. A river crosses through the gorge and inhabits crocodiles, Hippos, Buffalos and Elephants as some of the residents of the forest. 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 of the gorge! The gorge ranks among the “must do” activities during the visit in the park.
Bird Watching
With the population of bird species within the park for which it ranks as 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 birds find their way to the park in big flocks hence boosting the population increase of species as mentioned. The Intra-African and Palearctic birds however, are seasonal birds that find their way to the park due to either scarcity of food or bad weather in the countries of origin. Some fly from as far as Europe and other African countries. Some of the Palearctic birds are the Terns, Bee eaters and Gulls among others while for the Intra African migrants are the African skimmers, 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 than what you have already witnessed, the wet craters (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 crater lakes within the park.
Accommodation Facilities in Queen Elizabeth National
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 Luxury, Midrange and Budget. Some are located within the park and others at the boundaries of communities and 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 at the vast plains of 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, Champaigns and local beers among other brands.
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 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 at the lodge 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 of 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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