Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park is located in Western Uganda and is shared by districts that are Kasese, Rubirizi, Kamwenge, and Rukungiri. It is also known as Uganda’s top tourist destination, with a high number of tourists all year round. Was formerly Kazinga National Park was founded in 1952 combining Lakes Edward and George. With a diverse number of tourist attractions and its extension from the Kasenyi plains to the Kyambura gorge, Maramagambo forest, and Ishasha in the southern sector, this is a true gem in terms of wildlife and is one of the best destinations one should not miss on their trip into the Pearl of Africa.

It was named after the Queen of England after her visit to the country. The national park is approximately 1,978 square kilometres, which is 764 square miles and approximately 400 kilometres from Uganda’s capital, Kampala. The wildlife of the park ranges from the big five to other animals, for example, African buffalo, African elephant, waterbucks, warthogs, topi, Uganda kob, hippopotamus, crocodiles, lions, chimpanzees in Kyambura gorge, leopards, and spotted hyenas, among others.

Different activities can take place in the park, for example, game drives, bird watching, a Kazinga boat cruise, tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector, and chimpanzee tracking in the Kyambura gorge.

Game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Both day and night game drives can be done in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Expect to see different animals like elephants, lions, leopards, topi, waterbucks, Uganda kob, and spotted hyenas. Tourists can decide to engage in both day and evening game drives such that they get to see other animals that they may have missed out on the morning game drive. These game drives can be in both the Kasenyi Plains and the Ishasha southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Chimpanzee Tracking

This is mainly done in Kyambura Gorge. It starts with a briefing as early as 7:00am, then later enters the park assisted by a ranger from the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). Other primates can also be seen during this activity.

Boat Cruise

Boat cruises are mainly done on the Kazinga channel that connects lakes Edward and Gorge. This should be considered a must-do, as you are also rewarded with opportunities to see so many water animals, like hippos and crocodiles, as well as the pelicans. It is also another chance to take clear photographs with beautiful views of the surroundings.

Bird Watching in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth is known as a bird watchers haven, therefore suitable for tourists that travel into the Pearl of Africa interested in this activity. Birds include the lesser flamingo, Little Stint, Montagus Harrier, Gull-billed tern, red-capped lark, Northern Double-collar sunbird, Crested Malimbe, African Skimmer, Marshal Eagle, and the shoebill, among others.

Accessibility to Queen Elizabeth National Park can be reached by both road and air.

Road

Tourists can access Queen Elizabeth National Park using two alternative routes by road from Uganda’s capital city, Kampala. They can use the Mityana, Mubende, Kyenjojo, Fort Portal, and Kasese routes, or you can access the park via Masaka, Mbarara, and Rubirizi districts.

Air

Both scheduled and chartered flights can be arranged in Kajjansi or Entebbe International airport. Clients can fly to either Kasese airport or Mweya airport, depending on what is flexible for them.