Queen Elizabeth National Park Uganda

Queen Elizabeth National Park: Nestled in the heart of Western Uganda, Queen Elizabeth National Park stands as the country’s most frequented sanctuary for flora and fauna. Spanning the districts of Kamwenge, Rukungiri, Rubirizi, and Kasese, the park unfolds over approximately 1,978km² (769 square miles). It shares a boundary with Uganda’s Kibale National Park and extends into Congo’s Virunga National Park. Integral parts of the park include the Kyambura Gorge, Maramagambo Forest, the Kazinga Channel, and portions of Lakes George and Edward.

Originally established as Kazinga National Park in 1952, the park was renamed in honor of Queen Elizabeth II following her visit in the early 1950s, which left a lasting impression on the then-government. Shielded by the Rwenzori Mountains, the park is spared from prolonged droughts that affect regions like the Maasai Mara or Serengeti. This geographical advantage ensures lush greenery throughout most of the year. The park’s breathtaking landscape, characterized by dense forests, open woodlands, expansive plains, and an array of aquatic and volcanic formations, would captivate visitors even in the absence of wildlife. The park is a haven for 95 mammal species, including waterbucks, warthogs, topis, Uganda Kobs, spotted hyenas, sitatungas, serval cats, mongooses, leopards, giant forest hogs, L’Hoest’s monkeys, jackals, hippos, genets, elephants, crocodiles, civets, chimpanzees, buffaloes, and black and white colobus monkeys.

The park is recognized as a lion conservation area, boasting a population of over 200 lions, including the unique tree-climbing lions. Birdwatchers can revel in the sighting of over 490 bird species within the park’s confines.

The park’s vicinity is home to the Banyankore, Bakiga, and Bakonjo tribes. The Bakiga and Bakonjo primarily engage in subsistence farming, while the Banyankore are renowned as pastoralists. Among the Bakiga, salt mining near the park is a significant economic pursuit. The Uganda Wildlife Authority oversees the park’s management, working in tandem with various wildlife conservation bodies and research teams, both international and local. Queen Elizabeth National Park’s proximity to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Kibale Forest National Park, and Mgahinga National Park means visitors can seamlessly blend a comprehensive wildlife safari with gorilla trekking in Bwindi Forest.

How to access Queen Elizabeth National Park

Journeying to Queen Elizabeth National Park Queen Elizabeth National Park is accessible via both air and land routes. The journey from Uganda’s capital, Kampala, traversing through Mbarara, spans approximately 420 kilometers and typically requires an 8-hour drive. The drive from Lake Mburo National Park takes about six hours, and from Fort Portal town, the duration is around four hours. While the primary highways are surfaced with asphalt, the secondary roads leading into and within the park consist of compacted earth.

Travelers have the option to utilize either public or private transport to arrive at the park’s entrance; however, the park restricts the entry of public commercial vehicles. From Kampala’s central bus station, buses depart for Kasese early in the morning on a daily basis.  Opting for a tour operator is the most recommended mode of travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Tour operators offer the most secure, comfortable, and dependable way to ensure a smooth safari experience. They are punctual, strive to make the trip enjoyable, and possess extensive knowledge of the park, including essential contacts for any contingencies.

For those looking to bypass the extended drive from Entebbe, chartering a flight from Kajjansi airstrip or Entebbe International Airport to the airstrips in Ishasha, Kasese, or Mweya is an alternative. Upon arrival, visitors will need to arrange for a private vehicle to transport them to the park’s administrative offices or their accommodation. Typically, tour operators coordinate a driver/guide to meet clients at the airstrip and facilitate their transfer to the park or lodge. Book your safari with us today by emailing us on info@gorillatreksafaris.com

Attractions / Highlights of Queen Elizabeth National Park

Highlights of Queen Elizabeth National Park Queen Elizabeth National Park stands as a testament to Uganda’s moniker, “the pearl of Africa.” The park boasts an array of breathtaking landscapes, including lush forests, expansive woodlands, sweeping savannas, marshy swamps, serene lakes, meandering rivers, and dramatic craters and gorges. Visitors from around the globe will find an abundance of activities to engage in, so much so that they may struggle to experience them all. The park’s main attractions include guided nature walks, exhilarating game drives, serene boat cruises, the thrill of chimpanzee trekking, sightings of the unique tree-climbing lions, and the diverse bird watching opportunities. For those eager to encounter all of Uganda’s ‘big 5’ mammals, our comprehensive 6-day Uganda safari  through Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Queen Elizabeth National Park is an ideal choice.

Game Drives: Renowned as the park’s flagship activity, game drives offer a chance to witness up to 95 percent of the mammal species found in the Serengeti, set against even more spectacular backdrops of dense forests, sprawling savanna grasslands, swampy wetlands, acacia thickets, volcanic crater lakes, and the majestic Rwenzori Mountains. These 3–4-hour excursions commence early in the morning and can take you to one of three distinct sectors – the Kasenyi plains adjacent to the Kazinga Channel, the Ishasha sector famed for its tree-climbing lions, or the Katwe crater fields. The crater region is particularly picturesque, with vast craters and saline lakes dating back millennia, drawing elephants, flamingos, and other wildlife during the dry spells. The Kasenyi plains, located in the park’s northern reaches, are considered one of the most visually stunning and wildlife-rich areas within Queen Elizabeth National Park. Here, Uganda Kobs establishes their breeding grounds, attracting a variety of antelope species, buffaloes, elephants, and predators such as hyenas and lions, setting the stage for nature’s dramatic predator-prey interactions.

No matter which sector you opt for your game drive, our expert guides and park rangers will lead you to prime viewing spots, ensuring a safe and comfortable journey in a four-wheel-drive vehicle. The morning game drives are particularly captivating, offering a glimpse of nocturnal predators like hyenas and leopards as they retreat after a night’s hunt. Night game drives provide an unparalleled opportunity to observe lions, leopards, and hyenas on the prowl, as well as the park’s nocturnal avian life.

Bird Watching: Queen Elizabeth National Park is a premier birding locale in Uganda. The comprehensive bird directory is available at the Bird Observatory in Mweya. Bird enthusiasts exploring Queen Elizabeth National Park will be delighted by the myriad species that call the Budongo forests, Kazinga Channel, open plains, craters, and gorges like Kyambura their home. During certain times of the year, the park becomes a sanctuary for millions of migratory birds fleeing the harsh European winters, transforming it into a paradise for birdwatchers. Notable avian species to watch for include the Yellow-backed and Yellow wagtails, Yellow-throated Cuckoo, Yellow-backed Weavers, Wood sandpipers, Winding and Carruther’s Cisticolas, among others.

Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise: Embarking on a Kazinga Channel Cruise The Kazinga Channel cruise is a premier wildlife viewing experience in Africa. Linking Lake George with Lake Edward, the channel serves as a wildlife magnet where numerous species converge to quench their thirst, hunt, or cool off. The birdlife here, especially during migration season, surpasses the diversity found in North America. The Kazinga Channel’s rich wildlife tapestry is sure to captivate even seasoned safari-goers. Dominating the waters are hippos and crocodiles, while waterfowl soar above. On the banks, elephants, antelopes, and elusive leopards can be seen sipping from the channel’s edge.

Spot Tree Climbing Lions: Discovering the Arboreal Lions of Ishasha Within Queen Elizabeth National Park’s Ishasha sector, the enigmatic tree-climbing lions reside. These lions are not a distinct subspecies; rather, they have developed a unique behavior of ascending fig trees, a phenomenon not fully understood but believed to be a response to ground-level pests such as Tsetse flies. Game drives in Ishasha are tailored to witness these arboreal felines. Beyond the lions, Ishasha is home to warthogs, buffaloes, and elephants. Conveniently located on the route to Bwindi, Ishasha serves as an ideal layover for those journeying to see both the park’s lions and Bwindi’s gorillas.

Chimpanzee Trekking at the Kayambura Gorge: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kyambura Gorge Chimpanzees, known for their remarkable intelligence, are the stars of Kyambura Gorge within Queen Elizabeth National Park. The gorge, a striking geological formation carved by the Kyambura River, stretches 16 kilometers in length, plunges 100 meters deep, and spans 500 meters across. Enveloped by dense forests and streaming waterways, this natural sanctuary hosts an array of primates, including baboons, Black-and-white Colobus, and Red-tailed monkeys. Observers on the gorge’s rim can spot these creatures amidst the treetops below. A visit to the gorge offers more than primate sightings; it’s a chance to encounter unique birds, serpents, butterflies, and other fauna, as well as rare plant species. Chimpanzee tracking excursions, lasting two to four hours, with a limited eight permits available daily. While morning sightings are likely, they do not rival the frequency found in Kibale National Park. For those interested in combining game drives with chimpanzee tracking, a 4-day Queen Elizabeth National Park package is available.

Nature Walk in Maramagambo Forest: Exploring Maramagambo Forest on Foot. The Maramagambo Forest is a haven for nature enthusiasts, particularly bird watchers. Guided nature excursions are conducted along well-maintained paths, offering insights into forest preservation and encounters with the forest’s diverse inhabitants, including miniature crater lakes, a variety of birds, and numerous primates. Maramagambo is home to roughly nine primate species, such as chimpanzees, L’Hoest’s monkeys, vervet monkeys, bush babies, red-tailed monkeys, and baboons. A particular trail leads adventurers to caves teeming with bats, which in turn attract formidable rock pythons that prey on them. Visitors can safely observe these creatures from designated areas. While the forest’s chimpanzees are not fully habituated, they are often visible during deeper treks into the woodland. The fee for a guided nature walk in Maramagambo Forest is $30.

The Salt Harvest of Lake Katwe: Lake Katwe, one of East Africa’s rare saline lakes, is devoid of wildlife due to its high salt content. However, the surrounding area bustles with activity, particularly in the dry season, as local communities engage in salt extraction from the lake’s opaque waters. Salt mining at Katwe is a centuries-old practice that once thrived until alternative mining sources and methods emerged. Today, much of the salt used in Ugandan households is sourced from Lake Katwe. Despite the hazardous conditions presented by the toxic saline waters, salt is still manually harvested. Visitors to the mines gain insight into the salt mining process and have the opportunity to interact with the local miners. The salt is predominantly sold to manufacturers, with a portion retained by the miners for personal use.

Cultural Tours: Cultural Immersion with the Kikorongo Equator Cultural Group A journey to Africa, and specifically Uganda, is enriched by engaging with local tribes. During a visit to Queen Elizabeth National Park, guests can arrange to spend time with the Kikorongo Equator Cultural group, participating in traditional dances, dramas, and even learning the art of fire-making. The group also offers workshops on creating local handicrafts, such as basket weaving with natural fibers, with these handcrafted items available for purchase. Following the cultural performances, visitors can be escorted to local homesteads to discover the intricacies of daily life, including cooking, gardening, crafting household items, and constructing thatched-roof dwellings. Cultural experiences are plentiful, with many lodges and hotels offering their own tailored tours. The Kikorongo group frequently performs at park lodges, and other cultural experiences include the Katwe Village Walk, school visits, or exploring the Nyanz’ibiri Cave Community.

Wildlife Conservation and Research Tours: Conservation and Research Initiatives in Wildlife Responding to the enthusiasm of wildlife aficionados, the Uganda Wildlife Authority has introduced research-oriented tours that delve into wildlife conservation efforts while facilitating intimate wildlife encounters. Among the most sought-after activities is lion tracking within Queen Elizabeth National Park, a collaboration between the Uganda Carnivore Program and the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Participants observe as researchers and park staff track the lions, equipped with radio collars, and monitor their behavior and movements. The experience also offers chances to spot other predators like leopards and hyenas. Lion tracking is an exclusive activity with limited daily access, requiring advance reservations. Additionally, mongoose tracking is available on the Mweya peninsula, and occasionally, tourists may participate in animal censuses for a fee.