Safari Uganda Queen Elizabeth National Park: Queen Elizabeth is one of Uganda’s understandable national parks and the most popular tourist destination. The park is the second-largest of the country’s national parks and was gazetted in 1952. The park was named after Queen Elizabeth II to commemorate her visit to Uganda in 1954. It was originally known as Kazinga National Park but was later renamed in her Honor. The park is also one of the largest protected areas in Uganda. it covers an area of approximately 1,978 square kilometers. The park extends from Lake George in the northeast to Lake Edward in the southwest and includes the Kazinga Channel connecting the two lakes. Queen Elizabeth Park is known for its wildlife viewing, including African buffalo, Ugandan Kob, hippopotamus, giant forest hog, warthog, Nile crocodile, African bush elephant, African leopard, lion, and chimpanzee. It 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. The park gives you spectacular views of the Rwenzori Mountains, the Kazinga Channel, the large area of the swamp, the beauty of the open savannah around Lake George, the beautiful crater lakes, and a lot more.
Chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge
Chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge is the main highlight of any trip to the reserve. Chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge is a captivating adventure that allows visitors to observe these fascinating primates in their natural habitat. The chimpanzee tracking adventure begins in the morning with guidance on how to track these fascinating primates, expectations, as well as carry-on items and safe precautions. After the briefing, you will be guided to trek through the Kyambura Gorge lush forest in search of these captivating habituated chimpanzee’ groups. During a chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge, will have an opportunity to meet with other species in the forest such as primates, animals, and colorful birds as well as stunning vegetation. Upon encountering these fascinating primates, you’ll have a chance to spend only one hour in their presence, while interacting and observing how they carry out their daily activities such as playing, carrying their young ones, grooming, and foraging for food. You’ll also have the opportunity to take beautiful pictures with them.
Birdwatching
Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of Uganda’s top birding destinations. The national park is home to over 600 different kinds of colorful birds, making it the ideal destination for bird lovers in East Africa. The park’s diverse habitat includes the savannah grassland, wetlands, forest and waterway, which support a wide range of birds from the colorful resident species to migratory birds. During your birdwatching tour in the park, birdwatchers have the opportunity to spot several birds including the endemic and rare birds such as Shoebill Stork, Kingfisher, African Fish Eagles, Yellow-throated Cuckoos, Verreaux’s Eagle Owl, Pink-backed Pelicans, Papyrus Canary, Sedge Warblers among others, allocated in different birding spots within the park.
Wildlife viewing
Wildlife viewing in Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the most thrilling activities to do in the park. game drives on safari offer amazing chances to encounter an incredible number of wildlife species in their natural habitat. Game drives in the park are always conducted in two sections, early morning and late afternoon when wildlife activity is at a peak. Morning wildlife viewing offers a chance to see predators on the prowl or catch sight of nocturnal wildlife returning to their daytime shelters. Evening drivers offer opportunities to spot the predators hunting under the cover of darkness and nocturnal species emerging from forage. While on your wildlife viewing safari in the park, you’ll have the opportunity to spot animals such as buffaloes, lions, buffaloes, leopards, and several antelopes as well as colorful birds, and tree-climbing lions resting on the big branches.
Nature walks
Nature walks in the park are one way you can explore the hidden gems of the park on foot, which can not be sighted while on a game drive or a boat trip. The park has got well established trails to connect you through stunning areas full of diverse tourist attractions. Guided nature walks in the park take you through various ecosystems within the park including lush forests, wetlands, lakes as well as stunning vegetation. These nature experiences are guided by the experienced game ranger or guide who will provide you with the necessary information and insights into the park’s flora and fauna. during your guided nature walks in the park, you’ll have a chance to meet with stunning creatures that dwell in the park such as buffaloes, elephants, lions, several antelopes, warthogs and colourful birds such as shoebill storks, African fish eagles, martial eagles, yellow-throated cuckoos, pink-backed pelicans, the verreaux’s eagle owl among others. You’ll also be offered with astonishing views of the Rwenzori mountains as well as stunning views of the surrounding environment.
Night game drives
Night game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park are also another thrilling and unique safari experience, allowing visitors to observe the nocturnal wildlife and witness the park’s ecosystems that come at night. During a night game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park, you’ll have a chance to spot elusive nocturnal animals such as civets, genets, leopards, hyenas and bushbabies, these creatures are of the more active during the night time, offering a chance to encounter observe their ways in darkness.
How to get to Queen Elizabeth National Park
There are two main ways to get to Queen Elizabeth National Park: by road and by air. The most commonly used is by road.
To get to Queen Elizabeth National Park by road, you will have to drive from Kampala, Entebbe, or another part of Uganda, depending on where you first stay when you land in Uganda. The drive to the park is about 5 to 6 hours, depending on the route you have used and the traffic you encounter on your day of travel. There are two major road routes that get you to Queen Elizabeth National Park, and these routes are from Kampala, via Mbarara, getting you to the eastern entry of the park, and via Fort Portal, getting you to the northern entry of the park.
By Air
You can also get to Queen Elizabeth National Park by air. You should note that all people getting to the park by air have to start their trip at the Kajjansi Airfield near Entebbe International Airport. From this airfield, you will fly to Queen Elizabeth National Park and land at one of the nearby airstrips: Kasese airstrip, Mweya airstrip, or Ishasha airstrip.
The best time to visit Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is open all year, but wildlife viewing is at its best from January to February and June to July (the dry seasons). However, this scenic park is at its most beautiful in the wet seasons, from March to May and August to December. April, May, October, and November are very wet months, and during that time, the rain might interfere with your safari.
