Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of Uganda’s three oldest national parks is nestled in districts of Rubirizi, Rukungiri, and Kamwenge along the Congolese border to the north of Kasese and the Rwenzori foot hills it covers an area of almost 1978 kilometers squared (764 square miles).
Queen Elizabeth National Park consist of lush vegetation species to wide range of animals including the big four elephants’ buffalo, lion’s leopard’s other animals include Kobs, warthogs, water bucks, banded mongoose bushbuck, hyenas, crocodiles, antelopes to mention but a few.
Many primate species call this park a home the notable seen ones include chimpanzee, vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, red-tailed L’hoest’s monkeys, black and white colobus, olive baboons among others and almost 600 bird species call it a place of safety.
Activities Carried Out at Queen Elizabeth National Park
These are the notable activities offered to guests while at the park include game drives, chimpanzee tracking, boat cruise, guided nature walks among others as analyzed below.
Game Drives
This is one of the major activity offered to guests during the visit to this place it rewards tourists with the chance to explore the park in a comfortable pop-up safari vehicle with a professional tour guide, you are to follow the popular routes, the two main gates circuits run out of lshasha the northern and southern loops both of which are roughly 20kilometers in length.
The southern circuit is more productive for lion sightings since it passes through the main kob breeding grounds, visitors are almost guaranteed to see tree climbing lions founded in the southern Ishasha region.
The lions climb acacia and sycamore fig tree for shelter during sunny and rainy seasons, trees help them to keep watch over their prey such as antelopes buffalo, it is such quite an amazing experience to watch the big cat hanging from trees.
The game drive can be done in the early morning around 6;30 when animals are still active or in the evening at 7;00pm when they are heading back to their resting places. During the morning drive expect seeing animals’ species like lions, bush pigs, hyenas, bush buck, waterbuck, warthogs, Uganda Kob, elephants, buffalo leopards among others
For the night game drive this is when clients will explore the park at night with spotlights in order to view the nocturnal animals, like bush babies, banded mongoose leopards, loins, hyena, civet cats, jackals among others.
This is always done in the mweya peninsular with armed ranger for safety giving a chance to see animals that you could have missed to see during the morning game drive.
While at Ishasha river visitors can explore on foot along its bank viewing high population of hippo, easily observed from the campsite the fringing riparian forest harbors a good number of bush buck, black and white colobus monkey and the interesting variety of birds including black bee broad billed roller and localized Cassin’s grey fly catcher among others.
Boat Cruise
You shouldn’t miss having boat cruise launch during your safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park during the cruise you will enjoy the aquatic richness of the park with sights of fascinating and sounds bellowing just Infront of you. You will be able to see variety wildlife animals ‘like viewing high population of hippos, Nile crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes among others Like wise expect to see fishermen along the shores of the water body who will be preparing there fishing gears for the night fishing.
Guided Nature Walks
Nature walks are always done in the morning or afternoon hours taking about 2 to 3hours the walk in the park is safe because professional armed rangers and tour guides aid tourists.
They guide you through the walking trails you will cover a distinctive scenery of the various primates’ birds and plant species namely black and white colobus monkey, vervet monkey as well as sighting at different animals’ species namely hyenas, bush buck, waterbuck, warthogs, Uganda Kob elephants buffalo leopards among others on foot up close hence a good adventure.
Bird Watching Experience
Queen Elizabeth National Park is referred to as birds’ paradise while at this place tourists are granted with chance to engage into this activity, Bird watching is more enjoyable when conducted with the aid of birding guide who has knowledge about the birds.
During bird watching expect to sight at numerous bird species the often seen one include ground thrush, sunbirds, yellow-eyed black flycatcher, strange weavers, Shelley’s crimson wings and many more hence a rewarding opportunity.
Tourist going in for this experience are advised to carry their pair of binoculars, portable camera, enough drinking water, snacks, birding book among others for proper enjoyment of this activity.
Chimpanzee Tracking
While at queen Elizabeth national park this activity takes place in the Kyambura gorge the excursions is conducted in the morning at 8:00 and 13;00 in the afternoon visitors are able to catch a glimpse of the fascinating primates that swing around the forest looking for their food. chimpanzee Tracking give a memorable experience in the wilderness.
Best Time to visit Queen Elizabeth National Park
The best time to visit this park it’s during the dry season of the year which typically occur in the month of June to August and from December to February expect minimal rainfall during this period.
However, one can visit this national park during the rainy season of the year that runs from March to May and from September to November during this season much rainfall is received the trail heads are slippery and muddy. Tourists are advised to use 4×4 tourist’s vehicle for proper transportation.
Accommodation facilities in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Staying at the lodgings of Queen Elizabeth National Park it is a sorted deal in and around this place there are many up-market lodges mid -range and budget as listed below.
Luxurious Facilities
Kyambura Gorge Lodge
This is a luxury remarkable new lodge comprising of eight beautiful spacious cottages carefully nestled in to the hillside each with their own bathroom, uniquely appointed adopting different theme situated on the edge of Kyambura which rewards guests with far-reaching stunning views over gorge and the lush savannah of the park with the peaks of mountain Rwenzori in a distance.
Jacana Safari Lodge
The accommodation has almost 12 cottages set on the edge of crater lake delicately constructed using local rock gum poles wood and ropes decorated, with organic rich textures in with a private veranda overlooking the lakes with open sided bar and restaurant with swimming pool.
Kyambura Game Lodge
This accommodation facility is built with imaginative natural materials that reflect an African ambiance the lodge has almost seven thatched cottages which are self-contained with both hot and cold water with spacious shower.
Kyambura game lodge has private veranda that overlooks the surrounding area, it has restaurant that offers meals and drinks, swimming pool, lounge and bar with well stocked alcohol and non-alcohol drinks.
Katara Lodge
The accommodation is located approximately sixteen kilometers from katunguru gate of queen Elizabeth national park it offers almost eight luxurious cottages they are big enough for the family and an extra bed can be given on the beautiful stretch of hills overlooking the open savanna in the screen relaxing atmosphere. Cottage’s swimming pool is perched on the edge of the escarpment above the queen Elizabeth national park
Engazi Lodge
This new lodge offers a couple of canvas sided cottage on the lip of escarpment and couple of rooms in a modern bungalow; it has swimming pool with restaurant where meals are being served from the lodge building is a wooden chalet and its name refers to the couples of lakes 1km distant from the main road.
Mweya Safari Lodge
This lodge offers a spectacular blend of luxury in the heart of wilderness, it is not just a treat it is journey of discover where luxury merge with the untamed beauty of the African wilderness, comprises of 49rooms with the swimming pool, gardens avenue for meetings Bar and restaurant with mweya health club.
Mid-range Facilities
Queen Elizabeth Bush Camp
This is located on the Southbank of the kazinga channel in katunguru, the lodge offers budget accommodation units of Bandas self and non-self-contained tents built in the African architecture.
With the grass thatched roof loops giving you a wilderness experience from the views provided by the private terraces in each room as they offer excellent service at reasonably price and it comprises of 6 cottages
Twin lakes lodge
This safari lodge is strategically intimate lodge set in the amazing surrounding of Bunyaruguru great crater field in Uganda it is perched on the escarpments adjacent to queen Elizabeth national park owns nine spacious cottage including family cottage ensuite bathrooms with the flush toilets hot shower and spacious tub with private shaded veranda swimming pool hence offers good service to the clients at affordable price
Simba Safari Camp
This is affordable facility 12 km along bwera/Congo road from the equator junction, it has 12 room Simba was concealed behind a forest of fast-growing cassia tree a couple of rooms at the top enjoy out ward views towards lake kikorongo.
Budget Facilities
Kichwamba Lodge
This is another lodge in queen Elizabeth national park it overlooks the park and has outstanding views of Rwenzori mountains lake George, Edward and the kazinga escarpments there is a cool pleasant climate at night and warm weather in the day time
The lodge has 25 Bandas including single double twin triple and family Bandas comprising of bar and restaurant, swimming pool craft shop, A well ness center with a sauna and steam bath spacious gardens for holding meetings and other programs.
Kazinga Channel View Resort.
This resort comprises of 16 cottages built with natural materials providing a clear view to the savanna plains to the park seeing the wilderness here travelers enjoy the fresh breath on the shores built by the folks who run the mweya hostel this is a new development in the katunguru enclave.
Hippo Hill Camp
It is well known to be lavish camp located within the heart of Queen Elizabeth national park it is surrounded with high large concentration of hippo’s buffalo’s flamingo, and other wild life animals the rooms comprise of bathrooms and toilets, has swimming pool, camp fire, stocked bar the tent are well designed to provide comfortable and peace full setting to enjoy the night.
In conclusion this park comprises of diverse array of tourism attractions so during your safari make it a multidimensional destination for guests seeking for a fully immersion and unforgettable experience in the pearl of Uganda.