Experiential Tourism in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Experiential tourism in Queen Elizabeth Park. When it comes to wildlife safaris in Queen Elizabeth National Park, what clicks in the minds of many is mainly normal driver-guided game drives. But, there are plenty of opportunities, unique experiences awaiting you to enjoy on the Uganda safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

From lion trekking to mongoose tracking, experiential tourism in Queen Elizabeth National Park is amazingly a great deal for any nature lover on safari in Uganda. Experiential tourism in Queen Elizabeth National Park entirely takes nature lovers on active participation in the monitoring of mammal species of visitor interest on Uganda safari. This is conducted using complex scientific locator devices.

While on experiential tourism in Queen Elizabeth National Park, visitors return when filled with deep understanding of wildlife behaviors, their family/group dynamics, composition, collect data etc. Since 2016, the experiential tourism activities to enjoy on Uganda safaris in Queen Elizabeth National Park include Hippo Census, Lion trekking/tracking, Mongoose tracking and Bird counting.

Lion tracking

Lion tracking is one of the unique experiences awaiting your exploration on Uganda safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Lion tracking in Queen Elizabeth NP is conducted early morning and during the afternoon hours. The 2 sessions for lion tracking research experience take about 1-3 hours and the research team make the best use of radiator trackers to help them locate lions.

Kasenyi sector is the main lion tracking location in Queen Elizabeth National Park and this experience is run by Uganda Carnivore Program. The program is designed for researchers to have an in-depth study about the big cats in protected areas in Uganda. A pride of lions consists of 3 to 25 members and they are interesting to interact with.

Hippo Census

Hippo census is perfectly done in the morning starting at 8:00 am. Hippos spend long nights feeding and at 8:00 am, they rush back to the water as the sun becomes hot. For Hippo census, you need a pair of binoculars, a data recorder, a good camera, etc. This is largely an exceptional experience involving you counting hippos in the water bodies of Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kazinga channel, Kyasanduka Crater Lake, Lake Edward, and Lake George.

Mongoose tracking

Mongoose tracking is conducted in Mweya Peninsular of Queen Elizabeth National Park, Western Uganda. This entirely involves exploring the banded mongooses, their habits, and taking photos. It is an on-foot-walk experience with lead of an experienced park guide and after, you return to your accommodation.

Experiential tourism permits

To engage in any of the experiential tourism activities in Queen Elizabeth National Park, participants should have valid permits. Lion tracking or research experience permits cost USD50 and shs. 50000 for citizens in East Africa. Hippo census fees range from USD100 and shs. 100,000 for citizens in East Africa while permits for Mongoose tracking cost USD30 and for citizens in East Africa 30,000 shillings.

Other tourism activities in Queen Elizabeth National Park

What makes Queen Elizabeth National Park a favorite Uganda safari destination is the fact that it has plenty of safari activities and all nature lovers have what to engage in. Other than the experiential activities, the park also offers the best-guided game drives in Kasenyi, Ishasha plains/sector, and Mweya Plains/Peninsular. A game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park is a great opportunity for you to enjoy the sight of the big game, antelopes, birds, etc.

Boat cruise which is conducted on Kazinga Channel a 32kms stretch natural channel that links Lake Edward and Lake George. The animal sightings on the Kazinga channel boat cruise include hippos, crocodiles, aquatic birds, etc.

Chimpanzee tracking in Queen Elizabeth National Park’s premier primate experience. This is done in Kyambura Gorge a home to diverse primates including chimpanzees, L’hoest monkeys, colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys to mention but a few.

Birding- a total of 620 bird species exist in Queen Elizabeth NP making it one of the best birding areas. The main areas of interest for birders on Queen Elizabeth National Park birding safaris include Maramagambo Forest, Kalinzu Forest, Kasenyi and wetland areas, etc.

Some of the special birds to search for on the Uganda birding tour in Queen Elizabeth NP include the shoebill stork, kingfishers, pink-backed and great white pelicans, bee-eaters, fish eagles, and more.