Queen Elizabeth National Park Details by Adventure Uganda Safaris

Queen Elizabeth National Park is not only Uganda’s second largest National Park, but also one of the world’s biologically diverse destinations. Not only is this park most famous for its abundant and unique mammal species like tree climbing lions, hippos, African elephants, cape buffaloes, and antelopes.

This Park also holds over 620 species of birds, making it one of the leading destinations worth visiting to experience the best of African wildlife safaris.

Queen Elizabeth National Park Location;

It is situated in Kasese, Western Uganda and about 700sq. miles of its area coverage is crossed by the Kazinga channel. The present Queen Elizabeth National Park was originally established as the Lake George and Lake Edward Game Reserves in 1925, and in 1952, its status upgraded into a National Park.

Today, Queen Elizabeth National Park extends up to 1978sq.km.

History of Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park was initially the grazing area for the indigenous Basongora people. Later, Stanley and Lugard toured the area, and reported it to have been hugely depopulated due to cattle raiding and also epidemics of rinderpest as well as small pox.

In 1906, the Northern side of Lake George was declared as a Game Reserve so as to prevent the unregulated hunting. In 1912, the gazetted Lake George Game Reserve and Ishasha Area were officially recognized as restricted areas.

The agricultural and fishing communities had to move out to the non-affected areas, and the area was abandoned. In 1952, the present Queen Elizabeth National Park was designated the park status.

Major tourist sites/Sectors in and around Queen Elizabeth National Park

Kasenyi Plains:

Located in the Northern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kasenyi is one of the most explored sectors of this protected area. This sector is accessible 48km off from Kasese town, and features largely the savanna grassland. It is most popular for its huge concentration of Uganda Kobs, African elephants, lions, and other numerous predators.

Ishasha sector:

In the Southern side, there is Ishasha region which is most popular for the unique tree climbing lions, topis and other big game species.

Mweya Peninsular:

This is another significant region worth exploring on Uganda safaris in Queen Elizabeth National Park. It is found on the Northern bank of Kazinga channel, a natural channel that connects Lake Edward and George.

Kazinga channel:

This is a natural channel and extends up to about 32km, linking Lake Edward and George. It is one spot with a huge concentration of hippos, crocodiles, and aquatic bird species.

Kyambura Gorge:

Known as the Valley of Apes, the Kyambura Gorge is situated in the Eastern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park. It is in this section of the park where you can enjoy sight of several primates including chimpanzees.

Maramagambo Forest:

Located in Bushenyi district, Maramagambo Forest is another valuable section of Queen Elizabeth National Park. This section of the park holds a significant faunal and avifaunal species.

Lake Katwe salt works:

Lying around Queen Elizabeth National Park is the unusual alkaline Lake Katwe where the salt mining works are conducted.

Katwe Explosion Craters:

Situated in the Northern side of the park are several Crater Lakes and while here, guests can enjoy the breathtaking views of the Rwenzori Mountain ranges.

Kalinzu Forest:

This is a forest thicket lying adjacent to Queen Elizabeth National Park and is a preferred spot for chimpanzee tracking. Kalinzu Forest Reserve occupies 137sq.km of land area.

Wildlife in Queen Elizabeth National Park

It is a special wildlife destination, home to over 95 mammals, several reptile species, primates and avifaunal species. The different wildlife that live here include giant forest hogs, Uganda Kobs, crocodiles, buffaloes, lions (inclusive of the tree climbing lions), elephants, spotted hyenas, leopards, bushbucks, waterbucks, and warthogs, etc.

Primates to explore in Queen Elizabeth National Park include the vervet monkeys, chimpanzees, the blue and white colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys and others.

Bird species

Over 625 species of birds comprising of savanna, aquatic and forest species all exist in the various habitats in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The checklist of birds in Queen Elizabeth National Park include the swamp flycatchers, blue headed bee-eaters, Diederik cuckoos, pygmy kingfishers, red capped lark, African mourning dove, little bee-eaters, and black bellied bustards.

Other species of birds include the palm nut vultures, grey crowned cranes, yellow throated long crown, helmeted guinea fowl, Ross’s turacos, grey woodpeckers, broad billed roller, striped kingfishers, and African crakes.

Additional birds in Queen Elizabeth National Park include the Shoebill stork, black rumped buttonquail, Great white pelicans, Caspian plovers, African skimmers, Broad billed rollers, and African finfoot.

This protected area also supports other birds including papyrus gonoleks, red chested sunbird, collared pratincole, pel’s fishing owl, yellow bellied wattle eye, rufous bellied heron, the great blue turacos, Egyptian goose, and others.

Safari activities to do in and around Queen Elizabeth National Park

Game drives

Queen Elizabeth National Park is one African safari destination that never disappoints when it comes to guided game drives. The park features some of the most rewarding game tracks which offer visitors excellent encounters with the big game, birds and so much more. The prominent game tracks to explore in this park include Kasenyi plains and Ishasha sectors.

A game drive in the game tracks in Queen Elizabeth National Park takes about 2-3 hours. On a guided game drive, expect to enjoy sight of lions, cape buffaloes, Uganda Kobs, elephants, warthogs and other mammal species.

There are also some interesting bird species to keep eyes on including the Kori bustards, African Jacanas, yellow throated long crow, red throated surf owl and others. The key sessions to participate in include the morning and afternoon game viewing.

Lion tracking

Lion tracking in Queen Elizabeth National Park is best enjoyed in Kasenyi Plains, a perfect experience that allows you to explore more about the African lions in the wild with an expert. This is a perfect experience for researchers and you spend a great time following, and observing the behaviors of the lions.

Boat cruise

Boat cruise excursions in Queen Elizabeth National Park are excellently done on the extensive Kazinga channel. The 32 km long Kazinga channel is a perfect place to encounter a huge concentration of hippos, Nile crocodiles and aquatic species of birds. Visitors can go for the morning or afternoon guided launch or boat cruise, with an expert.

Chimpanzee tracking

Visitors interested in chimpanzee tracking are also covered at Kyambura Gorge where a section of chimpanzee communities have undergone through habituation.

The trek with chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge can last for 2-4 hours with trekkers guaranteed of an hour for up close and personal encounter with chimpanzees upon finding them in the wild.

Besides observing the daily behaviors of chimpanzees, visitors can also utilize this period to take pictures of the great apes.

Birding

Queen Elizabeth National Park is notably home to the highest profusion of bird species including aquatic, terrestrial and forest species. The key sites to explore on birding tour include Kyambura Gorge, Maramagambo Forest, Kazinga channel, Kasenyi Plains, and others.

The birds to expect to identify on bird watching or birding excursion in Queen Elizabeth National Park include the shoebill stork, pygmy kingfishers, African mourning dove, scarlet chested sunbird, red capped larks and more.

Forest/nature walks

With an expert, you can embark on a guided nature or forest walk. This experience involves exploring the enriching habitats around the park’s savannas or Maramagambo Forest, Kyambura Gorge and others. The guided nature/forest walk can go for 2-3 hours and comes with incredible sights of primates, birds and floral species.

Hot air balloon safaris

Queen Elizabeth National park is also most popular for its exhilarating hot balloon experiences. On actual balloon safaris, visitors set off from Kasenyi gate and the normal flight may go for an hour. The morning session includes bush breakfast or go for the afternoon session which may come with a bottle of champagne.

Best time to travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park is an all year-round wildlife destination, but is best to visit it during the dry season. This is around the June, July, August to September and December, January to February.

These are preferred months for game viewing and for bird watching/birding, consider planning your trip around March, April, May, October, and November.

Where to stay in Queen Elizabeth National Park?

The accommodation choices to consider for overnight stay in and around the park include Ishasha Pride Lodge, Mweya Safaris Lodge, Elephant Plain Hub, Simba Tented Camp, Ishasha Jungle Lodge, Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge, Enganzi Game Lodge, and Buffalo Safari Lodge.

Other lodges include Twin Lakes Safari Lodge, Kyambura Gorge Lodge, Katara Lodge, Topi Lodge, Ihamba Safari Lodge, Engiri Game Lodge, Bulbul Safari Lodge, Ishasha Wilderness Camp and more.

Getting to Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda

Getting to Queen Elizabeth National Park by road involves you driving from Kampala via Masaka-Mbarara-Bushenyi route which is 7-8 hours’ drive; or drive via Mityana-Fort Portal tourism city to Kasese then get to the park. By air, you can also set off from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi airfield to Kasese or Mweya Airstrip.

Tours to Inspire You;

3 Days Queen Elizabeth Wildlife Tour introduces you to Uganda’s second largest and most explored National Park. Queen Elizabeth National Park was established in 1952 as Kazinga National Park but got its current name in 1954 to honor Queen Elizabeth II’s visit to the country and is now a haven to more than 95 species of mammals including the magical tree-climbing lions, elephants… View Tour

4 Day Queen Elizabeth Wildlife Safari – Uganda Safari tour you will enjoy a launch cruise, game drives and chimpanzee tracking at Kyambura George… View Tour

5 Days Uganda Safari Adventure – Gorilla Trekking and Wildlife is an interesting package taking tourists to the remarkable Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for gorilla trekking and cultural walks as well as the beautiful Queen Elizabeth National Park for wildlife viewing and the refreshing boat cruise along… View Tour

8 days Uganda safari perfectly introduce you to the finest national parks in Uganda; Bwindi Impenetrable National park, Queen Elizabeth National park, Kibale forest, and Lake Mburo national park… View Tour

14 Days Uganda Safari Tour will allow you to track the gorillas in Bwindi, wildlife viewing, chimp trekking and nature walks. It’s an unforgettable experience in the pearl of Africa full of natural wonders. You will get a chance of visiting the various National Parks in the country and stand… View Tour