Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the outstanding treasures of Uganda, and has been designated a Biosphere reserve for humanity under UNESCO auspices. It borders on both Lake Edward and George, as well as the Kazinga Channel in the western area of the Great East African Rift valley. This National Park is the second largest protected area in Uganda after Murchison Falls National Park and is also the second highest visited savanna park in the country. Queen Elizabeth National Park is a remarkable wildlife viewing destination in Uganda, teeming with incredible wildlife species, including lions, leopards, elephants, hippos, buffaloes, crocodiles, and several antelope species. Queen Elizabeth National Park covers almost 2,000 square kilometers and includes a remarkable variety of ecosystems from semi-deciduous tropical forest to green meadows, savannah, crater lake, and swamps.

Wildlife Viewing in Queen Elizabeth National Park & Game drives 

Queen Elizabeth National Park offers one of the best wildlife viewing experience in Uganda, with guaranteed sightings of all top wildlife species. This National Park features a remarkable mix of savannah plains, wetlands, forests, and crater lakes that support an impressive variety of wildlife including elephants, buffaloes, hippos, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, warthogs, and large herds of antelope. Predators such as lions and leopards are also present, with the Ishasha sector being especially famous for its unique tree-climbing lions, a rare behavior seen in only a few places in Africa. Guided game drives across the Kasenyi and Ishasha plains provide excellent opportunities to observe wildlife at close range.

One of the highlights of wildlife viewing in Queen Elizabeth National Park is the Kazinga Channel boat safari. This natural waterway hosts one of the highest concentrations of hippos in Africa, along with crocodiles and abundant birdlife. Combined with scenic landscapes and rich biodiversity, Queen Elizabeth National Park delivers unforgettable wildlife encounters and remains a must-visit destination on your Uganda safaris/ Uganda Holiday Tours.

Queen elizabteh National Park, Savanna Wildlife Safari, Uganda Safari

In Queen Elizabeth National park discover a vast array of Ugandan wildlife like elephant, buffalo, hippopotamus, Uganda kob, buck and antelope, as well as baboons and chimpanzees, and the famous tree-climbing lion which is usually found in the Ishasha region. Over 500 bird species have also been identified here making it a Mecca for bird-watchers. They include the shoebill stork, the Black Bee-eater, 11 different species of kingfisher and several falcons, eagles and other raptors. Many of the crater lakes are home to spectacular flocks of flamingos.

The launch trip along the Kazinga channel between lakes Edward and George is a memorable method of game watching and one of the most rewarding experiences of a visit to the park.

Queen Elizabeth National Park Boat ride on Kazinga Channel

Boat ride on Kazinga Channel

 

ACCESS

By road: The park is 64km from Kasese, which is linked by a fair-grade tarred road from Kampala (490km) via Mbarara.

Kasese can also reached via mubende and Fort portal. The easiest access gate for the park from Katunguru is the left turn immediately after the total petrol station.

By air: Air charter services are possible to the airstrip near Mweya Safari Lodge or to Kasese airstrip.

ACCOMMODATION

  • King Fisher Lodge
  • Mweya safari lodge
  • Jakana Safari Lodge
  • Mweya Hostel
  • Camp sites at Mweya Lodge and along Kazinga channel
  • Ishasha Wilderness Camp