Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the top Uganda safari destinations that is visited by a large number of travelers that come to Africa due the unique facts about the park that gives travelers a lot of incredible unforgettable safari memories about the pearl of Africa. The true facts about the park is that it is known and famous for the unbelievable tree climbing lions that found in the Ishasha sector of the park, there is a wide range of unique wildlife animal populations that is found in the park, it is home to the beautiful Kazinga channel as well as the wonderful crater lakes. Wildlife animals found in the park include the large populations of the African elephants, huge herds of the African caped buffaloes, the huge populations of the hippos, the nocturnal leopards, the zebras, antelopes, massive populations of the Uganda Kobs which is the best and great prey to the tree climbing lions in the Ishasha sector, the sitatunga giraffes, waterbucks, crocodiles, the bushbucks, warthogs, Oribis, giant forest hogs among others.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is a home to 95 mammal species which is more than any park in Uganda and supports a remarkable 612 number of bird species. This figure ranks 6th worldwide for protected area bird diversity. The Park is located in the South Western Uganda, a popular destination for tourists. Queen National park’s diverse eco systems that is, sparkling lakes and fertile wetlands make it the ideal habitat for classic big game (Animals), Primates and various bird species. The park is shared by 3 districts of Kasese, Bundibugyo and Bushenyi. It is a 5-6 hours’ drive from Kampala on a surfaced road passing via Mbarara. The park can also be reached on a marram road from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
The 1978km2 park is stunningly located on the rift valley floor between lakes George and Albert and is Uganda’s deservedly most popular protected area. It is home to the hippopotamus with a population of 5000 animals in the Kazinga channel and adjoining lakes. Other animals easily seen are Elephant, Bufallo, waterbuck, Uganda Kob and warthog and with luck giant forest hog, lion, hyena and leopard.
Mweya Peninsular is the park’s primary tourist hub. The peninsular commands marvelous views from all directions. The shores of the Kazinga channel provide perennial water for large numbers of mammals ,reptiles and birds and the park’s most famous launch trip provides a golden opportunity to view this wildlife spectacle on her two covered launches-Topi and Simbi.
The plain north of the Kazinga channel is explored by a network of game tracks. The channel track and the leopard loop are probably the most likely locations in Uganda to find Leopard and Giant forest hog. The area is also memorable for its beautiful and distinctive candelabra trees (Euphorbia candelabrum) and the African fish eagles that perch on them.
The Katwe explosion craters, a spectacular field of extinct volcanic craters are just a few kilometers north of Mweya and can be explored by the 24km long crater drive. High spots are the huge kyemengo crater and the lovely lake kitagata
Things to See in Queen Elizabeth National Park
The park has a variety of flora and fauna and it is acknowledged to be a habitat for over 95 mammal species with over 612 species of birds. The various species found in this park have made it a unique Park most liked by Tourists. On top of all, this park has 4 types of vegetation that is, Bushy grassland, Acacia woodland, Swamp vegetation and Forest grassland. The grasslands are habitats to Cape buffalo, Uganda kob, waterbuck, Warthlog, lion, leopard, hyena, Giant forest hog and Elephants. Topis can be found in Ishasha and Primates can be found in Kyambura Gorge and Maramagambo forest. For all visitors who prefer to have a close enrich with the wild fauna in Africa, a research trip is something greatly recommend as it will be worth the experience, very rewarding and enjoyable adventure. This actually is a new and exceptional experience that offers visitors an opportunity to actively and directly participate in watching not only a number of exotic birds but also different mammals.
It is very rare to find tree climbing lions but once you visit Queen Elizabeth National Park, you will find them reason being that it is one of their day behavior. One of these lions is found within the Ishasha sector in the south part with in the park. These type of lions climb trees in order to protect themselves from biting tsetse flies on the ground. The ishasha sector is actually very famous because of the population of the tree climbing lions that are attractive and the major attractions for which most visitors visit this park. Lions are normally seen lying up within the branches of the huge fig trees as they digest their food and staring down at the numerous kobs that graze in the open Ishasha plains.
Uganda is a well-known tourist destination and it has a diversity of bird species most of which are not easily found in any other part of the African continent. It’s some of these bird species that have actually made Queen Elizabeth National park a charming destination for visitors that love bird watching. Among the common species to look out for are the aquatic birds like White-faced Whistling, Spur- winged Plovers, White backed Pelicans, African jacana, Yellow backed Weavers, the Malachite, African skimmers, Martial Eagles, African spoonbills, papyrus Gonolek and the shoebill stork. The best time to spot these birds is early morning or late evenings.
Things to Do in Queen Elizabeth National Park
While enjoying the numerous attractions in Uganda, you need to take some time and explore the wonderful savannah plains of Queen Elizabeth National park. The park offers a wide number of great tour activities and once tried, the end result are lasting memories. Its definite that Queen Elizabeth is beautiful and one of the most visited safari destinations in Uganda .The particular incredible attractions that draw hundreds to the park include tree climbing lions, Kazinga channel boat cruise, Chimpanzee tracking, game viewing and much more. Having fan in Queen Elizabeth is all and the park is bet explored by road transport means.
Visit the Tree Climbing Lions of Ishasha
Nothing will make you happy and excited on a Uganda wildlife safari like watching tree climbing lions of ishasha as they chill and relax up in tree branches. This is also an highlight of many Uganda gorilla & wildlife safaris to Queen Elizabeth national park and Bwindi Forest national park. The famous tree-climbing lions of the Ishasha sector are found in large fig trees in the remote southern extremity of the park, so you will need a park ranger to take you through the entire game viewing experience as you appreciated what nature holds. Once you spot lions and other park wildlife, this will turn your expectations into reality. The tree climbing lions of ishasha are an important aspect in the eco tourism of Uganda and conservation is the only way to protect them for the future. Don’t miss out the opportunity to hear your guide shout loud “Lions” and you look up.
Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
Spend you early morning or afternoon on the boat trip within Queen Elizabeth National Park done on the impressive Kazinga Channel a 40 kilometer water long natural channel that links Lake Edward and George. The Kazinga Channel is an oasis for many charming species that inhabit the park. Tourists to Queen Elizabeth national park especially those on the Kazinga channel boat ride get a chance to be in close distance with a concentration of hippos, birds, crocodiles and other park wildlife that visit the channel for drinking water but later linger around the shore lines. This 2-3 hour boat voyage is normally conducted in the afternoon when the sun is hot hence making you feel fresh and relaxed. Enjoy this and be the one to tell a story to friends and family.
Chimpanzee Tracking
After all your favorite tour activities, try out chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura gorge or Kalinzu forest on a free morning before leaving the park for another destination. Chimpanzees are beautiful primates that will amaze you. Besides during the trek, many other primate species are spots, cool sounds of nature take up the floor as you walk through the well conserved chimpanzee home. One needs a free morning or afternoon to see these beautiful creatures in Kalinzu forest reserve or Kyambura gorge. Chimpanzee trekking permits go for $50 dollars a fare price for all primate lovers.
Game Drives
When you visit Queen Elizabeth National Park be sure to have successful morning and afternoon game drives in both Kasenyi area and ishasha. The park is a home to impressive wildlife, lions, elephants, kobs, buffaloes, topis, busg bucks, leopards, hynas,and much more. Morning game drives start as early as 6.oo am while evening However, the most prestigious ground for wildlife viewing in Queen Elizabeth is ishasha and Kasenyi.
Bird Watching
This has become a very popular activity for many tourists to Queen Elizabeth national park due to variety of that range from savanna to wetlands to lowland forests.Birds are in abundance throughout the park but the Mweya penusular,Kasenyi area, maramagambo forest, ishasha sector are the most favorite. Some of the birds found in the park include Raptors, African Mourning Dove, Diederik Cuckoo, Red-chested Sunbird, Black-headed Gonolek,Lesser Masked Weaver, Slender-billed Weaver, Yellow-backed Weaver,Pin-tailed Whydah, Little Grebe, African Finfoot,Red-chested Cuckoo, Black Cuckoo, African Emerald Cuckoo, Yellow bill, Black Coucal,Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Black Bee-eater,Honeyguide Greenbul,Blue-shouldered Robin-Chat’, Black Bishop, White-breasted Negrofinch,Swamp Flycatcher,Scarlet-chested Sunbird and much more.
Accommodation
When you plans to have a safari trip, what you have to put in mind is where you will have to have meals and a relaxation after enjoying adventuring. There is no need to worry because the park has different accommodation facilities that will favor all types of visitors and it also caters for budget travelers. Mweya safari lodge and Jacana lodge have excellent services and ishasha wilderness camp with lavishness accommodation. Budget accommodation includes Mweya hotels and ishasha Bandas with standards that will make your stay memorable. The park has camping sites like Maramagambo, ishasha, kingfisher camp and Kitandara Hippo hill camp.