Queen Elizabeth National Park stands as an iconic wildlife stopping destination to go on Uganda Wildlife Safari. The Park is located in southwestern Uganda region, estimating 5-to-6-hour drive and more fact, it lies near to Bwindi National Park home to half the remaining mountain gorilla that still exists in the wild. To many visitors choose to combine a visit to Bwindi for gorillas trekking and a visit to Queen Elizabeth National Park to enjoy a bucket of remarkable activities such as game drives, Kazinga boat cruise, Lion tracking research, chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura gorge, mongoose tracking on Mweya peninsular. Well, the Park boosts with many perfect accommodations facilities that gives you a true African experience, ranging from Luxury to Budget with excellent amenities.
More fact, Queen Elizabeth National Park is the second largest and oldest Uganda national park, covering an area of about 1978square kilometers that harbors wide range of wildlife with over 95 species of mammals and over 600 bird species among others.
There are memorable activities tourists can engage in while on visit in Queen Elizabeth National Park and below are the things to do;
Boat cruise
Boat cruise is an interesting activity mainly done along Kazinga Channel which connects Lake Edward and Lake George. During your awesome experience you will get to learn about African wildlife and animals to see include African elephants, cape buffaloes, hippos and crocodiles and various bird species.
There are three sessions to experience the boat cruise; Morning cruise starts at 11am, afternoon starts 1pm and evening shifts starts at 3pm and ends at 5pm.
Note: The bookings are done at Mweya offices and you can book a shift according to your preference.
Game Drives
Game drive is quite marvelous to be part of while on safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park. While on game drive, expect to have chance to explore the tree climbing lions of Ishasha and other animals to see include buffalo herds, Uganda kobs, elephants, hippos, warthogs among others. There are perfect sites for game viewing in here that is Ishasha sector for viewing tree climbing lions and Kasenyi plains for lion tracking research and spotting a bucket of wild animals.
The best time to experience game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park is during dry season which starts from the month of June to September and January to February. During the dry season, the grass is short that makes game viewing clear and rewarding.
Chimpanzee Tracking
Chimpanzee Tracking also stands as an interesting activity conducted in Kyambura gorge of Queen Elizabethe National Park. It starts early around 8:00am after a short briefing about chimpanzee rules and regulations. Kyambura gorge is known as the valley of apes and the valley of comedy many more. The trekking experience can take 2 to 5 hours. Once gorillas are located, you’re given an hour to observe these great apes feeding, playing, groom their young ones, enjoy taking photos as well as capturing videos thus ending in worth an encounter.
Bird watching
Birding in Queen is quite rewarding, because the park hosts over 600 species of birds. More so, Queen Elizabeth National Park is recognized by the international birding association ‘’IBA’’. The adaptability of the bird comes from the presence of a wide range of habitat from the savannah woodlands, the forest like Maramagambo and Kalinzu near the park. Most of the birds can be spotted along Kazinga boat cruise and some of species to see include the comorants, kingfisher, Black bee – eaters, fly catcher and the majestic African fish eagle and others. Some of bird species to recorded here are; Pink -backed, western banded, Saddle-billed stork, African skimmer, Black and white casqued hornbill, Red -throated bee -eater, Black -headed gonolek, shoebill, Great Blue Turaco, Gray-crowned crane, Long-crested Eagle mentioned but few.
Best places for birding in Queen Elizabeth National Park include; Kazinga channel, Kasenyi Area, Mweya peninsula, Maramagambo Forest and Katwe Area. Other areas to see birds in the park include; Lake George, Kyambura Gorge, Katunguru Bridge Area and Lake Kikorongo Area.
Lion Tracking
Lion tracking research is another life adventurous activity that involves tracking the lions with the radiator collar in Kasenyi plains. It is guided by professional researchers from the Uganda carnivore program ‘’UCP’’. Lion tracking is done by a limited number of people of avoid interference with the natural balance of the wilderness, learn about lion habits as well as giving you fantastic lion tracking experience.
Cultural Encounter
During your cultural encounter in Queen Elizabeth National Park, you will enjoy the Kikongoro cultural dancers at the equator; Kikongoro is a group of women who are deep rooted into Africa culture, experience lots of African craft where you can buy souvenirs to take back home. A visit here, can engage in fishing villages along Kazinga channel. Take a walk around the community and get to interact with the locals and be entertained by their traditional dance and songs.
Hiking and Nature walks
This activity is irresistible around the crater lakes in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Also round maramagambo forest, kalinzu forest and in Kyambura gorge. While on walking safari, expect to view various butterflies, birds, crater lakes and having a chance to see millions of bats hanging inside the caves among others.
Where to stay?
There are many classic accommodation facilities in Queen Elizbeth National Park, ranging from luxury to budget with perfect amenities and very affordable namely; Elephant Hab lodge, Elephant plains, Ishasha safari camp, Kasenyi safari lodge, Jacana lodge, Mweya safari lodge, Mweya hostels, Queen Elizabeth Safari lodge among others.
Queen Elizabeth National Park has got a lot to engage in, and what makes the park a unique and unforgettable destination to go on your next Uganda Wildlife Safari -are the unique tree climbing lions and the large population of wildlife species ‘’95 mammal species’’. Get started booking now!