Also known as the “Medley of Wonders” Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s second largest National park located in western Uganda. The park spreads over 1,978 square kilometers and comprises savannah grasslands, tropical rainforests, and wetlands, serving as food and shelter for numerous wild animals and birds. The park was established in 1952 to promote wildlife conservation and diversify tourism products in Uganda.
According to Uganda’s tourism statistics, Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the popular and most visited tourist destinations that receives the highest number of travelers on Uganda safaris. Kasese is the nearest town to Queen Elizabeth National Park and it is on Uganda’s borders with the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Park also comprises Kyambura Gorge, an underground forest sheltering the endangered chimpanzees, baboons, and other Colobus monkeys.
Queen Elizabeth Park is known for sheltering the highest concentration of wild animals which include four of the big five and other numerous wild animals. Some of the common animals seen in the park include Elephants. Lions, Leopards, Buffalos, Uganda kobs, and waterbucks among others. The park is also home to reptiles such as snakes, monitor lizards, and crocodiles.
For birders, Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to over 600 bird species some of which are not found anywhere else in Uganda. The park is one of the Important Birding Areas in Uganda
Top activities at Queen Elizabeth National Park
Travelers to Queen Elizabeth National Park have a variety of interesting activities to do rewarding them with lifetime memories. Some of the popular activities in Queen Elizabeth Park include
Game viewing:
Game viewing is the prime tourist attraction in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Yes, guided game drives are scheduled for early morning and evening hours to allow travelers to enjoy close encounters with wild animals in their natural habitats. If you want you can have a full day of game drives to different parts of the park for a wide range of game-life interactions. Night game drives are also arranged to allow travelers to encounter nocturnal animals that are active at night.
Ksenyi Plains is the favorite spot for game viewing in Queen Elizabeth National Park while Ishasha sector is home to the rare tree climbing Lions. Some of the animals seen in Queen Elizabeth National Park include Lions, Leopards. Elephants, Hyenas, Hippos, Uganda Kobs, Waterbucks, Warthogs, Impalas, Elands, and wild pigs among others. Morning and evening hours are the best time for game viewing in Queen Elizabeth National Park when wild animals are actively hunting. Our customized 3 days Queen Elizabeth safari is best package to explore the gem in this Park
Boat cruise
Done at Kazinga Channel, Boat cruising is yet another interesting activity, a not miss on your Uganda safari to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Kazinga channel is a 40-kilometer-long river stream which connects Lakes Edward and Goerge. A 2-3 hour boat cruise on Kazinga channel offers you spectacular views of the park, wild waters animals, and birds seen on the banks of the river. Boat cruising is scheduled for morning and afternoon to give all travelers a chance to enjoy.
Bird watching
As said already, Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to over 600 birds which makes it the best spot for bird watching. Both savannah, forest, and swamp birds are seen in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Some of the notable birds in the park include the Palm Nut Vulture, Sheobill Stork, Collared Palnticole, Swampy Flycatcher, African Finfoot, African Hobby, Caspian Plover, Great Blue Turaco, Cub plover, white-winged spur, great white pelican among others. Late May to September is the best time for bird watching in Queen Elizabeth National Park while migratory birds are present from November to April. Binoculars are highly recommended for the best bird-watching experience in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Chimpanzee trekking
Go chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge located within Queen Elizabeth National Park. Chimpanzee communities have been habituated for trekking in Kyambura gorge. Treks to see these chimpanzees begin at 8:00 am guided by armed rangers who escort travelers to and and from the forest. Each permit to trek chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge costs $100 allowing you to spend an hour with these endangered primates. The other places to see chimpanzees near Queen Elizabeth National Park include Kalinzu Forest
Lion Tracking
Be part of this experimental lion tracking experience which takes place in the kasenyi plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Lion tracking offers travelers an intimate trek to see the kings of the jungle in the wilderness. The experience involves following the trails of the lions guided by radio callers who have been trapped in the jungle. Travelers trek alongside researchers and doctors! The permit for lion tracking costs $100 for foreign nonresidents, $80 for foreign resident and UGX 100,000 for East African citizens.
Community tours
Engage in community tours to meet and interact with local people around Queen Elizabeth National Park. Community tours are the best way to learn and learn the traditions, norms, customs, and beliefs of local people. You will learn how to prepare local food, babysit and local brewing. Local people also perform their traditional songs and dances to entertain and welcome you into their communities.
Visiting crater lakes
Do not miss visiting the various crater lakes located in different corners of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The crater lakes to visit include Lake Katwe known for salt morning, Lake Nyamunuka believed to have healing water where injured animals get healed, Lake Munyanyange famous for the lesser and greater flamingoes, Lake Bunyampaka, and Lake Nyamusingire among others. Each lake has a unique story behind it and hence worth visiting.
Nature /Forest Walks
Explore Queen Elizabeth National Park on foot by taking part in our guided nature/forest walk. A walk through the Mweya Peninsula is the best way to meet and interact with some animals. You can also spot some medicinal herbs and ground insects hardly seen when you are on a track.
Best time to visit Queen Elizabeth National Park
Whereas Queen Elizabeth National Park can be visited all year round, the best time to visit this park is during the dry season in June, July August, December, January, and February. The season is dry with less or no rain which makes grass in the park short making wildlife spotting easier. Also during the dry season, wild animals tend to gather at water spots for drinking water which makes it easy to watch them
What to Pack to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Like any other tourist destination, travelers to Queen Elizabeth National Park are reminded to pack the right essentials to ensure a peaceful and enjoyable vacation. Endeavor your travel bag has the right attires and other basics you need for a safari. Among the things to pack to Queen Elizabeth National Park include Light clothes for suitable weather, sturdy closed footwear especially for nature walks, Insect repellant to prevent poisonous insect bites, Binoculars for bird watching, a Rain jacket for the unpredictable weather, a hat and sunglasses to protect you from the sun, bottled drinking water and cameras with extra batteries.
Entrance fees to Queen Elizabeth National Park
The entrance fee to Queen Elizabeth National Park is $45 per client valid for 24 hours. Each vehicle pays $10 also valid for 24 hours. Boat cruising at Kazinga Channel costs $30 per person while chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge costs $100. Travelers are advised to keep their receipts very well to avoid double payments.
In conclusion, Queen Elizabeth National Park is a must-visit on your Uganda safari. Contact Authentic Africa Safaris, book your Uganda safari to Queen Elizabeth Park, and have the best of this beautiful Park
