QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK
Queen Elizabeth National Park is the gem in Uganda’s crown. The most popular and accessible of the Ugandan savannah reserves, it boasts one of the most diverse eco-systems in Africa.
Savannah, rainforest, wetlands and crater lakes are home to 95 species of mammal (the highest in any Ugandan park) and 610 bird species (perhaps the highest of any African reserve).
Savannah, rainforest, wetlands and crater lakes are home to 95 species of mammal (the highest in any Ugandan park) and 610 bird species (perhaps the highest of any African reserve).
QUEEN ELIZABETH SAFARI TOURS
Formerly known as Kazinga National Park, Queen Elizabeth covers an enormous 1995 km2. It incorporates more than 10 crater lakes, Lake George and Lake Edward, the plains of Isasha, Maramagambo Forest and the Kyambura Gorge.
Its combination of open grassland, forest, swamps, rivers and lakes gives it one of the highest biodiversity ratings in the world and make it the best park in Uganda for traditional game viewing and wildlife safari tours.
The Kazinga Channel divides the park into north and south and is said to contain the world's largest concentration of hippos. Surprisingly however, it contains few crocodiles.
WILDLIFE SAFARI TOUR
- Queen Elizabeth’s 95 species of mammal include 10 species of primate and 20 carnivores.
- Lions, leopard, jackal and spotted hyenas are regularly sighted.
- Large herbivores include buffalo, elephant, warthog and hippo.
- There are no longer any giraffe, zebra, impala or rhino in the park.
- Antelopes include Uganda kob, topi, Defassa waterbuck and bushbuck.
- Chimpanzee tracking is a major attraction at Kyambura, and in addition, there are chances to see black-and-white colobus, L’Hoest’s monkeys, vervet monkeys, blue monkeys and baboons.
- An exceptional 610 bird species is perhaps unbeaten by any park in Africa. 54 raptors are included, along with nearly all of the Ugandan water species.
Activities
Game drives are the main attraction but by no means all that there is. Try chimpanzee tracking, superb bird watching, primate tours, a boat launch in the Kazinga Channel and forest walks.
When
The dry season (June - September) draws many species to the water, making for easier viewing.
In the wet season (October - December) many roads become impassable.
In the wet season (October - December) many roads become impassable.
The Mweya Peninsula is just 10 km2 of land sandwiched between Lake Edward and the Kazinga Channel. And yet it is the heart of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The park headquarters, famous Mweya Lodge and access to the incredible Kazinga Chanel are all here.
With spectacular views, well developed game tracks and a variety of accommodation, it’s not surprising that Mweya is so popular.
Sightings of lion and spotted hyena are common, as are elephant, buffalo and hippopotamus. Take a boat launch down the Kazinga Channel and you will understand just how common these sightings can become. Even within the lodge grounds there is an extensive population of banded mongoose and warthogs.
The Katwe Crater Lakes are seven lakes with an absolutely stunning backdrop and are a seasonal home to massive flocks of flamingos.
The Kasenyi Plains is perhaps the most reliable region for lion sightings.
With spectacular views, well developed game tracks and a variety of accommodation, it’s not surprising that Mweya is so popular.
Sightings of lion and spotted hyena are common, as are elephant, buffalo and hippopotamus. Take a boat launch down the Kazinga Channel and you will understand just how common these sightings can become. Even within the lodge grounds there is an extensive population of banded mongoose and warthogs.
The Katwe Crater Lakes are seven lakes with an absolutely stunning backdrop and are a seasonal home to massive flocks of flamingos.
The Kasenyi Plains is perhaps the most reliable region for lion sightings.
This south eastern section of the park is relatively undeveloped but still easily accessible. It is essentially a forested region - a stark contrast to the dry plains of the northern sector.
Maramagambo Forest has more in common with Central African ecology than East African. Tropical rainforest with a high concentration of primates and forest birds is dominant and home to L’Hoest’s monkeys, red-tailed colobus monkeys, black-and-white colobus, chimpanzees, vervet monkeys and giant elephant shrews.
The Kyambura Gorge is a forested river gorge, 16km long and 100m deep, cut into the surrounding plains. It is home to Queen Elizabeth’s habituated chimpanzee group and offers excellent tracking, as the chimpanzee territory is restricted to the gorge.
Ishasha is Queen Elizabeth’s often bypassed and wild southern sector. It is a dry, savannah region with great game viewing. In particular, keep an eye out for its tree climbing lions.
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