Located in the west of Uganda, Queen Elizabeth National Park is a spectacular cruise that brings together beautiful scenes of nature, fascinating wildlife and cultural tourism. Referred to as one of the largest bio diverse parks in Africa, it is considered by most travellers on their Uganda safaris.
From tree-climbing lions, the peaceful waters of the Kazinga Channel, magnificent Rwenzori Mountain ranges, Queen Elizabeth National Park provides different types of safari experiences. Here is all you need to understand to successfully arrange a stunning trip.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of Uganda’s largest parks, extending over 978 square kilometres of diverse geography, including savannah, plains and forests. Here are the top attractions that should be on your itinerary;
The Kazinga Channel
The Kazinga channel, which connects Lake Edward to Lake George, is one of the park’s big attractions and is packed with wildlife. If you opt for a boat safari, then you are in luck to see not only hippos and crocodiles but also numerous birds. The channel also attracts a lot of elephants and buffalo that frequently come to feed by the water’s edge. You can take a morning or late afternoon boat tour since the weather will be hot, and you have better chances for glimpses of wildlife.
Ishasha Sector
The Ishasha Sector, located in the southern part of the park, is home to one of the most unique wildlife phenomena, tree-climbing lions. Seeing lions lolling and hanging on tree branches is out of this world. The Best Time to visit is from early morning or late in the evening when these great animals behave most actively.
Kyambura Gorge
Kyambura Gorge is a rainforest situated in the middle of the savanna, and it is locally called the Valley of Apes. The gorgeous treks for guided chimpanzee trekking mean you can see these smart apes and their life at this gorge in the tropics. It is always advisable to go for it after obtaining a permit that is needed for the chimpanzee trekking.
Mweya Peninsula
This area is a scenic place in the park where there is an abundance of tourism activities and facilities, besides a spectacular scene. A drive around Mweya shows a lot of animals such as elephants, warthogs, antelopes, among others. Bird watchers should also not miss the conveniently located Katunguru Bridge.
Explosion Crater Lakes
The park also has many volcanic explosion craters, most of which contain a crater lake. Craters also present interest in terms of geological features and are perfect vantage points over the surrounding savannah and Rwenzori mountain ranges.
Katwe Salt Lake
Katwe Salt Lake, which is on the northern periphery of the park, is a significant cultural spot where people in the region continue to mine salt. Take a tour to know about the methodologies of Salt mining, and tourism is important for it. Copper and Salt mining here to this day is still being done through showing the hard work and ingenuity of central Tanzania.
Best Time to Visit
The park is open all year; however, game drives and boat safaris are best done during the dry seasons, which are June to September and December to February. It is always easier to see animals where there is some water because they all flock close to water sources. Roads are also more negotiable. The Park has many striking views during the wet seasons, although the wildlife is a little harder to see because of this, there will be hardly any people around.
How to Get There
By Road: The Park is about a 6 to 7-hour drive from Uganda’s capital city of Kampala. Roads are good with fabulous views, observing beautiful towns of Mbarara and Fort Portal along the tracks.
By Air: Charters are offered through domestic routes from Entebbe to Kasese/Mweya airstrips, which are close to the park. This is quicker than the first one, but more costly as well.
Where to Stay
Tent, camping and luxury full range of luxury services for tourists are available in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Luxury Options: Kyambura Gorge Lodge and Mweya Safari Lodge come with an up-market touch as well as spectacular scenery.
Midrange: Park View Safari Lodge is on the comfort at a reasonable price level and is a very good option for the visitor.
Budget Stays: Shelters or cabins that are usually found within some parks or forests, as well as camping areas, are very helpful for economical travellers who want to contribute to projects within communities.
Pack smartly; well-fitting, light coloured comfortable casuals to wear for game drives, binocular Optics in wildlife, optical instruments specifically for bird watching, sunscreen, a hat and repellent for the insects.
Hidden Gems to Explore
Maramagambo Forest: This part of the park is not very well known, but it is great for walk-and-watch and to visit bat caves as well as to see forest birds.
Kasenyi Plains: Well-suited to game viewing, the area has lions, hyenas, and Uganda kob in its herds.
Why You Should Visit Queen Elizabeth National Park During Your Uganda Tour?
Queen Elizabeth National Park has something for everyone looking for a safari, wildlife, boat ride or even culture. Due to its ease of access and flexibility in activity, it forms a must-visit stop in many Uganda tours. Regardless of the number of times you consider yourself a traveller or if it is your first time going for a safari, this park offers the best blend of fun and leisure. Also, it is fairly simple to enhance this location with others like the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or the Kibale National Park.
Conclusion
Queen Elizabeth National Park is not a place that you visit, but it’s a site that leaves a born imprint of itself in one’s spirit. With its magnificent sceneries, unrivalled wildlife and wonderful people that you are likely to encounter during the Uganda safari, this park is all that defines the Uganda safari. Visiting Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of those things you should look forward to!
