Queen Elizabeth National Park, a true medley of wonders, is Uganda’s most splendid safari destination. This park extends up to 1978 square kilometres, which makes it the second-largest national park.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is largely a savanna grassland conservation area and comprises diverse wildlife species dwelling within its sprawling savanna, humid forests, and shady and fertile wetlands. Four of the big five species do thrive within Queen Elizabeth National Park, along with 10 primate species, including chimpanzees, and over 620 bird species. This park was established in 1952 to offer refuge to its diverse wildlife species. It is suitably set in western Uganda and surrounded by Kasese, Bushenyi, and Bundibugyo districts.

Queen Elizabeth National Park boasts of its huge concentration of wildlife species, including over 5000 hippos, 3000 African elephants, over 10,000 African buffaloes, several water bucks, Uganda Kobs, topis, warthogs, and over 620 bird species. Besides, there are also chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, and baboons, to mention but a few.

The people

The ethnic groups that live around Queen Elizabeth National Park include Bakonjo, Bakiga, Banyankole, and others. They do more traditional and contemporary economic activities, such as salt mining, crop and animal farming, and others.

Activities to do in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Game drive

Queen Elizabeth National Park is famous for wildlife viewing. Its extensive savanna grassland offers the best and clearest sight of varied wildlife species, including African elephants, buffaloes, and lions, plus tree-climbing lions, leopards, Uganda Kobs, and numerous bird species. The Kasenyi sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the significant wildlife tracks that offer the best sights of varied wildlife species. Ishasha Sector is another exceptional site for you to catch a glimpse of the unique tree-climbing lions.

Launch cruise

A launch cruise is another exciting safari experience that you need to take part in at Queen Elizabeth National Park. It takes you through the Kazinga channel in about 2 hours and rewards you with the best sights at a huge concentration of hippos, Nile crocodiles, and water birds, as well as buffaloes, elephants, and antelope families that can be spotted at the banks of the Kazinga channel.

Birding

Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to over 620 bird species, which makes it a true birder’s haven. The birds to sight while on bird watching tour in Queen Elizabeth National Park include black bee-eaters, martial eagle, African skimmer, white-winged warbler, papyrus gonolek, papyrus canary, and corncrake, flocks of flamingos, pink-backed pelicans, African broadbill and shoebill storks, African Jacana, Malachite, Pied kingfisher, black rumped buttonquail, African fish eagle, Gabon and Slender tailed mourning dove, Nightjars, common squacco heron, collared pratincole, white-winged terns,  a mention but a few.

Nature walks and hikes

With nature walks, you get the best of the hidden treasures within this park. You can embark on this thrilling experience in Maramagambo Forest, Kyambura Gorge, the Mweya Peninsula, or via the Ishasha River.

The Ishasha visit

The trail to Ishasha Sector takes you south of Queen Elizabeth National Park, which gives you the best sights at the tree-climbing lions. These can be spotted on the large fig trees as well as on several topis, Uganda kobs, buffaloes, and many more.

Chimpanzee tracking

Chimpanzee tracking safaris are conducted around Kyambura Gorge, famously known as the Lost Valley.” This area is the valley for primates that you can find in Savannah. There are over 10 primate species in Queen Elizabeth National Park, and along your trek in the gorge, you will meet a variety of wildlife species and birds as you enjoy exciting moments in your life.

Volcano explosion craters

The volcano explosion crater exploration in Queen Elizabeth National Park takes you through the 3 main crater explosions: the Katwe explosion craters, the Ndali Kasenda crater field, and the Bunyaraguru crater field.

Hot air balloon safaris in the Queen Elizabeth National Park

A hot air balloon tour is a new safari experience in Queen Elizabeth National Park. These rewards travel endeavours with astonishing sights of varied wildlife species: the Rwenzori Mountains of the Moon, the Great Western Rift Valley, explosions of craters, lakes such as Lake George and Edward, elephants’ herbs, buffaloes, and all kinds of antelopes. There are two balloons, and well-trained pilots are available to take you through your activity. Balloon adventures in Queen Elizabeth National Park or Murchison Falls National Park are certified by the Uganda Civil Authority (UCA).

Where to stay in Queen Elizabeth National Park

There are many accommodation options in and around Queen Elizabeth National Park. They range from luxury to budget, and they include Mweya safari lodge, Kyambura gorge lodge, Kyambura game lodge, Jacana safari lodge, Ihamba safari lodge, and Bush Lodge. Marafiki Safari Lodge, Enganzi Lodge, and the Samba Safari Camp are also available, as are Pumba Safari Cottages, Kazinga Channel View Resort, Simba Safari Camp, and Mweya Hostel for budget visitors.