Queen Elizabeth National Park, Wildlife Safaris in Uganda
Located in the western part of Uganda extending through the districts of Kasese, Kamwenge, Rubirizi and Rukungiri and covering an area of 1,978 square kilometres (764 sq mi), Queen Elizabeth National Park offers remarkable wildlife safari adventures to all travelers around the world. It requires one to travel about 400 kilometres (250 mi) by road South West from Kampala City and Kasese Town is situated outside the North eastern boundary of the park. rubirirzi Town is situated outside the park’s South Eastern Boundaries. It expands from Lake George North East to Lake Edward South West with the Kazinga Channel that connects the two.
The park comprises of the Maramagambo Forest bordering the Kigezi Game Reserve, Kyambura Game Reserve and Kibale National Park in Uganda as well as Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Wildlife in the Park
The park consists of numerous wildlife species and these include; some of the BIG Five of Africa i.e Buffalo, Elephant, Lions, Leopard, Ugandan kob, hippopotamus, Nile crocodile and chimpanzee as well as 500 different bird species.
The Ishasha sector in Rukungiri District is part of the park and offers incredible experiences of watching the tree-climbing lions that are usually relaxed in the fig tree branches in the area.
Other than wildlife, the park consists of numerous volcanic features like the volcanic cones, deep craters, crater lakes like Lake Katwe in which salt is extracted.
On a clear Day, expect to spot the Rwenzori Mountains in the back drop.
3 Days Flying Safari to Bwindi Forest
4 Days Chimpanzees and Gorilla Tour
4 Days Gorillas and Golden Monkey Tracking Tour
5 Days Gorillas and Wildlife Tour
5 Days Wildlife and Gorilla Flying Tour
6 Days Chimps, Gorillas and Golden Monkeys
6 Days Gorillas and Wildlife Tours
6 Days Mt. Elgon and Sipi Falls Tour
7 Days Chimpanzees and Gorilla Tour
7 Days Mt. Rwenzori Hiking Tour
Activities to Do in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Game Drives
Game Drives are also exceptional for all to experience as you transfer on the various tracks with in the park. The Kasenyi Sector is the most prominent track in the park where numerous wildlife animals can be spotted like buffalo, small antelope, warthog, elephant, baboons, etc. The North Kazinga Plains also inhabit numerous wildlife animals
And the Ishasha sector offers experiences with the beautiful tree climbing lions.
Take on these with a skilled ranger guide who will take you along the tracks as well as inform you about the various wildlife animals, character and their choice of habitat.
Launch Trips
Launch Trips in Queen Elizabeth National park are carried out along the Kazinga Channel which inhabits numerous wildlife species. There are two shifts i.e a boat that leaves in the morning at 8:30 am and one that leaves in the afternoon at 2:30 pm offering exceptional Adventure Experiences. These offer scenic views at the two lakes i.e Edward and George as well as the numerous schools of Hippos and Crocodiles lying beneath the water surface and other wildlife animals like elephants, buffalo, kobs etc. You will as well as spot different bird species interacting with their natural habitat.
Birding
Birding at Queen Elizabeth national park is also a very exciting safari Adventure to take on by all travelers around the world interested. There are about 600 bird species and these include; water birds, woodland, forest dwellers in the Maramagambo Forest, migratory species and 54 raptors. The bird species you will watch include; Martial Eagle, Black-rumped Buttonquail, African Skimmer, Chapin’s Flycatcher, Pinkbacked Pelican, African Broadbill, Verreaux’s Eagle Owl, Black Bee-eater, White-tailed Lark, White-winged Warbler, Papyrus Gonolek, Papyrus Canary, Corncrake, Lesser and Greater Flamingo, Shoebill, Bar-tailed Godwit etc.
Chimpanzee Tracking
Chimpanzee Tracking at Queen Elizabeth National park is carried out at the prominent Kyambura Gorge where you will learn more about the primates’ natural ecology and the difference of these than those found in any other place around Uganda. Watching these is 50/50 but travelers can glance at them in a distance due to the fact that they are habituated. The trekking process starts early in the morning at 8:00 am and 2:00 pm daily taking about 1-3 hours in the presence of these primates.
Cultural Encounters
Cultural encounters at Queen Elizabeth require you to transfer on a guided walk to visit the Kikorongo Equator Performers where you will explore how they harvest salt in Lake katwe, make a local Banyaruguru hut and an agricultural village.
You can also transfer to visit the Leopard Village socio-economic development initiative that promotes cultural and wildlife conservation through ecotourism and is situated close to the Muhokya Village covering an area of 3 acres along the edge of the Northern Sector.
Visit the Kikorongo Women Community where you can involve in their cultural traditions as they perform to you through Music, Dance and Drama. There are craft shops that sell African hand craft materials which you can buy to take back home with you for memories.
Hiking and Nature Walks
Queen Elizabeth National park also offers travelers to enjoy hiking and walking around the various trails in the park. The trails in the park include the dappled Maramagambo forest, Mweya Peninsula which is very beautiful to view and the famous Ishasha River.
Along these trails you will spot various Savannah species and hippos, warthogs, bird species on foot
Caving
In Queen Elizabeth National Park there are two caves in which travelers can go to to experience unique encounters and these include; the “Bat Cave” in Maramagambo Forest and the “Historic Cave” at Nyanz’ibiri community.
Transfer to the “Bat Cave” in Maramangambo Forest where you will find a viewing room which allows to see the numerous resident bats and pythons an experience that cannot be explored in any other National park around Uganda.
You can also transfer to the “Historic Cave” at Nyanz’ibiri community which is prominently known for being the place where people used to offer sacrifices and cleansing Bad Omen as well as Idi Amin Dada’s hiding place.
