Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda, Africa

Basic Facts - Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park is in the Western Region of Uganda, spanning the districts of Kasese, Kamwenge, Rubirizi, and Rukungiri. The park is approximately 400 kilometres (250 mi) by road south-west of Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city. The town of Kasese is just outside the northeastern edge of the park, while the town of Rubirizi is just outside the park's southeastern boundaries. The park includes the Maramagambo Forest and borders the Kigezi Game Reserve, the Kyambura Game Reserve, and the Kibale National Park in Uganda, and the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Measuring 1,978 square kms, in area and is situated astride the Equator in the Western Rift valley of South West Uganda, close to the Southern most tip of the fabled, mist covered "Mountains of the Moon- Rwenzori Mountains and is contiguous with Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo Zaire. It is a region of varied habitats including open grassland with thickets, thick bush, forest, swamps and lake shore. Queen Elizabeth National Park together with Virunga encircle Lake Edward which is connected to Lake George by the Kazinga Channel.

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More About Queen Elizabeth National Park

It is a world bio-sphere reserve (UNESCO 1979) includes a RAMSAR wetland site and is classified Important Bird Area (IBA) by Birdlife International. QENP has 568 of Uganda's 1027 species of birds (over a quarter of Africa's bird species) more than any other park in Africa. In the Queen Elizabeth you may see crater lakes filled with huge flocks of flamingo. There is potential to view lions relaxing and elephants ambling and giant forest hog snuffing. Any visitor to this park cannot fail to be amazed by the enormous diversity in each kingdom of creation. It is simply a visual feast. Take a boat trip, a game drive, a woodland walk or simply enjoy any of the myriad stunning views.

The Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP) is Uganda's most visited national parks in Uganda. Most tourists who come to Uganda visit more than one destination. You can combine your Queen Elizabeth safari with gorilla trekking safaris in Bwindi, or tour Murchison Falls National Park. For relaxation after your wildlife safari, you can visit Ssese Islands but if you are more interested in adventure, take on rafting on the nile, chimpanzee trekking in Kibale, Rwenzori Mountains climbing and Mount elgon hike. Queen Elizabeth National Park is understandably Uganda’s most popular tourist destination. You will find Queen Elizabeth National Park featured in Forbes Magazine, Huffington Post, African Safari Geographic, CNN and other prominent magazines.

The park’s diverse ecosystems, which include sprawling savanna, shady, humid forests, sparkling lakes and fertile wetlands, make it the ideal habitat for classic big game, ten primate species including chimpanzees and over 600 species of birds. Set against the backdrop of the jagged Rwenzori Mountains, the park’s magnificent vistas include dozens of enormous craters carved dramatically into rolling green hills, panoramic views of the Kazinga Channel with its banks lined with hippos, buffalo and elephants, and the endless Ishasha plains, whose fig trees hide lions ready to pounce on herds of unsuspecting Uganda kob.

Apart from its outstanding wildlife attractions, Queen Elizabeth National Park has a fascinating cultural history. There are many opportunities for visitors to meet the local communities and enjoy storytelling, dance, music and more. The gazetting of the park has ensured the conservation of its ecosystems, which in turn benefits the surrounding communities. Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park is truly a Medley of Wonders!For more information regarding Queen Elizabeth National Park, DO NOT hesitate to Contact Us.

Launch trips on Kazinga Channel down the shores of Lake Edward provide a unique vantage of viewing Savannah wildlife. A launch trip starts at Mweya the park headquarters along the Kazinga Channel, which joins Lake Edward and Lake George. Truly, this is among the most exciting and memorable experience offered by the park. While on the trip expect to be thrilled by yawning hippos and closer views of water birds along the shores.

In the Southern part of the park is the Ishasha sector where tree climbing lions may be found perched on Savannah fig trees. There is a high concentration of game in this Savannah setting, that includes Lake Edward and the Ishasha River flats, and the Ishasha riverine forest. The hippo pools in the Ishasha river and Congo escarpment provides splendid scenery.The Queen Elizabeth National Park provides an unforgettable and unique experience.

In the Queen Elizabeth Park you may see crater lakes filled with huge flocks of flamingos. You will spot eagles soaring and vultures perching. You will view lions relaxing and elephants ambling and giant forest hog snuffling. And, in its lakes you'll see hippos swimming and kingfishers darting. Any visitor to this park cannot fail to be amazed by the enormous diversity in each kingdom of creation. It's simply a visual feast. Take a boat trip, a game drive, a woodland walk or simply enjoy any of the myriad stunning views. The Queen Elizabeth National Park provides an unforgettable and unique experience..

Queen Elizabeth's Maramagambo Forest is one of the largest forests in Uganda. It is a medium altitude, moist, semi-decidious forest. Characteristics of such forest are increasingly becoming rare in Africa! It has very spectacular lakes and craters. It is the only place in the Park where one could find Blue Lakes. Other features of attractions in the forest include: primates, e.g. Lhost monkeys, chimpanzees, bush baby, baboons, vervet monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, etc. Due to its location, Maramagambo has a high diversity of butterflies. The bat and the hunters caves are other pleasant experiences that the forest offers, and of course some forest birds.

Launch Trips in Queen Elizabeth National Park: The Kazinga Channel is an oasis for many of the fascinating species that inhabit the park, and taking a boat tour along it gives visitors the chance to cruise just meters from hundreds of enormous hippos and buffalos while elephants linger on the shoreline.

Birding in Queen Elizabeth National Park: Classified as an Important Birding Area (IBA) by Birding International, Queen’s great variety of habitats mean it is home to over 600 species. This is the greatest of any East African national park, and a phenomenal number for such a small area. The park’s confluence of savanna and forest, linking to the expansive forests of the DR Congo allow visitors to spot East as well as Central African species.

Game Drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park: For a classic African safari experience, the tracks through Kasenyi, the North Kazinga Plains and the Ishasha Sector offer virtually guaranteed buffalo, antelope and elephant sightings, along with warthogs and baboons. Taking an experienced guide in the early morning or at dusk is the most successful way to track down a pride of lions, and maybe even the odd leopard.

Chimp Tracking in Queen Elizabeth National Park: The Kyambura Gorge experience is more than discovering chimpanzees in their natural environment: it teaches visitors about the ecosystems of Kyambura Gorge’s atmospheric “underground” rainforest, including vegetation types; bird identification and behavior; and chimp and monkey ecology.

Cultural Encounters in Queen Elizabeth National Park: See the energetic dances of the Kikorongo Equator Cultural Performers; workers harvesting salt on Katwe Salt Lake; a traditional Banyaraguru hut; or an agricultural village - all guided by those who know them best - local community members.

Wildlife Research Tours in Queen Elizabeth National Park: For visitors who yearn to get up close to wild African fauna, a research trip is a rewarding adventure. This new and unique experience allows visitors to actively participate in monitoring some of the exotic birds and mammals that fill the park, using locator devices and learn habituation calls, as well as monitoring weather, surroundings and behavior.

Cave Tours in Queen Elizabeth National Park: Tucked beneath the shady canopy of the Maramagambo Forest is the “Bat Cave”. The cave has a viewing room from which visitors can observe the resident bats and pythons. For a more cultural cave experience, how about a trip to the historic cave at Nyanz’ibiri community?

Hiking/Nature Walks in Queen Elizabeth National Park: Nature treks are one of the more active ways to explore the landscapes and wildlife of Queen Elizabeth. Locations include the shady Maramagambo forest; Mweya Peninsula with its scenic views; and Ishasha River, where you may spot a variety of forest and savanna species as well as having a unique opportunity to get extremely close to hippos - on foot!.

AfriChoice operates a wide range of carefully designed tours and safaris to Queen Elizabeth National Park by providing transport and booking a hotel for you. Our safari consultants will always be at your assistance should you need a tailor-made holiday to this unique destination. NB: For more information regarding Queen Elizabeth National Park, DO NOT hesitate to Contact Us.