Everything to Know About Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park is the most renowned and most frequently visited wildlife national park  in Uganda. The park is situated in the western region of Uganda, specifically in the districts of Kamwenge, Rukingiri, Rubirizi, and Kasese. The currently known extent of Queen Elizabeth National Park is approximately 764 square miles. The national park shares a boundary with Kibale National Park in Uganda and is considered to be an extension of Virunga National Park in Congo. The Kyambura gorge, Maramagambo woodland, Kazinga Channel, and areas of Lake George and Edward are also encompassed within the park.

Queen Elizabeth National Park, formerly named Kazinga National Park, was founded in 1952. The authorities was so charmed with the visit of Queen Elizabeth II in the early 1950s that they named the park in her honor. Due to its positioning beneath the rain shadow of the Rwenzori mountain ranges, and the spot where the queen stood was named the Queens pavilion located  1 km from the equator , the place is positioned straight to the way to the baboon cliff and to the 2 crater lakes  that’s lake Nyamunuka and lake Bunyanoaka where we always spot the flamingos.

Queen Elizabeth National Park does not undergo extended periods of drought, unlike the Maasai Mara or Serengeti. Consequently, it has verdant landscapes throughout the most of the year. the famous karinzu forest and malamagabo forest these provide back to back rainfall that makes the place poses the greenery .

Visitors would be awestruck by the park’s stunning natural splendor, which includes expansive woods, woodlands, plains, lakes, rivers, gorges, and volcanic features such as craters and volcanic cones, even if there were no wildlife there. The park has documented a total of 95 mammal species, which encompass a diverse range of animals such as waterbucks, warthogs, topis, Uganda Kobs, spotted hyenas, sitatungas, Serval cats, mongooses, leopards, large forest pigs, L’Hoest’s monkeys, jackals, hippopotamuses, genets, elephants, crocodiles, civets, chimpanzees, buffaloes, and black and white colobus monkeys.

Queen Elizabeth National Park serves as a lion conservation area, housing more than 200 lions,if we combine the whole park that stretcher Lake albert all the way to lake Edward, Ishasha extension make queen Elizabeth extreamly  a beautiful place to spend your time in including the fascinating tree-climbing lions. The park has recorded sightings of more than 490 bird species.

The biggest indigenous tribes residing in close proximity to the park’s borders are the Banyankore, Bakiga, Basongola and Bakonjyo. The Bakiga and Bakonjo rely on agriculture for sustenance, whilst the Banyankore are recognized for their pastoralist lifestyle. The Bakiga people living around the park especially around Bunyaruguru and Katerera engage in salt mining from the main lake kaatwe and lake Bunyampaka as a prominent economic activity. The management of the park is under the jurisdiction of the Uganda Wildlife Authority, which works in conjunction with several wildlife conservation organizations and teams of international and local researchers. Queen Elizabeth National Park is in close proximity to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Kibale Forest National Park, and Mgahinga National Park. Consequently, visitors have the opportunity to engage in both a comprehensive wildlife safari and gorilla trekking in Bwindi Forest.

How to access Queen Elizabeth National Park

There more than 9 entry point into the park with 2 gates in Ishasha , that’s one gat in the south of Ishasa on the way to Kihihi and and another gate at the main road accessing Ishasha Congo road . this is the main entry point in the south of Ishasha which is commonly uses , the gate in the south in mostly uses as Exit gate .

In the Katungunguru main entry point,  Uganda wildlife authority has an office close to the Channel  this is the main head quarters of queen Elizabeth park this is the point where park entrance fees are always paid up from,

There’s another entry point for those going for chimpanzee trekking at Kyambura , verification of your chimpanzee permit and entry permit can be done from here .especially to those who have chimpanzee trekking briefing can be done from here.

We another Entry point at Kabatoro game , this road is looked at as community access road going to communities of Hamukungu and the fishing villages of Kasenyi, but still this is the access road going to Kasenyi side where game drives are done from , so here there check point where payment can be done by those who want to access the park for game drives Entry fees can be made from here . plus other 4 access points in general the park ha about 9 access point .including the Extra 2 entry points at the mweya peninsular and one at Pavilion.

Visitors have the option to access the park either by air or by road. The distance between Kampala and the park via Mbarara is approximately 420 kilometers, requiring around 8 hours of travel. The duration of the drive from Lake Mburo National Park is 6 hours, whereas from Fort Portal town, it will take 4 hours. The primary thoroughfares all meticulously surfaced on the tarmac, while the roads leading to and within the park consist of compacted earth.

There daily flights to Mweya safari lodge by Euro link airways these fly daily from Entebbe –Kihihi and Kasese to Mweya airstrip.

Queen Elizabeth National Park safaris can be accessed by either public or private cars, although public commercial vehicles are not permitted within the park. Public buses depart from the bus park in Kampala toward Kasese early in the morning every day of the week.  The fare for a bus journey from Kampala to Kasese amounts to approximately $4. Public buses in Uganda have a slow rate of passenger occupancy and infrequently adhere to when one uses the public transport, you’re supposed to get off at Katunguru bus stage or at shell Katunguru these buses or Taxis don’t have  a fixed departure dates or hours so any time they move  so you need to be ready by roadside if you have home to use them No scheduled arrival times. The arrival time is contingent upon the timely filling of the bus and the overall traffic conditions along the route to the destination. Additionally, the majority of buses frequently make stops to disembark and board passengers in the minor towns along the route.

It should be mentioned that public busses do not provide transportation to Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda. To reach the Katunguru park gate or Mweya, one must rent a cab or motorcycle from the main highway for an additional expense. Using the assistance of a tour operator is the most effective method for traveling to Queen Elizabeth National Park.

This mode of transportation is the most secure, pleasant, and dependable way to reach the park and guarantee the safari proceeds according to the intended schedule. Tour companies emphasize punctuality and aim to enhance the traveler’s journey for maximum enjoyment. They possess comprehensive knowledge of the park, including its layout and key individuals to reach out to in case of any issues.

To minimize travel time from Entebbe, visitors have the option to rent a private flight from either Kajjansi airstrip or Entebbe international airport to airstrips located in Ishasha, Kasese, or Mweya. It is necessary to employ a private vehicle in order to transport oneself from the airfield to either the park offices or one’s accommodation. Tour operators typically assign a chauffeur/guide to await passengers and transport them from the runway to the park or lodging.

Things to do   in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Chimpanzee trekking

The presence of primates in Queen Elizabeth National Park exemplifies Uganda’s reputation as “the pearl of Africa.” The area is characterized by spectacular woods, woodlands, savannas, wetlands, lakes, rivers, craters, gorges, and overall gorgeous scenery. Visitors from around the world will always have an abundance of activities to engage in at this park. Indeed, they may encounter difficulties in accomplishing all of them. The main highlights include hiking through natural landscapes, embarking on wildlife safaris, enjoying scenic boat trips, engaging in chimpanzee tracking, observing the unique phenomena of tree-climbing lions, and enjoying bird watching activities. If your goal is to observe the complete set of the five largest mammals in Uganda, I recommend considering our

7-day safari package in Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth National Park. The existence of the river within the gorge along side the lovely forest make it nice for  for the chimpanzee trekking

Game Drives

This type of trip is highly favoured and offers the opportunity to observe 95 percent of the mammal species found within the Serengeti. The game drives provide a more beautiful and diverse landscape, encompassing woodlands, savanna grasslands, marsh lands, acacia woods, crater lakes, gorges, and the adjacent Rwenzori Mountains. The safari drives, which last for 3-4 hours, commence in the early morning and can take place in any of the three sectors: the Kasenyi plains (located near the Kazinga Channel), the Ishasha sector (known for its tree climbing lions), or the Katwe crater fields. The region of crater lakes boasts a stunning environment adorned with expansive craters and saline lakes that were created millennia ago. The crater floors serve as a water source that draws elephants, flamingos, and other wildlife during the dry season.

The Kasenyi plains, located in the northern region of the park, are often considered to be the most picturesque and optimal locations for seeing animals in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The Uganda Kobs utilize the grasslands as their nesting habitat. The plains also allure several antelope species, buffaloes, elephants, and predators such as hyenas and lions, rendering it an ideal location to observe the confrontations between the large felines and herbivorous creatures.

When going on a game drive at Queen Elizabeth National Park, you will be accompanied by knowledgeable guides and park rangers these better to be booked in advance although this is optional so some guides tends to leave for game drives without Ranger guide simply because  want to save some money.

While in game drive there set of sight guides who will take you to the most optimal locations for observing wildlife. This will be done in the safety and comfort of a four-wheel drive vehicle. The morning game drive is especially captivating as it offers the opportunity to witness nocturnal predators such as hyenas and leopards returning to their caves after feeding on their prey from the previous night. Night game drives provide an ideal opportunity to witness lions, leopards, and hyenas engaging in predatory behavior, as well as observe several species of nocturnal birds.

The cost of game drives is $30, with an additional fee of $20 if accompanied by a ranger from the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Engaging the services of a tour operator guide and park ranger enhances the safari experience. Game rangers can escort guests to prime locations for observing wildlife, all the while providing information about the diverse array of creatures encountered during the journey. To participate in the night game drives, it is advisable to allocate an additional $20 for the rental of a spotlight. Payments can be made either at the Information Centre in Mweya or at the park gates.

Experiential lion and leopard tracking in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Engage in the immersive Experiential lions and leopards tacking in Queen Elizabeth National Park. This is another amazing meeting that took place at Queen Elizabeth National Park. It is designed for pride enthusiasts who want to ensure they don’t miss a chance to observe the lions during their safari in Uganda.

During ther visit, it’s the role of the guide to arrange for paul as the last man behind the experience, you begin by allocating the vehicle to be used in the activity, UGX 500000 that’s like $15 transport fees  after you you have to be sure  that this is the most expensive activity in the park ranging rimn prepare $100 per peron on top of the original entry fees of $45 pet day  you have to know that these coses are per person buy the chanves of seeing the big cats is 99.9% sure as the one leading you will be having eariel antenna that keep on tracking the car,

The experience above common contact with lions and Leopard  on any adventure trip. In Uganda, it is a unique and guaranteed opportunity to observe the pride of lions.

Lion tracking is only a scientific initiative conducted by the Uganda Carnivore Program (UCP). Our organization is dedicated to doing research and implementing conservation efforts for lions, leopards, and hyenas in Uganda.

Engage in the immersive activity of tracking lions and leopards in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Travel beyond the commonly visited areas of QENP and assist a team of researchers in observing the conduct of a permanent troop of lions. This captivating endeavor transports you beyond the customary African wildlife excursion. You get the opportunity to acquire knowledge on how to recognize and differentiate between individual lions, as well as interpret their behavioral displays. Additionally, you have the capacity to carry out population viability assessments.

Where may one engage Experiential lion and leopard tracking in Queen Elizabeth National Park

The opportunity to monitor lions is exclusively available in the Kasenyi sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, located in the northern part of the park.and mostly done during the Morning  hours

Bird watch in queen Elizabeth national parks

Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda is renowned as a premier location for bird watching. The comprehensive inventory of bird species in the park is available at the Bird Observatory located in Mweya. Visitors participating in a tour to Queen Elizabeth National Park will be astounded by the abundant variety of bird species that reside in the forests such as Budongo, the Kazinga Channel, the plains, and the craters and gorges like Kyambura.

Birdwatching in Queen Elizabeth National area is a remarkable experience, as millions of migratory birds seek refuge from the cold European winters during specific seasons, turning the area into a paradise for bird enthusiasts. Among the bird species to look out for are the Yellow-backed, Yellow wagtails, Yellow throated Cuckoo, Yellow backed Weavers, Wood sandpipers, Winding and Carruther’s Cisticolas, White-winged Warbler, White-winged Terns, White-tailed Lark, White-faced Whistling, White and Abdim’s Storks, Whalberg’s Eagle, Water Thick-knee, Verreaux’s Eagle Owl, Swamp Fly-catcher, Spur-winged and African Wattled Plovers, Spotted Redshank, Slender-tailed Mourning Dove, Slender-billed, shoebill stork, Sedge warbles, Saddle-billed Storks, Ringed Plover, Red-chested Sunbirds, Pin-tailed Whydah, pink-backed pelican, Papyrus Gonolek, Papyrus canary, Open-billed Stork, Northern Pochard, Martial Eagle, Malachite and Pied Kingfishers, Little Stint, Lesser Masked Weavers, Lesser and Birdwatching in Queen Elizabeth National ParkGreater Flamingo, Knob-billed Ducks, Jack Snipe, Grey-headed Kingfishers, Grey-headed Gull, Grey-capped Warbler, Grey Kestrel, Great-white and Pink-backed Pelicans, Greater Swamp and winged Warblers, Great white and Pink-backed Pelicans, Great and Long-tailed Cormorants, Gabon and Slender-tailed Nightjars, Eurasian Wigeon, Curlew Sandpipers, Corncrake, Common Teal, Common Squaco Heron, Common Snipe, common sand Martins, common Greenshank, Collard Pranticles, Chapin’s flycatcher, Brown Snake Eagle, brimstone Canary, bright coloured Saddle-billed Stork, Black-tailed Godwit, black-rumped buttonquail, Black-headed Gonoleks, Black Crake, Black Bee-eater, Bateleur, Bar-tailed Godwit, African White-tailed Lark, African skimmer, African Open-billed Stork, African Mourning Dove, African Jacana, African Harrier Hawk, African Fish Eagle, African Broadbill, and African beautiful Black-headed Gonolek.

Boat cruise in Kazinga Channel

The morning sun rise and evening sun set boat cruse  Cruise is a beautifully planned boat excursion that takes place along the Kazinga Channel, renowned as one of the greatest places in Africa for observing wildlife. The channel serves as a connecting pathway between Lake George and Lake Edward, attracting a large concentration of the park’s wildlife for drinking, hunting, and bathing. During the bird migration season, the bird types present in this location exceed those found in North America.

The remarkable concentration and diversity of wildlife in the Kazinga channel will astonish even experienced safari-goers. Hippos, water birds, and crocodiles dominate the aquatic environment, while elephants, antelopes, and predators such as leopards quench their thirst in the shallower parts of the channel. The permits for this excursion may be purchased at the Mweya Visitor Information Centre for a price of $30. The activity is scheduled in shifts over the day, offering the choice of utilizing the more affordable public boats or the pricier private boats owned by Mweya Safari lodge.

Tree climbing lions

The Queen Elizabeth national park is home to the elusive tree climbing lions, which may be found in the Ishasha area. They do not belong to a distinct sub-species and are unrecognizable from the lions found in the Kasenyi region or other national parks in Uganda. The lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park have developed the ability to climb fig trees after hunting in the morning or during the midday heat. Scientists have yet to provide a definitive explanation for why these lions engage in tree climbing.

However, there are suggestions suggesting that they do so in response to the presence of insects and parasites, such as Tsetse flies, on the ground. Game drives are arranged specifically for the aim of observing lions perched in trees in the Ishasha sector.

In addition to lions, the Ishasha sector is also home to other mammals like as warthogs, buffaloes, and elephants. The Ishasha sector is situated in close proximity to the highway that leads to Bwindi, making it an ideal resting point for individuals who wish to observe the lions and gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Just for your own understanding all cats climb trees so we have seen  that most lion climb tree provided where they are  the conditions  and nature of vegetation favors them to climb trees for example in queen Elizabeth parts of Kasenyi, many lions have been sported

Chimpanzee Trekking at the Kayambura Gorge:

Chimpanzees are really fascinating primates. They possess a far higher level of intelligence in comparison to even the larger gorillas. Chimpanzees can be monitored and located at the Kyambura Gorge area of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The Kyambura gorge is a topographic depression located in the western region of the park, which was formed by the powerful flow of the Kyambura River. The Gorge spans a distance of 16 kilometers, has a depth of 100 meters, and a width of 500 meters. The gorge is currently enveloped by dense trees and flowing water streams. The subterranean woodland harbors a variety of primate species, such as baboons, Black-and-white Colobus, and Red-tailed monkeys.

Kyambura Gorge, located in Queen Elizabeth National Park, offers travelers the opportunity to observe several wildlife from the viewing platform situated above the gorge. These creatures may be seen in the tree tops of the expansive valley below. Exploring the gorge offers more than just observing primates; it also provides the chance to encounter many avian species, serpents, butterflies, and bodies of water. Additionally, it provides a chance to get knowledge about plant life and animal species that are exclusive to this particular location on the planet.

The Chimpanzee tracking experience at the Kyambura gorge lasts for a duration of two to four hours and has a price of $50. Only a limited number of eight licenses are available for issuance on a daily basis. All of the chimpanzees residing in the valley have become accustomed to human presence and can be observed. Reservations for observing them can be made at the Information Centre located in Mweya. The probability of encountering chimpanzees is significantly greater in the morning, although it is not as high as in Kibale National Park. If you have a desire to engage in both game drives and chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge, I recommend exploring this 5 Days Queen Elizabeth National Park package.

Explore Maramagambo & nature walks +night walk

The Maramagambo Forest is a highly sought-after destination, particularly among bird enthusiasts, who like taking nature walks there these can be day nature walks or Night nature walks. Guided nature walks are conducted in this expansive Maramagambo forest, where we see the bat cave, and the 2other incredible beauty of jacana lodge  on designated pathways, with the dual purpose of educating participants about forest preservation and facilitating the observation of small crater lakes, avian species, primates, and other inhabitants of the forest.

Queen Elizabeth National Park offers nature walks that showcase the diverse range of primates found in Maramagambo forest. This forest is home to approximately 9 primate species, such as chimpanzees, L’Hoest’s monkeys, Vervet monkeys, bush babies, red-tailed monkeys, and baboons. One of the paths leads to a cluster of caverns that serve as the habitat for a multitude of bats. These bats attract enormous rock pythons that have a strong inclination to consume them. One can observe both the bats and pythons from a secure observation point. The chimpanzees in Maramagamono are not completely accustomed to human presence, but they can still be observed during extensive hikes into the depths of the forest. The price for a guided walk in Maramagambo woodland is $30.

Salt mining

The activity of salt mining takes place in Lake Katwe, located within Queen Elizabeth National Park.here we have the female and male salt lakes , the male lake its where we get the big salt cristles and the small lake its where we harvest the small salt A visit to the salt mines of Lake Katwe offers a unique opportunity to witness this process. It is worth noting that Lake Katwe is among the limited number of salt lakes found in East Africa. The absence of fauna in the lake can be attributed to its elevated salinity levels. However, the vicinity of the lake is bustling with activity, particularly during the arid season, as villages congregate to extract salt from the opaque waters.

The practice of salt mining has endured in Katwe for generations and was formerly highly profitable until alternative sources and mining techniques were discovered. The majority of the salt utilized in Ugandan households is sourced from Lake Katwe. Despite the hazards presented by the deadly saline waters, salt is nevertheless extracted using manual methods. Tourists can gain insights into the salt mining industry and engage with the local mining community during a visit to the mines. The majority of the salt is purchased by manufacturers, while the remaining portion is retained by the miners for personal use.

Cultural Tours

A vacation to Africa, namely Uganda, is considered completed without the inclusion of a visit to one of the indigenous tribes in the region. During a safari to Queen Elizabeth National Park, it is possible to arrange a visit to the Kikorongo Equator Cultural group. There, one can observe and take part with traditional dances, plays, and the art of fire-making. tourists to Queen Elizabeth National Park have the opportunity to engage in cultural trips.

One such experience is with the Kikorongo Equator Cultural group, where tourists can learn the traditional art of crafting local items, such as weaving baskets using natural fibers.

A multitude of these items are accessible for purchase at affordable prices. Following the group visit, the leaders have the option to accompany visitors to individual households, where they can gain insight into the inhabitants’ culinary practices, gardening techniques, home craftsmanship, and construction of grass thatched buildings. There are abundant chances for cultural activities, since nearly every lodge and hotel organizes their own trips for their guests. The Kikorongo cultural group is frequently invited to do performances at the lodges within the park. Additional cultural experiences include the Katwe Village Walk, guided tours of local schools, and visits to the Nyanz’ibiri Cave Community.

Night game drive in queen Elizabeth national park

Queen Elizabeth national park also offers night game drives where visitors will be able to explore the park at night with an armed ranger guide and spotlight torches for clear viewing of nocturnal animals. Night game drive in Queen Elizabeth national park is only done in Mweya peninsula as Kasenyi plains receives many travellers during the day. During the night game drive which starts at around 6:00pm or 7:00pm you will be able to view nocturnal animals like lions, leopards, civet, hyenas, serval cats, bush babies, banded mongoose, view hippos grazing among others.its how ever charged highly, and we charge per person on top of the park entry fees, which is $40 more and vehicle is charged twice.

The Uganda Wildlife Authority has introduced research excursions in response to the growing demand from wildlife enthusiasts especially the Mongoose research . These trips offer the opportunity to learn about wildlife conservation programs and also allow tourists to have intimate experiences with wildlife. Lion tracking in Queen Elizabeth National Park is a highly sought-after activity organized by the Uganda Carnivore Program in close collaboration with the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Attractions in Queen Elizabeth National Park include tracking the movements of large feline species through the use of radio collars placed around their necks. The tourists observe as researchers and park personnel provide medical care to the felines and track their activities.

While tracking, it is possible to observe other feline species such as leopards and hyenas. Tracking the lions is restricted to a select few individuals each day, and it is necessary to make previous reservations. In addition to observing lions, there is also the opportunity to engage in mongoose tracking on the Mweya peninsula, which requires a payment of $30. Fortunate tourists may also have the chance to participate in periodic animal censuses for a price of approximately $100.