QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK
QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK
Queen Elizabeth National Park also known as the “Medley of wonders” was initially founded in 1952 as Kazinga National Park by combining the Lake George and Lake Edward renamed two years later to commemorate a visit by Queen Elizabeth 11. This Park is located in Kasese but also shares districts with Kamwenge, Rubirizi as well as Rukungiri. In addition, the park adjoins Kyambura Game Reserve to the east, which itself adjoins the Kigezi Game Reserve and thus the Kibale National Park to the northeast. The park occupies an estimated 1,978 square kilometres and home to over 95 mammal and 600 bird species. The park is also famous for its volcanic features, including volcanic cones and deep craters, many with crater lakes, such as the Katwe craters, from which salt is extracted. Furthermore, it is known for its abundant wildlife and some of these include; Lions, warthogs, buffalos, elephants, leopards, water bucks, hippopotamus, etc. As a matter of fact, this is the only park in the country where you are able to spot the tree climbing lions in tree branches in Ishasha sector.
Attractions in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Kazinga Channel
This is a water body located in Queen Elizabeth National Park and connects the Lake Edward in the west and Lake George in the east. The shores of this channel draw a large number of wild animals, bird species and reptiles throughout the year. In addition, it harbors the largest population of hippos in the world as well as Nile crocodiles. Here, tourists take a boat cruise to view different animals like the crocodiles, buffalos as well as different bird species.
Lake Katwe Crater
These are formed as a result of violet volcanic explosions which were caused by super-heated gas and steam but with no flow of lava. Most of these craters have developed into salt water lakes since they are filled with water from different craters with no outlets. The crater lake is found in Queen Elizabeth National Park and well known for its salt production. Here, local salt miners use traditional methods to extract the rock salt directly from the lake which is dried and later sold out.
Kyambura Gorge
This is a sector in Queen Elizabeth National Park that shouldn’t be missed out on your safari and best known for harboring primates, birds, plants and butterfly species. Furthermore, it is the only sector in park where chimpanzee tracking is done however, hosts other primates like olive baboons, black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, red tailed monkeys, etc. In this sector, we have habituated chimpanzees meaning they are familiar with humans and do carry out their day to today activities in the presence of humans.
Lake George
The lake was named George by the first European explorer Henry M Stanley who visited it in 1875 and later was designated as a Ramsar site in 1988. The lake has got some islands such as Akika, Kankuranga as well as Irangara and also has its inflows such as Mpanga, Katonga, Dura, etc. In addition, this lake drains to Lake Edward through the mighty Kazinga Channel. Activities to do here include, fishing, canoeing, nature walks, birding, community visits, not to mention but a few.
Maramagambo Forest
This forest is generally known for a cave bat experience whereby a view point was constructed in order to be able to view the bats and big pythons that live here. Besides, the place also hosts different primate species like the red tailed monkeys, black and white colobus, L’hoest monkeys and animals species like giant forest hogs, buffalos, etc not forgetting the bird species. The canopy shade in this forest in basically good for nature walks, hiking, as well as bird watching.
Tree climbing lions
These are always spotted in Ishasha sector hanging on the acacia and huge fig trees due to different reasons. Thes include; to have clear views of their prey, run away from insects that bite them, run away from the heat on the ground and to laze within the tree branches. Tree climbing lions are unique creatures that are found in Queen Elizabeth National, Lake Manyara National Park in Tanzania and Kruger National Park in South Africa.
Kalinzu Forest
This forest is located around the confines of Queen Elizabeth National Park but also expands to Maramagambo forest. Generally, the reserve is famously known for chimpanzee trekking and also the second-best spot for chimpanzee tracking after Kibale Forest National Park. Apart from the chimpanzees, the forest also harbors other primates like the olive baboons, red tailed monkeys, L’Hoest monkey, etc. Besides, it is also a home to over 380 bird species and some of these include; bee-eaters, starlings, cuckoos, sunbirds, turacos, eagles, kites, shrikes, warblers, camaroptera, etc. It also harbors different wildlife like the buffalos, elephants, leopards, giant forest hogs, duikers, lions, water bucks, not to mention but a few. In conclusion a visit to this forest will reward you with different activities like nature walks, bird watching, game viewing, chimpanzee tracking, etc.
Activities in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Boat cruise
The boat cruise on Kazinga channel is the highlight of any safari which cannot be missed out while in this park. This activity is conducted in the morning and late afternoon accompanied by a professional tour guide who gives you the interesting history of the channel. Here, you will view different animals like hippos, crocodiles and other animals at the banks like the bush bucks, buffalos, elephants, etc. Here, you will also have a chance to view different bird species such as African skimmers, African fish eagles, African pied kingfishers, Pelicans, etc.
Game drives
While in this park, you are able to enjoy wildlife during the game drives that are conducted in 3 phrases i.e morning, afternoon and night game drive. As a matter of fact, the activity is done with the help of an experienced armed game ranger for safety reasons. No matter which game drive you opt for, you are able to come across different wildlife that calls this place a home. Animals to look out for include; the tree climbing lions, buffalos, elephants, warthogs, spotted hyenas, hippos, water bucks, Uganda kobs, etc. On the other hand, during the night game drive, look out for nocturnal animals like the leopards, civet cats, spotted hyenas, etc.
Birding
Since this park hosts over 600 bird species, this is one of the places that you cannot miss on your birding bucket list. Here, you are able to view different birds like the water birds, savannah birds as well as the forest birds. Some of the birds here include; African broadbill, Pin-tailed whydah, Papyrus gonolek, African skimmers, Martial eagles, Lesser flamingos, Pink backed pelicans, etc.
Lion tracking
This is one of the most interesting and adventurous activity done in Queen Elizabeth National Park. This is done by a tour guide from the Uganda Carnivore Project under the management of Uganda Wildlife Authority who tracks the lions using radio trackers. The number of people allowed during this activity is limited to avoid scaring away the lions. While here, you have a chance to take a closer look at the lions which takes approx. 3hours and this is normally conducted in the morning or late afternoon.
Chimpanzee tracking
This is basically done in Kyambura gorge and before setting off you are briefed about this trekking activity and afterwards led into the forest by the assigned ranger of the day. Upon locating the chimpanzees, you are given one hour in their presence as you enjoy them do their different activities like swinging on the trees, as you also take photos and videos for memories. Interestingly, after this activity, you are awarded by a chimpanzee tracking certificate as a way of welcoming you from this great activity.
Sectors in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is divided into 5 sectors and these include;
Ishasha sector
The sector is located in the south western part of the park well known for its tree climbing lions. This sector harbors over 95 mammals and 500 bird species.
Kasenyi plains
This is in the North eastern park of the park 48km from Kasese and is best for game drives. The Uganda Kob is the main antelope specie in the plains. They attract predators like lions, leopards, golden cats, spotted hyena and servals. Other activities here include lion tracking and boat cruise.
Kyambura Gorge
It is found in the North eastern part of the park and links up with Kazinga channel, well known for its chimpanzee tracking. Other activities include nature walks and bird watching.
Maramagambo forest
This forest is located in the Southern part of the park and activities done are nature walks whereby tourists have an opportunity to spot reptiles, birds, red tailed monkeys, bush babies, vervet monkeys and an opportunity to visit the Bat and python cave.
Mweya peninsular
The Mweya peninsular sits in the middle of the park also known as the heart of the park and at the edge of Lake Edward. It is where most of the park offices, hotels, campsites, airstrips and the visitor center are located. The vegetation cover in Mweya is denser and hence not very ideal for game drives especially during the rainy season. Since it is close to the Kazinga Channel, it is where most visitors go for a boat cruise. Other activities here include mongoose tracking and bird watching.
