QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK

Queen Elizabeth National Park is located in the western Uganda covering districts like Rubirizi, kamwenge, Kasese and Rukungiri. The park is home to different wildlife including big five antelopes and different bird species.

The park has always been unique with its different sectors like Ishasha sector known for tree climbing lions, kyambura sector for chimpanzee tracking, Kigezi wildlife reserve which includes maramagambo forest, kasenyi area and others. Queen Elizabeth National Park mostly is included on most visitors’ packages whether those for all-inclusive safaris or those for car hire services in Uganda.

Different important sectors in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Ishasha sector.

This sector is known to home to big five called lions. Moreover, they have a unique character of climbing trees. Visitors do game drives in 4×4 safari jeeps to see climbing lions in this sector.

This is rare and there are reasons why these animals decide to climb fig trees and others. Some safari itineraries will channel in this sector as they continue to other different destinations or others will be considering Queen Elizabeth only.

Kyambura gorge sector

This is also part of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The sectors have major attractions like habituated chimpanzees and also other monkeys like red tailed monkeys, black and white colobus and many others

The sector is also a place for different species of birds and birders do come at this place to sight birds like African finfoot, falcons and others.

Kazinga channel.

Kazinga channel joins lake George and Edward. The channel is beautiful and boat cruises are conducted to view animals around the water banks. Animals like Elephants, buffaloes, Hippos, antelopes and many other can be seen here.

The channel is also famous for its avian species many different birds like flamingos can be seen around this area. The boat cruise can be done mostly in the afternoon or morning.

Kasenyi Queen Elizabeth NP.

Kasenyi is an area in Queen Elizabeth where game drives are conducted. Animals like lions, elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, warthogs, hyenas, leopards, giraffes and many others can be seen here. There are different trails where safari jeeps pass as visitors enjoy the sightings.

Activities in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Game drives.

This is a common activity in this park. Game drives are conducted in safari vehicles some with pop up roofs and others with no pop-up roofs.

Depending on the visitors itinerary, game drives can be done in the morning or evening. The driver guides will be explaining behaviors of different animals.

Boat cruise.

The boat cruise in Queen Elizabeth National Park is done on kazinga channel which connects the two lakes, George and Edward. Many aquatic animals will be seen on this boat cruise.

Chimpanzee Tracking.

This is done in kyambura gorge, chimpanzees are present in this gorge and visitors can see them jumping around different plants. Other primates available here include, red tailed monkeys, black, white colobus and vervet monkeys.

Lion Experiential

Lion Experiential is a great new activity. Visitors go with researchers and trace lions with trackers, off track is allowed with lion experiential therefore this makes visitors to see the animals in a close range. Researchers will explain the behaviors of the animals.

Community Encounters.

There are many communities around Queen Elizabeth National Park. Spending some time with local people will make visitors learn more of the culture around, through different performances.

Birding

This activity can be done around Kazinga channel, kyambura gorge, kasenyi area and many more. For those who prefer bird watching, Queen Elizabeth is the perfect destination.

Finest time to visit Queen Elizabeth national park

Dry season is the best time to visit Queen Elizabeth national park, the trails will be okay in dry season, animals also tend to come near water source hence good sightings, the weather is clear and many more.

Also in rainy season, the gates of Quern are open to welcome visitors. All activity in queen Elizabeth can also be done in rainy season. That’s why a more appropriate vehicle preferably 4×4 is recommended here

How to Connect to Queen Elizabeth national park

The park can be accessed by road from Kampala or from Entebbe. Its approx. 6-7 hours drive from Entebbe to Kasese.

The park can also be accessed by air transport. This is where visitors hire domestic flights to the nearby air stripe like Kasese airstrip and Mweya from their visitors will connect to park or their accommodations using safari vehicles.

Some accommodations around Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Bush lodge.

Bush lodge is one of the affordable accommodations in Queen Elizabeth but Authentic. The lodge in surrounded by the park and borders the kazinga channel. The Bandas and safari tents are built using natural materials and they provide excellent solutions when it comes to accommodation in this park

The staff are well experienced, good restaurant providing different types of food, Dining, the bar and many more. When it comes to affordable accommodation in Bwindi, Bush lodge is the perfect one.

Engiri lodge and campsite

Engiri lodge and campsite is a well-established accommodation in Queen Elizabeth National Park, it has good cottages and also a campsite for camping clients, their campsite is the biggest in the park and they have their tents where they provide mattresses, towels and beddings. Also, there is also an option of pitching your own tent, or car with rooftop tent, here they will provide bathrooms, water, campfire and many others.