Queen Elizabeth National Park

Originally established as the Lake George and Lake Edward Game Reserve in the late 1920s, Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP) was later designated as Kazinga National Park in 1952. This move aimed to safeguard the diverse wildlife and stunning landscapes along the Rift Valley from Lake Edward to the Rwenzori Mountains. In 1954, it was renamed QENP in honor of the Queen of England’s visit to the region.

QENP boasts an impressive array of wildlife, with a total of 95 mammal species, the highest diversity among Ugandan national parks. This includes ten primate species such as chimpanzees, black-and-white colobus monkeys, and olive baboons, along with approximately 20 predators like the side-striped jackal, spotted hyena, lion, and leopard. The park is also home to various antelope species, including the Uganda kob, bushbuck, topi, and Defassa waterbuck. In the papyrus swamps around Lake George, the elusive semi-aquatic Sitatunga antelope can be found, while Maramaganbo Forest is home to four duiker species.

QENP is renowned for its elephant and lion populations, with around 2,500 elephants and at least 200 lions readily observed within the park. With a remarkable 610 bird species, including 54 raptors and a diverse range of water, woodland, and forest birds, QENP is a paradise for birding enthusiasts. Notable bird species found here include the shoebill stork, African fish eagle, martial eagle, and papyrus gonolek.

The park is also rich in cultural diversity, with ethnic groups like the Banyankole, Bakiga, and Bakonjo residing in the area. Visitors can explore traditional and contemporary economic activities such as salt mining, farming, and animal husbandry, and immerse themselves in the unique cultures and languages of these communities.

With its wealth of wildlife, stunning landscapes, and cultural experiences, QENP offers an unforgettable safari adventure that will leave a lasting impression on any traveler.

An experience of this game drive in Q.E.N.P will automatically get you an exciting Uganda adventure to tell the rest of your life there is to live!.This involves driving through the park so as to view animals. It is best done in the early morning and late afternoon hours when the weather is calm. QENP has well-maintained tracks, giving visitors quick access to the park’s wildlife and other attractions. These tracks cut through the mating grounds of the great Uganda Kob as the outstanding gigantic forest hog is seen moving around the park bush. You will enjoy a memorable sight of Elephants as they make their way down to the waters during hot days, hungry lions looking for their prey while bush backs and buffaloes can be found on the channel track and juxtaposed circumference. The out unique panorama along the crater track leads you to volcanic craters at the foothills of the misty mountains of the moon, outstanding of all, the great overlooking Mt. Rwenzori shall be seen.

 
It is found in the eastern part of the protected area and supports similar mammals to the rest of the park.
It harbors three saline crater lakes, which attract a large number of flamingoes- not found anywhere else hence a great birding safari destination in Uganda. This steep Kyambura gorge, formed by the turbulent waters of the roaring Kyambura River, provides a luxuriant Riverine forest, habitant to Lions, chimpanzees. Black -and – white colobus monkeys, olive baboons and other primates as well as plenty of forest birds. snakes and many others. A visit to the gorge presents a great opportunity to see chimpanzees in their natural habitat.

This is a boat trip along the hippopotamus crowded banks of Kazinga channel and it gives you a unique unbeaten wild life experience. Crocodile are a common sight and occasionally a common leopard can be seen. Many buffaloes rest in the waters while big herds of elephants enjoy them-selves drinking and playing along the channel banks. You will See Hippos as surrounded by vast numbers of migrants and resident birds, this boat cruise puts one, right in the heart of amazing nature.

In Maramagambo Forest; these are short to long guided nature walks offered at the great Q.E.NP. This will expose you a diversity the wild; the pythons in the ostracism of the bat caves floor with their prey-the bats. This bat’s cave is near the attractive blue lake and hunter’ cave. Other trails lead you to the heart of the surrounding craters and habitats to many forest birds as well as some primates like the Chimpanzee.

Queen Elizabeth has unbelievable attractions and Ishasha never fails to come up with more surprises. The true of southern pearl of the park! See the famous Ishasha tree climbing lions are extremely special, very healthy and numerous. One of the prides you likely to see is the Kyemale pride on the large fig tree. See the Topi, Uganda Kob and Buffaloes graze in the acacia studded savannah among other wildlife together with very unique countless birds.

The park lies 5-6 hours from Kampala on a surfaced road via Mbarara-Kasese on a direct road, Via Fort portal the high way runs through the main tourism hub at Mweya. These routes combined make an attractive circuit with short detour to visit Lake Mburo, Semuliki and Kibale National parks. The park can also be accessed from the south from Rwanda/Bwindi Impenetrable national Park.

By Air: 

Daily scheduled flights operated by AeroLink  Uganda to Kasese or Mweya airstrip thus providing easy access to the park compared by road transfer that nearly takes you 7 hours. 2X daily flights are on in to Queen Elizabeth National Park departing in the morning and in the afternoon

A visit to The Traditional Salt 
You will see how the salt ore looks like since the 14 century, here, salt has been mined by traditional methods to date. You will also understand how the salt mines have been sub divided and distributed to the various tribes in Uganda. As explained by your guide, you will lean the interesting cultural strings attached to the salt mines.

An up market Mweya Safari lodge, Mazike Lodge, Katara Lodge are readily available, of recent Kasenyi Safari Camp, is in operational with very unique quality services to the visitors, Jacana Safari Lodge – luxury accommodation is an ideal place for relaxation and refreshment built over the banks of a crater lake. Ishasha Wilderness Camp also offer up market accommodation facility in Ishasha sections, Ihamba Safari Lodge, Buffalo Safari Resort, Bush Lodge and Simba Safari camp, Wild Track Safari Lodge are available to visitors that wish to spend less on accommodation

-Get your permit before entering visiting Queen Elizabeth National park
-Drive only between 7:00am and 7:00pm and allow plenty of time to reach your destination.
-Do not drive more than 45km per hour while in Queen Elizabeth National park.
-Do not bring pet animals into Queen Elizabeth National park.
-Do not bring firearms or ammunition into the park.
-Give animals right of way and don’t disturb wild life while in Queen Elizabeth National park.
-Stay in your vehicle except at designated areas.
-Do not sound your horn.
-Do not pick or cut any plants as well as kill any animal/living creature.
-Do not litter inside and a round Queen Elizabeth National park.
-Do not start fires or throw cigarettes ends.