Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park stands as the most visited and famous national park in Uganda. It’s a unique Uganda safari destination renowned for unique tree-climbing lions and diverse ecosystems. 

Queen Elizabeth National Park’s savannah grasslands, forests, crater lakes, swamps, water channels, and volcanic cones support 95 species of mammals, 10 species of primates, and 754 birds. 

The park altitudes vary from 910 meters above sea level to 1350 meters. It is the second-largest national park in Uganda, covering 1978 square kilometers. Five different vegetation types are found in the park, supporting a habitat for diverse wildlife species.

Location of Queen Elizabeth National Park 

Queen Elizabeth National Park is located within the boundaries of 4 districts in western Uganda, 400 kilometers from Kampala.

During Uganda tours, the park can be reached by road through two routes (Mbarara or Fort Portal) or by air to Kasese, Mweya, or Ishasha.

History of Queen Elizabeth National Park 

In the early 1990s, the British colonialists forcefully evicted local pastoralist inhabitants from the park to create two reserves. The Basongora pastoralist communities fled across the border to the Congo. 

In the mid-1990s, that is, 1952, Lake Edward Game Reserve and Lake George Game were combined to form Kazinga National Park.

The park was known as Kazinga National Park. At the same time, some foreign explorers referred to it as Rwenzori National Park until the visit of Queen Elizabeth of England in 1954, when the name was changed to Queen Elizabeth in honor of her visit. 

Due to political unrest in Congo, the Basongora pastoralists were forced to cross back and settle at the park boundaries, which increased human-wildlife conflicts, including the killing of 18 lions in 2018. 

IUCN declared Queen Elizabeth as a lion conservation unit in 2005.  

Amazing Attractions at Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park boasts many unique attractions, and this is one of the reasons it is Uganda’s most visited national park for Uganda wildlife safaris.

Some of the park attractions can be seen below:

Tree-climbing lions

The rare tree-climbing lions of the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park are some of the major attractions seen at the park while on a Uganda holiday. 

It’s unusual for lions to climb trees, but this is so with the tree-climbing lions of Queen Elizabeth and Lake Manyara National Park in Tanzania. 

Other Animals

Visit Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth Park and spot 95 species of mammals that have been documented in the park. 

Some of the animals in the park include elephants, buffalo, lions, impalas, topis, spotted hyenas, leopards, chimpanzees, and Ugandan kobs, among others. 

Birds

Queen Elizabeth National Park is truly a birder’s paradise, with over 700 species of birds recorded in the park. The Uganda birding safari to Queen Elizabeth National Park will exceed your expectations.

The park is rated the first in Africa and the 6th highest in the world for its high diversity of bird species. Ugandan birding safaris will be incomplete without a queen on the itinerary. 

Crater lake

Queen Elizabeth National Park Safaris unveils 52 crater lakes found in the park, creating scenic views at every corner of Queen Elizabeth. 

Kazinga channel

The beautiful Kazinga Channel is among the major attractions of Queen Elizabeth National Park; it’s the world’s longest natural channel found in the park and connects Lake George and Lake Edward. 

Kazinga Channel harbours some of the highest concentrations of hippos and numerous crocodiles in the world seen while on Uganda tours in Queen. 

Kyambura Gorge

The magnificent Kyambura Gorge is an underground, verdant forest in Queen Elizabeth National Park. National it’s positioned at the Kichambwa escarpment with a depth of 100 meters.

Kyambura Gorge is a habitat for chimpanzees, unique plants, birds, and other primates.  The Gorge is one of the locations to do chimpanzee trekking in Uganda. 

Forests

Queen Elizabeth National Park’s evergreen forests are home to various species of primates, birds, trees, flowers, butterfly species, plants, and so much more. 

Some of the famous forests include Maramagambo Forests, Kalinzu Forests, and Kyambura Gorge Forests.

Lake Katwe

Lake Katwe is the most visited Crater Lake in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The alkaline lake is renowned for its high-quality salt production, with 12 million metric tons of salt. National

The Equator

The Equator line crosses Queen Elizabeth National Park, and tourists can tour and learn about the Equator while in Queen Elizabeth National Park. National tours. 

Bat Cave

The Bat Cave is a famous attraction at Queen Elizabeth National Park, renowned for hundreds of bats and numerous pythons. 

Things to do at Queen Elizabeth National Park/Activities at Queen Elizabeth National Park 

Uganda tour to Queen Elizabeth National Park offers tourists a chance to engage in activities such as: 

Game drives

Queen Elizabeth National Park’s rich biodiversity makes it a haven for various wildlife species. Several game drive trails have been established in the Ishasha and Kasenyi plains for Uganda Wildlife Safaris at the park. 

The best time for game drives is in the morning and late evening hours. Some of the animals to see on game drives are elephants, lions, leopards, bushbucks, waterbucks, Uganda kobs, hyenas, side-striped jackals, and many others. 

Birding

Queen Elizabeth National Park is probably the best birding destination for Uganda birding tours. 

With over 600 species of birds recorded in the park, tourists can spot species such as African-fin foot, great white pelican, African mourning dove, spotted red shunk, papyrus gonolek, slender-tailed nightjar, and black Nationalbee eater, among the rest. 

Crater Lake Exploration

Crater lakes in Queen Elizabeth are dotted across the plains. These crater lakes were formed as a result of volcanic activity thousands of years ago. 

While in Queen Elizabeth National Park, some of the craters you can visit include: Lake Katwe, Bunyaruguru Crater, and others.

Boat rides

The most famous boat cruise at Queen Elizabeth National Park is done on the popular Kazinga channel.

The best time for a boat ride at the Kazinga Channel is during the afternoon hours, when wildlife is quenching its thirst at the shores. Hippos, crocodiles, and water birds can also be seen during the boat ride. 

Chimpanzee trekking

Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the destinations for Uganda chimpanzee trekking safaris. Chimpanzee trekking at Queen Elizabeth can be done at Kyambura Gorge or Kalinzu Forest.

Apart from chimpanzees, other primates to be seen include olive baboons, vervet monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, and olive baboons, among others.

Nature-guided walks

Nature walks are the best way for you to explore Queen Elizabeth National Park’s flora and fauna. 

Nature walks are done in the forests, on the Mweya Peninsula, along the Ishasha River, and on the Kanji Plains in other areas. Nature-guided walks are done in designated areas under the guidance of a knowledgeable and armed park ranger. 

Sport fishing

Anglers can enjoy sport fishing from several locations in Queen Elizabeth National Park. 

Tourists interested in fishing are supposed to obtain fishing permits from the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Some of the most common fish include tilapia and Nile perch.

Cultural encounters

Visiting the people is the best way to encounter cultural tours and learn more about their way of life. 

Best Time to Visit Queen Elizabeth National Park / When to Go to Queen Elizabeth National Park 

The best time for Uganda wildlife-watching safaris at Queen Elizabeth National Park is from December to February and June to September, when the vegetation is not dense, making it easy to spot wildlife and animals, which are also mainly concentrated in permanent water places.

Bird enthusiasts can visit the park from November to April when migratory birds are present.  

Where to Stay in Queen Elizabeth National Park / Queen Elizabeth National Park Accommodation 

Ugandan trips to Queen Elizabeth National Park will require you to stay for 2 to 3 days. Accommodation available at the park varies depending on budget, midrange, and luxury. Some of the options to consider can be seen below:

Budget

1. Mweya hostels 
2. Queen Elizabeth Gorge Cottages
3. Tembo Safari Lodge 

Mid-range

1. Marafiki safariki Lodge
2. Buffalo lodge
3. Enjojo lodge

Luxury

1. Mweya Safari Lodge 
2. Jacana Safari Lodge
3. Katara Lodge 

How to Get to Queen Elizabeth National Park 

Queen Elizabeth National Park is located 400 kilometers west of Kampala. The park can be accessed by road or by air transport.

 FAQs about Queen Elizabeth National Park 

How much is the entry fee to Queen Elizabeth National Park?

The Queen Elizabeth National Park entrance fee is $40 for foreign nonresidents, $30 for foreign residents, and 20,000 Uganda shillings for Ugandan and East African residents. The park fees is valid for 24 hours.

What is Queen Elizabeth National Park Famous For? / What is Queen Elizabeth National Park Known For?

Queen Elizabeth National Park is famous for its outstanding attractions, such as tree-climbing lions, Kazinga Channel, crater lakes, birds, and many more. It is also known for being Uganda’s most visited national park during Uganda trips. 

Where is Queen Elizabeth National Park? In which district is Queen Elizabeth National Park located in Uganda?

Queen Elizabeth National Park is situated in western Uganda, 400 kilometers from Kampala city, spread across the districts of Kasese, Bushenyi, Rukungiri, and Kamwenge. The park can be accessed via Mbarara or Fort Portal towns. 

Is Queen Elizabeth National Park Safe?

Queen Elizabeth National Park is very safe to visit; however, self-driving tourists should seek advice from the Uganda Wildlife Authority before visiting the park.

How big is Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda?

Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the largest national parks in the country, covering an area of 1,978 square kilometers.

What is the major tourist attraction in Queen Elizabeth?

The major attraction in Queen Elizabeth is the tree-climbing lions, although the park boasts other amazing attractions such as the Kyambura Gorge, animals, birds, Kazinga Channel, lakes, forests, and so much more. 

Who is Queen Elizabeth National Park named after?

Queen Elizabeth National Park is named after the late and former Queen Elizabeth of England. The park was initially called Kazinga National Park at the time of its formation, but the name later changed in honor of the Queen’s visit. 

How many lions are in Queen Elizabeth National Park?

Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to about 130 lions in the National Ishasha sector and Kasenyi plains of the park. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, Queen Elizabeth is among the top tourism destinations in Uganda. The park’s diverse attractions and tourist activities draw high numbers of tourists compared to other Ugandan national parks.