Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the most popular national parks in Uganda located in southwestern part of the country. The park was named after Queen Elizabeth II of England and was established in 1952 as Kazinga National Park. Queen Elizabeth National Park boasts stunning landscapes and scenic beauty.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is known for its diverse ecosystems, including savannah grasslands, wetlands, forests, and lakes. This variety of habitats supports a wide range of wildlife species, making it one of the most biodiverse parks in Africa.
What to do and see in Queen Elizabeth national park
Queen Elizabeth National Park offers a wide range of activities for visitors to enjoy and they include the following;
Game drives
Queen Elizabeth National Park offers a variety of game drives, including morning and afternoon drives, as well as full-day drives.
These game drives around Queen Elizabeth national park provide visitors with the opportunity to explore the park’s diverse ecosystems and spot a wide range of wildlife. The park’s experienced guides will provide insightful commentary and help visitors spot the park’s many animals.
Boat cruise
A boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel is a must-do activity during a safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
The Kazinga channel connects Lake George and Lake Edward, and visitors can expect to see a wide range of water birds, including egrets, herons, and kingfishers. Kazinga channel is also home to many hippos, crocodiles, and buffaloes, making it an exciting and rewarding experience.
Bird watching
Queen Elizabeth National Park is a birdwatcher’s paradise, with over 600 species of birds recorded in the park. Visitors can expect to see a wide range of bird species, including the iconic African fish eagle, the martial eagle, and the lively bee-eaters.
Hiking
Queen Elizabeth National Park offers several hiking trails, including the popular Mweya Peninsula Trail and the Kyambura Gorge Trail. These trails provide visitors with the opportunity to explore the park’s diverse ecosystems and spot a wide range of wildlife.
Fishing
Fishing is a popular activity in Queen Elizabeth National Park, with several fishing spots located along the Kazinga Channel.
Visitors can expect to catch a variety of fish species, including the Nile tilapia and the Nile perch.
Community tours
Queen Elizabeth National Park offers community tours, which provide visitors with the opportunity to learn about the local culture and community.
Visitors can visit the local villages and meet with the local residents, learning about their customs and traditions.
Attractions in and around Queen Elizabeth national park
The park offers a wide range of attractions for visitors to see during safaris, from wildlife and bird species, beautiful scenery and so much more. Here are some of the top attractions to see during a safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park:
Wildlife
There are over 95 mammal species and found in the national park. One of the main attractions of Queen Elizabeth National Park is its population of African elephants. The park’s open savannah grasslands and dense forests provide the perfect habitat for these animals to thrive.
The park is estimated to have over 3,000 elephants, making it one of the highest concentrations of elephants in Uganda. Other wildlife species found in the park include lions, leopards, buffaloes, hippos, crocodiles, warthogs, and various antelope species such as Uganda kobs, impalas, hartebeests and waterbuck among others.
Bird species
With its diverse habitats, Queen Elizabeth National Park attracts numerous bird species, including migratory birds and these birds found in the park include African fish eagle, martial eagle, grey-crowned crane, African skimmer, and many more.
There are more than 600 bird species found in Queen Elizabeth national park and they can be seen around different parts of the destination.
Kazinga Channel
The Kazinga channel connects Lake Edward and Lake George. This channel is a haven for wildlife and provides fantastic boat safaris where visitors can observe hippos, crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes, and a variety of bird species.
Kyambura gorge
Another highlight of the park is the Kyambura Gorge, also known as the “Valley of Apes.” This gorge is home to a habituated community of chimpanzees, offering visitors a unique opportunity to track and observe these fascinating primates in their natural habitat.
Park entrance fees for Queen Elizabeth national park
To access the park, visitors are required to pay an entrance fee during safaris in Queen Elizabeth national park and they are as follows;
- Foreign Non-Residents are charged park entrance fee of $40 per person per day for safaris around Queen Elizabeth national park.
- Foreign Residents are charged park entrance fee of 30 USD during visits to Queen Elizabeth national park.
- East African citizens are charged park entrance fee of UGX 30,000 (Ugandan Shillings) per person per day.
- Children are persons aged between 5-15 years and during tours in Queen Elizabeth national park, they are charged park entrance fee of 20 USD for foreign nonresidents, 10 USD for foreign residents and 5,000 UGX for East Africans. Children below 5 years of age are exempt from paying park entrance fees.
How to get to Queen Elizabeth national park
To get to Queen Elizabeth National Park, there are several options of transport to use which include air and road:
By Air
Flights to Queen Elizabeth National Park can be got from Entebbe international airport to Kasese Airstrip.
By Road
Travel by road to reach Queen Elizabeth National Park can be by using the Kampala-Masaka-Mbarara-Kasese route which takes about 6 to 7 hours.
Best time to visit Queen Elizabeth national park
The Dry Season (December to February, June to July) is characterized by minimal rainfall and lower humidity levels and the vegetation becomes less dense, making it easier to spot wildlife. This period is ideal for activities during safaris around the destination such as game drives, boat safaris on the Kazinga Channel, and chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge.
During the dry season which is also considered the peak season, visitor numbers are higher, and accommodations tend to be fully booked in advance. It is advisable to make reservations well ahead of time if planning a visit during the peak season.
The Wet Season (March to May, late October to November) is characterized by rainfall and higher humidity levels, lush and green vegetation and is a good time for bird watching.
The wet season corresponds with the low season when visitor numbers are generally lower. Accommodations may offer discounted rates during this period, and there is usually more availability.
Lodges around Queen Elizabeth national park
There are various options where visitors of Queen Elizabeth national park can say during safaris and they include midrange, luxury and budget lodges. Camping can also be done during safaris around the national park.
Some of the lodges in Queen Elizabeth national park include Mweya safari lodge, Kyambura gorge lodge, Enganzi lodge, Park view safari lodge, Engiri game lodge, Buffalo safari lodge, Tembo safari lodge, Ishasha wilderness camp among others.
