Queen Elizabeth national park is a colossal park that has made its name for harboring quite a number of tree climbing lions and ranked the perfect wild game viewing destination.
This savannah park is situated in the western part of Uganda in kasese district. It's ranked as the second largest conservation area and lies between Lake George and Lake Albert in the pearl of Africa. It is located in the districts of Kasese, Kamwenge, Rubirizi and Rukungiri.
There are two blessed national parks in the whole world with tree climbing cactus that is Queen Elizabeth national park in Uganda and Lake Manyara national park in Tanzania. This savannah park possesses innumerable wildlife species unlike other national parks. If you have passion in wild gaming, Queen Elizabeth national park is the best prime destination.
Many years back, this park was locally called Kazinga national park but after the Queens visit the name was changed. In 1954 the park was named Queen Elizabeth national park to commemorate the visit of the late Queen Elizabeth 11. Being the oldest national park, it occupies a vast area of 764 sq.km and takes a travel time of 6-7 hours and a travel distance of approximately 410km from Kampala the capital city. The natural beauty of this park surpasses that of other parks ranging from the embellished fresh vegetation patterns comprising of savannah, moist forests and wetlands that have increased breeding and led to multiplication of wildlife species.
Accessing the park shouldn't be on the visitors worry list. Queen Elizabeth national park is strategically located in flexible and safe locations and can be accessed by road or air means.
With road, different means can be used which include public transport which involves boarding a bus from the city center or private means of hiring a 4WD vehicle from an authentic car hire company. By road, the starting point will be determined from where the visitor had spent a night.
The journey can start from either Entebbe or Kampala as you pass via Mubende – Fort portal – Kasese or via Mbarara town through Bushenyi. There are numerous gates for one to use while entering the park.
The rich biodiversity found in the savannah reserve of the park has created a stunning eco system that can only be traced in Queen Elizabeth national park. Queen Elizabeth natural glamour can be observed at a close range and ranges from wildlife, flora and scenic landscapes.
Another name for wildlife is called fauna. I call the fauna of the park my wild flowers that roam around to beautify the park. They are a reward from heaven to tourists who get a chance to visit this savannah destination.
Wildlife that are a must see include the big four mammals such as elephants, buffaloes, leopard and lion. Other species sported include antelopes, warthogs, duikers, waterbucks, oribis, Uganda kob, Jackson's hartebeest among others.
Tree climbing lions grant travellers an opportunity to engage in lion tracking. Sighting of tree climbing lions is carried out in the ishasha sector the southern part of the park.
Lions roam freely and others are spotted resting in the fig tree after hunting while others are spotting their prey. Luckily you can get a chance to spot this fierce big mammal in action of hunting.
This is one of the bleeding areas in Queen Elizabeth national park. It is the most visited place because of the numerous wildlife species that cannot be missed out during game viewing.
The Mweya peninsular is located at the northern banks of Kazinga channel and an amazing water view position of wildlife and distant snowcapped Rwenzori Mountain.
The kyambura gorge when viewed at the top offers an outstanding view of embellished greenery forest that home a variety of wildlife species. It is positioned at the northern part of Queen Elizabeth national park.
It comprises of running water from streams, rivers a home to lively hippos and forests harboring a number of primate species. It's at Kyambura gorge where chimpanzee tracking is carried out while at the park.
This is a salt crater lake in Uganda famous for salt extraction and production. This salty lake was formed as a result of violent volcanic explosion. The salt streams have no outlets and during dry season evaporation occurs condensing the saline water hence forming salt.
Most of the jobs at the lake are carried out by women and little by men however it affects their health. They use different techniques of applying flour in their private parts for women and use of polythene bags as protective gears for men. This lake is positioned north of Mweya peninsular.
Game drive is an activity that offers tourists an opportunity to see the wild game while inside their vehicles. With the guidance of the ranger guide, the driver follows the tracks in the wilderness. In Queen Elizabeth national park game viewing is carried out in Kazinga plains and the ishasha sector.
This savannah park is a home to the big four mammals such lions, leopard, elephant and African buffaloes. Other game spotted include antelopes, Uganda kob, Defassa, giraffes, spotted hyena, topi, giant forest hog, water buck, chimpanzee, Olive baboons, monkeys, birds, aquatic life like Nile crocodiles and Hippopotamus.
This activity is best done during early morning hours to catch up with the morning risers and late evening hours to catch sight of nocturnal creatures.
Queen Elizabeth national park has quite many cultural communities and these include; the leopard village, Kikorongo women community, Nyanzi'ibiri cave community, Katwe tourism information Centre and Agro-Tour walk.
These community groups while on a safari can make you feel hospitable. Cultural groups present cultural performances for the tourists in form of music, dance and drama, tell stories of their daily living and make hand crafts for selling to earn a living. Make your evening entertaining with a visit to these local communities for a meet and greet.
Life at the boat is scary for those with naviphobia but at the same time adventurous to those who love and embrace nature. Launch cruise at Queen Elizabeth national park is carried out on Kazinga channel connecting the two lakes of Lake Edward and George.
It grants nature lovers an opportunity to come close to aquatic life like Hippos, crocodile and birds. Get rid of the body fatigue when you engage in boat cruise. It also offers best platform for nature photography.
Birding is an activity which involves spotting and differentiating bird species. Queen Elizabeth national park grants birders an opportunity to spot a variety of impressive bird species. The park is a birders paradise and recognized worldwide as one of the pre-eminent birding destination for travellers on a birding adventure.
The birds at this destination are endemic and migrant species which include Martial Eagle, Papyrus Gonolek, white-winged warble, African skimmer, African broadbill, Chapin flycatcher, pink-backed pelican, hooded vulture, brown snake Eagle, Grey Kestrel, Ruppell's Griffon Vulture and many others.