Kasenyi Plains – Queen Elizabeth National Park

 The Kasenyi plains are a famous region of the popular Queen Elizabeth National Park for hosting large numbers of wildlife and offering thrilling game viewing adventures.

Kasenyi plains also known as The Mweya-Kasenyi Sector are found in the northeast region of Queen Elizabeth National Park, within Kasese district, Rwenzururu sub-area, Western Uganda just near Kazinga Channel where its confluences Lake George.

The Kasenyi plains’ topography is dominated by open savannah plains sitting on an elevation of 930 m above the sea level, on the west of the plains is the beautiful escarpment with a perfect vantage point boasting clear view of the savannahs, Lake George and Mweya Peninsula which is a vision of a stunning Uganda landscape.

The Kasenyi plains create an awe-inspiring Uganda scenery with its dominating moist short – grass savannah with solitary Euphorbia trees. The terrain also spreads with candelabra shrubs, low clumps of bushy thickets and some acacia trees.

Wildlife in Kasenyi plains, Queen Elizabeth National Park

The vast vegetation in the Kasenyi plains is an important breeding ground for the numerous Uganda Kobs inhabiting in the area, thousands of Uganda Kobs congregate here accompanied by large herds of cape buffaloes, bushbucks and several warthogs thus creating a perfect for Uganda wildlife safaris in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

 The Kasenyi plain is also home to 3 resident lion prides which are a main attraction in Queen Elizabeth National Park and Uganda as well, these lions commonly lurk around Uganda Kob breeding grounds looking for the prey to devour. Their presence is often revealed by the male kobs who have a high whistling alarm call.

Other wildlife species found in the Kasenyi Plains include bush elephants, leopards, hyenas, warthogs among others.

Birdlife in Kasenyi Plains, Queen Elizabeth National Park

 The Kasenyi Plains are listed among the top birding sites in Queen Elizabeth National Park as well as Uganda, the area is home to various bird species which can be seen on birding safari. These include White-faced Whistling, Spur-winged Plovers, Squacco Heron, Fish Eagle, Pink and white backed Pelicans, Long tailed Cormorants, African Jacana, Yellow backed Weavers, open-billed Stork, Water-Thick knee, Pied kingfishers and Wattled Plovers among others.

Other tourist sites near Kasenyi Plains include the Kazinga Chennel which is situated in a short distance from the Kasenyi plains. The Kazinga Channel is a popular site for boat cruise offering visitors sights of various water wildlife including Nile crocodiles, herds of elephants and buffaloes drinking water and water birds including papyrus gonoleks, malachite, African skimmers, pelicans, martial eagle, African spoonbills, Cormorants and others.

Lakes such as Lake George and Lake Bunyampaka

What to do in Kasenyi Plains

Most of the Uganda safari activities in Queen Elizabeth National Park are conducted in the Kasenyi plains, reason being it is home to numerous wildlife species. The plains attract many animals including the Uganda Kobs which use the area as bleeding point which in return attracts predators such as lions and leopards. The predators are easy to spot as they try to hunt their prey down.

Game drive

Kasenyi plains are the ideal area for game viewing in Queen Elizabeth National Park, the area is the main breeding ground for the Uganda Kobs – the most interesting antelopes in the park. The presence of the antelopes attracts predators such as lions, hyenas and leopards among others.

In Kasenyi plains, there are about 200 lions which are easily sighted during the game drive. A game drive along the Kasenyi track takes you through a trail to lush savannah for you to catch a glimpse of wildlife species such as antelopes, warthogs, elephants, giant forest hogs and several bird species.

If you are lucky, you will catch a glimpse of lions chasing their prey – the Uganda Kobs and even killing them. There is no more breathtaking sight than a predator – prey action.

Birding

Kasenyi plains is one of the best sites for bird watching in Uganda as well as Queen Elizabeth National Park, the area supports a wide range of grassland bird species such as the red-throated spurfowls, yellow-throated long crows as well as the grey-crowned cranes among others which you will spot during the gam drive.

Kasenyi plains also offer a chance to see the grey crown crane, red throated spur fowls and many others.

Nature walks

Nature walks in Kasenyi plains offers you the best view of the breathtaking landscape which is filled with savannah grassland. The area comprises of open savannahs which is perfect for tourists that desire to take beautiful and clear photographs.

How to get to Kasenyi Plains

The Kasenyi plains can be reached by road and air transport.

By Air –there are chartered and domestic flights to Queen Elizabeth National Park from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi airstrip flying to either Kasese airstrip or Mweya airstrip then connect to Kasenyi plains by road.

By Road – from Kampala – the capital of Uganda, it takes approximately 5 to 6 hours of drive to get to Queen Elizabeth National Park.

When is the Best time to visit Kasenyi Plains

The Kasenyi Plains can be visited any time of the year, however the ideal time to explore is during the dry season which occurs in the months of June, July, August, September and December, January and February. This is the perfect time for game viewing in the Kasenyi plains as the grass cover is thin offering unparallel views of the animals and the trails are dry.

The wet season which usually starts from March to May and October to November is ideal for birding, it is also great for budget travelers who get to enjoy discounted rates.

Where to stay in Kasenyi Plains

There are many accommodation options where to stay while in Kasenyi plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park, these options range from budget, midrange to luxury and they include

• Mweya Safari Lodge
• Simba Safari Camp
• Ihamba Safari Lodge
• Jacana Lodge
• Mweya Hostels among others

In Conclusion, Kasenyi plains is one of the most spectacular areas within Queen Elizabeth National Park worth exploring while on a Uganda safari. Visiting the Kasenyi plains offers you the best game viewing safari experience in Uganda as you will catch sight of various wildlife such as lions, antelopes, leopards, buffaloes among others.