Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s second most visited safari park, famous for its tree-climbing lions. The equator divides Queen Elizabeth Uganda, which is home to approximately 95 animal species. The park contains the largest concentration of bird species, stretching from Lake George in the northeast to Lake Edward in the southwest. The Park is home to over 600 different bird species.

The Queen Elizabeth National Park is estimated to contain 1,978 square kilometers (764 square miles). The park stretches from Lake George in the northeast to Lake Edward in the southwest, with the Kazinga Channel linking the two. Wildlife in Queen Elizabeth Park includes African buffalo, Ugandan kob, hippopotamus, huge forest hog, warthog, Nile crocodile, African bush elephant, African leopard, lion, and chimp. It is home to around 645 bird species and 95 animal species.

The Rukungiri District region near Ishasha is noted for its tree-climbing lions, the males of which have black manes. Poachers murdered six elephants in the park in 2015, causing outrage and dismay among Ugandan conservationists. A Lion Conservation Unit includes Queen Elizabeth Park and the nearby Virunga National Park. If poaching is reduced and prey species recover, the region might become a lion stronghold in Central Africa. Queen Elizabeth Park is particularly well-known for its volcanic characteristics, which include volcanic cones and deep craters, many of which have crater lakes, such as the Katwe craters, from which salt is harvested.

Wildlife in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Amazing animals, a wide variety of birds, and primates are typical of the Queen Elizabeth National Park, which is located close on the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Queen Elizabeth National Park spans a vast region from north to south, each with its own particular vegetation and terrain. Elephants, cape buffalos, Topis, waterbucks, and Ugandan kob are common throughout the park. The principal predators include the lion, leopard, and spotted hyena. We were quite fortunate to see Ross’s turaco and a group of red-tailed monkeys on our wildlife drive from the Ishasha sector to the Kazinga canal.

The famed Kazinga waterway, which joins Lake George and Lake Eduard, is home to hippos, crocodiles, and several bird species including as cormorant, pelican, stork, and kingfisher. The pied kingfisher, in particular, can be found in large numbers. Welcome to our August 2019 birding and wildlife trip to Queen Elizabeth Park and the Kazinga Channel in Uganda. We spent two nights at the lovely Ishasha Wilderness Camp in the Ishasha sector and two nights at the Katara Lodge on the rift valley’s edge near the famed Kazinga channel.

What to do during your visit to Queen Elizabeth National Park?

Game Drives

Queen Elizabeth National Park’s features include large herds of buffalo and elephants, antelope, and lions. Thousands of these creatures live in the park’s vast savannas, and a full day of game drives will not be enough to view them all.

Visitors who want to experience how the wildlife acts after the sun goes down can schedule a night drive at the national park gate. Night drives, however, are rather pricey in comparison to other regions of Africa and may not be fully worthwhile.

Visitors who wish to witness Uganda’s famed tree-climbing lions must travel to Ishasha, the park’s most southern section. You may spend half a day looking for these massive cats and watching them rest and slumber at the tops of the numerous fig and acacia trees.

Chimpanzee Treks and Guided Nature Walk.

Despite the fact that Kibale National Park is the focus of monkey monitoring, Queen Elizabeth national park is not far behind. Visitors to Kyambura Gorge can arrange one of the ranger-led nature tours to try to trace these interested primates.

Permits to follow the chimps cost only $50 USD (three times cheaper than in Kibale National Park), and while the experience is not as well-organized as in Kibale, visitors may achieve their ambition of witnessing chimps in the wild.

Boat Cruise on Kazinga Channel.

A boat trip on the Kazinga Channel is one of the attractions of Queen Elizabeth National Park at any time of day. During your trip, you will view scores of elephants, hundreds of buffalos and hippos, and at least one crocodile basking in the sun.

It is one of the most tranquil activities in the park, and we would suggest it of clients visiting to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Departures are always at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., and your tour operator or resort may simply arrange for a 5 p.m. departure and a booking.

Explore the Crater Lakes.

The crater lakes, located uphill and surrounded by one of Uganda’s most gorgeous landscapes, were also one of my favorite parts of my visit to Queen Elizabeth National Park. These dormant volcanoes, which created millions of years ago, are now home to countless of species.

Queen Elizabeth National Park has three volcanic crates: Katwe, Bunyaruguru, and Ndali. Visitors may tour all three with a ranger, drive around the craters’ edges, and enjoy the finest 360° panorama of Uganda.

This location is also home to leopards, who like to climb trees and hide in deep forest most of the time. Visitors who want to visit the crater lakes must first get a permission from the Queen Elizabeth National Park or plan a visit with their tour operator.

When is the Best Time to visit Queen Elizabeth National Park?

Queen Elizabeth National Park is a wonderful site to visit all year. Still, staying in the dry or wet season may have an impact on the creatures you see and the experience you have.

On the one hand, the dry season between January to February and June to July is ideal for game viewing. The grass grows shorter, animals congregate near waterholes, and the days are typically bright and clear. Some may argue that the murky air reduces the quality of the vistas. Experts agree, however, that now is the greatest time to visit Queen Elizabeth National Park.

On the other hand, the wet seasons between March to May and August to December are ideal for budget-conscious vacationers. Prices are lower owing to the low season, but animal watching is still enjoyable. Furthermore, the verdant savannas and woodland make Queen Elizabeth National Park wonderful for tourism, and some believe this the perfect season to go birding.

Where is to stay in Queen Elizabeth National Park?

Pumba Safari Cottages, Mweya Safari Lodge, Kasenyi Safari Camp, White House Hotel, Park View Lodge, Ishasha Wilderness Camp, Engagi Lodge, Elephant Plains Lodge, Simba Safari Camp, Elephant Hub Lodge, Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge, Queen Elizabeth Safari Camp, Lake Chibwera Camp, Kyambura Tented Camp, Mweya Hostels and Cottages, Katara Lodge, Jacana Safari Lodge, and King Fisher Lodge Kichwamba are some of the lodges you can stay at when in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

How to get to Queen Elizabeth National Park?

The travel takes at least seven to eight hours, although you’ll most likely stop at various parks along the way. From Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield in Kampala, scheduled or chartered flights can be taken to either of the adjacent airstrips of Kasese, Mweya, or Kihihi (for Ishasha).