Queen Elizabeth National Park – Lodges, Location, Activities, Best Time to Visit
Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the most biodiverse Uganda safari parks attracting a significant number of nature lovers each year. Originally, Queen Elizabeth National Park was famously called Kazinga National Park before renaming it after Queen Elizabeth of England in 1954. It was in 1952 that Queen Elizabeth National Park was officially established as one of Uganda’s safari parks or National Parks.
Size and location of Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is located in Western Uganda with 4 districts all surrounding it including Rubirizi, Rukungiri, Kasese, and Kamwenge.
This is Uganda’s second largest park, sitting on 1978sq. km of land area forming part of the vast Queen Elizabeth Conservation Area (QECA).
QENA also extends to cover other 3 wildlife reserves in Western Uganda that is Kyambura Wildlife Reserve, Kigezi Wildlife Reserve, and Maramagambo Forest Reserve.
Queen Elizabeth Safari Park sits on an elevation range of 884-1337m, lying in the Great Rift Valley Area. Due to its strategic location, Queen Elizabeth Park is an amazing Uganda safari park with a distinct landscape that is characterized by unique vegetation zones.
The park’s vegetation cover is comprised of acacia woodlands, savannas, forests, and swamps. Besides, there are strikingly stunning Crater Lakes worth exploring on your next Uganda safari tour.
Different Sectors of Queen Elizabeth National Park
Mweya Peninsula
Mweya Peninsula is the center point of Queen Elizabeth National Park, found on the Northern bank of the Kazinga Channel. This is where most of the wildlife safari activities in Queen Elizabeth National Park are conducted and also an area where Mweya Safari Lodge sits.
The peninsula overviews the scenic Katwe Bay of Lake Edward and features incredible tracks such as the Channel track that connects up to Katunguru Park Gate and extends up to Kabatoro Gate. Mweya peninsula is known for its incredible leopard views and other wildlife species.
Kazinga Channel
Extending up to 32 km, Kazinga Channel is a natural channel within Queen Elizabeth National Park that connects two Lakes; Lake Gorge in the East and Lake Edward in the West.
The 32 km long channel is home to a huge profusion of hippos, Nile crocodiles, water birds, and other wildlife species. The channel is perfectly explored on a boat or launch cruise in the morning or afternoon.
Kyambura Gorge
Kyambura Gorge- famous as the ‘Valley of Apes’ lies within Queen Elizabeth National Park on the extreme Eastern side. The gorge is 1kms across and 100m deep, hosting a diversity of wildlife such as primates, birds, and more.
Kasenyi Plains
Kasenyi Plains or sector is positioned on the Northern side of Queen Elizabeth NP 48 km South-east of Kasese. This is an area with vast savanna grassland and is often explored by the majority of Uganda safari travelers on a game drive or wildlife viewing. The sector is blessed with a diversity of wildlife including lions, elephants, buffaloes, and birds.
Ishasha Area/Sector
Ishasha Sector is the Southern sector/area of Queen Elizabeth National Park– a major spot to see the tree-climbing lions. The sector is 2 hours drive starting from the Mweya Peninsula and other than the tree-climbing lions, there are also several buffaloes, elephants, and antelopes in large numbers for you to see.
Other tourist sites worth visiting on Uganda safari in Queen Elizabeth include Maramagambo Forest which occupies the Kichwamba Escarpment.
The natural forest is home to diverse primates such as L’Hoest monkeys, chimpanzees, blue monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, and more.
Crater Lakes- 3 Crater Lakes are available in and around Queen including the famous Katwe Crater Lake, Bunyarunguru Crater Field along Kichwamba Escarpment, and Ndali-Kasenda Crater Field.
The other important sites worth visiting on Uganda safari in Queen Elizabeth Park include The Equator and the Queen’s Pavilion; Lake George.
Queen Elizabeth National Park Uganda Map
Top Attractions in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is without doubt an ultimate Uganda safari destination with plenty of attractions. The top tourist attractions in Queen Elizabeth Safari Park include faunal and floral species. About 95 mammal species including primates live in this Uganda safari park, birds, butterflies, crater lakes, and more.
Queen Elizabeth National Park Animals
The main wildlife species in Queen Elizabeth National Park include 4 of the big five games including lions (the tree climbing lions inclusive), elephants, leopards, and buffaloes. Another wide array of animals to see in Queen Elizabeth NP includes antelopes (reedbucks, duikers, Uganda kobs, bushbucks, waterbucks), hippos, warthogs, crocodiles, giant forest hogs, and more.
Primates in Queen Elizabeth Safari Park thrive in Kyambura Gorge, Maramagambo Forest Reserve and other nearby reserves. They include chimpanzees, honest monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys, and others.
Birding in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Over 620 bird species thrive within the beautiful Uganda safari Park including endemic birds, migratory, aquatic, savanna, and others.
They include black-bellied bustards, shoebill storks, lesser & greater flamingos, papyrus canaries, pink-backed pelicans, white-tailed larks, hooded vultures, grey kestrels, black-lored babblers, slender tailed nightjar, pygmy kingfisher, scarlet chested sunbird, spur-winged plover, African jacana, black crake, African fish eagles. Others include blue-napped mouse bird, martial eagle, open-billed stork, and black-crowned tchagra.
Top Tourist Activities in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Chimpanzee Tracking
Chimpanzee tracking is an amazing primate safari experience that Queen Elizabeth National Park has to offer the world. This is done in Kyambura Gorge where habituated chimp communities exist and you have a chance to see not only chimpanzees but also a variety of other primate species such as olive baboons, blue monkeys, colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys as well as birds.
Game Drives
QENP is famous for its outstanding guided game drive experiences. The park is open for game drives in the morning and afternoon, with a great opportunity to see the diversity of wildlife such as buffaloes, lions, elephants, antelopes, warthogs, bird species, and more.
Birding
Queen Elizabeth Park hosts a total of up to 620 bird species in various habitats making it one of the most visited birding sites. The birding sites in QENP include Katunguru bridge, Kyambura Gorge, Ishasha, Lake Katwe, Kikorongo, Maramagambo Forest, Kazinga Channel, Kasenyi and others.
The list of birds in Queen Elizabeth National Park is long but the must-see include shoebill storks, pelicans, flamingos, nightjars, kingfishers, papyrus gonoleks, sunbirds and more.
Boat Cruise
Boat cruise or launch cruise is one of the amazing recreational activities not to be missed in QENP. This is done along the 32kms long Kazinga Channel that links Lake George and Lake Edward
.
A boat cruise on this channel gets visitors exposed to hundreds of hippo schools, Nile crocodiles, water birds such as saddle-billed stork, shoebill stork, pink-backed pelicans, skimmers, kingfishers, cormorants, and more.
Hot air Balloon Safaris
The hot air balloon experience is a unique activity available and only conducted in Queen Elizabeth Safari Park and Murchison Falls National Park for the case of tourists on Uganda safari. You enjoy a view of wildlife in the air rather than in a 4×4 safari vehicle.
Lion Tracking
Lion tracking is a distinct experience that lets you meet the Kings and Queens of the jungles while on a Uganda safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
This is a great opportunity to learn how lions behave, their feeding habits, take photos, and more. Other tracking experiences Queen Elizabeth Safari Park has to offer include banded mongoose tracking and hippo counting.
Guided nature walks/forest walks
Nothing lets you immerse yourself in the wild than a guided nature walk. Get to discover the different habitats, and wildlife in Queen Elizabeth National Park closely on foot. The best nature walking areas in QENP include Maramagambo Forest, Mweya Peninsula, Ishasha River, and more.
Cultural walk
A cultural walk in Queen Elizabeth Game Park is enjoyable in the different local communities adjacent to it. This lets you explore the rich cultures, traditions, and heritage, and get entertained by the local dances, and music performances.
Busongo fishing villages and the Kasonga community among others are some of the best places that are worth visiting for a cultural walk/experience.
When is the best time to visit Queen Elizabeth National Park?
Queen Elizabeth NP safaris are open all year round. The dry season is however noted to be the best for wildlife/game viewing and this takes place from June, July, August, September, and December, January to February.
Queen Elizabeth National Park Lodges
Queen Elizabeth National Park, located in Uganda, offers a range of lodges that blend comfort with stunning natural beauty. Visitors can choose from luxury accommodations with breathtaking views of the savannah and Lake Edward to more rustic, eco-friendly options nestled in lush surroundings.
Many lodges provide guided safari tours, boat trips, and opportunities to see diverse wildlife, including elephants, hippos, and the famous tree-climbing lions.
The ambiance is enriched by local culture and hospitality, making it an ideal base for exploring the park’s rich biodiversity and stunning landscapes, ensuring an unforgettable experience in the heart of Uganda.
Top Budget Lodges include Kazinga Channel View Resort, Mweya Hostels, Enjojo Lodge, and Bush Lodge in tents;
midrange/moderate lodges are Enganzi Game CAMP, Buffalo Safari Lodge, Bush Lodge, and Kasenyi Safari Camp
while up-market/luxury include Katara Lodge, Ishasha Wilderness Camp, Jacana Safari Lodge, Mweya Safari Lodge.
How to get there
Road and air transportation are the 2 main options available for tourists to reach Queen Elizabeth. By road, take the Kampala-Masaka-Bushenyi route- 7hours’ drive, or Kampala-Mubende-Fort Portal-Kasese about 6 hours drive, or Kibale-Fort Portal-Kasese 2-3 hours drive.
By air, fly from Entebbe airport to Mweya or Kasese airstrips and you can be right at Queen Elizabeth National Park for your holiday.
Queen Elizabeth National Park Location
Frequently asked questions about Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda:
1. What is Queen Elizabeth National Park famous for?
Queen Elizabeth National Park is known for its diverse wildlife, including the famous tree-climbing lions of the Ishasha Sector. It also offers a variety of ecosystems, from savanna to wetlands, making it a great place for wildlife viewing, bird watching, and boat safaris.
2. How do I get to Queen Elizabeth National Park?
The park is located in western Uganda, approximately 376 km from Kampala. You can get there by road from Kampala or Entebbe, with a drive time of about 6-7 hours. You can also fly to Mweya Airstrip from Entebbe or Kajjansi for a quicker route.
3. What are the best activities to do in Queen Elizabeth National Park?
Game drives: Explore the park’s diverse wildlife, including elephants, lions, buffalo, and hippos.
Boat cruise: Take a boat ride along the Kazinga Channel to spot aquatic life and birds.
Chimpanzee trekking: Visit the Kyambura Gorge for an unforgettable chimpanzee experience.
Bird watching: The park is home to over 600 bird species, making it a birdwatcher’s paradise.
Nature walks: Enjoy walking safaris guided by rangers to learn more about the flora and fauna.
4. When is the best time to visit Queen Elizabeth National Park?
The best time to visit is during the dry seasons from June to September and December to February, as these months offer the best wildlife viewing opportunities due to fewer water sources and animals congregating around them. However, the park is accessible year-round.
5. What types of animals can I see in Queen Elizabeth National Park?
You can expect to see a wide variety of animals, including:
The famous tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha Sector.
Elephants, buffaloes, hippos, crocodiles, and various antelope species.
Chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge.
Leopards, hyenas, and many species of primates and birds.
6. What accommodation options are available in Queen Elizabeth National Park?
The park offers a range of accommodations, including:
Luxury lodges: Mweya Safari Lodge, Kyambura Gorge Lodge.
Mid-range accommodations: Bush lodges and tented camps.
Budget options: Campsites and guesthouses near the park entrance.
7. Is Queen Elizabeth National Park safe for tourists?
Yes, Queen Elizabeth National Park is generally safe for tourists. It’s recommended to always stay within designated tourist areas, travel with a guide, and follow all safety guidelines provided by park authorities.
8. Can I visit Queen Elizabeth National Park during the rainy season?
Yes, you can visit during the rainy season (March-May and October-November), but some roads may be difficult to navigate due to mud. Wildlife sightings may be a bit more challenging as animals tend to disperse more during this time.
9. Do I need a guide to visit Queen Elizabeth National Park?
While it’s not mandatory to have a guide for a self-drive safari, it’s highly recommended to book a guide for better wildlife spotting, safety, and to gain deeper insights into the ecosystem. Most activities like chimpanzee trekking and nature walks require a guide.
10. Are there any cultural experiences near Queen Elizabeth National Park?
Yes, visitors can engage with local communities around the park, such as the Bakonzo and Banyankole people. These cultural experiences include village tours, performances, and interactions that provide insights into local customs and traditions.
11. What is the entrance fee to Queen Elizabeth National Park?
The entrance fee varies depending on nationality:
Foreign visitors: Approximately $40 per day.
Foreign residents: Approximately $20 per day.
East African citizens: Approximately UGX 10,000–20,000 per day.
Fees are subject to change, so it’s always best to check in advance.
12. Is it possible to do a day trip to Queen Elizabeth National Park?
Yes, although it’s a long drive, it’s possible to do a day trip to the park, especially from nearby areas like Kisoro or Bushenyi. However, to fully enjoy the park’s offerings, an overnight stay is highly recommended.