Queen Elizabeth National Park is found in the western part of Uganda. It spreads across four districts (Kasese, Rukingiri, Rubirizi and Kamwenge) and covers an area of 2080 km². Queen Elizabeth National Park also includes the Katwe craters, Kyambura gorge, Maramagambo forest, the twin lakes of George and Edward. Queen Elizabeth National Park was initially known as the Kazinga national park but that changed in 1954 when Queen Elizabeth II of England went on a safari in Uganda.
A safari in Queen Elizabeth is one of the things to do in Uganda. Many travelers have labeled it the “medley of wonders” because of having so many tourist attractions that are distinctive from each other. There are lots of wildlife species and amazing physical features to encounter while taking a tour around the park. With its ubiquitous green savanna plains, the park has over 95 different mammals including elephants, Uganda kobs, hyenas, leopards, bush pigs, waterbucks, warthogs and so much more. It is also a natural habitat for primates and more especially at the Kyambura gorge and Maramagambo forest. One can spot different species of primates including chimpanzees, baboons, vervet monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys. Queen Elizabeth national park is also famous for hosting over 200 lions within its plains. The kings of the jungle are majorly found in the Kasenyi plains and the Ishasha sector. Several lion research and conservation projects have been conducted in the park ever since it was earmarked as a lion conservation unit. The park is also a bird haven and has one of the largest concentration of birds in the world. Over 610 recorded species to be specific.
Queen Elizabeth is special even without the mammals, birds and primates. Animals aside, it is having more beautiful landscape and scenery than the Masai Mara. The key contributors to the amazing landscape are the Kyambura Gorge, Maramagambo forest, Crater Lakes, Kazinga Channel and stunning views of the Rwenzori Mountains. Travelers are never disappointed when visiting Queen Elizabeth because of this combination of beautiful scenery and wildlife.
Queen Elizabeth National park is surrounded by about 5 tribal groups and communities. Most of these tribes have roots to the Chwezi dynasty and include the Bakiga, Bakonjo and Banyankore. They carry out subsistence farming and cattle keeping. One can observe gardens and cattle grazing close to or within the park itself. The relationship between these communities and the wild animals in the park has not always been an easy one. Conflicts have arisen which has led to the killing of wild animals that wander into community gardens. The Uganda Wildlife authority has intervened by putting up fences in areas where there are human settlements so that the animals don’t cross over to farms. Those who lose their domestic animals to predators are compensated well. Our 3 days Queen Elizabeth Safari package might be interesting.
Accessing Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth national park can be accessed by air or road. If one is to use a car, they have to endure about 6 hours of driving from the capital Kampala. They can either choose to use the route through Mbarara or Fort Portal. The most popular route is from Kampala to Masaka and then to Mbarara. From Mbarara, the journey continues to Bushenyi and then to Kasese. The park can then be accessed through Katugura. By the end of the journey, you would have covered 420km. The other option is to use the road from Kampala to Fort Portal via Mubende. After reaching Fort Portal, you can then proceed to Kasese and the park. This journey is 410 kilometers long.
All these routes are in very good condition and well paved. The roads within the park are made of murram. The roads are deliberately left in murram because Queen Elizabeth national park is an Eco-tourism destination and for that matter, everything must be kept in its natural form. One can choose to use private vehicles or public transport to get to the park by road. If you are planning to use public means, then you need to know that there are several bus companies plying the routes. Buses can be hired at the park for about 30,000 shillings. We highly recommend using the services of a good tour operator if you cannot drive to the park in a personal vehicle. Buses are unreliable and never reach on time. You could miss your activity unless you go to the park a day before the tour. Moreover, you will need to hire a car once 
inside the park because buses stop in the towns.
There is also the option of using air transport for tourists who don’t have the time to travel for long hours. One can book charter flights through Aerolink which operates starting from Entebbe airport or Kajjansi airstrip to airstrips in Kasese, Ishasha, Mweya and Kihihi. These airstrips are built in isolated areas and you will need to use ground transportation (private vehicles) to get to your accommodation facility or the point where activities are arranged.
Activities in Queen Elizabeth National Park
As a park with incredible biodiversity and complemented by unique physical features, Queen Elizabeth is one of the most visited game parks in Uganda. There is a lot to do in the park and one would need about 6 days to fully explore all that the park has to offer. The main activities are the Kazinga Community boat cruise, game drives, nature walks (Kyambura gorge and Maramagambo forest), lion tracking, mongoose tracking, sightseeing, visiting the crater lakes and chimpanzee trekking. Let’s discuss some of the major activities in more details: –
Game drives: A game drive involves moving around the park using a safari vehicle on demarcated routes and in search of wild animals under the guidance of the safari guide or a park Ranger. This is the main activity in Queen Elizabeth national park. Without going for a game drive, it would seem like one has not really visited the park. Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to four of the big 5 mammals (lions, elephants, buffaloes and leopards). The park also has other wildlife species like the Uganda kobs, spotted hyenas, warthog, elands, bush babies and smaller primates that loiter in the expansive plains. In total, visitors to the park have an opportunity to spot 95 different species of mammals. Most of the game drives occur on the Mweya Peninsular, the Kasenyi plains, the Kazinga plains, the Katwe fields and the Ishasha plains.
The Mweya peninsular sits in the middle of the park and at the edge of Lake Edward. It is where most of the park offices, hotels, campsites, airstrips and the visitor center is located. The vegetation cover in Mweya is denser and hence not very ideal for game drives especially during the rainy season. However, game drives can still be arranged in the area. Since it is close to the Kazinga Channel, it is where visitor go to when going for the boat cruise. The Kasenyi plains are the best for game drives. The beautiful plains and vast savanna is where most of the park animals are found. The Uganda Kob is the main antelope specie in the plains. They attract predators like lions, leopards, golden cats, spotted hyena and servals because of their tender meat.
The katwe fields are also an important area for game drives. If you are wondering about the area with the best scenery, then you need to visit the katwe fields. There are over 5 crater lakes in the area which attract plenty of mammals and bird. The northern Kazinga plains is mostly dominated by swamps but the Kazinga channel has clear waters where tourists can spot Nile crocodiles, hippos, water buffaloes, elephants and a variety of bird species. The Ishasha sector is located in the southern part of the park and is famous for hosting the world’s largest population of tree climbing lions. On a sunny day, the lions can be spotted resting on top of fig and acacia trees after hunting in the night.
Game drives take between 3 to 4 hours and is free as long as you pay the park entrance and vehicle fee. A visitor can opt to go inside the park on their own or under the guidance of a park ranger. The park rangers are hired for $20. They know every part of the park and will take you right to where the animals are instead of having to meander around on your own. The game drives are normally done during the day so that tourists can see the wild animals clearly. If you want the special night game drive, it can be organized but strictly under the guidance of a park Ranger. Check out our 4 days Queen Elizabeth safari package.
Birding: Anyone interested in bird watching should consider visiting Queen Elizabeth National Park. The park is home to about 605 species of birds. This implies that half of the overall 1060 species found in Uganda can be sighted in the park. Queen Elizabeth National Park therefore has one of the highest 
concentration of bird species in the world. This is a dreamland for birders because birds are all over the place. What makes the park so attractive to birds is that it is home to several water bodies, swamps, forests, gorges, craters and other physical features. The top birding spots in queen Elizabeth National Park are the Kazinga channel, the savanna plains, Maramagambo forest, Kyambura gorge and the crater lakes. The species to look out for while on your Uganda birding tour include the broad billed roller, fish eagles, water thick knee, Africa finfoot, cuckoos, black bee eaters, flamingos, warblers, Turcaos, grey-winged robinchaf and the red chested sunbird.
Launch Cruise: The launch cruise starts from Lake Edward and then through the Kazinga channel. It stops at Lake George and then back to the starting point. The launch cruise at the Kazinga Channel is one of the major highlights of a safari in the park because it offers a high concentration of both aquatic 
and savanna mammals coming to drink or take a bath in the water. The Kazinga channel has the highest concentration of hippos in Uganda and these can be spotted dipping in and out of water on a normal day. There are also large numbers of Nile crocodiles and water birds (egrets, king fishers and flamingos) that catch the eye during the launch cruise. The Kazinga channel is 32 kilometers long and connects Lake Edward to Lake George. It takes between 2 to 3 hours to complete the activity. The boat rides costs about $30 and can be arranged by hotels like Mweya Safari lodge and the Uganda Wildlife Authority. A local boat from the community is cheaper but recommended with reservation because of safety reasons.
Tracking Tree Climbing Lions: The tree climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park are one of the main attractions for international travelers to Uganda. Lions naturally spend most of their time on 
the ground but the ones in the Ishasha sector of the Queen Elizabeth national park deviate from the norm. They spend most of their day on top of trees. It is why they are called tree climbing lions. Science has not yet found out the reason as why these lions climb trees but some scholars think they do so to avoid being bitten by the insects/parasites which are normally on the ground. Tree climbing lions are very rare and the other notable places to see them is Lake Manyara National Park in Tanzania and Kruger National Park in South Africa. Games drives to see tree climbing lions are carried out mid-morning or early in the afternoon after the lions have hunted.
Chimpanzee tracking: The kyambura gorge is one of the best places for Chimpanzee tracking in Uganda. The Kyambura gorge is a large valley which is covered by an underground tropical rain-forest. The forest teams with wildlife but chimpanzees 
are the key attraction. Chimps are one of the most intelligent animals in the world. They are the closest relatives to humans along with bonobos. The chimpanzees in Queen Elizabeth national park hide deep inside the gorge and never come out into the savanna for fear of predators. There was a forest corridor connecting them to chimp communities in Maramagambo and Kalinzu forest but it has been cut off by humans. The chimps are now trapped in the forest and researchers worry that inbreeding could lead to mutations. The only way to see the chimps is to descend down the valley. Chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge also offers tourists a chance to spot red tailed monkeys, baboons, black and white colobus. Apart from primates, visitors can also spot different kinds of reptiles and insects. Only 16 chimpanzee permits are issued in a day by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and each costs $50. The chances of encountering the chimps is very high and the activity takes between 2 to 4 hours at most.
Maramagambo forest nature walks: This is one of the few tropical rain-forests left in Uganda. It is located in the southern part of the park. The main activity in Maramagambo forest are the nature walks which cost $30. During this nature walk, tourists have an opportunity to spot reptiles, birds, red tailed monkeys, bush babies, vervet monkeys and chimpanzees. The chimpanzees in Maramagambo are not habituated. There is also an opportunity to visit the Bat and python cave where you can watch the battle between predator and prey from a hidden platform.
Lake Katwe salt mine tour: Lake Katwe is a salty lake found few kilometers away from Lake Edward. There is no wildlife to encounter due to the salinity of the lake but the socioeconomic activity carried 
out is what draws tourists to the place. For hundreds of years, salt mining has been carried out in the lake and most of it is used in Ugandan homes. The miners use rudimentary methods of mining which they learned from their ancestors but which can be hazardous to their health. Most miners don’t mind because it is a very profitable business for them. The tourists who visit Lake Katwe are taken for a tour to learn about the different processes of mining the salt and also to mingle with the local people.
Cultural Experiences: One of the methods the government of Uganda has used to encourage communities live in in harmony with wildlife is to encourage cultural tourism. While on a safari in 
Queen Elizabeth, tourists are often taken to visit the local communities living close to the park. By visiting local communities, tourists learn a lot about their cultural heritage, traditions and what they do for a living. The tribes living outside Queen Elizabeth national park draw tourists who are interested in attending traditional dance performances, visiting one of the local homes, checking out the local schools and projects by organizations operating in the area. The Kikorongo equator cultural group even takes the performances to lodges and hotels in the evenings.
Wildlife Research tours: This behind the scenes experience allows tourists to get closer to wildlife. Tourists are assigned to a researcher who takes them deep inside the park to follow animals of their choice and learn about their behavior. The most notable conservation tour is mongoose and lion tracking 
which is organized by the Uganda wildlife authority in conjunction with organizations like the Uganda carnivore program. Lion tracking in Queen Elizabeth National Park goes for $150 and is organized on special request. Bookings need to be done in advance so that the research team is ready for you when you arrive. Lion tracking is possible because some of the lions and lioness have collars put their necks which have sensors that allow researchers to monitor their movements remotely. Lion tracking is carried out early in the morning or late in the afternoon and takes you to parts of the park you wouldn’t usually go to on standard game drives. Mongoose tracking on the other hand costs $30. While tracking the mongoose, you will most likely encounter their chief prey – snakes.
Hot Air Balloon safari: This is a new tourism experience that was introduced in the park after it proved successful in Murchison Falls National Park. Hot Air Balloon safaris allow tourists to get an aerial view of the park in a gas-filled object which is similar to a parachute. Flying over the Queen Elizabeth National Park is amazing because it lays bare all the great things we have talked about the park. Hot Air Balloon safaris are organized early in the morning for the best experience.
Accommodation in Queen Elizabeth National Park
There are many lodges, camps and hotels in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Most accommodation facilities are located in areas where there is few wildlife but close to the park offices. Almost all lodges are Eco-friendly and built in such a way that they blend with the natural environment. The accommodation facilities are classified into three main types – budget, mid-range and luxury. Some of the lodges found in Queen Elizabeth national park include:
Ishasha Wilderness Camp: This is a luxury accommodation facility located in the Ishasha sector (Southern part) of the park and close to river Ntungwe. The 10 permanent luxury tents are built with a raised platform and with thatched roofs. Each room is self-contained and built with wash rooms and very comfortable beds. The camp also has wireless internet in all rooms. What is striking about the lodge is the beautiful views and the possibility of spotting many of the park animals. This is the best lodge for those who are interested in spotting tree climbing lions, elephants taking a bath in the river and antelopes grazing in the savanna plains
Katara Lodge: Katara lodge is found on a hill only a few kilometers away from Katunguru gate. It is within the vicinity of Kyambura Gorge and Maramagambo forest. Katara lodge is the perfect abode for tourists on a safari in queen Elizabeth national park. From the Lodge, tourists can get clear views of the amazing savanna, the Rwenzori ranges, lake Edward and the beautiful volcanoes in Congo. The rooms are built in form of traditional bandas with grass-thatched roofs. The furniture used to build the bandas are of high quality and got locally. I should also mention that the lodge has a large central pool where guests can cool off after moving in the heat.
Kyambura Game Lodge: Kyambura Game lodge is one of the best luxury lodges in the park. This safari lodge derives its name from one the most attractive physical features in Queen Elizabeth national park. The Kyambura gorge is a deep natural trench that was created by river Kyambura. The lodge is built at the edge of the gorge and offers stunning views of the savanna and the Rwenzori mountains. It is a perfect base for tourists who are planning to engage in chimpanzee tracking in kyambura gorge.
Mweya safari lodge: This is more like a hotel than your standard African banda. Mweya has all of the facilities you would expect in a luxury hotel like a swimming pool, a bar, a restaurant, a conference room and a gym. There are single, double, twin and family rooms that can take up 4 people. Mweya Safari Lodge is the most popular lodge in Queen Elizabeth national park. Apart from the quality of services, one of the reasons the lodge is so popular is that it is located just a few meters away from the Mweya tourism information Centre.
Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge: This is a lodge that reaches out to both budget and mid-range travelers. It has 12 self-contained mid-range bandas with wash rooms, internet, large beds, showers, working tables and Television. For the budget traveler, there are both self-contained and basic tents. The lodge is very close to the Kazinga channel and a great place to start off your game drive as you also prepare for the afternoon boat cruise.
Jacana Safari Lodge: Jacana safari lodge was built to bring that jungle aura to tourists visiting the park. It has 12 high-end cottages that are built on the shores of lake Nyamusingire and at the edge of the Maramagambo forest. This large crater lake and forest provide great scenery to those who love nature. Other than the exquisite rooms, the lodge also has a swimming pool, sauna, a restaurant and an evening camp fire.
Hippo hill Camp: This camp is built on a hill where guests can clearly see schools of hippos and other park animals dipping on the waters of Lake Edward. It has ten self-contained and elegant tents with modern bathroom. There is also a restaurant offering both local and intercontinental dishes. The evening camp fires bring together all residents for partying and sharing beautiful stories of their African adventures.
