Queen Elizabeth National Park- Rwanda Safaris

Queen Elizabeth National Park is a park in Uganda stretching in the western part of the country crossing through four different districts – Kaseese, Kamwenge, Rubirizi and Rukungiri. The park stands as the second largest national park in the country stretching an area of approximately 1,978, after Murchison falls national park and it adjoins Kyambura Game Reserve to the east which itself adjoins Kigezi Game reserve and Maramagambo forest and then Kibale national park in the northeast.

The national park was first called Kazinga national park as it was founded in 1952 due to the combining gap of two fresh water bodies of Lake George and Lake Edward. After two years, it was renamed Queen Elizabeth national park to commemorate a visit by Queen Elizabeth II. With an area of 1,978 square kilometers, the park is a home to abundant wildlife including the four of the big five African animals - African elephant, lion, leopards, and African buffalos. Other animals in the park include; Uganda kob, water buck, giant forest hog, hippos, topi, spotted hyena, chimpanzees and others.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is well known for its variety of wildlife including the 95 mammal species and over 600 bird species. The park is also famous for hosting the rare tree climbing lions in its Isasha sector in Rukungiri district.

Safari activities in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Game viewing

Queen Elizabeth national park is a home to exclusive wild animals thus making it one of the best destinations for game viewing in the pearl of Africa. Game viewing is done during a game drive through the trails and trunks of the park. Also, view more other animals on the water sources of the park like Kazinga channel as they crowd there for drinking water.  The activity is done in the morning, afternoon and evening times. With over 95 mammal species in the park, Queen Elizabeth national park is a home to the four of the five big African animals. Among the animals to be viewed in the park include lions, elephants, buffalos, leopards, warthogs, Uganda kobs, zebras, antelopes, and others.

Boat cruise

This is one of the leisure experiences in Queen Elizabeth national park. The activity is done on a 32-kilometer channel that links Lake Edward to Lake George. The channel is a home to a variety of water animals including crocodiles, hippos and others. Also, Kazinga channel host a lot of birds including the malachite, black bee-eater, long-tailed cormorants, martial eagle, black-rumped and others. Boat cruises at the channel are offered in two sessions and every cruise takes 2 to 4 hours.

Birding

Queen Elizabeth National park is crowned as one of the best birding destinations in Uganda. With the biggest population of birds which is over 600, the park is truly a paradise to the birders. View the birds in the savannah grasslands, swamps, forests and lake shores of the park. Spot splendid birds like malachite, black-ramped buttonquail, African fish eagle, martial eagle, white winged warbler, African skimmer, shoebill, grey-headed kingfisher, flamingos, verreaux’s eagle owl, collard pranticles, swamp fly-catchers and many others.

Lion tracking in Isasha sector

Queen Elizabeth national park is one of the few safari destinations in the world to see the tree climbing lions. The lions are hosted in the Isasha sector in the southern area of the park. Tracked with a guide of the game ranger, lions can be seen posing in the savannah grasslands and also hanging on the acacia and fig trees in the sector.

Video Credit to Uganda Carnivore Program

Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge

Done in the forested Kyambura gorge, chimpanzee trekking is one of the main enticing activities that attract a thousand of people to Queen Elizabeth National park. The experience involves moving through the forests so as to look for the chimps from their habitats. When found, travelers are allowed to spend some time with them but by the guide from the ranger. Besides chimpanzees, Kyambura gorge hosts other primate species like baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys and others. Also, while in the forest, one can spot a various bird species including the African fish eagle, black bee-eater, martial eagle and others.

Safari walks

Stretch your muscles and make your body more health and fit by taking part in the safari guided nature walks. The walks involve moving through the trails of the park, forested areas, and short Savannah grasslands. Explore the beautiful scenery of the park and spot different bird and animal species in the park especially along the shores of Kazinga channel.

Accommodations in Queen Elizabeth National park

The park has got a wide range of accommodations for every type of a client. The lodges range from budget, mid-range and luxury rates and among them include; Kasenyi safari camp, Enganzi lodge, Park view lodge, Elephant plains lodge, Simba safari camp, Queen Elizabeth safari camp, Mweya safari lodge, Pumba safari cottages and others.

Best time to visit the park

Queen Elizabeth national park can be visited anytime throughout the year but the best time is during the dry season which is in the months of June and continues through July and August. Other dry seasons include mid – December and then January to February.

How to access Queen Elizabeth National Park

Situated in the western direction of Uganda, the park is approximately 420 kilometers from the capital city – Kampala thus taking 6 hours of drive. While from Kampala, drive via Kampala – Kaseese via Fort Portal or Kampala – Kaseese via Mbarara route.

While using air transport, use flights from Entebbe International airport or Kajjansi airstrip to Kihihi airstrip, Kaseese airstrip and Mweya airstrip.