Queen Elizabeth National Park: Uganda, Location, Activities, Hotels
Explore and experience Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP)– A Medley of Wonders in Uganda. In our complete guide to Queen Elizabeth National Park, we bring you everything you need to know about this spectacular savanna Park – from its size, location, when it was gazetted/established, location, tourist attractions, the people & cultures, activities, best time to visit, accommodation, how to get there.
Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda is amazingly one of the biggest and the most visited African safari Parks when it comes to wildlife safaris. It is ranked as the second largest Uganda safari Park just after the premier Murchison Falls National Park. The size of Queen Elizabeth National Park is 1978sq.kms and its vast surface area makes it a home to about 4 sectors:
The 4 sectors of Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda
- Ishasha Sector to the South (primarily known for tree climbing lions & topis).
- Kasenyi Sector – the Northern sector best preferred for game drives.
- Kyambura Gorge sector – where you find a tropical forest inside a gorge.
- Mweya Peninsular – found in the Northern bank of Kazinga Channel.
Where is Queen Elizabeth National Park found?
Location – Queen Elizabeth National Park, Western Uganda. Discover Queen Elizabeth National Park a spectacular savanna park located in Kasese District, Western Uganda. From Kampala, QENP is about 410kms and access to this park for a Uganda safari is possible via 3 routes – from Kampala through Masaka-Mbarara route/Kampala via Mubende-Fort Portal-Kasese or from Kibale National Park via Fort Portal route and other routes.
It is possible to take a flight too from Entebbe Airport to Kasese airfield or Mweya Airstrip. Queen Elizabeth National Park, a Uganda safari park is surrounded by different western districts: Kasese, Bushenyi, Rukungiri and Kamwenge.
When was QENP established?
Initially, Queen Elizabeth National Park was established as Kazinga National Park in 1952. In 1954, the park was renamed to currently Queen Elizabeth National Park. This was in remembrance of the visit of Queen Elizabeth II.
Why visit Queen Elizabeth National Park – Uganda safaris?
Abundant tourist attractions in Queen Elizabeth National Park make this park exceptionally a natural treasure. From antelopes to large mammals, a safari in QENP is worth every penny.
Diversity of wildlife & habitat
Over 95 species of mammals all live in the various habitats of QENP. The park features varied habitats ranging from savannas, wetlands, Lakes to savanna grassland. 4 of the big 5 game can be spotted on Uganda safari in this park alone. Animal species in QENP include the Cape buffaloes, elephants, lions + tree climbing lions, leopards, spotted hyenas, hippos, warthogs, giant forest hogs.
Antelopes in Queen Elizabeth N/Park: waterbucks, Uganda Kobs, topis. Other wildlife species include Nile crocodiles; primates to see – chimpanzees, red tailed monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, blue monkeys, vervet monkeys, olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, pottos, bushbabies. Variety of the impressive primates live in Maramagambo Forest and Kyambura Gorge.
Birdlife of QENP, Uganda
Queen Elizabeth National Park is an Important Birding Area (IBA) with a total of about 620 bird species. These comprise of aquatic, woodland and forest birds of which, 54 are raptor species plus migratory birds. Birds of interest on Queen Elizabeth N/Park: papyrus canary, African skimmers, verreaux’s eagle, black rumped buttonquail, pink-backed pelicans, lesser and greater flamingos, shoebill stork.
Other birds of QENP: forest flycatchers, Ruwenzori turacos, bar-tailed Godwit, white napped pigeon, chapin’s flycatchers, martial eagles, corncrakes, black crowned tchagra, pygmy kingfisher, slender tailed nightjar, black bellied bustard, hooded vultures, grey kestrel, white tailed lark, blue napped mousebird.
The bird watching spots in Queen Elizabeth National Park: Kazinga Channel, Maramagambo Forest, Ishasha sector, Kasenyi Area, Katunguru Bridge, Katwe and Lake Kikorongo.
Magical Crater Lakes
Plenty of beautiful Crater Lakes are widely spread in Queen Elizabeth N/Park. These include Bunyaruguru crater, Katwe, Ndali-Kasenda Crater and others. These are enormous crater lakes and they are not only breathtaking view but also great sight of birds.
Kyambura Gorge
Located in the far North-eastern side of Queen Elizabeth National Park is a jaw-dropping Kyambura Gorge. The gorge features an extensive rainforest and in total, Kyambura covers width of 11kms and has depth of 100m. Within Kyambura Gorge, there are several primates to be spotted including the red-tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys, chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, blue monkeys, baboons, etc.
The people and their cultures – Queen Elizabeth NP, Uganda
Adjacent to Queen Elizabeth National Park Western Uganda, there exist many local communities. The local communities to consider a must-visit for guided cultural safari: Katwe Tourism Centre, Leopard Village, Kasoga Community Experience, Kikorongo Women Community, etc. These are popular for authentic cultural experiences and visitors get the best of local dances, cultures, practices, interesting stories told by elders, etc.
There is also opportunity to enjoy Agro-tour walk in Katara Village. This is possible especially when you visit Nyanz’ibiri cave, Kichwamba escarpment.
Amazing Tourist Activities to do in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Game drive – Explore Queen Elizabeth N/Park wildlife
Enjoy a guided game drive in a 4×4 Land Cruiser and meet wildlife of your interest. At Queen Elizabeth Park, you can be part of the morning, afternoon or late evening game drive. The main sectors to explore and experience Uganda wildlife safari in Queen Elizabeth NP include Ishasha (popular for tree climbing lions), Kasenyi sector. The wild animals to expect to see: African lions, cape buffaloes, leopards, spotted hyenas, side stripped jackals, warthogs, etc. A complete guided game drive in Queen Elizabeth N. Park takes 3-4 hours and it is best done in a 4×4 vehicle.
Launch/boat cruise
Launch or boat cruise, an excellent way to encounter variety of aquatic life. Explore the 40kms stretch Kazinga channel from Lake Edward and Lake George for 2-3 hours. At the comfort of your boat, expected aquatic life sightings range from crocodiles, hippos, aquatic birds and at the banks, view several of elephants, buffaloes, etc. There is also a huge profusion of birdlife to be spotted including African skimmers, chapin flycatchers, papyrus gonoleks, black crake, African spoonbill, pink backed pelicans, pied kingfishers and more.
Birding
Explore diversity of birdlife in Queen Elizabeth Park a home to 620 bird species. The birds to enjoy sight are enormous and Premium Africa Safaris introduces you to iconic birding sites: Kasenyi Plains, the top birding spot with birds ranging from brown backed scrub robin, palm nut vultures, white backed vultures, flappet lark, black bellied bustards, long crested eagles and more.
Lake Kikorongo, Lake George’s extension and important birding site to see saddle billed stork, shoebill, knob billed ducks, yellow wagtail, African jacanas, yellow wagtail. The Katunguru bridge areas, so much blessed with papyrus swamp and an area in which Kazinga channel crosses to Rubirizi District. Birds at Katunguru bridge: pied kingfishers, greater swamp warblers, malachite kingfishers, white winged tern, papyrus gonoleks, etc.
Maramagambo Forest Reserve, located in Western rift valley side of Kichwamba Escarpment. This area is rich in birds such as African fin foot, red throated wryneck, brown illadopsis, shouldered robin chat, African emerald cuckoo, yellow bill.
Katwe birding area, this is popular for spotting the lesser flamingos, chestnut wattle eye, white breasted nigro-finch, Sulphur breasted bush shrike, black bishop and more.
Mweya Peninsular, this is found close to Kazinga channel. It is a special spot to come across interesting birds such as African mourning dove, Nubian woodpecker, swamp nightjars, swamp flycatchers, swallows, etc.
Lion trekking
Lion trekking is a special experience currently carried out in only Queen Elizabeth National Park. It is a perfect option for scientists to have a deep insight into lions’ behaviors and take pictures. It is done by trackers, researchers a group from Uganda Carnivore Program who accompany visitors.
Chimpanzee tracking
Chimpanzee tracking offers a thrilling encounter of chimpanzees while in their natural habitat. This is best done in Kyambura Gorge, a home to also primates such as blue monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, baboons, vervet monkeys, etc.
Best time to travel for Uganda wildlife safari – Queen Elizabeth NP
Trips to Queen Elizabeth National Park never limit visitor exploration. The park enjoys the best weather and climatic conditions making it an all-year-round destination, but it is best to visit during the dry season. Every year, the dry season from June-September/December-February is the most ideal period to go explore wildlife in this park.
- The best season to enjoy a safari in QENP – June, July and January, February.
- The peak season/months – June to September.
- Off season/months – April to May/October to November.
- Worst weather of the year – April to May/September to October
- The best weather – June to July/January-February.
Best places to stay, Hotels, Lodges – Luxury & Midrange lodges in Queen Elizabeth N/Park
On Uganda safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park, there are many places to choose for overnight stay. Luxury Uganda safari lodges: Ishasha Wilderness Camp, Elephant Plains Lodge, Katara Lodge, Mweya Safari Lodge, Jacana Safari Lodge and more. The Midrange accommodation – Enganzi Game Lodge, Marafiki Safari Lodge, Buffalo Safari Lodge, Bush Lodge and others.
Getting to QENP, Western Uganda
By road travel:
- Use a 4×4 rental car in Uganda and drive via Mubende-Fort Portal-Kasese, 7 to 8 hours’ drive. Or take Kampala-Masaka-Mbarara-Bushenyi route and from Kibale, take just 2-3 hours to drive and from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, 4-5 hours’ drive.
Air travel:
- Book a fly in safari to Queen Elizabeth National Park with Premium Africa Safaris. Scheduled or chartered flights can be arranged starting from Entebbe Airport to Kasese, Ishasha Airstrip or Mweya Airstrip.