Queen Elizabeth National Park is located in the Southwestern part of Uganda in Kasese District lying between lakes George and Lake Albert. This park was formally known As Ruwenzori National Park but later renamed Queen Elizabeth National Park after Queen Elizabeth’s visit to Uganda in 1954. This park is one of the biggest parks in Uganda occupying over 764sq.miles of land [1,978sq.km].
Queen Elizabeth National Park ranks 6th in the highest diversity in the whole world and the highest in Africa which makes it a perfect tourist destination in Uganda. It harbors over 95 mammal species including four of the big five animals and many more other primates in Uganda. These include the elephants, lions, leopards and the buffalos which have for years attracted so many tourists. The park goes ahead to harbor more wildlife like the Uganda kobs, topi, giant forest frogs, warthogs, Nile crocodiles, hippos, waterbucks, antelopes and many more. For the bird lovers, you will also get a chance to spot over 618 bird species.
Activities in Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Chimpanzee Tracking. Spotting chimpanzees in Queen Elizabeth is very easy as they are so many in this park. They are commonly easily seen in the southeastern corner of the park.
- Birdwatching. For a good birdwatcher, you are assured to spot over 100 bird species in just one day as it harbors a variety of bird species. Get a chance to feed your ears with chirpings from all these species.
- Game drives. Here you will be able to feed your eyes with a number of primates on a game drive more so on the Mweya Penisular. Tree climbing lions are a must see which are commonly seen up in the fig and acacia trees in the Sothern sector of Ishasha. Get to see a number of antelope species and other large predators in the Kasenyi plains and many more.
- Boat cruise. Spice up your trip with an amazing boat ride. Here you will be able to spot a number of Nile crocodiles, hippos, elephants and many more on the thrilling Kazinga Channel which connects Lake Albert and Lake George. Many are seen along this channel in such for food and cooling off especially in the dry seasons.
- Cultural tours. It sounds unusual for one to visit Queen Elizabeth national Park without having a cultural tour in this region. Get to see and learn new traditional lifestyles of the local people around the park. You will get a chance to be entertained through their music, Dance and Drama performances. You will also get a chance to learn and observe traditional methods of salt mining carried out on Lake Katwe.
- Nature walks. Walk around the park as you see different and amazing things at the Park. Enjoy fantastic views of the Rwenzori mountain ranges, great western Rift Valley escarpments and lakes George and Edward basing at the highest elevation of the park in the North.
- Hot air balloon safaris.
