Why You Should Visit Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Many travellers wonder why they should visit Queen Elizabeth National Park. This article will explain why this stunning destination should not be missed on your African safari. Queen Elizabeth National Park is located in southwestern Uganda and covers over 1,978 square kilometers. It is one of the oldest national parks in the country and the second largest, after Murchison Falls National Park. The park is renowned for its rich biodiversity, featuring more than 95 mammal species, including the famous tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector, elephants, hippopotamuses, leopards, buffaloes, and waterbucks. Additionally, it is home to over 600 bird species, such as the African skimmer, kingfishers, and the shoebill stork,palm-nut vulture, brown snake eagle, Lesser Masked Weaver, Swamp Flycatcher among more.
The park also hosts 10 species of primates, including playful chimpanzees in the Kyambura Gorge and black-and-white colobus monkeys. It is known for the African Big Four animals: leopards, buffaloes, elephants, and lions. The diverse habitats of grasslands, wetlands, and woodlands within the park contribute to its biodiversity, creating a mesmerizing environment for visitors. Here are the top reasons why you should visit Queen Elizabeth National Park on your African safari including game drives, Bird watching, Lion tracking among others
Chimpanzee Trekking in Kyambura Gorge.
Chimpanzee trekking is one of the top activities that draws tourists from all over the world to Queen Elizabeth National Park. These playful chimpanzees are our closest relatives, sharing approximately 98% of our DNA. The trekking adventure in Kyambura Gorge begins with a briefing at the UWA office, where you’ll learn the dos and don’ts of chimp trekking. After the briefing, your assigned ranger guide will lead you through the dense forest of Kyambura Gorge. The hike can be challenging, as the terrain features steep landscapes. It’s important for participants to assess their physical ability before embarking on the trek.
Once you locate the chimpanzees, you’ll have one hour to observe them from a distance of 10 meters. During this time, you can watch how they feed, see mothers cuddling their young, and witness their playful antics in the trees, much like humans do. This close up experience with these fascinating creatures is truly memorable, and many visitors thoroughly enjoy it. Additionally, chimpanzee trekking in Queen Elizabeth National Park is more cost effective compared to Kibale National Park, making it an attractive option for more tourists.
Experiential Lion Tracking In Queen Elizabeth National Park.
The park is home to over 250 lions, making it the park with the highest lion population in Uganda. It is the only park in the country where visitors can participate in lion tracking, an activity that attracts many tourists. This tracking is done by the Uganda Carnivore Program, which focuses on protecting lions and raising awareness among local communities living around the park.
Lion tracking in Queen Elizabeth National Park occurs in the morning and evening, guided by a researcher and an armed ranger. They use GPS-enabled radio collars to locate the lions, offering a 98% chance of spotting them. This high success rate attracts lion enthusiasts to visit Queen Elizabeth National Park, where they can learn more about these magnificent animals and their behaviors.
Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise.
A boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel is one of the top activities for tourists visiting Queen Elizabeth National Park. The Kazinga Channel is a waterway that connects Lake George and Lake Edward, stretching for 32 kilometers. This scenic route allows visitors to relax while experiencing the park’s rich biodiversity, providing opportunities to observe various wildlife and bird species.
The Kazinga channel is home to over 1,600 hippos, and visitors can often see large groups of these animals swimming in the water. Crocodiles bask in the sunset, while elephants and buffaloes gather to drink or bathe, as the channel serves as a vital water source for wildlife. Bird lovers will find the channel to be a true haven, with the chance to spot over 50 bird species, including saddle-billed storks, African fish eagles, African skimmers, and black crakes, among others.
Bird watching
The Park is a true haven for birders, home to over 600 bird species, which attracts many bird lovers to visit. The park features a diverse range of habitats, including forests, wetlands, and swamps, making it one of Uganda’s top birding destinations. During your birding safari, you can expect to see a variety of species, including the Common Greenshank, Southern Red Bishop, African Moustached Warbler, Broad-tailed Warbler, Grey-backed Fiscal, Green Crombec, Lappet-faced Vulture, cisticolas, Black Bee-Eater, and the African Paradise Flycatcher, among others.
Game Drives In Queen Elizabeth National Park
A visit to Queen Elizabeth National Park is incomplete without a game drive in search of the big four and the tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector. This is one of the top activities to experience on a Ugandan safari. It offers a fantastic way to appreciate the park’s beauty, including its diverse wildlife, various bird species, and stunning landscapes. The park features several prime locations for game drives, such as Mweya Peninsula, Kasenyi Plains, and the Ishasha sector, which is renowned for its unique tree-climbing lions.
Morning game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park are particularly rewarding, as they allow you to spot animals and their prey as they wander through the park. Evening drives offer the opportunity to observe animals as they seek shelter for the night. Night game drives are especially exciting, as they provide a chance to encounter nocturnal animals like leopards, which are active during the night but rest during the day. These experiences attract visitors from around the world to visit Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Nature Walk.
Visiting Queen Elizabeth National Park offers a wonderful opportunity to explore its beauty and biodiversity on foot. This activity is guided by an armed game ranger, and there are designated trails suitable for nature walks, including Maramagambo Forest, Kyambura Gorge, and Mweya Peninsula. During your walk, you will have the chance to observe various bird species, monkeys, and other wildlife.
