Queen Elizabeth National Park – Wildlife & Ishasha Tour

Queen Elizabeth National Park is known as the medley of wonders and remarkably, it is one of Uganda’s magical wilderness areas with a lot more to offer to travelers on Uganda safari. Originally, in 1952 it was gazetted as Kazinga National Park but later, it was named after Queen Elizabeth the second in remembrance of her visit which changed its name to Queen Elizabeth National Park. This conservancy area sits in an area of about 1978 square kilometers and features as Uganda’s second-largest national park. It forms part of the vast Queen Elizabeth Conservation Area which also covers the Kyambura Wildlife Reserve.

Queen Elizabeth National Park lies along the rift valley between Lake George and Lake Edward. The two magical lakes support several of the park’s mammal species, avifaunal species among other species. The Eastern rift valley of Queen Elizabeth National Park features a green escarpment of the Western rift valley. To reach Queen Elizabeth National Park while on Uganda tour, it can take you about 6 hours depending on the route you will take.

Wildlife species in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park is credited for its intense wildlife species which travelers on Uganda safari can explore. It is a home to over 5000 hippos, 3000 African elephants, over 10000 Buffaloes, leopards, giant forest hogs, crocodiles, water bucks, Uganda Kobs, topis, warthogs and over 620 bird species; primate species such as chimpanzees, red tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, olive baboons; spotted hyenas, stripped jackals, bush bucks.

Birdlife in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park is classified as an Important Birding Area by Birding International. Over 620 bird species are confined within its diverse habitats making it an ideal birding spot any birder should consider exploring while on Uganda safari. The birds to look out for in Queen Elizabeth National Park include Chapin’s flycatchers, African broadbill, martial eagle, black rumped buttonquail, pink backed pelicans, papyrus gonoleks, corncrake, lesser and greater flamingo, shoebill stork, bar-tailed godwit, Verreaux’s eagle owl, black bee-eaters, papyrus canary, white-tailed lark, white winged warblers to mention but a few. The key birding spots to explore in Queen Elizabeth National Park include Maramagambo Forest, Katunguru bridge, Katwe Area, Kasenyi Plains, Mweya Peninsular, Kazinga Channel and many others.

Safari activities to do in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Game drive
A visit to Queen Elizabeth National Park is considered complete only when you include game drives in your travel list. Game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park involve exploring its distinct wildlife species including the African elephants, buffaloes, lions plus the tree-climbing lions, leopards, antelopes, bird species and many others. The best sites to embark on a game drive in this national park include Kasenyi Plains and the Ishasha area which is perfect for you to catch a glimpse at the tree-climbing lions.

Launch cruise
Queen Elizabeth National Park is perfect for boat/launch cruise. It is such an exceptional water sports experience you shouldn’t miss out on Uganda safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Boat cruises in this national park take visitors on the Kazinga channel which connects Lake George and Lake Edward. On the way, you get a chance to hippos, crocodiles, water birds plus several buffaloes, elephants, antelopes and many more.

Bird watching
Bird watching in Queen Elizabeth National Park involves identifying different bird species including Chapin’s flycatchers, African broadbill, martial eagle, black rumped buttonquail, pink backed pelicans, papyrus gonoleks, corncrake, lesser and greater flamingo, shoebill stork, bar-tailed godwit, Verreaux’s eagle owl, black bee-eaters, papyrus canary, white-tailed lark, white-winged warblers to mention but a few. The key birding spots to explore in Queen Elizabeth National Park include Maramagambo Forest, Katunguru bridge, Katwe Area, Kasenyi Plains, Mweya Peninsular and Kazinga Channel.

Nature walks
Guided nature walks are among the most amazing safari activities offered to visitors on Uganda safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The best areas to embark on guided nature walks in this national park include the Maramagambo forest, Kyambura Gorge, the Mweya peninsular and hike via the Ishasha River.

Chimpanzee tracking
A side from game drives, Queen Elizabeth National Park is also ideal for chimpanzee tracking. On tracking chimpanzees, you get a chance to see not only chimpanzees but also other primate species like the olive baboons, red-tailed monkeys, L’Hoest monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys as well as different bird species. The best sites to go for chimpanzee tracking in Queen Elizabeth National Park include Kyambura Gorge, Maramagambo Forest, and Kalinzu Forest Reserve.

Hot air balloon safaris
View diverse wildlife species in Queen Elizabeth National Park only in a hot air balloon tour. Hot air balloon also comes with breathtaking views of the magical Rwenzori Mountain ranges also popular as the Mountains of the Moon, Great Western rift valley, the explosion of craters, lakes like Lake George and Edward, the elephant’s herbs.

Best time to visit Queen Elizabeth National Park

A visit to Queen Elizabeth National Park can be done at any time of the year. However, depending on your travel needs, this national park is perfect to explore during the dry season especially for a game drive. The dry season in Queen Elizabeth National Park begins in June, July, August, September, and December, January, February. The wet/rainy season starts in March, April, May, and October, November. Visitors who are interested in bird watching can visit this park during the wet/rainy season.

Accommodation in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park features many accommodation choices. They range from budget to luxury and they include Kyambura Game Lodge, Mweya Safari Lodge, Ishasha Wilderness Camp, Jacana Safari Lodge, Kyambura Gorge Lodge-Luxury; Bush Lodge, Enganzi Game Lodge, Marafiki Safari Lodge-Budget; Pumba Safari Cottages, Mweya Hostel, Kazinga Channel View Resort, Simba Safari Camp.

How to reach Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park is found in Western Uganda and to reach here, you can embark on a road trip or take a flight. By road, you can take the Kampala-Mityana-Mubende-Fort Portal-Kasese route and this is considered to be the shortest. It can take you about 5 hours to get to Queen Elizabeth National Park or drive from Kampala-Masaka-Mbarara to Ishaka then to Queen Elizabeth National Park and this is 6 hours’ drive. You may also take flight services from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi airfield to Kasese airstrip or Mweya airstrip.