Queen Elizabeth National park

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Queen Elizabeth national park was founded in 1952 as Kazinga National Park, and renamed two years later to commemorate a visit by the then Queen of England; Queen Elizabeth II. This popular destination spans the equator line and monuments on either side of the road mark the exact spot where it crosses latitude 00.

The Park is home to over 95 mammal species and over 600 bird species in two sectors of Ishasha in the south and kasenyi plains in the north. The Katwe explosion craters mark the park's highest point at 1,350m above sea level, while the lowest point is at 910m, at Lake Edward.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is understandably Uganda's most popular tourist destination. The park's diverse ecosystems, which include sprawling savanna, shady, humid woodland forests, sparkling lakes and fertile wetlands, make it the ideal habitat for classic big game, ten primate species including chimpanzees, mankeys, baboons and over 600 species of birds.

Set against the backdrop of the jagged Rwenzori Mountains, the park's magnificent vistas include dozens of enormous craters carved dramatically into rolling green hills, panoramic views of the Kazinga Channel with its banks lined with hippos, buffalo and elephants, and the endless Ishasha plains, whose fig trees hide lions ready to pounce on herds of unsuspecting Uganda kobs.

As well as its outstanding wildlife attractions, Queen Elizabeth National Park has a fascinating cultural history. There are many opportunities for visitors to meet the local communities and enjoy storytelling, dance, music and more. The gazetting of the park has ensured the conservation of its ecosystems, which in turn benefits the surrounding communities. Uganda's Queen Elizabeth National Park is truly a Medley of Wonders!

Understanding Queen Elizabeth National park

There are four sectors in Queen Elizabeth National Park, all of which inhabit abundant wildlife that tourists can encounter while on wildlife safari. Below are the four sectors in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Ishasha Sector

The Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park is found in the south western part of Queen Elizabeth National Park. This sector is famous for tree climbing lions, which can be spotted hanging on fig trees on sunny days or just resting after a big days hunt.

You can also spot these tree climbing lions up in the acacia or fig tree branches. Apart from the tree climbing lions , the Ishasha sector also has a variety of bird species and a host of game animals. Activities in the Ishasha sector include game drives, bird watching and camping at the Ishasha River, picnic lunches and bush breakfasts.

Kasenyi sector/Kasenyi plains

The Kasenyi sector is located in the north eastern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park, and is largely made up of open savannah. The Kasenyi plains is a breeding area of the Uganda kobs, thus command a good number of lions and leopards, as well as vultures.

The plains offer and ideal game drive experience because they are flat and and have more well prounounced and market tracks. Activities in the Kasenyi sector include game viewing in the Kasenyi plains lion tracking, which brings tourists up close with the cats; the activity is called Experiential and is done with a team of trackers.

Kyambura Gorge

The Kyambura Gorge, famously known as the valley of apes, is located in the eastern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park, and is known to inhabit one family of chimpanzees that was disconnected from test of the jungle by human activity.

Tourist activities in Kyambura Gorge include bird watching, Chimpanzee tracking, Guided nature, Wildlife in the gorge include; red tailed monkeys, giant forest hogs, black and white colobus monkeys, and many bird species.

The Mweya Peninsular

The Mweya Peninsular is located on the northern bank of the Kazinga channel, which joins Lake Edward to Lake George. Activities done in the Mweya Peninsular include boat trips on the Kazinga channel, night game drives and Camping, there is a visitor information center, an open restaurant, and dormitory budget accommodation run by Uganda wildlife authority.

Best time to Visit Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park can be visited all year round, for as long as the travellers has time to spare to take up a Uganda wildlife safari. The dry Months of June to September and December to January offer the best experiences, these months also represent the peak tourism season.

Dry months make game viewing much easier since the grass is shorter and the scarcity of water, force wildlife to gather on the available few points, giving travellers a cheap opportunity to spot them. Wet seasons however present the best time for bird watching, budget travel and les congestion.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is an amazing for game viewing safaris, boat safaris, bird watching, chimpanzee tracking, and lion tracking.

Wildlife viewing safaris in Uganda

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Explore Eastern and North Eastern Uganda on 6 Days Uganda Safari to sipi falls, Pian Upe Game Reserve and Kidepo Valley National Park.

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This 7 days Africa Family safari will expose you and your Family to Uganda's wildlife, Nature and culture, you will encounter most of Uganda's crater lakes in Fort Portal.

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4 Day Murchison Falls National Park and Ziwa Rhino Sancturay

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