Queen Elizabeth National Park
Covering a total area of 1,978 square kilometers in western Uganda; stretching through Kasese, Kamwenge, Rubirizi, and Rukungiri districts, Queen Elizabeth National Park is the second largest national park in Uganda and it is an exceptionally favorite wildlife safari Park in the country. The Park lies against the back of the stunning snow capped Rwenzori Mountains. It is about 6 to 7 hours’ drive from Kampala to the Park, on a totally scenic journey! The Park is most widely known for its unique tree climbing lions and the comely wildlife-packed Kazinga channel. Queen Elizabeth National Park and the Queen Elizabeth Country Park in southern England are twinned in a project of “cultural exchange, mutual support having a main emphasis on supporting Conservation through working closely with and empowering local communities”. Both Parks got their names after United Kingdom’s Queen Elizabeth National park
Attractions in Queen Elizabeth National Park:
The Park has several Eco systems made up of lakes and fertile wetlands, sprawling savanna, shadowy and moist forests which makes it a perfect home for various wildlife species such as mammals, reptiles, amphibians, primates, butterflies, and very many tree species. Among the fascinating wildlife species to spot in this marvelous Park include; Cape buffaloes, Savanna Elephants, Water bucks, Uganda Kob, Bush bucks, Lions, Topis, Leopards, Warthogs, chimpanzees, forest hogs, and many more.
Along the shores of the beautiful Kazinga Channel you will see a lineup of various wildlife species, including the Nile Crocodiles and Hippos (permanent residents) and those which usually go there to drink water; Cape buffaloes and Elephants, plus many more. The Ishasha sector of the Park is even more interesting – the tree climbing lions, that live here, are a sight to behold!!
The Park is also a haven to over 600 bird species, hence birding is also exceptional here; highlights being the easy sightings of resident and migratory water birds on the beautiful Kazinga channel, the spectacular seasonal congregations of flamingos on the Kyambura and Katwe soda lakes, attentive searching of rare and restricted range forest species in Maramagambo forest, and the precious sighting of the shoe bill stork on the remote Lake Edward shores.
Accommodations:
Queen Elizabeth National Park provides several activities like game drives and viewing, boat cruise, chimpanzee tracking, bird watching, and more which mammoth of tourists throng the Park to indulge in. Therefore the Park inhabits very many lodges and camps to accommodate the many visitors it receives annually, among them are; Mweya Safari Lodge, Kyambura Gorge Lodge, Engiri Game Lodge and campsite, Kasenyi Lake Retreat Resort and Campsite, Mazike Valley Lodge, Ishasha Jungle Lodge, Ishasha Wilderness Camp, Park view Safari Lodge – Kyambura, Kasenyi Safari Camp, Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge, Elephant Plains Lodge, Simba Safari Camp, buffalo Safari Lodge, park view Safari Lodge, and bush lodge, among others.