Queen Elizabeth National Park, the second largest park in Uganda is the most popular tourist destination in the country.
As it has the widest variety of wildlife inhabiting a diverse ecosystem with open savannah grasslands, tropical forests, lakes, and wetlands.
It’s famous for having tree-climbing lions and is the best site for tracking lions in the country, as they are easier to spot here.
Lots of elephants and buffalo can be found in the savannah, and many hippos and birds along the Kazinga channel whereas different primates, such as chimpanzees inhabit its forests.
Queen Elizabeth lies in Western Uganda with the stunning snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains in the background and several craters carved into its rolling hills.
With it spanning the equator line, the area tends to have a warm temperature yearlong and has two wet seasons from March-May and August-December, characterized by heavy rainfall.
Activities to Do
Game Drives
Game drives in Queen take place in the Ishasha sector where you can see the incredible tree-climbing lions, and in the Kasenyi plains where you can view a range of wildlife, such as elephants, the Uganda kobs, warthogs, and buffalos.
Chimp Tracking
Chimpanzee tracking in Queen occurs in the Kyambura gorge where you can go on an exciting trek through a thick forest, crossing rivers and streams into the valley in search of the chimpanzees in this “Valley of Apes.”
Though there is a 50-50 chance of you seeing chimps in the gorge, the beauty of the gorge makes up for you tracking the chimpanzees in vain.
Besides, you can combine visiting the gorge with tracking chimps in the nearby Kalinzu forest to ensure you see these primates while on a safari to Queen Elizabeth national park.
Tracking chimps in this forest is nearly similar to doing so in the Kibale forest as it is easier to find them. Plus, people ages 12 and above can get a chance to track chimps in this forest, an age requirement that’s different from other places that require tourists to be 15 years and above.
Boat Cruises along the Kazinga Channel
You get to sail on this scenic water body between L. Edward and L. George while viewing hippos, buffalos, elephants, waterbucks, and a variety of birds like the saddle-billed stork and pink-backed pelicans that inhabit the channel.
Birding
With over 600 birds, Queen Elizabeth is a prime destination for birders in Uganda. Though birding can be done throughout the entire park, particular areas are best suited for it, like the riparian forest in Ishasha where you can see many unusual bird species, and the Mweya where you can spot a myriad of water birds along the Kazinga Channel.
Common birds include the Shoebill stork, black bee-eater, African skimmer, Blue-breasted Bee-eater, Red-necked Falcon, African Pygmy-goose, White-headed Barbet, Kingfishers, and flamingoes.
Nature Walks
Guided nature walks can be taken in the Maramagambo forest on different trails, such as the waterfall trail and river trail where you can see L’hoest’s monkeys, Vervet monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and a variety of birds along the way.
You can also walk through the Mweya peninsula and the Ishasha sector along its river to get close to the various animals and bird species.
Hot Air Balloon Safari
Get to enjoy the scenic aerial views of the park and its animals on a thrilling one-hour ride. You can also marvel at the crater lakes, the Rwenzori Mountains, and the stunning western rift valley from the sky.
Community Visits
These tours can involve visiting the Bakonzo, Banyabindi, and Basongora tribes to enjoy their traditional dances, music, and storytelling.
You can also attend the Kikorongo African arts and crafts workshops and learn how to weave baskets from natural fibers or go on a tour of the Katwe Salt Lake to see how locals mine salt.
