Attractions in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Attractions in Queen Elizabeth national park in Uganda are in abundance and vary from wildlife species to different flora species and no forgetting geographical features such as hills, forests, lakes and rivers. The park is one of the most visited national parks in Uganda and it is the second largest national park, spanning over a radius of 1978 square kilometers. 

Attractions in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth national park is located in the western part of Uganda covering the districts of Kasese, Kamwenge, Rubirizi, and Rukungiri. The national park was established in 1952 and is home to various wildlife species ranging from Vegetation types, Forests, Animal species, Reptiles, Bird species among others.

Attractions in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth national park is rich in various attractions which include;

Wildlife

The national park harbors different wildlife species including 95 animal species which are classified into the big game animals which such as hippos, elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks, bushbucks, warthogs, Uganda kobs, giant forest hog, Topi among others. Wildlife in Queen Elizabeth national park can be viewed during the game drive in Kasenyi plains, Mweya peninsula and along the water banks on Kazinga channel during the boat cruise.

Big cats: Big cats in Queen Elizabeth national park in Uganda include the lions, leopards, civets, serval and Genal cats. These cats are usually seen during the nocturnal game drive in the park. Queen Elizabeth national park is also known for its tree-climbing lions which are found in Ishasha sector and can be viewed during the game drive in Ishasha sector. 

Primates:  There are approximately 10 primate species in Queen Elizabeth national park in Uganda, which include; the red tailed monkeys, chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, baboons among others. Primates in the national park are found in Kyambura Gorge also known as the valley of Apes in the eastern part of the park and within Maramagambo forest.

Birds: Queen Elizabeth national park in Uganda is regarded as a birders’ haven because it harbors the biggest number of bird species, with over 612 species of birds recorded in the park. Some of the bird species that can be sighted in the park include; hooded vulture, African crake, black bellied bustard, crowned plover, long crested eagle, martial eagle, African white backed vulture, Rufous napped lark, black headed Gonolek, yellow backed weaver, black cuckoo, yellow bill, common greenshank, southern red bishop, palm-nut vulture, papyrus Gonolek, yellow wagtail, gull-billed tern among others. Birding in Queen Elizabeth national park is conducted in various sectors of the park such as; Kazinga Channel where you will be able to view various aquatic birds, Lake Katwe, Ishasha River, Maramagambo forest, Kyambura Gorge, Mweya peninsula, Kasenyi plains among others hence making your birding safari exciting. 

Mweya Peninsula

The Mweya peninsula in Queen Elizabeth national park is one of the top spots for wildlife viewing. It is located on the north eastern shores overlooking the Katwe Bay where Kazinga channel joins the lake. Mweya peninsula is a great destination for game drives where you will be able to view various animal species such as the elephants, waterbucks, warthogs, giant forest hogs, buffaloes, leopards, mongoose tracking which is an interesting and exciting activity among others. You can also take a boat cruise on the Kazinga channel where you will be able to view different animals on the water shores especially during the dry season such as large herds of hippos, bird species like malachite king fishers, black bee-eaters,  eagle owls among others. Mweya peninsula has a souvenir shop which sells are craft items and a luxurious accommodation Mweya safari lodge which offers great views of Kazinga channel and Rwenzori Mountains. 

Kazinga Channel

Kazinga channel is a 40kilometre long natural channel that connects Lake Edward and Lake George where Lake Edward is situated in the western part of the park and Lake George is located in the eastern part of the park. Kazinga channel offers boat rides as the most popular activity where the boats leave four times a day on a scheduled time table but you can hire a small boat from Mweya safari lodge in case you want to go at your own time. 

Boat cruise at Kazinga channel can be done either in the morning or in the afternoon but most visitors prefer the afternoon boat cruise. During the boat cruise on Kazinga channel you will be able to view large herds of hippos in water, and other animals like elephants, buffaloes, Nile crocodiles, antelopes on the water shores. 

The Kazinga channel in Queen Elizabeth national park in Uganda is a great destination for bird watching where the bird lovers will be able to view different bird species such as spur winged plover, yellow backed weaver, fish eagle, pink backed pelican, long tailed cormorant, African jacana, Squacco heron, pied kingfisher, wattled plover, yellow backed weaver among others. 

During the afternoon boat cruise, you will also be able to see the fisher men from the neighboring fishing villages on Kazinga channel setting out in their small boats for night fishing in that there won’t be the hippos to disturb them during the night because they will be grazing on the land.

Attractions in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Boat Cruise on Kazinga Channel – Attractions in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Tree climbing lions in Ishasha sector

Ishasha sector is located in the southern part of the national park. It harbors the tree climbing lions which are usually seen lazily lying and relaxing in the fig tree branches. The tree climbing lions in Ishasha sector climb trees due to heat from the ground, to avoid bites from insects and also for clear views of their prey the antelopes which graze in the open savannah woodland. 

The tree climbing lions are the major attractions in Ishasha sector Queen Elizabeth national park and they are seen during the game drive in Ishasha area though the area has other animal species like the Uganda kobs, elephants, buffaloes and different bird species like Senegal plover, striped kingfisher, martial eagle, white-headed barbet, hooded vulture, African crowned eagle among others. Ishasha sector is a must-visit destination in Uganda in that you will be able to view the unique tree-climbing lions which are not found elsewhere in Uganda.

Kyambura Gorge

Kyambura gorge in Queen Elizabeth national park, also known as the valley of Apes, is a tropical forest located in the western rift valley in eastern part of the national park. Kyambura Gorge is popularly known for chimpanzee trekking where you will see other primates like red tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, baboons, bird watching with bird species like blue headed bee-eater, African broadbill, pink backed pelican, white tailed lark, African skimmer, natural forest walks among others.

Maramagambo Forest

Maramagambo Forest is another tourist attraction in Queen Elizabeth national park and it is one of the largest forests in east Africa and Uganda. The forest is located in Queen Elizabeth national park bordering Lake Kyasanduka and Nyamasingiri crater lakes. Maramagambo forest stretches from Kichwamba escapement to Lake Edward and is a home of various wildlife species including the Elephants, Bush pigs, Pygmy Antelopes, Potto, Bush baby, Chimpanzees, Red tailed monkeys, Black and white monkeys, L’Hoest monkeys, bats, bird species like Rwenzori Turaco, forest fly catcher among others. When you visit Maramagambo forest you will get an opportunity to engage in different activities including bird watching, nature walks, primate viewing, cultural encounters, visiting the bat caves among others hence making your safari in Queen Elizabeth national park enjoyable.  

Crater lakes in Queen Elizabeth National Park 

Queen Elizabeth national park in Uganda is home to 10 crater lakes including Lake Katwe an ancient salt mining lake situated in the northern side of Mweya peninsula and was formed by volcanic eruption many years ago. Lake Katwe is a salt lake where the local people in Kasese extract rock salt dry it for sale. During your visit on Lake Katwe you will have an opportunity to interact with the salt miners as they explain their experience in mining and the process used when mining salt. 

From Lake Katwe you will visit Lake Munyanyange a seasonal lake which is located 2km away from Lake Katwe. Lake Munyanyange is known for birding with bird species such as Black headed Gonolek, Long tailed starling, African hoopoes, White browed robin chat, Sea gulls, Black terns, Black winged stilt, Pied avocet, Flamingos and migratory birds from Kenya and Canada. Queen Elizabeth national park in Uganda harbors other crater lakes like Lake Nyamunuka, Lake Munyampaka situated in Kasenyi plains among others and each Crater Lake has a different historical story to tell which is worth listening.

Equator and the Queen’s pavilion

The Queen’s pavilion is located near the northern entrance to the national park overlooking the crater lakes and near the equator monument. The Equator monument is good for photos while on your safari in Queen Elizabeth national park. The Queen’s pavilion is a great place to chill out and relax after a morning or evening game drive for a cup of coffee with internet facility. The Queen’s pavilion also has a souvenir shop which sells art and craft items like hats, sandals, baskets, paper bead jewelry where visitors can stop by and buy craft items.

How to get to Queen Elizabeth national park

Queen Elizabeth national park in Uganda and can be accessed by either road or air transport means.

Air transport

When getting to Queen Elizabeth national park in Uganda by air you will book scheduled and chartered flights from Entebbe international airport or Kajjansi airfield to Kasese airstrip or Mweya airstrip which is located within the park.

Road transport

When getting the national park by road you will drive from Kampala via Masaka, Mbarara, fort portal, Kasese and then to the park which takes about 6 to 7 hours’ drive. You can also connect to Queen Elizabeth national park from Bwindi Impenetrable national park via Ishasha sector which takes about 3 to 4 hours’ drive.

book a safari