Visit Queen Elizabeth National Park for yourself to understand why it is difficult to enunciate the limitless appeal of the park’s immense open spaces as well as the enchanting biodiversity. Imagine a grand theatre where each lucky visitor is treated to a performance of a lifetime. The headline acts at this park are the buffaloes, elephants, lions, leopards, spotted hyenas, serval cats and antelopes that all call the park their home.
The stage is over 1,978 square kilometers of verdant savannah grasslands, small area of tropical rainforests, wetlands as well as water bodies. These include Lake Edward, Lake George, the different crater lakes, and the amazing Kazinga channel. Below are more reasons why you have to visit Queen Elizabeth National Park instead of other national parks in Uganda and beyond:-
Diverse ecosystems
Queen Elizabeth National Park spans a total of over 1,978 square kilometers, making it larger than the Virgin Islands of the United States. It is such a vast area but no corner of the park is the same because of the undulating savannah grasslands, semi-deciduous tropical high forests, wetlands, lakes, Acacia savannah and tundra ecosystems. The varying ecosystems mean different mammals, birds, reptiles, flora and amphibians among others.
Magnificent wildlife – reason to visit Queen Elizabeth National Park
One of the main motivations of visiting Africa is to explore the rich wildlife diversity. There can be few thrills in life that equal driving around and encountering a pride of lions dawdling along the path, just a stone throw from you. Better still, you will enjoy seeing a female elephant with her tinny and innocent-looking calf, or maybe an African fish eagle executing its emotive calls before capturing its prey. Not missing an elusive leopard trying to catch unsuspecting kobs.
The list could go on because this is what you will witness during your visit to Queen Elizabeth National Park. You will see large herds of buffaloes, elephants, Uganda Kobs, large prides of lions, serval cats, leopards, topis, warthogs and many other wildlife species in immense numbers.
One fact that makes this park stand out is the fact that it is one of the few places in the world where the ‘tree-climbing lions’ can be seen. Isn’t that amazing?
Unbeaten birding opportunities
Birding in Queen Elizabeth National Park is beyond spectacular because of all 1,060 species of birds in Uganda, more than 60%, that is over 600 species, can be found in this park alone. This 1,978 square kilometer park is far more hands-on than other savannah parks in Uganda.
As far as birding is concerned, this park can be overwhelming, because there are so many birds to see everywhere you turn.
World class game viewing – visit Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is a haven to a diverse array of wildlife. Not only can four of the big five, that is, lions, elephants, buffaloes and leopards, be spotted in the park, but also other mammals. These include the chimpanzees, vervet monkeys, olive baboons, Uganda Kobs, topis, warthogs, Defassa waterbucks and bushbucks. Relatively speaking, this is also a wonderful place to see the serval cats, mongoose and many other elusive wildlife species.
Safari lodges of spectacular opulence
Whether you are on your first or fiftieth safari, Queen Elizabeth National Park will always reward you with something new, when it comes to accommodation facilities. For the high-end travellers, safari lodges like Mweya Safari Lodge, Kyambura Game Lodge, Hippo Safari Lodge, and Jacana Safari Lodge among others. There are midrange safari lodges such as Bush Lodge, Enganzi Game Lodge, Marafiki Safari Lodge and Ishasha Wilderness Camp, which all cater for needs of even the budget travellers.
Suitable for family safaris
On top of the other different reasons, Queen Elizabeth National Park is an awesome choice for family travelers. Majority of the accommodation facilities; safari lodges, tented camps and guesthouses, within this ‘medley of wonders’ make options for children, thus catering for the needs of every traveler. Interestingly, a safari to this destination is fun and educational which makes it one of a few places in Africa for family travelers.
Other reasons for visiting Queen Elizabeth National Park are; the beautiful weather that makes it easy to visit all year round, its close proximity to Kampala and the true serenity of the park.
More About Queen Elizabeth National Park
Located in the western side of Uganda and at 1,978 square kilometers, Queen Elizabeth National Park is the second largest national park in Uganda. It was previously known as Kazinga National Park at the time of its establishment in 1952, but after the visit of Queen Elizabeth II in 1954, it was renamed in honor of her majestic visit.
The park offers a backdrop of the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains and is endowed with over 95 species of mammals including four of the big five, that is, buffaloes, leopards, elephants and lions. Others include the topis, warthogs, Uganda Kobs, spotted hyenas, Oribis, Defassa waterbucks, chimpanzees, olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, and hippos, as well as more than 600 species of birds.
Other natural features such as lakes like George, Edward, Katwe and the different crater lakes like Nyamunuka, are also attractions on their own, in this park. The endless beauty of this park cannot be described in words but rather need your presence to discover.
Luxurious places to stay in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is just abundant in everything including exquisite accommodation facilities, for the taste of every traveler. Book with Marafiki Safari Lodge, Enganzi Game Lodge, Katara Lodge, Mweya Safari Lodge, Bush Loge, Kyambura Game Lodge, Ihamba Lakeside Safari Lodge and Ishasha Wilderness Camp, for an ultimate safari experience in the wilderness.
How to get there
Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the easy-to-access national parks of Uganda. A distance of 410 to 420 kilometers (depending on the route used) will lead you to one of the gates of this ‘medley of wonders’.
The common route is Kampala – Masaka – Mbarara – Bushenyi – to the southern park of the park. The Kampala – Mityana – Mubende – Fort Portal – Kasese route is about 410 kilometers and leads to the northern part of the park. Alternatively, you can forego this hectic 6 hour road trip by opting for a scheduled flight from Entebbe International Airport to Kasese, Ishasha or Mweya airstrips, then get on a few minutes’ drive to any part of the park.