Queen Elizabeth National Park

1. Wildlife in Queen Elizabeth Park

Known for its profusion of wildlife, Queen Elizabeth National Park is a popular Uganda wildlife tour destination because its home to about 95 mammal species (more than any other Uganda safari park). Wildlife species seen at Queen Elizabeth National Park include Elephants and buffaloes (common), lions (tree climbing lions), Hyenas, African Leopard, Buffaloes, antelope species like the Uganda Kob, topi and bushbuck.

The hippos and crocodiles can be seen at the Kazinga channel, Crocodiles have just reappeared after they had disappeared for thousands of years due to toxic ash from local volcanoes that eliminated them. Primate species like the black and white colobus monkey can be seen. Chimpanzees have also been habituated for tracking by Uganda chimpanzee trekking safari tourists. These are found in the Kyambura Gorge.

Birds in Queen Elizabeth Park

Over 600 bird species are hosted within the boundaries of Queen Elizabeth Park. This is the only Uganda tour park with such a big number of bird species within its boundaries making it an ideal Uganda birding safari destination. With this number of bird species the park is positioned as the second highest bird Population Park in Africa and 6th highest in the world. Bird watching tourists can expects to spot birds such as the Grey Wood Pecker, Cuckoos, Speckled Tinker bird, Purple-headed Starling, White-spotted fluff tail, Spur-winged Plovers, African Fish Eagle, African Jacana, Cormorants, Pied Kingfishers, Black Crake, Water-Thick Knee, Malachite, Martial Eagle, Grey-headed Kingfisher, Papyrus Gonolek and many more. The greater and lesser flamingos seasonally visit Lake Munyanyange close to Queen Elizabeth Park and a birder could easily spot them between October and April.

2. Crater lakes 

Evidence to the past times bubbling volcanic activity, the huge round basins scattered across the equator are scenic crater lakes to sight on a Queen Elizabeth Park tour. The 27km drive between Kabatoro gate and Queen’s Pavilion offers the most views of these crater lakes. The crater fields include the Katwe Explosion Craters, Bunyaraguru Crater Field on the Kichwamba escarpment and the beautiful Ndali-kasenda Crater field close to Kibale Forest National Park. The craters are a beautiful place for great views and splendid hiking.

Game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park

The best way of sighting wildlife in Queen Elizabeth National Park is by undertaking a game drive through the trails of the park. On a safari to Queen Elizabeth Park, there’s an option of choosing either a morning or evening game drive. On a game drive, there are chances of sighting most of the wildlife species in the park along with the help from your Uganda wildlife tour guide.  A Morning game drive starts at 8:00am and lasts about 2-4 hours.  Big cat lovers must include a game drive in their itineraries.

Boat cruise / Launch trip on the Kazinga channel 

Since the park is connected by the almost 40km long Kazinga channel, a boat cruise is a must do activity for tourists on a visit to the park. Usually, each day the boat sets off at either 9:00am local time or at 2:00pm in the afternoon taking tourists along the hippo filled shores of the channel with sights of the elephants roaming around the shores. There also several bird species along the shores. The boat cruise / launch trip on the Kazinga channel lasts about 2 hours and is memorable no matter the time of the day.

Birding in Queen Elizabeth Park

Bird watching is one of the Queen Elizabeth National Park activities due to the several bird species within the park. With beautiful birds like the White-spotted fluff tail, Spur-winged Plovers, African Fish Eagle, African Jacana, Cormorants, Pied Kingfishers, Black Crake, Water-Thick Knee, Malachite, Martial Eagle, Grey-headed Kingfisher, Papyrus Gonolek and many more birding in Queen Elizabeth Park is rewarding. For Uganda birding safaris tourists, the best time for birding in the park is between December – February.

Chimpanzee tracking 

Safari Uganda tourists to Queen Elizabeth National Park can track chimpanzees at the Kyambura Gorge. The Kyambura Gorge is also known as the valley of apes situated in the far eastern corner of the park. Approximately 1km across at its broadest point and about 100 meters deep, this is one of the scenic places a traveler can ever visit. Though host to a small number of chimpanzees compared to other destinations like Kibale Forest National Park and Budongo forest the Kyambura gorge offers an experience of walking within a densely forested valley. Walking through the valley floor, the trek is amazing as tourists come along other primate species. This is a perfect add on to any trip to Queen Elizabeth National Park.

This 16 Days Uganda wildlife, Gorilla and Chimpanzee trekking safari is a 16 days Uganda safari to view wildlife, trek chimpanzees, trek mountain gorillas and have a white water rafting experience. Read More

This 9 Days Uganda chimpanzee trekking and Primate Safari is a wildlife safari in Uganda majorly having more encounters with chimpanzees, other primates as well as more wildlife species like lions. Read More

12 Days Uganda wildlife, chimpanzee and gorilla trekking safari is a wildlife safari in Uganda with the big five game encounter as well as the chimpanzee and Uganda gorilla trekking safari. The 12 days safari to Uganda offers a chance to visit the top wildlife viewing parks as well as trek the chimpanzees among the highest population in the world. A part from primates and other wildlife, the rare, Mountain Gorillas are also a highlight of this trip. Read More

 7 Days Uganda Adventure Safari is a safari in Uganda through the best safari parks on a wildlife tour to Murchison Falls National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park. The drive takes you on an adventure experience through the amazing savannah parks in search of wildlife. Read More

Mweya Safari Lodge 
Mweya safari lodge, located on the peninsula within the heart of Queen Elizabeth National Park offers visitors an unforgettable experience during their stay. Stunning views greet you through large windows in the lodge’s foyer, where you receive a warm welcome. To the east of the lodge lie the Great Rift Valley hills, separated from the Mountains of the Moon by the meandering Kazinga channel.

Katara Lodge
Katara Lodge is situated on the Great Rift Valley escarpment with uninterrupted views of the savannah, Lake Edward and the Virunga and Rwenzori mountain ranges beyond. Katara lodge is located 16km from the Katunguru gate of the Queen Elizabeth National Park. Katara Lodge is the ideal base from which to explore the park and the many activities it offers.  The Lodge offers accommodation in eight luxurious thatched cottages on a beautiful stretch of hills. Each spacious cottage was hand crafted using locally available materials and carved into the hillside by the Katara Village community.

Enganzi Lodge
Enganzi Lodge is a perfect gateway to the mighty Queen Elizabeth National Park. Enganzi lodge offers standard accommodation in a location so perfect to start your journey to the wild. The lodge offers lodging facilities in their single rooms, double rooms, deluxe suite and isolated cottages. Enganzi lodge is located in a stunning position just overlooking the park making it an excellent property with phenomenal views. For Mid-range travelers, planning to stay at Enganzi Lodge, early booking is recommended.

Ihamba Safari Lodge
Ihamba Safari Lodge is situated on the shores of Lake George in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Born out of love for nature and animal preservation the lodge is a perfect location for those who want to experience the tranquility of unspoiled Africa. Ihamba Lakeside Safari Lodge’s unique charm is in the atmosphere of intimacy, welcoming ambiance and a splendid customer service that is carefully rendered to esteemed guests.

Kazinga Channel Resort
For budget travelers, Kazinga channel view Resort is the best budget accommodation facility. The facility is overlooking the Kazinga Channel of Queen Elizabeth National Park offering lodging facilities in elegant and spacious rooms. Accommodation is offered in single, double twin rooms, bandas and cottages. Camping is also possible at the Resort.