Queen Elizabeth National Park, also known as the Kazinga park is the most famous National Park in Uganda. It attained its official name of Queen Elizabeth National Park in 1954 in honor of the Queen of England, who had visited the park in 1952. The park is the second largest National Park in Uganda after Murchison falls national park, occupying 1978square kilometers of land and famous for the tree climbing lions in the Ishasha sector of the park. It is located in the southern part of Uganda, approximately 410 kilometers from the capital city of Uganda, Kampala, in Kasese district. In the Park are several attractions that will leave you wanting to reside in the park, because of how stupendous they are!
HOW TO ACCESS QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK
The Park is accessible by both road and air transport. By road- travelers from Kampala will have to pass via Mbarara to the National Park. Generally he 420 kilometers journey will take you about 6-7hours of driving. If those hours are a chore to you. You may stop by at Lake Mburo National Park. This is midway to Queen Elizabeth National Park, that is, about 4 hours from Kampala. It is best to hire a van or tour operator like Valiant Safaris Uganda. Or drive yourself to the park to avoid the inconveniences that come with using public transport in Uganda.
Alternatively, you can book a flight from Entebbe International Airport to the Park. A journey that will last an hour and a few minutes. It is fast, convenient and reliable.
Having reached the park, you can check in with your accommodation provide. Then dive into the main agenda of the visit of the medley of nature.
ATTRACTIONS IN QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK
Game drives
Game drives are one of the most common activities in parks. A safari tour without a game drive is incomplete because some animals are better seen when on a drive. At Queen Elizabeth National Park, most visitors aboard the game tracks are seen anticipating the sight of a lioness from hunting or a predator resting under a shrub. Speaking of lions, Queen Elizabeth National Park has the rarest species of lions, the tree climbing lions that are exclusive to East Africa and are the highlight of the visit to the park. These lions have a black mane and climb trees to run away from the tsetse flies under the ground or to spot their next price
Birding
Queen Elizabeth National Park has the most number of bird species among the parks in Uganda making it the best birding destination in the country and it is also recognized internationally among the best birding spots with a variety of bird species like the yellow throated cuckoo, white tailed lark, ringed plower, pink-backed pelican among others.
Chimpanzee trekking
In Queen Elizabeth National Park, chimpanzee trekking is a fun activity best done at Kyambura gorge. Here one will not only look for the habituated chimpanzees, but will enjoy the pristine view of the features at the gorge. The stream, the thick forests and the vast savannah. The trekking activity happens after permits have been issued to participants. Each costing $80 per person and only 8 people are issued permits per day.
The Kazinga channel
The magnificent water stream where the boat cruise is launched. It offers plenty of game like hippos, crocodiles and elephants, seen during the launch cruise. There are two launch cruises in the park daily, in the morning and the evening. The Kazinga channel is also a good birding spot.
Cultural tour
Having been a part of the various nerve wrecking activities at the park. A cultural walk around the park to interact with the communities is inevitable. Get to learn the different ways of life of the people there and the activities they carry out for a living. The Kikorongo Equator Cultural group will expose you to the unique fashion secrets that the people in that area treasure. As they show you crafts they make using locally curated fibers which can be bought by tourists as souvenirs.
The Lake Katwe salt mines
Lake Katwe is one of the few salt lakes in the world. It is also the main source of income for many people who live around as salt mining is carried here. Ninety percent of the salt consumed in Uganda is from Lake Katwe. The salt is also exported to other neighboring countries like Congo.
ACCOMMODATION IN QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK
Queen Elizabeth National Park offers its visitors with a variety of accommodation facilities to choose from ranging from luxury to budget accommodation in accordance with their preferences, tastes and budget.
Mweya safari lodge
Basically est for travelers who look for high quality services, with quality rooms overlooking the beautiful Kazinga channel with spacious rooms that can accommodate family groups as well.
Ishasha wilderness camp
Meanwhile his is built next to the banks of River Ntungwe from where the guests can view birds and other animals come to the river for a drink. The bedding is comfortable and the restaurant offers a variety of meals, all this and more is to be experienced while you view the tree climbing lions from a distance.
Katara lodge
It offers quality services embroidered with simplicity from the eye-catching grass thatched cottages, to the spacious rooms, a swimming pool, excellent restaurant and bar services all living you with nothing else to crave for.
Kyambura gorge lodge
This is a quiet spot best for one looking for an uninterrupted spot to relax. It is also good for those that love trekking and chimpanzee tracking. All the rooms are of quality and self-contained.
