Located in Western Uganda, Queen Elizabeth National Park is the second largest Park after Murchison falls National Park. It is the most accessible hence most visited. The numerous attractions in queen Elizabeth could be then reason behind its worldwide fame. For example the mountains of the moon, also known as Mountain Rwenzori (which has two of the highest peaks in Africa). The abundant eye catching flora, the picturesque landscape all and more leading to it being called the “medley of nature” by most authors and writers. Also, the information told about Queen Elizabeth National Park by the rangers. The locals around could contribute to its being the most visited park in the country.
THE EQUATOR
Queen Elizabeth National Park is crossed by the equator at zero coordinates, whose landmark is demarcated with a circular sculpture. Here, visitors, who are at times joined by the local children within the area, take photos thereby making it the very first attraction that visitors get to see on their way to the park. In the park is the Queen’s Pavilion, constructed for Queen Elizabeth the second when she visited Uganda in 1952 and later renovated in 1954. At the pavilion, one can have the best photography of the park and get to see most of the land of the park. This spectacular view is another of the attractions in the park.
KATWE SALT WORKS
Lake Katwe is a saline Crater Lake located North of Mweya Peninsular and in the North Western part of Queen Elizabeth National Park. A crater lake is a lake that has inlets but no outlets, thereby making it salty. In the dry season, the water becomes concentrated making the salt pans to settle at the bottom. The crystallized salt to format the top of the lake. Lake Katwe is the only source of salt in Uganda. When at Lake Katwe, take time to visit the historical Germany salt factory. So as to also find out why it stopped operating way back, as you are informed of the salt mining process by the salt miners. What an educative yet fun way of touring the Pearl!
THE LANDSCAPE
The landscape of Queen Elizabeth National Park is easy on the eye with rolling hills rising. The comely view of the Rwenzori ranges rising to meet the clouds, noticed especially on sunny days (hence the name “mountains of the moon”). The overall plains, consisting the golden brown savannah, a view very relaxing to the mind.
KYAMBURA ESCARPMENT
An escarpment is a long steep slope separating two gently sloping surfaces. A gorge is a narrow passage through land. Kyambura gorge is a strip of rain forests through the vast savanna grass land plains. This gorge is shaped by Kyambura river, as told by the local folklore. The Kyambura escarpment offers a site so graceful for accommodation facilities within the park. Whilst here, you will get to enjoy the artistic huge savannah dotted with savannah tree species like the acacia, all fulfilling to the eyes and mind.
THE CRATER LAKES
Crater lakes are lakes in a crater that were formed from a collapse during a volcanic eruption. These lakes are mainly in the rift valley region. Formed when the tectonic plates beneath the earth’s surface move away from one another in opposite directions. Queen Elizabeth National Park is located in the western rift valley hence the abundance of craters in the area. There are about ten crater lakes in the park, some of which can be spotted along the 27kilometre crater drive with an irresistible scenery for hiking and photography.
WILDLIFE
With over 90 mammal species, about 600 bird species, bats, reptiles and insects, boundless number of hippos, elephants and buffaloes, attractions in Queen Elizabeth National Park is indeed the ideal place to go quench your game viewing thirst. They can be spotted during game drives and long nature walks, all in the presence of a trained ranger as you savor your safari experience.
TREE CLIMBING LIONS/CACTUS CLIMBING LIONS
These are a species of lions that are only exclusive to East Africa. They are very rare, and not like any other lions you might have seen on television (unless of course the broadcast was about the medley of nature) and only found in Queen Elizabeth National Park and Lake Manyara in Tanzania. At the park, most of these lions are in the Southern part in the Ishasha sector. These lions truly manifest the majesty of the King of the African jungle as they hang up in the candelabra trees to relax and or cool down. The pride also climbs up to run away from disturbing tsetse flies on the ground, and to spot their next prey. They are the highlight of any African Safari and reason why visitors go to the Southern sector of the park.
KAZINGA CHANNEL
This is a long wide 32kilometer channel that links Lake Edward to Lake George. Both of which are a dominant feature of attractions in Queen Elizabeth National Park. It harbors most of the animals in the park especially during the dry season. is where the launch cruise is operated. Along the Kazinga channel shores, you can spot a school of hippos cooling in the water, snapping crocodiles trying their trick hunt, elephants showering along the shore line. During the launch cruise, you will be able to see lionesses with cabs. These will be running after the birds at the shore of the Kazinga channel. The channel is a thorough birding spot. As it has a variety of rare birds and it is named as one of the best birding spots in Africa.
LOCAL COMMUNITIES
Queen Elizabeth National Park has a number of communities. These best interacted with during a walk who will share with you their tales about the park. They also offer some activities like boat racing, sport fishing and fish tasting (of freshly prepared fish from the water).
OMWANI COFFEE PLANTATION
The Omwani is a women’s group that produces organic coffee for import and export. The profits used to better their living and those of their children and husbands. They grow coffee with no artificial additives so as to come up with the organic quality that they aim at. A walk in the coffee plantation will broaden your knowledge on coffee and accelerate your safari experience. I recommend this visit for coffee farmers and or lovers and feminists as it will be inspirational.
ACCOMODATION IN QUEEN ELIZABETH NTIONAL PARK
Like any other ideal park, attractions in Queen Elizabeth has extensive accommodation services. anging from luxury accommodation to budget range to suit the average Ugandan on safari. The park is built out-and-out of a staged authenticity of the natural surroundings with locally constructed cottages thatched with grass, reflecting the African tradition way of building. Some are constructed with reeds and other woods from around the area in places where the visitors can enjoy the pleasant views of the park like the savannah plains and the famous mountains of the moon best seen in the mornings with the striking sun upon them.
All this and more at the park leaves you with no excuse for not visiting its splendid beauty for a wholesome safari experience.
