Top 5 safari activities in Queen Elizabeth national park
Top 5 safari activities in Queen Elizabeth national park is one of the most visited destinations located in western Uganda in four districts namely Kasese, Rukungiri, Rubirizi and Kamwenge. The national park is a home of over 95 mammal species including the big four out of the big five mammals which are lions, leopards, buffaloes and elephants, other animals like Uganda kobs, waterbucks, bushbucks, warthogs and over 600 bird species. Queen Elizabeth national park is famously known for the tree climbing lions which are viewed in Ishasha sector in the southern part of the park.
Top 5 safari activities in Queen Elizabeth national park
- Game drives in Queen Elizabeth national park
Game drive is the most famous activity in Queen Elizabeth national park which gives you a chance to explore the park and view different wildlife species. Game drives in the park can either be done early in the morning, in the afternoon or at night in a comfortable 4WD pop up safari vehicle with a professional driver-guide. During the game drives you will follow different game tracks in Ishasha sector, Mweya peninsula and Kasenyi plains where you will be able to view different animals such as the tree climbing lions, elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks, bushbucks, Uganda kobs, giant forest hogs, leopards among others.
- Boat cruise in Queen Elizabeth national park
Boat cruise in Queen Elizabeth national park is done on Kazinga channel a 40km water body that connects Lake Edward and Lake George. The boat cruise on Kazinga channel is done in two sessions that is the morning session which starts at around 9:00am and 11:00am and the evening session which starts at around 2:00pm and 5:00pm and each session takes about 2 to 3 hours. During the boat cruise you will enjoy stunning views of the scenery, view large concentrations of hippos in waters, Nile crocodiles basking on the shores, elephants, buffaloes, antelopes drinking water along the water banks, view variety of aquatic bird species like fish eagles, cormorants, hornbills, kingfishers, view fishermen preparing their fishing gears for night fishing among others.
- Bird watching in Queen Elizabeth national park
Queen Elizabeth national park is a home of more than 600 recorded bird species including endemic birds, migratory birds, forest birds and water birds. There are various birding areas in Queen Elizabeth national park such as Kazinga channel, Kasenyi area, Maramagambo forest, Ishasha sector, Katunguru area, Katwe area, Mweya peninsula and Lake Kikorongo. During bird watching you will be able to view different bird species such as Martial eagle, pink backed pelican, Chapin flycatcher, white winged warbler, African broadbill, white tailed lark, papyrus gonolek, African skimmer, spur winged plover, long tailed cormorant, African jacana, water thick knee, open billed stork, African fish eagle, black bee-eater, squacco heron, pink backed pelican, African emerald cuckoo, purple headed starling, grey wood pecker, broad tailed warbler, hairy breasted barbet among others.
- Chimpanzee trekking in Queen Elizabeth national park
Chimpanzee trekking is a fascinating and adventurous activity which is done in Kyambura gorge in the eastern part of Queen Elizabeth national park. Kyambura gorge which is also known as the valley of apes is a home of the endangered chimpanzees and offers the interesting chimpanzee trekking activity where visitors get a chance to move on foot in search of the habituated chimpanzee families. Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge starts in the morning with a briefing about the rules and regulations to follow during trekking. After the briefing you will start trekking in the forest with a park guide who is well informed about the chimpanzees and also conversant with different trails. During trekking you will be able to view other primate species such as black and white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, red tailed monkeys, olive baboons, view bats, butterflies, variety of bird species like white tailed lark, pink backed pelican, white winged warbler, African skimmer, blue headed bee-eater among others. Once the chimpanzees are found you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their environment which gives you a chance to observe their behaviors, lifestyle, watch them feed, play, hunt, breastfeed, mate, fight, groom young ones, take photos and record the breathtaking moments.
- Lion tracking experience in Queen Elizabeth national park
Lion tracking is one of the exceptional activities in Queen Elizabeth national park that gives you an opportunity to spend time and have a closer look at the lions in their natural habitat. During the lion tracking experience which takes about 1 to 3 hours drive, you will track lions which have radio collars attached to their necks with a radio antenna and once they are found you will be able to observe and learn about their habits, monitor their behaviors, the number of lions in a pride, learn how they feed, take beautiful photos at a close range among others.
Best time to visit Queen Elizabeth national park
Queen Elizabeth national park can be visited anytime throughout the year though the best time is during the dry season also known as the peak season in the months of June, July, August, September, December, January and February. During the dry season the park receives less or little rainfall therefore vegetation will be thin which makes wildlife viewing easy and large concentration of animals will gather around the water bodies to drink water hence which helps you to view different animals and take clear photos.
Queen Elizabeth national park can also be visited in the wet season during the months of March, April, May, October and November. Though the wet season is characterized by heavy rainfall it’s the best period for birding where bird lovers will be able to view colorful and migratory bird species from Europe. During the wet season you will explore the park with fewer crowds and some lodges offer discounts hence favoring budget travelers.
Where to stay during your safari in Queen Elizabeth national park
Queen Elizabeth national park offers a wide range of accommodation facilities where visitors can stay during their safari in the park. The accommodations range from luxury, mid-range and budget including Mweya Safari Lodge, Ishasha Jungle Lodge, Enganzi Lodge, Elephant Hub Lodge, Elephant Plains Lodge, Ishasha Wilderness Camp, Park View Safari Lodge, Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge, Queen Elizabeth Safari Camp, Kasenyi Safari Camp, Simba Safari Camp, Kyambura Tented Camp, Kyambura Gorge Lodge, Katara Lodge, Jacana Safari Lodge, Ihamba Safari Lodge, Kitandara Hippo Hill Lodge, Ishasha Jungle Lodge, Kingfisher Lodge Kichwamba, Mweya Hostels among others.
Getting to Queen Elizabeth national park
Queen Elizabeth national park is located in western Uganda and can be accessed by road transport means where you will drive from Kampala via Mubende – FortPortal or Masaka -Mbarara to the park headquarters which takes about 6 to 7 hours drive.
Queen Elizabeth national park can also be accessed by air transport means whereby you will book scheduled or chartered flights with Aerolink Uganda from Entebbe airport or Kajjansi airfield to Mweya or Kasese airstrips.
