Queen Elizabeth National Park is located in the south western part of Uganda. It covers a total area of 1978 square kilometers and tourists like it for its diverse ecosystems.
The Park’s shady, humid forests, sparkling lakes, fertile wetlands, and sprawling savannah provides good shelter to ten primates including Chimpanzees, 600 bird species and large numbers of the big game.
Queen’s spectacular sights include the scenic views of Kazinga Channel that attracts a number of elephants, buffalos, hippos and water bird species, the enormous craters that are carved into the rolling green hills and the Ishasha plains.
Visitors to Queen, usually get there by road transport or air transport means. It’s about 420 km from Kampala to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
By road, it takes about 7-8 hours to drive from Kampala to the Park suburbs via Kampala- Masaka – Mbarara highway including a stopover at the equator and in Mbarara town for lunch.
If not road, you can go by air transport means and private charters are arranged from Kajjansi airstrip to Mweya airstrip. You can also access Queen from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
This is possible when you are connecting from Buhoma sector via a route that pass through the Southern Ishasha sector.
Top Activities in the Park
Launch Trip Cruise
Kazinga Channel is home to multiple aquatic species including crocodiles, hippos, and water bird species and several attracted animals that line along the banks.
Nothing can expose you to these creatures than a launch trip cruise. The activity takes place daily in sessions (afternoon and evening).
Game Drives
Game driving is an excursion which lets tourists enjoy the unending views of the wilderness from a pop up safari car.
While in Queen, you can do the drive through Kasenyi, or the Ishasha sector. Expect to see plenty of wild animals like elephants, buffaloes, lions, leopards, kobs, bush bucks and more.
Chimp Tracking in Kyambura
Most travelers do the Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale but Queen is an ideal alternative.
The tracking allows you to meet these primates in the Jungles. While in Queen Elizabeth National Park, you can have the experience in Kyambura gorge.
Birding in Queen Elizabeth
Queen Elizabeth National Park is recorded with over 600 species. Birder consider this place to multiple species named on Uganda’s birding list. Early morning or late evening are the best times for great sights.
Nature Walks
Nature walks are one of the best options to explore the vast landscapes and rich wildlife in Queen. Tourists do this activity in Maramagambo forest, Mweya Peninsula for scenic views and along the Ishasha River where you can see variety of forest and savannah bird species.