Queen Elizabeth National Park

Explore the Queen Elizabeth National Park,the Medley of Wonders.

Imagine a place where nature’s marvels come together – that’s Queen Elizabeth National Park. This vast park spans the equator line, with monuments marking the exact spot where it crosses latitude 00. Originally known as Kazinga National Park, it was founded in 1952 and later renamed to honor a visit by Queen Elizabeth II of England two years later.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts, home to over 95 mammal species and an impressive count of over 600 bird species. From the Katwe explosion craters, marking the highest point at 1,350m above sea level, to the lowest point at 910m at Lake Edward, the park showcases diverse ecosystems. These include sprawling savannas, shady humid forests, sparkling lakes, and fertile wetlands, creating an ideal habitat for classic big game, ten primate species (including chimpanzees), and over 600 bird species.

Against the backdrop of the jagged Rwenzori Mountains, the park’s vistas are nothing short of spectacular. Enormous craters carved into rolling green hills, panoramic views of the Kazinga Channel teeming with hippos, buffalo, and elephants, and the endless Ishasha plains, hiding lions in fig trees ready to pounce on unsuspecting Uganda kob – it’s a visual feast.

Beyond its outstanding wildlife, Queen Elizabeth National Park has a captivating cultural history. Visitors have numerous opportunities to meet local communities, enjoy storytelling, dance, music, and more. The park’s gazetting ensures the conservation of its ecosystems, benefiting the surrounding communities.

Exploring the Kazinga Channel: A Wildlife Spectacle

The Kazinga Channel, with its shores providing year-round water, is a hub for birds, reptiles, and mammals. A boat safari on this channel is the park’s most famous activity. The 2-hour round trip between the Mweya jetty and Lake Edward offers marvelous opportunities to view crocodiles, elephants, hippos, buffalo, and a variety of waterbirds up-close. Safari game tracks allow for game drives to explore the plains north of the Kazinga Channel. While large numbers of animals live here, the patchwork of grassland and scrubby thickets can make game viewing challenging, especially after long rains. The Channel track and the Leopard Loop are likely spots to find Leopard and Giant Forest Hog. The area is also known for distinctive candelabra trees (Euphorbia candelabrum) and the perching spots of African Fish Eagles.

Kyambura Gorge: Chimpanzee Tracking and Nature Hike.

At the foot of the Kichwamba escarpment, the Kyambura Gorge, through which the Kyambura River flows towards the Kazinga Channel, offers a unique experience. The Fig Tree Camp at the gorge’s edge provides a giddy view into the 100m-deep chasm. Travelers can track habituated chimpanzees in the gorge, with excursions departing twice daily, complementing savannah game drives. Although chimp sightings are not guaranteed, the ravine offers a remarkable nature hike, adding another dimension to exploring the plains above.

Ishasha Sector: Remote Wilderness and Tree-Climbing Lions

The remote Ishasha sector, in the extreme south of Queen Elizabeth NP, is often missed by tourists, but it holds a wilderness character unrivaled elsewhere in the park. Bordering Virunga National Park in the D.R. Congo, Ishasha is home to a superb variety of animals. Hippos are common in the Ishasha River, and Buffalo, Topi, and Kob roam the plains. Tree-climbing lions, the sector’s most famous residents, can be easily spotted draped over the branches of large fig and acacia trees. Their motives for tree climbing remain unclear, but whether it’s for shade, watching for meals, or avoiding bugs, Ishasha lions appear incredibly comfortable on their high perches.

The Best Time to Visit Queen Elizabeth National Park

For the optimal experience, plan your visit during the long dry season from June to August or the short dry season from mid-December to late February. These periods offer dry weather, sparse vegetation for easy wildlife spotting, and fewer bugs. Daytime temperatures peak at around 30ºC (86 F) during the dry season month of February, with nighttime lows averaging at 17ºC (62 F). It’s the perfect time for a safari holiday in Queen Elizabeth National Park, where you can witness the beauty of nature in all its glory.