Formerly known as the Kazinga National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP) is remarkably one of the most famous and pristine Uganda wildlife safari destinations. This park is situated in western Uganda along the Western Rift Valley 376kms away from Kampala capital city. It derives its name from Queen Elizabeth the second of Great Britain in remembrance of her visit to this magical wilderness area.

Queen Elizabeth National Park was established in 1952 together with Murchison Falls National Park. This 1978sq.km protected area features as Uganda’s second largest park and Katwe Explosion Craters stand at 1350 meters and they mark the highest point of the park then Lake Edward marks the lowest point.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is set against the backdrop of the magnificent Rwenzori Mountain ranges and visitors on Uganda safari get the best views of its vast craters, Kazinga channel, hills and variety of wildlife. Visitors on Uganda wildlife safari in this park also have a chance to interact with local residents in the nearby local communities and most importantly, while on Kasonga Community Experience.

Wildlife species at Queen Elizabeth National Park
Travelers on Uganda wildlife safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park are never left in regrets given a huge concentration of wildlife species. Queen Elizabeth National Park boasts for its diverse ecosystem including Lake George-Ramsar Wetland Site with the Semi aquatic sitatunga antelopes, shoebills; Explosion craters comprise of about 72 vast basins dotted across the Equator, Katwe-the best spot for you to overview the Katwe Kabatoro Community on Katwe Salt Lake and at Lake Munyanyange which is ideal site for the lesser flamingoes.

The Kasenyi Plains consist of extensive savanna offering true African safari experience while you are on a game drive This sector rewards visitors on Uganda safari with incredible sights at the African lions, African elephants, buffaloes, leopards, warthogs, antelopes (Kobs, topis and waterbucks) to mention but a few. The Mweya Peninsula is focal point of this park the fact that it is where the visitor center is found, luxury lodge and several budget food choices as well as departure point for visitors on Kazinga Channel boat/launch trip.

Along Kazinga channel, visitors catch a glimpse at the huge concentration of hippos, crocodiles, water birds, buffaloes, elephants, monitor lizards among others. Ishasha area in the southern side of the park is perfect for you to see the tree climbing lions as well as buffaloes, elephants and birds.

For primate lovers, Queen Elizabeth National Park inhabits about 10 primate species and they thrive in Kyambura Wildlife Reserve, Kyambura Gorge, Maramagambo Forest. The different primates to look for on Uganda safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park include chimpanzees, olive baboons, vervet monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys to mention but a few.

Bird species in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Over 620 bird species are confined in different habitats of Queen Elizabeth National Park thus making it one of the significant birding spots in Uganda and East Africa at large. The birds to see in this park include white winged warblers, shoebill stork, papyrus gonoleks, verreaux’s eagle, African skimmers, pink backed pelicans, corncrake, papyrus canary, black bee-eaters, martial eagle, Chapin’s flycatcher, lesser and greater flamingos, bar tailed Godwit.

What to do in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Game drives
Queen Elizabeth National Park is ideal for visitors on Uganda wildlife safari to embark on game drive. Game drives in this park are best done along Kasenyi sector in the northern side where you have a chance to catch a glimpse at diverse wildlife species including the African bush elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, lions, leopards, birds and not to forget the breathtaking landscape. You can opt for a day or night game drive.

Birding
With about 620 bird species, Queen Elizabeth National Park is undoubtedly a birder’s paradise. Birding safaris in this park offer birders with exciting sights at diverse bird species, especially the pink backed pelicans, lesser and greater flamingos, shoebill stork, African skimmers, king fishers, verreaux’s eagle owl, yellow throated cuckoo and many more.

Launch cruise
This is an exceptional watersport experience you shouldn’t miss to take part on Uganda safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Boat or launch cruise in this park is best done along Kazinga channel that links the two lakes; Lake Edward and Lake George. It offers visitors a chance to see hippos, crocodiles, water birds as well as elephants, buffaloes and many more.

Chimpanzee tracking
Chimpanzee tracking safaris in Queen Elizabeth National Park are best conducted around Kyambura Gorge which also allows you to see other primate species including baboons, vervet monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys.

Nature walks
Nature walks introduce you to diverse habitats in Queen Elizabeth National Park. You explore different trails including those around Lake Nyamusingire, explore the bat cave where the hungry python as well as several wildlife species.

Best time to visit Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is open to tourists on Uganda wildlife safari all year round. However, the dry season is considered the best to visit this park for wildlife safari. The dry season usually begins in June, August, September and December, January, February. Most wildlife species confine in water sources during the dry season thus making it the perfect period to catch a glimpse at variety of savanna dwellers while on a game drive. The wet or rainy season is also considered ideal especially for birding safaris. The wet months of the year in this park begin in March, April, May and October, November.

Accommodation options at Queen Elizabeth National Park
The key accommodation choices to spend a night at in Queen Elizabeth national park range from luxury to budget. Luxury options include Mweya Safari Lodge, Kyambura Game Lodge, Hippo Safari Lodge, Jacana Safari Lodge, Ishasha Wilderness Camp; midrange options include Bush Lodge, Enganzi Game Lodge, Marafiki Safari Lodge; budget options include Pumba Safari Cottages, Kazinga Channel View Resort, Mweya Hostel.

How to get to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is reachable by road or by air. By road, you can start your journey from Entebbe or Kampala through Masaka-Mbarara-Bushenyi through Katunguru about 420kms. The Kampala-Fort Portal-Kasese route covers about 410kms or drive from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via Kabale/Kihihi to Ishasha the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park about 3-4 hours’ drive. The other alternative can be taking a flight from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi airfield to Mweya airstrip, Kasese or Ishasha airstrip.