About Queen Elizabeth National Park
About Queen Elizabeth National Park : Location ; Queen Elizabeth national park is among the oldest Parks in Uganda since it was established in 1952 with Murchison falls nationals park and renamed in 1954 to commemorate the visit of Queen Elizabeth 11 of great britain . The park is situated in the western part of Uganda, covering the districts of Kasese, kamwengye, bushenyi , Rubirizi and Rukungiri. The park lies between the 2 lakes; George and Edward with the kazinga channel crossing through. The park is found against the back drop of the magnificent Rwenzori Mountain occupying the total area of 1, 989 kilometers squared famous for its primate species, unusual tree climbing lions in Ishasha sector and the large concentration of Hippos. Queen Elizabeth national park is considered to be the second largest park in Uganda after Murchison falls national park.
How to get there; you can be in Queen Elizabeth national park either by tour agent/company or self- drive. It takes approximately 5-6 hour’s drive (380km) from Kampala /Entebbe international airport via Masaka-mbarara –kasese road. You can also access the park by road from Kampala Through Mubende ,fortportal to Kasese covering 410 kilometers and then 1-2 hours flight from Entebbe international airport to Kasese airstrip using Aerolink or bar aviation. The park can be accessed using different gates. They Include; katunguru gate (gate from kasese), Kabatoro gate (The main entrance gate) and ishasha gate among others.
Before accessing the park promises Entrance fee is charged; that’s the money charged by (government body) Uganda wildlife Authority in charge of Tourism from Tourists Before accessing the park promises. Foreign residents are charged 30 USD per person, Non foreign residents are charged 40USD per person and Ugandans 20,000 ugx per adult and children are charged 20usd per child non-foreign resident, 15usd per child foreign resident and 10,000 ugx per child Ugandan. Please note that park entrance fee is for only one day that’s 24 hours and Park Entrance permits are given at All the gates.
Queen Elizabeth national park has many different attractions and activities (Please note that each activity in the park is paid for) include;
Chimpanzee Tracking in Karinzu forest and Kyambura gorge; This is walking through the jungle of forest in search of chimpanzees in order to be able to get the glimpse of fascinating primates swinging on the tree branches .It takes 2- 3 hours depending on the location of the chimpanzees and on finding them ,visitors are limited to only an hour in the presence of the primates . For one to Track chimpanzees has to be charged 50 usd per person Non foreign residents and 40usd per adult foreign residents ,Children below 18 years of age are not allowed to track the primates.
– Game viewing since there are over 95 species of mammals inclusive of the africa’s big five animals apart from the white Rhinos that incudes ; Elephants , Lions, Buffaloes ,leopards, Giraffes , Uganda kobs ,antelopes , Impalas , bush bucks , buffaloes , Jackson wildebeest, warthog , , hyena , jackals among others. The best time to be in queen elizabeth national park is during the long dry season from June continue through july and august , mid- December Through January proceed to end of February. Chimpanzee trekking is best to be done from June- august and mid -September, Then December to February.
Lion tracking experience in the kasenyi plains; this activity is done by researchers and wardens using radio calls and radiation locator to find where lions are hiding. You get a chance to spot lions climbing trees/ in the tree branches .The activity is done in two sessions, Morning and evening. One needs to book in advance for such activity, its 110 usd per adult both non- foreign residents and foreign residents.
-Boat cruise at the Kazinga channel that will give you a chance to see Hippos, Crocodiles and birds. It takes 2-3 hours. Boats are charged 30,000ugx per person Ugandans, 30USD per person for non -Foreign and foreign residents and 30 usd per person foreign residents.
–Birding /bird watching activity especially for bird lovers since the park has over 600 species of birds include; Black headed lap wing , Black Billed Barbet ,Senegal thick knee, yellow fronted tinkerbird, long –toed lapwing, long tailed nightjar , shoe bills along albertline among others.
-Fishing at kazinga channel can be done all the time. you can either choose to fish or boat ; The fish caught includes; Tilapia Nilotica , Nile perch, tiger fish , Haplocromis ,Nigripiniss among others.
–Cultural visits in the local village where tourists are entertained with traditional local dances participating in process of fishing, making crafts for sale.
Queen Elizabeth national park has different categories of lodging/accommodation inside and outside with budget option, mid- range and luxury that meets guests choices.
Budget lodges in queen elizabeth national park include; Pumba safari cottages , engiri game lodge , queen Elizabeth safari lodge , Mweya hostel for Uganda wildlife campsites among others.
Mid- range lodges include; Elephant hab lodge , Buffalo safari lodge , aardvark safari lodge , Munyanyange safari lodge , Kikorongo safari lodge , Parkview safari lodge , Ihamba residence lodge, enganzi lodge , enjojo lodge, Ishasha jungle lodge , kasenyi safari lodge among others.
Luxury lodges in queen Elizabeth national park include; Mweya safari lodge (Under Marasa Africa), Elephant plains lodge, Ishasha wilderness camp , Katara lodge , Kyambura gorge lodge etc.
