Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the most popular national parks in Uganda, located in the southwestern part of the country. The park covers an area of 1,978 square kilometers and is named after Queen Elizabeth II. It was established in 1952 and is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including the famous tree-climbing lions, elephants, buffaloes, hippos, and over 600 species of birds (the most any single national park in Eastern Africa).
The park is divided into two major areas: the northern area, which is dominated by the open savannah grasslands dotted by euphobia trees of the Kasenyi Plains, and the dense tropical rainforests of the Kyambura Gorge. The southern part is accessed after a drive through the park and the patch of Maramagambo Forest which is dominated by the Ishasha sector which is famous due to the tree-climbing felines. The park is also home to the beautiful Lake Edward and Lake George, which are connected by the Kazinga Channel.
Life at the park is a major attraction. It is home to over 95 mammal species, including elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes, and hippos. The tree-climbing lions of Ishasha, a southern sector of the park, are a unique sight to behold. These lions climb trees to escape the heat, hide from insects, and get a better view of their prey. The park is also home to several primate species, including chimpanzees that can be seen at the Kyambura Gorge, baboons, and monkeys.
Bird watching is another popular activity for visitors to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The park is home to over 600 bird species, making it a bird lover’s paradise. The Kazinga Channel is a great place to spot water birds such as pelicans, herons, and kingfishers, while the Maramagambo Forest is home to several forest bird species, including the African green broadbill and the blue-headed sunbird.
The park offers several activities for visitors, including game drives, boat safaris, and chimpanzee tracking. Game drives are a popular way to see the park’s wildlife, and visitors can choose from either a morning or an evening drive. Boat safaris on the Kazinga Channel are a great way to see the park’s water birds and hippos up close. Chimpanzee tracking is another popular activity, and visitors can take guided walks through the Kyambura Gorge to see these fascinating primates in their natural habitat.
Also inside the park is a chain of crater lakes of about 27km. The drive through this seismic work of volcanicity gives a different perspective of the park. The drive ends at Katwe salt lake.
Katwe salt lake has been a salt mining area for decades and a source of prosperity for people here. Lake Katwe is a crater lake inside Queen Elizabeth national park. Different streams drain into this lake, but it has no outlet. The intense evaporation during the dry seasons leads to the water in the lake becoming extremely salty. The miners construct saltpans at the margins of the lake to intensify the evaporation and concentrate the salt. It
Queen Elizabeth National Park is served by a dozen of accommodation facilities that are well located and each range from budget, mid-budget to luxury. If you are looking for a big game safari in Uganda, Queen Elizabeth National Park should be on your list. Its diverse range of wildlife includes 4 of the big 5, easy access, and beautiful landscapes make it a unique and unforgettable experience. Visitors can enjoy game drives, boat safaris, chimpanzee tracking, and bird watching, among other activities. With its stunning scenery and abundant wildlife, Queen Elizabeth National Park is truly a jewel in Uganda’s crown.