Queen Elizabeth National Park was formerly called Kazinga National Park, founded in 1952, lying between Lake George and Lake Edward. The park is found in the western part of Uganda in the districts of Kasese, Kamwenge, Rubirizi, and Rukungiri. In size, the park is 1978 square kilometers, which is home to 95 mammals and over 600 bird species. The distance is 389 kilometers from Kampala in about 5-6 hours by road using the Kampala-Kasese via Fort Portal route and the Kampala-Kasese via Mbarara route to get to Queen Elizabeth National Park. By air transport using flights from Entebbe International Airport OR Kajjansi Airstrip flying to Kasese Airstrip OR Mweya Airstrip.
ANIMALS FOUND IN Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Lions, African elephants, African buffalo, Ugandan kob, hippopotamuses, waterbuck, warthogs, giant forest hogs, Nile crocodiles, leopards, antelopes, hyenas, jackals, chimpanzees, baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, l’hoests monkeys, and giant forest hogs.
Birds
African finfoot, African skimmer, black bee-eater, broad-billed roller, Caspian plover, common sand martin, great blue turaco, red-chested sunbird, shoebill, pink-backed pelican, spotted redshank .
KEY SECTORS IN Queen Elizabeth National Park
ISHASHA PLAINS.
This area is known for its tree-climbing lions that hide in the savannah woodland trees, like acacia trees and cactus trees located in the southwestern part of the park, for shade and wait for prey.
LAKE KATWE CRATER.
This is a volcanic feature, including volcanic cones and deep craters where salt is extracted, found in the northern part of the Mweya Peninsula. There is a 27km drive through the craters in the park.
KAZINGA CHANNEL.
This is approximately 40 meters in length and connects as a bridge between Lake Edward and Lake George. The Kazinga Channel has two parts: the Kasenyi Plains, where lion tracking is done, and the Mweya Peninsula. There is boat cruising on the Kanzinga Channel, and you can find the old buffaloes on its shores and hippopotamuses and crocodiles in the water as you are sailing.
KYAMBURA GORGE
This is a valley of apes in the park located in the eastern part of the park. This is drained by the Kyambura River, which possesses riverine forests where you can find red-tailed monkeys, white colobus monkeys, chimpanzees, and others.
MWEYA PENINSULAR.
This is a good viewing place for leopards within the shrubby thickets, thus encouraging community walks and many game drives because of the many tracks found in the area and mongoose tracking, which is done on foot with guides watching and learning the behavior of the rodents in the wild. This is found in the northern part of the Kazinga Channel, merging with Lake Edward.
MARAMAGAMBO FOREST
This covers part of the park from the escarpments of Kichwamba and all through to Lake Edward and is good for hiking and nature walks. This is found in the southern part of the park, famous because of the bat caves and a home to many bird species.
ACTIVITIES in Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Game drives
- Birdwatching
- Boat cruise. This takes place on the Kazinga Channel.
- Chimpanzee Tracking
- Guided nature walks
ACCOMMODATIONS IN THE PARK
Mweya Safari Lodge. This is a luxury lodge located in the Mweye Peninsula sector between the Kazinga Channel and Lake Edward shores in the park, which is approximately 420km from Kampala and takes 6 hours. It has facilities like the Tembo Bar, the Myeya Information Center, gift shops, a business center, restaurant,32 standard rooms, 12 deluxe rooms, 2 suites, a presidential cottage, 2 luxury tents, family cottages, queen cottages, and 2 standard tents.
Elephant Plains Lodge. This is a mid-range lodge located next to the Kikorongo River in the park in the Kasese district. The lodge has luxury cottages, 6 double rooms, 2 family cottages, a restaurant, free WIFI, and a bar.
Simba Safari Lodge. This is a budget lodge found on the border of the park, constructed on a hill that gives a good view of Lake George. This is the closest accommodation for a game drive in the Kasenyi Plains. They have 9 twin rooms, 2 triple rooms, 2 family cottages, 3 dormitory rooms, a restaurant, and a well-stocked bar.
Parkview Safari Lodge. This is a luxury accommodation facility that is 16km from Kyambura Game Reserve and a 10-minute drive from the park’s main gate. The lodge contains a restaurant that serves different cuisines, a bar with an extreme taste of beverages, and cottages that are self-contained with free WIFI and well-conditioned.
Ishasha Wilderness Camp. This is a luxury lodge found in the southern part of the Ishasha sector within the park. It has 10 Meru-style bush camp tents with double beds.
Kasenyi Safari Camp. This is a mid-range lodge located between Lake Bunyampanka and the savannah plains of the park. It offers safari tents, bush breakfast,
Tembo Safari Lodge. This is a budget lodge located in the park near the Kazinga Channel. They have twin rooms and single standard rooms.