Queen Elizabeth National Park, Wildlife Adventure Tours in Uganda
Queen Elizabeth National Park is situated in the Western Part of Uganda stretching within various districts which include; Kasese, Kamwenge, Rubirizi, and Rukungiri about 400 kilometers (250 ml) South West of Kampala. The park comprises various attractions like Maramagambo Forest, the borders of Kigezi Game Reserve and the prominent Kyambura Game Reserve.
The park covers an area of 1,978 square kilometres (764 sq mi) extending to the banks of Lake George and Lake Edward with the Kazinga Channel which adjoins both. It inhabits various wildlife animals which include; African buffalo, Ugandan kob, hippopotamus, Nile crocodile, African bush elephant, African leopard, lion and chimpanzee.
It also includes the Ishasha Sector which offers sightings of the Tree Climbing Lions which are fond of sitting within the Fig Tree branches. It also includes volcanic features i.e Volcanic Cones, Deep Craters for example Katwe Crater Lake from which Salt is extracted.
How to Get to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is located in the Western Region and can be accessed by Air Transport and Road Transport depending on the Tastes and preferences of the travellers. It requires travelers to transfer for 5-6 hours along a Tarmac Road through Mbarara for 420 km or Fort Portal via Kasese 410 kms. You can also transfer from Bwindi Forest National Park.
When to Visit Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park can be visited any time around the year however the best time to visit the Park is during the dry season in June to September. This is because the wildlife animals are out of the bushes searching for water and the photography is clear.
Activities to Do in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is a very ideal safari destination to all travellers looking to experience remarkable Wildlife Adventure Tours. These include;
Game Drives
These are the most safari activities carried out in the park and they require travellers to transfer along various tracks searching for wildlife wandering around their natural vegetation habitat. These can take place the whole day despite the fact that they are scheduled according to travelers’ tastes and preferences and the wildlife animals you will spot include; Uganda kob, warthog, elephant, waterbuck, giant forest hog, leopards, lions, hyenas, Buffalo, Topis.
Boat Cruise
Travelers to Queen Elizabeth National Park can also transfer to experience a remarkable Boat Cruise along the prominent Kazinga Channel where you will spot schools of Hippos and crocodiles beneath the waters. You will also spot other wildlife animals approaching the banks to sip some water from their vegetation habitats. This has the Morning at 8:30 am and afternoon session at 2:30 pm.
Bird Watching
Queen Elizabeth National Park is also a birder’s safari destination due to the numerous species that inhabit the vegetation around the park. There are about 600 species in the Maramagambo Forest.
The Bird species that can be seen here include the martial Eagle, Black-rumped Buttonquail, African Skimmer, Chapin’s Flycatcher, Pink-backed Pelican, African Broadbill, Verreaux’s Eagle Owl, Black Bee-eater, White-tailed Lark, White-winged Warbler, Papyrus Gonolek, Papyrus Canary, Corncrake, Lesser and Greater Flamingo, Shoebill, Bar-tailed Godwit
Hiking and Nature Walks
Queen Elizabeth National Park offers amazing Hiking and Nature Walk Adventures due to the numerous Hiking trails in the Park which include; Hike through Maramagambo Forest where you will spot various species of Birds and Primates enjoying their natural forest vegetation habitat to the fullest. You can also transfer to visit the Crater Lakes and the primates you will spot include; the L’Hoest’s Monkeys, Red Tailed Monkeys, Vervet Monkeys, Blue Monkeys, Baboons, and Black and White Colobus Monkeys. The forest is also home to two nocturnal Bushbabies and Pottos.
Cultural Encounters
Cultural Encounters are also a prominent Safari Activity carried out in Queen Elizabeth National Park as you visit the various local communities like the Kikorongo Women Community, and Nyanz’ibiri Cave Community where you will enjoy performances and interactions with the local people. You will be entertained through Music Dance and Drama about their traditions and Customs.
Lion Tracking in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park offers remarkable Lion Tracking Adventures where you will learn more about the life of the lions. You will transfer with researchers tracking the lions following the tags to determine their location and when you meet them, the Adventure is worth and exceptional to take on. The Lion Tracking Permit Costs US $50 per person interested in tracking Lions at Queen Elizabeth National Park.