QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK.

The park is located southwest of Uganda about 410km north of Kampala. It sits on 1978square kilometers. That’s around 6hours on the road driving from Kampala, passing via Masaka-Mbarara through Bushenyi to the centre of the park that is about 420km or via Kampala-Mityana-Mubende-Fort Portal through Kasese overlooking the Rwenzori mountain ranges which is about 410km. It has rolling plains east of Lake Edward and foothills south of the Rwenzori Mountains. It also includes Maramagambo forest that borders Kigezi game reserve, Kibale National Park and Virunga National Park in the Democratic republic of Congo. The park is known for its wildlife and most famously the tree climbing lions of Ishasha plains.

The main activities done in Queen Elizabeth National park are birding, chimpanzee tracking in the Kyambura gorge, explosion crater drive and game drives around the Kasenyi area and Ishasha sector, boat cruise on the Kazinga channel, hot air ballooning, forest walks in Maramagambo forest which has a bat cave. With a variety of accommodation inside and near the park, from budget to luxury. There is @The River Ishasha, Simba safari camp, Mweya safari lodge, Kasenyi safari camp, Ihamba safari lodge, Kyambura gorge lodge to mention but a few.

The park has fascinating sights, wildlife and vegetation. This includes the volcanic features comprising of volcanic cones, deep craters and sparkling crater lakes like Lake Katwe where salt is extracted. It has 10 primate species, 95 species of mammals, over 600 species of birds including the flamingos. The park also has a variety of ecosystems from semi-deciduous tropical forest to green meadows that include sprawling savanna, shady, humid forests and fertile wetlands that make the ideal habitat for classic big game.

The animals in the park include four of the big five, that is the leopard, elephant, buffalo and the tree climbing lions that hide in the fig trees in the Ishasha plains as they be ready to pounce on the kobs that pass unsuspected. Other animals in the park include; hippopotamus, chimpanzees, baboons, Uganda kob, waterbucks, warthog and a lot more.

The park has beautiful and breathtaking birds. These include; several species of falcons, 11 types of kingfisher, shoebill storks, black bee eater, flamingos that can be found in the crater lakes to the north, eagles and other raptors. The best way to view the game is by the launch trip on the Kazinga channel between Lake Edward and Lake George. The park can be visited throughout the year though it has two rainy seasons that is March-May and September-November. Rainfall varies with in the park. It is advised to always use a 4by4 vehicle mostly in rainy seasons.

The park also has a fascinating cultural history. You can meet the local communities and enjoy their entertainment, their story telling, dances, music and more. Like they say, Queen Elizabeth National Park is a medley of wonders, it is worth your visit.