Queen Elizabeth National Park Uganda

Facts about Queen Elizabeth National Park Uganda

Formerly known as Kazinga National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park Uganda (QENP) was established in 1952 but was renamed in 1954 to commemorate the visit by Queen Elizabeth II. It is situated inside the Albertine Rift Valley in western Uganda covering over 1,978 sq km at an altitude of 884- 1,337m/2,900- 4,386ft.

The park is located at the base of the ‘Mountains of the Moon the Rwenzori Range and the views from some of the camps are simply spectacular. This park has been designated a Biosphere Reserve for Humanity by UNESCO due to the vast biodiversity the park enshrines, ranging from savannahs to lush forests, swampy wetlands, and lakes.

The park is a habitat for over 95 mammal species with over 600 species of birds. Four out of the big five animals can be found in QENP. The rhino is not present.

The most common activities carried out while on queen Elizabeth wildlife safaris include game drives in the park to watch multiple wildlife species, chimpanzee trekking at Kyambura gorge and Kalinzu forest reserve, birding safaris at the park, launch cruise at Kazinga channel, site seeing, forest walks, view of the craters, river tails and many more.

Birds in Queen Elizabeth national park Uganda

Birding is a key activity this as result of the ever-blooming bird species at the park. The park is home to more than 600 bird species.

Currently the park has an assortment water bird species, forest birds and woodland dwellers in the confluence of Maramagambo forest, include about 54 raptors and several migratory bird species. The common species and key birds include the African broad bill, Verreaux’s eagle owl, black be eater, white-tailed lark, papyrus goanlek, pelicans, corncrake, greater flamingoes, shoe bill stocks and bar railed and so many more.

To carry out the most remarkable birding safaris at queen Elizabeth park, visit the birding spots such as Maramgambo, forest, kikorongo,Kazinga channel, kasenyi area, Katunguru Bridge, Mweya peninsula, ishasha sector.

Chimpanzee trekking Uganda

Kyambura gorge provides spectacular scenery for chimpanzee trekking. Chimps stay in groups (called troops) of about 30-80 members. There isn’t any particular breeding season and the females give birth every four-five years. They are quadrupedal, walking fast on their four limbs. They are swift climbers, setting their nest high in trees.

The best time to go on a chimpanzee trek is during the dry months, from June through September or between January and February. This is due to easier trekking conditions as the terrain can get quite slippery during rainy seasons. To see primates in their natural habitat is a life-changing experience.

Other primates found in Queen Elizabeth National Park Uganda:

Black and white Colombus Monkey
Blue monkeys
Olive baboons
Vervet monkeys
Red-tailed monkeys

Chimpanzees are, by nature, a lot more aggressive but the groups you can visit are habituated. Aggression towards humans in that context is extremely rare but you have to exercise caution when near chimps.

Katwe crater lake

The Katwe explosion craters are situated at the north of the impressive Mweya Peninsula. The enormous Kyemengo Crater is absolutely the most alluring among the Katwe Explosion Craters. The craters in the past reduced Lake Edward to a poisonous mess. Unlike Volcanoes, Explosion Craters actually do not pile cones they merely blow ash as well as rock to distances far away. The craters are now filled with water forming breathtaking lakes and many have smells of sulphur in their waters. The crater lakes are exceptional viewpoints for nature walks and birding.

You can enjoy a spectacular Crater Drive which presents distant sights of the stunning crater lakes, the Great Western Rift Valley plus its escarpments, Lake George, the Rwenzori Mountains of the Moon, the Kazinga Channel and Lake Edward while on your way. Lake Kitagata can be seen which is a lake fed by salty hot-springs with no wildlife around.