Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park covers an area of 1,978km², with an elevation fluctuation between 2,985 ft and 4,560 ft (910 m to 1,390 m) above sea level.

The Katwe explosion craters mark the park’s highest point at 1,350m above sea level with the lowest point being Lake Edward at 910m.

The park was established in 1952 as Kazinga National Park, and renamed 2 years later to commemorate the visit by Queen Elizabeth II of England and one of the largest in Uganda and adjoins the frontier of the Democratic Republic of Congo to the west.

Queen Elizabeth National Park spans the equator line and monuments on either side of the road mark the exact spot where it crosses latitude 00. The ecosystem is diverse, featuring Acacia savanna which dominate the high concentration of candelabra shrub a cactus growing along the Kazinga channel and Kasenyi plains. Also, the tropical high forests, salt lakes, savanna grasslands, tundra, and wetlands. The lakes are part salty with the 2 famous being Lake George and Lake Edward.

There are 5 main sectors of Queen Elizabeth National Park namely;

The Northeast Escarpment
Kyambura Gorge – chimpanzees and a diversity of bird life.
Ishasha Sector – home to the big Cats and tree climbing lions
Mweya Peninsula – the lion research programme
Rift Valley Escarpment

The park is one of Uganda’s most visited and often paired with Gorilla trekking in Bwindi and Chimp trekking in Kibale. Famous for its big cats, including the tree climbing lions and leopards. Uganda’s savannah parks are unique and game drives reveal the parks range of big game such as elephants, buffaloes, antelopes and warthogs.

The park is home to over 95 mammal species, over 600 bird species, making it the ideal habitat for classic big game, with 10 primate species including chimpanzees. Set against the backdrop of the jagged Rwenzori Mountains, the park’s magnificent vistas include dozens of enormous craters carved dramatically into rolling green hills, panoramic views of the Kazinga Channel with its banks lined with hippos, buffalo and elephants.

The endless Ishasha plains, whose fig trees hide lions from their unsuspecting Uganda Kob. Boasting of 20 species of carnivores including the lion, leopards, side stripped jackal and spotted hyena. The nocturnal brings the more elusive animals like the leopard, civet, genet and serval. Boat safaris take you across the Kazinga Channel that links Lakes Edward and George, as buffalo and elephants come down to the shores, pelicans rafting together in the sunshine, a number of hippos. Famous species of birds include Shoebill stork, pelican and flamingo may be seen.

In the trees, hunting around in the vegetation you may see 10 species of primate, the largest being the chimpanzees, found in the hidden forests of Kyambura and the expanse of Maramagambo Forest are olive baboons who may attempt to steal your lunch.

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