Why is Queen Elizabeth National Park a Popular Destination?
Why is Queen Elizabeth National Park a Popular Destination? The park is one of the top safari destinations in Uganda, located in Kasese District. It was gazetted in 1952 by the Uganda Wildlife Authority to protect the different attractions that were living there at the time. Currently, this park is home to more than 95 mammals, 10 primates, and over 600 bird species.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is famous for game drives where tourists see different mammal species. It’s also popular for the boat cruise, where tourists enjoy boat rides on the largest water channel in the world, connecting two lakes, Edward and George. The park is also known for the chimpanzees and the tree-climbing lions that are in the Ishasha sector of the park.
Things that make Queen Elizabeth National Park a top safari destination
The chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge
Chimpanzees, being the closest relatives to human beings, attract thousands of travelers within Queen Elizabeth National Park. Chimpanzees of Queen Elizabeth National Park are found in Kyambura Gorge, which is part of the park. These chimpanzees, being more affordable to visit than those of Kibale Forest National Park, have attracted most travelers within this place.
On a safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park, visiting Kyambura and taking part in chimpanzee trekking activities will enable you to see these apes in their natural habitats. Some of the chimpanzees have been habituated, and tourists can be around a troop for more than 1 hour, which enables one to know about their habits, watch them play, and take photos.
The big five mammals
Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to more than 95 mammals, among which are the big four. This park is home to lions, leopards, buffaloes, and elephants, which are among the big 5 mammals of the world. On a safari to this park, these animals can be seen during the game drives, which are conducted around the park.
Queen Elizabeth National Park game drives are conducted in Kasenyi Plains and Ishasha Sector in the morning and afternoon hours. By using different game tracks, the tourists have chances of seeing most of the park animals, including the side-striped jackals, Uganda kobs, spotted hyenas, hippos, topis, waterbucks, and oribis, among others.
The tree-climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park are the best place to see tree-climbing lions in the whole world. Another place to see the tree-climbing lions in the world would be Lake Manyara National Park; however, it has a small population. On a safari to Queen Elizabeth National Park, a game drive in the Ishasha sector of the park comes with opportunities of seeing lions lazily hanging in fig tree branches.
The Ishasha sector’s tree-climbing lions are so rare that on a safari to this park you shouldn’t miss them. They climb trees for different reasons, including escaping the ground heat, avoiding biting insects, and also to get a good view of their prey. While in Ishasha, tourists will be able to spot more of the animals of Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Boat cruise on Kazinga Channel
The boat cruises on Kazinga Channel are another reason why tourists visit Queen Elizabeth National Park. Kazinga Channel is the largest water channel in the world connecting Lake Edward to Lake George. It’s famous for having the highest number of hippos in the whole world, and on a boat safari tourists will be able to spot a number of them at different locations along the channel. The channel also attracts water birds and park animals, which come to drink water in the dry season.
The Kaiznga Channel boat cruise in Queen Elizabeth National Park takes 2 to 3 hours and is carried out in the morning, mid-morning, or afternoon hours. During the boat cruise, the local guides are able to help tourists spot water animals such as crocodiles, hippos, and lizards. There are also opportunities to see park animals such as elephants, buffaloes, and antelopes, which come to drink water, especially in the dry season.
Lion tracking in Kasenyi Plains
Queen Elizabeth National Park is the only place in Uganda where tourists are able to trek and spot lions. This activity is carried out in Kasenyi Plains, giving tourists 100 =% chances of seeing lions on their safari. The lions are tracked using radio collars and locators by the armed ranger guides of the park. Once the lions are found, tourists get an opportunity to learn more about their habits, and they do get good photographs.
What is the best time to have a safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park?
Queen Elizabeth National Park is best explored during the driest months of the year, which are June to September and December to February. These months have little rainfall and plenty of sunshine, which is good weather for most of the activities within the park. The game tracks are dry and easier to drive through, which helps tourists explore most of the park areas and see most animals. The vegetation is short, giving a clear view of the animals of the park.
Tourists can also visit Queen Elizabteh National Park for different safari activities in the rainy season, which occurs from March to May and October to November. The park is open for activities from March to May and October to November; however, there is plenty of rainfall, which makes the game tracks muddy and slippery, and the vegetation is tall with unclear views of wildlife.
Where to stay in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park has lots of accommodation facilities where tourists can stay during a safari. These lodges are found in different parts of the park, and they include Buffalo Safari Lodge, Elephant Plains Lodge, Elephant Hab Lodge, Kyambura Gorge, Bush Lodge, Mweya Safari Lodge, Pumba Safari Lodge, Enshama Lodge, Topi Lodge, and Ishasha Wilderness Lodge, to mention a few.
