Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of Uganda’s most stunning savanna grassland protected areas that you should consider visiting while on safari in Africa. The park lies in western Uganda and features as the second largest national park after Murchison Falls National Park. It is surrounded by Bushenyi, Kasese and Rukungiri.
This park is best known as the medley of wonders for many reasons. It was named after Queen Elizabeth the second when it was opened in 1954 and it is credited for its varied ecosystem which include the extensive savanna grassland, humid forests, 32 kilometer Kazinga channel.
This comes with twinkling Lakes like Lake Gorge and Edward that feature the largest hippo population in Africa and other tourist attractions that make the park the perfect safari destination for visitors to catch a glimpse at the four of the big five game (lions including the rare tree climbing lions at Ishasha area, buffaloes, leopards and elephants), that Uganda offers to the world. Others include more than 5000 hippos, topi, Uganda Kobs, waterbucks, serval cats, warthogs and many more.
Not is this remarkable protected credited for its amazing big game, but also for the ten most incredible species of primates and chimpanzees being the very few endangered primates that thrive within the jungles of the Maramangambo forest as well as Kyambura wildlife reserve and many more.
The park also offers refuge to more than 620 species of bird including crowned plover, Africa crake, Bateleur, Flappet lark, nightjars, Nubian woodpecker, swallows, weaver birds, raptor, black headed gonolek, martial eagle, and many more. The park also offers the amazing background of the Mount Rwenzori ranges, stunning views of the Kazinga channel which come with incredible views of the hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes, elephants that wander around the banks of the Kazinga channel.
If you are planning for your self drive adventures to Queen Elizabeth National Park, the key tourist activities for you engage in include game drives, launch cruise along the Kazinga channel, chimpanzee trekking, birding, nature walks, community visits and many more.
How to get to Queen Elizabeth National Park
If you are planning for your self drive adventure in Uganda and specifically to Queen Elizabeth National Park, you will drive for more than 387 kilometers from Kampala city center and this is approximately six hours that is if you take Kampala-Masaka-Mbarara-Kasese route. For incredible self drive adventures to Queen Elizabeth National Park, hiring a 4wheel drive car is the best way for you to explore what this protected are holds for the world travelers. The car rental that you will choose should have a pop up roof to help you catch a glimpse at most of savanna grassland wildlife species.
Safari Lodges in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park features a number of safari lodges that offer visitors that comfort and relaxation that they deserve while on self drive in Uganda. The prominent lodges for you to spend a night over include the Mweya hostel, hippo hill camp, Montana tented camp, Simba safari camp, Kazinga channel view hotel, Mweya safari lodge and Ishasha river lodge. If you are planning a self drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, the best accommodation should be budget lodging facility and preferably camping is the best for you to get in touch with the natural environment.
In conclusion, Queen Elizabeth National Park is an incredible destination that is worth exploring while on self drive adventure in Uganda. It offers wide range of savanna wildlife species as well as forest species. If you are looking for unforgettable experience while on self drive then this is the right place for you to include in your bucket list.