Queen Elizabeth National Park Uganda
Queen Elizabeth National Park
There must be something about Queen Elizabeth National Park that makes people drive so far. Space and well-distributed trees welcome you and the lack of pollution - the air is so clean. With its landscape dominated by the snow capped peaks of the mighty Rwenzori range immediately to the north -the famed ‘Mountains of the Moon’ which rise to over 4,950m (16,500ft) - the Queen Elizabeth National Park possesses a character of its own. This Park provides an ultimate feast for all the senses.
This Park lies in extreme Western Uganda between lakes George and Edward. It boasts a remarkable range of ecosystems from grassy plains, broad Savannah, tropical forests, rivers, swamps, lakes, and a zone of volcanic craters {some bearing great beauty with wooded slopes and deep blue or green lakes hidden in their depths} where flamingos congregate.
The Maramagambo Forest, south of the Kazinga Channel, divides the rolling plains of Kigezi ‘the Switzerland of Africa’ from the grasslands of the north. Primate viewing is spectacular in this area. The Ishasha sector bears isolated clumps of trees with lions, which have developed a tree-climbing propensity.
The Chambura Gorge is on the eastern boundary it divides the Park from the reserve.
The Park is quite large but the major tourist circuit is north of the Kazinga Channel. There is a rich diversity of mammal species ranging from primates [Black and white Colobus, rare Red Colobus, Red tailed monkey, Blue monkey, and chimpanzees…], predators [jackal, hyena, leopard, and lions…] antelope species [Uganda Kob, bushbuck, topi, & waterbuck… The Defessa Waterbuck is a common sighting. The males of this specie bear the finest horns in Africa.
The 2-hour launch trip along the Kazinga Channel is an unforgettable experience. It is very rewarding to come within few metres of the buffalo, hippos and exorbitant bird species.
A nature walk is worthwhile for bird lovers. A great variety of sunbirds, bee-eaters, kingfishers should be expected. Chimpanzee tracking in the gorge is memorable too. Foot safari is well recommended in the crater area too. This allows for its sights, sounds, smells and texture to be intimately experienced rather than in the confines of the vehicle
Full hotel accommodation in the Park is available at Mwea Safari Lodge, which was built on a bluff overlooking the two Lakes - George and Edward, the Jacana Safari Lodge, students’ Hostel, Savannah ResorUganda - National Parks - Kidepo Valley National Park
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This is another of the very unique features possessed by Uganda. It is a very spectacular Park having scenery unsurpassed anywhere in East Africa.
Isolated in the extreme northeastern corner the Kidepo has a vast altitude change. This offers wide climatic conditions, which support diverse flora.
The Park is characterized by open tree Savannah that vary in structure and composition. The landscape is studded with small hills, rocky outcrops and inselbergs from which spectacular views are obtained.
There are two major game viewing loops. These connect the Rest Camp to prime game viewing areas. This is the only Park in Uganda where zebra and giraffe can be viewed together. Interesting game with a very high chance of being viewed includes: lions (which at times climb trees), the rare white buffalo, cheetah, kudu, bush baby, baboon, oryx, elephant and much more.
The Park boasts 465species of birds. Of particular interest are the Ostrich and Kori bustard, which are found nowhere else.
On arrangement, visitors can betaken to the Kidepo valley and have a walk in the area dominated by Borassus palm; the wide flat riverbed is dry most of the year. Picnics on sand with the only disturbance the noise of the swerving palms cannot be very easily forgotten. Nearby are the Kananorok Hot springs.
The Park with its surrounding offers great aspects of culture. The Karimojong Manyattas, kraals, traditional costumes, stools, spears, dressing gear, bows & arrows and jewelry all offer photogenic opportunities.
The Apoka Rest camp offers substantial accommodation. It has 16 self - contained quality chalets. There is also a hostel, which comprises 14 bandas, with basic accommodation. There are Campsites too - with a do-it yourself style of operation.
There is available accommodation in areas outside the Park as well. This is in form of Lodges and Guesthouses.
The Park can be reached by road or air. It is more thrilling to drive as more parts of the park will be seen. A 4WD vehicle is recommended., the drive however, is 840km from Kampala [13 - 14 hours]. There could be need to sleep midway before arrival. A charter takes 2 hours from Entebbe.
t Hotel [30km - Ishasha]. There is also a camping area.
From Kampala, it is 6-hours’ drive via the Masaka-Mbarara highway. The airfields serving the Park are at Kasese for large crafts and Mwea for the lighter ones.