Major tourist attractions in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Major tourist attractions in Queen Elizabeth National Park : The Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s most visited national park. The park was founded in 1952 as Kazinga National Park and renamed two years later to commemorate a visit by Queen Elizabeth II of England. This park is known for its abundance of wildlife of about 95 mammal species and over 600 bird species but it’s famous for its tree-climbing lions, whose males sport black manes in an area called Ishasha in Rukungiri. This park lies on 1,987 square kilometres of land situated south of the Rwenzori mountains, bordering Congo and including two lakes, George and Edward, which are connected through the natural Kazinga Channel. It is an ecosystem made of wetland and open savannah areas, at an altitude of 910m at Lake Edward. However, this article emphases on the Major tourist attractions found in Queen Elizabeth National Park. they include;
Ishasha Sector
One of the highlights of Queen Elizabeth National Park is the Ishasha Sector, known for its unique tree-climbing lions. Located in park’s southern sector, Ishasha is one of only two places in Africa where you can see tree-climbing lions. It is believed that the lions have adopted this unusual behaviour to escape the tsetse flies and the heat of the lower ground. Visitors while in on a lion watching tours here can embark on game drives to observe the tree-climbing lions often lounge in the branches of fig trees, providing a rare sight for visitors.
This activity is the main activity in the Ishasha sector. Ishasha is an excellent place for game drives as it is a lesser-known part of the park, so there will be fewer safari vehicles around, and you can spend longer with the lions. In addition to the lions, plenty of other wildlife to be seen, including the Ugandan Kob, buffalo, elephant, hippo and zebra. This sector provides a perfect balance of relaxation and excitement, attracting those who want to experience the wild wonders of Africa. You can also have a chance to see different bird species such as African White-backed Vulture, Hooded Vulture, Brown Snake Eagle, Palm-nut Vulture, Lappet-faced Vulture and Rüppell’s Griffon Vulture. Ishasha sector is also a convenient region to pass through on your way to or from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for a gorilla trekking tour in Bwindi.
Mweya Peninsula
Another major attraction is the Mweya Peninsula, located between Lake Edward and the Kazinga Channel in the Rwenzori sub-region of Kasese District, Mweya Peninsula is the most visited attraction within Queen Elizabeth National Park. This spot is famous for its stunning views and rich biodiversity. The Mweya area is a great place for boat trips, where visitors can enjoy the close-up sights of hippos and crocodiles basking in the sun along the shores. Birdwatchers flock here as well, with over 600 bird species recorded, including Raptors, Squire-tailed Nightjar, Diederik Cuckoo, African Mourning Dove, Swamp Nightjar and Slender-tailed Nightjar. You will also see the beautiful views of water that is sighted flowing to Rwenzori Mountains.
The peninsula is also home to the Mweya Safari Lodge, where tourists can relax and enjoy the surrounding beauty. More so, Mweya’s popularity is a combination of its transport links via Mweya Airport, the availability of quality accommodation, and its rich biodiversity.
Kazinga Channel
The Kazinga Channel is another gem of Queen Elizabeth National Park, connecting Lake Edward and Lake George. The lakes are named after Queen Victoria’s son, King Edward VII, and his own successor, King George V. The Kazinga channel is the major attraction of Queen Elizabeth National Park and famous for wildlife tourism. This natural waterway is famous for its abundance of wildlife and serves as a great spot for boat safaris. The channel is home to a wide range of animals and birds, including one of the world’s largest concentrations of hippos (around 2,000) and countless Nile crocodiles, which can be seen lounging in the water or grazing along the banks.
The channel is also home to various birdlife species such as the open-Billed stork, African shoebill, saddle bill stork, Great and long tailed cormorant, Darters, pink-Backed pelicans and among others.
Wildlife
Queen Elizabeth National Park is rich in wildlife, making it a top destination for wildlife lovers. The park is known for its abundance of wildlife of about 95 mammal species but it’s famous for its tree-climbing lions. Other animals found here includes elephants, lions, leopards, Uganda Kobs, buffaloes, jackals, spotted hyenas, Nile crocodiles, giant forest hog, topi, hippos and warthogs among others. More so the park is also home to 10 primate species for instance chimpanzees, vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, black and white colobus, olive baboons. Notably, the park is one of the few places where you can see the elusive shoebill stork.
Birds
Queen Elizabeth National Park is a birdwatcher’s paradise, boasting over 600 species of birds. The variety of habitats within the park, including wetlands, forests, and savannahs, makes it an ideal location for many bird species. Some bird species in Queen Elizabeth national park are endemic while others are migratory en route from South Africa and Europe has summer nesting sites. Some of the bird species you may sight here includes the open-Billed stork, African shoebill, saddle bill stork, Great and long tailed cormorant, Darters, pink-Backed pelicans, African White-backed Vulture, Long-created Eagle, Palm-nut Vulture, African Crake, Rüppell’s Griffon Vulture, Temminck’s courser, Lappet-faced Vulture, Senegal Plover, Raptors, Squire-tailed Nightjar, Diederik Cuckoo, African Mourning Dove, Swamp Nightjar , African White-backed Vulture, Hooded Vulture, Brown Snake Eagle, Palm-nut Vulture, Lappet-faced Vulture and Rüppell’s Griffon Vulture among others.
Kyambura Gorge
Situated in the northeastern corner of Queen Elizabeth National Park, the gorge lies within Kyambura Game Reserve. It was created as a buffer zone, protecting the park from encroaching human activities. The Kyambura Gorge is a stunning rainforest area often referred to as the “Valley of Apes.” Famous for its chimpanzee trekking, this gorge provides visitors with the rare opportunity to see these fascinating primates in their natural habitat. The lush vegetation and vibrant ecosystem around the gorge also support a variety of other wildlife.
Besides the chimpanzees, the Gorge is also home to 13 other primate species for example red colobus monkeys, olive baboons, red tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys among other. Bird species like blue-headed bee-eater, African finfoot, bar-tailed godwit, lesser flamingos, greater flamingo and martial eagle among others. Other animals found here includes giant forest hogs and bushbucks among others. Guided tours allow tourists to explore the gorge’s trails while learning about the unique flora and fauna.
Lake Edward and Lake George
Lake Edward and Lake George are two lakes that enhance the park’s allure. Lake Edward is known for its diverse fish species and vibrant ecosystems, while Lake George is often described as a serene spot for birdwatching. Both lakes are vital habitats for numerous bird species and attract photographers and nature lovers seeking peaceful retreats and stunning vistas. Some of the wildlife species you may spot here includes African Wattled Plover, Grey Kestrel, Black-bellied Bustard, White-browed Robin-Chat, Yellow-billed Oxpecke, Grey-backed Fiscal among others. You also have a chance to see the Uganda Kobs, hyenas, zebras, hippos, warthogs, antelopes, Buffalos, monkeys, baboons, Crocodile and hippos and many more.
Lake Katwe
Lake Katwe is a unique attraction within Queen Elizabeth National Park. Lake Katwe is famous for its salt production, and a visit here offers a unique cultural experience. The lake’s salt flats are a striking sight, and interacting with local salt miners adds depth to the visit. This area provides insight into the traditional methods of salt harvesting and the community’s way of life, making it both an educational and visually stunning stop.
Together, these attractions make Queen Elizabeth National Park a remarkable destination for those looking to experience Uganda’s natural beauty and rich wildlife
