Activities to do in queen Elizabeth national park
Queen Elizabeth national park it is located in western Uganda in Kasese district though it spreads in other districts like Rukungiri, Rubirizi and kamwengwe and kamwenge. Queen Elizabeth national is the second biggest national park in Uganda with the big four animals, and it is the only park where crater lakes are found. Here some of the activities to do while in queen Elizabeth national park.
Game drives
It is one of the major activity to do in queen Elizabeth national park and it involves moving around the park using safari vehicle with a guide in search for wild animals, and these are the animals that can be spotted during game drives elephants,bufalloes,hippos,lions, leopards,bushbucks,waterbucks,warthogs and others like reptiles the monitor lizards commonly seen in mweya peninsula, crocodiles around the shores of kazinga channel, snakes and many others. And this activity takes 2to 3 hours.
Birding
Any visitor on birding safari tours he or she should consider queen Elizabeth national park, because it is a home to about 605 bird species making it birders haven and the top birding spots in queen Elizabeth national park are kazinga channel, maramagambo forest, kyambura gorge and the birds spotted include the following. Shoebill, white pelican, cattle egrets, fish eagle, flamingoes, turacos and others.
Trucking tree climbing lions
Tree climbing lions are only found in queen Elizabeth national park, the tree climbing lions are one of the main attractions and this activity takes in kasenyi plains and ishansha sector and it takes place early in the morning and it 3to 4hours, because mostly it done by researchers so that’s why it takes long.
Chimpanzee trucking
Chimpanzee trucking takes place in kyambura so incase you are wildlife safari tour and you want to combine it with primate safari tour kyambura gorge is the best, in kyambura gorge there are other primates like monkeys and baboons, and the chances of encountering the chimps is very high and the activity takes 2to 3hours.
Cultural experiences
This is one of the method the government has used to encourage communities live in harmony with wildlife is to encourage cultural tourism. Visiting the local people that leave in queen Elizabeth, it helps you learn about their heritage traditions and what they do for a living and these people include the basongola, bakonjo and kikorongoequator cultural group.
Boat cruise
Boat cruise takes place at kazinga channel and it is in two shifts one in the morning and another one in the evening and each shift takes two hours during the boat cruise there are a lot of birds to be spotted that gather on kazinga channel and also crocodiles, hippos which are always in water and come out only at night when they are going to graze.
Visiting the new equator monument
It is located in kikorongo which is also in queen Elizabeth national park, the monument includes cultural displays, coffee shop and craft stalls enhancing the visitor experience.
Best time to visit queen Elizabeth national park
Queen Elizabeth national park is open through out the year but the best time s during the dry season in the months of June to July then December to February that is when the park dry and roads are less muddy making the access easy.
Where to sleep when are in queen Elizabeth national park
Queen Elizabeth national park has a variety of accommodations ranging from luxury too budget range and these include, engiri game lodge, queen Elizabeth bush lodge, ishansha wilderness camp, buffalo safari lodge, kyambura gorge lodge, mweya safari lodge, Simba safari camp, mweya hostel, twin lakes safari lodge, elephant plains loge and others.
How to access queen Elizabeth national park
Queen Elizabeth national park can be accessed either by road or air
By road
They are two routes either from Kampala via Bushenyi to queen Elizbeth national park or from Kampala via fort portal to queen Elizabeth and it is 4 to 6 hours.
By air
One can order an Aero plane from Entebbe in kajansi using aero link and takes you up to mweya airstrip then you transfer to where you’re going to sleep by road and it is just 1to 2 hours.
Why would you visit queen Elizabeth national park
Queen Elizabeth national park is Uganda’s most scenic and diverse park most of the natural features like Rwenzori Mountain and Salt Lake which is only found in queen Elizabeth national park and also other activities that can not be done in any other national park like lion trucking, and trucking tree climbing lions.
What to pack while going to queen Elizabeth national park
Travel journal. Bring your travel journal to write down all the amazing details you see and experience in the park which will help you remember your adventure for years to come.
Binoculars. A pair of binoculars is essential for spotting animals in a distance and birds but if you have binoculars, you will be able to see them clearly.
Sunscreen. Sunscreen will help you protect you from sunburn especially during day so carry it because Ugandans weather is unpredictable.
Light clothes. During the dry from June to September and mid-December to January carry light clothes because it may be hot so to avoid that put on light clothes.
Insect repellent. The wilderness has insects that may sting or bite you so use insect repellent before you get into the bush to avoid insects from biting you or stinging you.
Your safety while in queen Elizabeth national park
Safety is atop concern for anyone planning a safari in queen Elizabeth national park or any other visited place or park in Uganda.
Stay in the car when you happen to go for the game drives because there are carnivores that may cause harm to you so for safety stay in your car.
Go on a guided tour, go inside the park with a ranger in case of anything the situation can be handled well.
In case you’re going for night nature walks or night game drives inform the hotel or lodge staff because moving alone is dangerous.
During the game drives or boat cruise don’t put your legs or limbs out its essential u stay inside because wildlife is unpredictable for example crocodiles and carnivores.