Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s most popular savannah reserve and has the widest variety of wildlife of any Ugandan park. The variety of habitats includes grassland savannah, forests, wetlands and lakes. This provides the setting for an extensive range of large mammals and primates.

Four of the big five are present, rhino not available and chimp tracking is available. Elephant and buffalo are very common, and lion are surprisingly easy to spot.

There are many interesting antelope species such as Uganda kob, topi and bushbuck. Hippo and crocodile are common in Kazinga channel. A troop of chimpanzee has been habituated for tracking and nine other primate species are found, including the black-and-white colobus monkey.

Tree-climbing lions are a specialty of the Ishasha sector of the park, where they can often be found resting in huge fig trees. Giant forest hog, is unusually easy to see, both on drives and boat trips. Buffalo are particularly attractive as they are often reddish brown due to interbreeding with forest buffalo from neighboring Congo. Chimp trekking is available in the steamy, tropical forest of Kyambura Gorge.

Queen Elizabeth National Park can be visited throughout the year, but the best time for wildlife viewing is the Dry season (from June to August and January to February) when animals are concentrated near rivers and lakes. Some of the roads can become impassable after heavy rain.

Game drives

The major highlight of a visit to the park are the scenic game drives that give you a chance to view even the most elusive of the park’s fauna. The thrilling drives which are best done during the morning hours feature up close viewing of the wildlife which inhabits the park in the comfort of a vehicle.

During the game drives, you could spot an elephant, the largest land mammal skillfully using its trunk to feed, a lion preying on an antelope or a hyena patiently waiting to devour the lion’s leftovers from a distance. Different groups of animals like Buffalo herds and Uganda kobs traverse the game park all day long. Warthogs, leopards, the giant forest hog are among the others you are very likely to meet on your game drive.

Boat cruise

The boat cruise which takes place on the Kazinga Channel, a long natural water channel linking Lake Edward to Lake George is an exhilarating event for the visitors at the park.

During the cruise, one gets to enjoy the various sights and sounds that the park’s rich aquatic life extravagantly offers. Besides the large hippopotamuses taking their dips in the waters, the fierce Nile crocodiles basking lazily on the channel banks for a feel of the warm sun are some of the lifetime experiences you will encounter on the cruise.

Bird watching

A haven to over 600 bird species, the enthusiastic bird watcher is in for a major delight at the park.

Some of the birds likely to grace your photographic memories include the; Sedge warbles, Papyrus canary, the martial eagle, Pink backed Pelican, Yellow throated Cuckoo, and the Verreaux’s Eagle Owl, all which inhabit the park’s expansive grasslands, forests and wetlands. Do not miss the flamingos found at the Katwe and Bunyampaba salt lakes.

Tree climbing lions of Ishasha

Here, lions perched up on acacia and fig trees are an enchanting sight to behold. Whether it is for a better view of their surroundings including potential prey like the Uganda Kob that grazes in the vicinities, seeking the cool breeze in the trees or escaping the notorious bites from the tsetse flies on the ground below, the reason for the lions choosing residence up the trees remains an intriguing mystery.

The Ishasha sector where these lions are found is accessible on the journey to or from Bwindi Impenetrable Forest as one heads or returns from gorilla trekking in the forest. Besides the amazing tree climbing king of the jungle, the sector is also home to other animals such as herds of buffaloes, large numbers of elephants, warthogs and antelopes all which make for a memorable trip to the game park.

Chimpanzee trekking

The Kyambura Gorge, also known as the Valley of Apes found in the Northern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to chimpanzees. The chimpanzees in Kyambura are habituated meaning they have been accustomed to human presence and this does not deter them from going on with their activities.

The underground rainforest in a gorge which makes for an excellent protection from the sunshine as one enjoys the immense beauty of nature hidden there in. You will experience lush savannah grasslands leading to the gorge, to the flowing rivers and creeks. Red tailed monkeys, baboons, butterflies and different bird species are among other inhabitants of this little paradise worth sighting besides Chimpanzees.

Hiking trails upon which there is a lot to explore. While walking in the forest, look out for soldier ants as they have such a painful sting. Otherwise you are in for an exciting experience while trekking one of man’s closest primate relatives.

Kingfisher Lodge in Kichwamba depicts ancient Africa especially Uganda. Our Bandas are bigger and some of them are built as double storeys, so that our guests can have an even better view over the park from their terrace.

Still, the Bandas are built in an African village style resembling typical huts that existed in former times. That is seen in our round shapes and the grass roofs125$. However, the Banda “huts” are made comfortable to meet western standards.

The Lodge has 2 Family Units, 2 Triple Rooms, 3 Twin Rooms (separate beds), 6 Double Rooms, 2 Single Rooms and 1 Suite. Thus we can accommodate up to 36 people. Our new meeting room, (30 PAX capacity) can be used for seminars or workshops in a peaceful atmosphere.

Mweya Safari Lodge offers visitors an unforgettable experience. Located on a peninsula within the heart of the Queen Elizabeth National Park, Mweya Safari Lodge is surrounded by the magical Rwenzori Mountains aptly described as the ‘Mountains of the Moon’.

Enjoy a cocktail in the Infinity Swimming Pool overlooking the Kazinga Channel. The pool at Mweya Safari Lodge has a panoramic view of the Kazinga Channel, which separates Lake George and Lake Edward. You can peer across the channel and identify the different wild animals cooling off in the waters

Jacana Safari Lodge is situated in the Maramagambo Forest of Uganda. Guests can look forward to beautiful sightings of various birdlife and wildlife, especially the tree climbing lions. Accommodation at the lodge is built tree-house styled and natural resources are used, including rock and timber, to blend in with the lodge’s natural surroundings.

Kyambura Gorge Safari Lodge

Set between the Kyambura Gorge and Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kyambura Gorge Safari Lodge boasts eight beautiful and spacious bandas nestled on the hillside, each with its own bathroom.

Warm and welcoming, each banda overlooks a different aspect of the panoramic views across the gorge and the lush savannah of the National Park, stretching all the way to the Rwenzori Mountains. Meals are prepared using the freshest local ingredients and served in the dining area.

The lodge is situated within easy walking distance of the trail where guests can begin their chimpanzee trekking adventure.

Game drives in the National Park, guided forest walks and bird watching expeditions explore the surroundings. These and many more offer Queen Elizabeth national park a good and flexible style of where to stay while on safari.