Queen Elizabeth National Park

Originally established as the Lake George and Lake Edward Game Reserve in the late 1920s, Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP) was later designated as Kazinga National Park in 1952. This move aimed to safeguard the diverse wildlife and stunning landscapes along the Rift Valley from Lake Edward to the Rwenzori Mountains. In 1954, it was renamed QENP in honor of the Queen of England’s visit to the region.

Queen Elizabeth National Park boasts an impressive array of wildlife, with a total of approximately 95 mammal species, the highest diversity among Ugandan national parks. This includes ten primate species such as chimpanzees, black-and-white colobus monkeys, and olive baboons, along with approximately 20 predators like the side-striped jackal, spotted hyena, lion, and leopard. The park is also home to various antelope species, including the Uganda kob, bushbuck, topi, and Defassa waterbuck. In the papyrus swamps around Lake George, the elusive semi-aquatic Sitatunga antelope can be found, while Maramaganbo Forest is home to four duiker species.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is renowned for its elephant and lion populations, with around 2,500 elephants and at least 200 lions readily observed within the park. With a remarkable 610 bird species, including 54 raptors and a diverse range of water, woodland, and forest birds, Queen Elizabeth National Park is a paradise for birding enthusiasts. Notable bird species found here include the shoebill stork, African fish eagle, martial eagle, and papyrus gonolek.

The park is also rich in cultural diversity, with ethnic groups like the Banyankole, Bakiga, and Bakonjo residing in the area. Visitors can explore traditional and contemporary economic activities such as salt mining, farming, and animal husbandry, and immerse themselves in the unique cultures and languages of these communities.

With its wealth of wildlife, stunning landscapes, and cultural experiences, the park offers an unforgettable safari adventure that will leave a lasting impression on any traveler.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is bounded by the Ishasha River and Lake Edward to the west along DR Congo boarder, by Kasese and Rwenzori foothills to the north, to the east by Lake George, Kyambura gorge and Kalinzu forest reserve, and by the Kigezi Wildlife Reserve to the south. Much as Queen Elizabeth National Park is primarily known for open savanna, in some areas studded with a dense cover of acacia and euphoria trees but it also embraces large area of thick swamps around Lake George, the extensive Maramagambo Forest in the southeast, and the forested Kyambura Gorge along the border with the Kyambura Game Reserve. Queen Elizabeth Wildlife Safari park is endowed with at least ten crater lakes within the park, including the highly accessible cluster north of the main road to Mweya safari lodge, as well as the whole Ugandan shore of lake Edward, the western and northern shores of Lake George, plus the connecting Kazinga channel. The park has a lot to offer to any tourist as one of Uganda`s Eco tourism destinations. 

WILDLIFE SAFARI & PARK GUIDELINES

-Get your permit before entering visiting Queen Elizabeth National park
-Drive only between 7:00am and 7:00pm and allow plenty of time to reach your destination.
-Do not drive more than 45km per hour while in Queen Elizabeth National park.
-Do not bring pet animals into Queen Elizabeth National park.
-Do not bring firearms or ammunition into the park.
-Give animals right of way and don’t disturb wild life while in Queen Elizabeth National park.
-Stay in your vehicle except at designated areas.
-Do not sound your horn.
-Do not pick or cut any plants as well as kill any animal/living creature.
-Do not litter inside and a round Queen Elizabeth National park.
-Do not start fires or throw cigarettes ends.