Queen Elizabeth is one of Uganda’s oldest and largest National Parks gazzetted in 1952 as Kazinga National Park and later named after the Queen of England in 1954. It is located in the western side of Uganda in the districyts of Kasese, Rubirizi and Kamwenge. The park covers over 1978 square Kilometers alienated in the different districts. The park was previously occupied by the Basongola as their grazing area but later left due to the cattle raiding habits of the Baganda and Banyoro and the outbreak of deadly diseases like Small pox.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to over 95 mammal species and 619 bird species recorded in this area. This makes it a perfect place for the nature lovers especially looking out for game like the lions, leopard, Bufaloes, waterbucks, bushbucks, elephant, hyena, wild dogs, Baboons, chimpanzees, impalas, warthogs, hippos and Crocodiles among many other wildlife.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is believed to have the highest population of Hippos in East Africa. they are seen swimming in the fresh waters of the famous Kazinga Channel that connects Lakes Edward and George. A boat ride to this area will give you the utmost view of these hippos and the crocodiles as they swim together. The large herds of elephants and Buffaloes are noticeable as they dominate the entire space of the park.
The park has a recorded number of 619 bird species making it a birders haven for those the bird lovers. Some of the birds to look out for include; the fish eagle, African Jacana, pied King fisher, white faced whistling, pink and white backed pelicans, wattled plover, yellow backed weavers, spur-winged plovers, knob-billed ducks and the squacco heron among others.
Queen Elizabeth National Park was a grazing area for the Basongola the indigenous people who largely depended on pastoralism for their livelihood. The practice was however changed to fishing at Kazinga Channel due to the constant cattle raids on them and the outbreak of the dangerous diseases like Small pox.
The park was named after the queen of England Elizabeth 11 soon after it had ben name Kazinga National Park in 1952. The name later changed to Queen Elizabeth National Park in 1954 to commemorate the Queen of England.
Tour Activities to do at Queen Elizabeth National Park
Game drives
Queen Elizabeth offers undoubtedly the most captivating game drives for the visitors, it is home to the tree climbing lions, large herds of elephants, buffaloes, Giraffes, Impalas, Uganda kobs, leopards, predators like hyenas and wild dogs among others. a game drive through this park with an experienced guide will paint lasting memories to you mind.
Boat cruise
You can have an amazing boat cruise to the famous Kazinga Channel that connects Lakes Edward and George to catch up with the Hippos and Nile Crocodiles as they devour the helpless animals coming to drink water on the river banks. Many water birds are also seen as you sail through on a boat as they hunt for fish.
Chimpanzee tracking at Kyambura Gorge
Kyambura gorge is one of the few places where one can easily find the Chimpanzees and track them at the lowest cost. The gorge is found in Queen Elizabeth National Park and has been specially reserved for the Chimpanzees that have been habituated for the visitors.
Bird watching
Queen Elizabeth can also be described as the birders haven for the bird lovers, it has a recorded number of over 600 bird species found in this park. The bird like the African broadbill, African skimmer, Chapins flycatcher, swamp fly catcher, brown snake eagle, blue naped mouse bird, pink backed pelican, red chested sun bird, grey headed Kingfisher, papyrus Gonolek and blue throated roller among others.
