Why people love to visit Queen Elizabeth National Park
Originally known as Kazinga National Park back in 1952, Queen Elizabeth was renamed two years later to commemorate a visit by the queen of England II to the pearl of Africa, Uganda. The park for decades has been the most visited park in the country because of its outstanding attractions and wildlife found at the park including the Kazinga Channel where it derived its first name from. It’s located in the western part of Uganda in four districts including Rubirizi, Kasese, Kamwenge and Rukungiri which is approximately 400km by road southwest of Kampala, the capital city of Uganda. Queen Elizabeth is famous for its volcanic features like the volcanic cones and deep craters, many having crater lakes like katwe craters which is known for salt extraction.
Here are the top five reasons why people love to do a safari in Queen Elizabeth park; Uganda’s crown jewel
Tree climbing lions.
It’s on rare occasions that you will find a lion climbing a tree though not in Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth. Here you will even find the kings of the jungle perched up and relaxing on a tree branch either from having a meal or trying to view their surroundings for prey to catch for the day.
On the way from Bwindi Impenetrable Forest after gorilla trekking, this is where tourists stop to have a look at the big wild cats climbing on fig and acacia trees which are such a fascinating site because you don’t get such opportunity anywhere else in the other parks. Apart from the awesome tree climbing lions, you can also get other animals in the same sector some of which include herds of buffaloes, antelopes, warthogs and a huge number of elephants.
Chimpanzee trekking.
The ‘’valley of Apes’’ which is the kyambura gorge and found in the northern part of the park is home to the habituated chimps which means they will continue with their activities even when there’s human presence, a major reason why many people love to visit the park. While heading to the gorge you will experience lush savannah grasslands leading to the flowing rivers and creeks.
Bird watching
Queen Elizabeth National was ranked as the 2nd best area for bird watching in Africa and 6th in the world’s birding making it a major reason why the park is visited mostly in Uganda. The park is endowed with a lot of bird species some of which are even internationally uncommon for example the shoe bill stalk.it has over 600 bird species which include papyrus canary, pink backed pelican, sedge warbles, the verreaux Eagle owl and yellow throated cuckoo, which inhabit the park’s forests, grasslands and wetlands not forgetting the flamingos found at katwe and Bunyampamba salt lakes.
Game drives
Another reason why people love to visit queen Elizabeth National Park is because of the scenic game drives that offer a chance to view the most elusive of the park’s fauna. Best done in the morning hours, game drives gives you the opportunity to closely view wildlife in the comfort of the safari vehicle for example you can spot an elephant skillfully using its trunk to feed, lions hunting down antelopes for prey while the hyenas wait for their left over from a distance. Different groups of animals found are herds of buffaloes and Uganda kobs moving on the park all day. Leopards, warthogs, giant forest hogs are also other animals that you will come across while on your game drive.
Boat cruise
This only takes place on the kazinga channel, a water channel that connects Lake Edward to Lake George. Boat cruises also known as launch trips is a thrilling experience for tourists on the park. This is also one of the major reasons people love to visit the park
While on this boat cruise one gets to enjoy the various sounds and sights coming from the aquatic life beneath and on the water including the large hippopotamuses and fierce Nile crocodiles lying on the banks of the channel; a sight of this will leave you with an experience of a lifetime not forgetting the kingfishers trying to catch a meal.
To book a safari in Queen Elizabeth national park this season, simply contact us now by sending an email to booking@tristarafricaskimmersafaris.com or call us now on +256-758540071 to speak with the reservations team.
