Queen Elizabeth National Park: Uganda’s Tourism Pearl

Queen Elizabeth is one of Uganda’s largest national Parks. It’s initial name was Kazinga National Park. It started as a wildlife game reserve in the early 1920’s due to its rich abundance in wildlife. In 1952, it became a fully fledged national game park with it taking on a new name after Queen Elizabeth II’s visit to Uganda that was still a British protectorate at the time. This game park has an abundance of wildlife and beautiful landscapes coupled with beautiful sceneries. It is also well known for its tree climbing lions, great number of bird species and primates.

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Distance from Entebbe Airport To Queen Elizabeth National Park

The distance from Entebbe to this naturally beautiful and aesthetically pleasing place is 374 kilometers or 233 miles. It is an estimated seven hours and thirty eight minutes drive.  A private car can be used to move from Kampala to Masaka and then connect to Kasese. However, the length of this journey can be affected by factors like traffic jam and road works. Therefore, it is important that this journey is started early in order to beat the traffic jam. Air transport is also an option if you highly priotize comfort. A flight only lasts an hour and ten minutes. One gets off the plane at Kasese Airstrip or Mweya Airstrip followed by a brief road trip to the game park.

Road Trip or Air Transport to Queen Elizabeth National Park

equator-on-the-way-to-queen-elizabeth-national-parkBoth options are very wonderful. With air transport, you get to beat the tedious traffic jam around the urban areas more so Kampala. With road transport however, you get to encounter some beautiful places and land marks like the equator. The equator crosses Uganda at a place called Kayabwe, which is in Mpigi district on Masaka road. This is a beautiful place where photos can be taken. Beautiful art pieces are also available at this place and can be bought as souvenirs of travel.

 

Not forgetting, Lukaya road toll market from which indigenous refreshments can be bought. These include roasted plantain which is locally known as “gonja”, roasted chicken and meat that are locally known as “muchomo”. Rolex which is a fried egg wrapped in chappati with fresh vegetables is also a must try. Roasted cassava and soft drinks can be bought at very pocket friendly prices. One also gets to see the different fields of plantations like matooke and coffee plantations. From the road trip, the lives of the locals can be observed like school going children, brick layers, livestock farming among others.

Activities To Enjoy  While At Queen Elizabeth National Park

Game Drives

These are one of the most popular and most anticipated activities. These game drives are carried out using 4WD vehicles so as to navigate places with rough terrain. During these drives, leopards, elephants and buffaloes, lion packs and warthogs are seen freely roaming their habitat.

Boat Safaris

Kazinga channel is a natural fresh water channel that links Lake Edward and Lake George. This safari helps one to have a close encounter with the mighty Nile crocodiles. The boat safari happens twice a day. The morning shift normally runs from 11am in the morning and lasts two hours till 1pm. The afternoon shift runs from 3pm to 5pm. Booking is done at the Mweya offices. One also gets to see hippopotamuses and various bird species that hang around leisurely near this channel. The bird chirps and vocalization create that safe haven feeling that is naturally sponsored by the universe. This is an activity that you surely not miss.

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Chimpanzee Tracking

These primates can be traced by trekking through Kyambura Gorge or Kalinzu forest which are their natural habitats. Chimpanzee tracking shows us how much these animals value community since they live in both large and small communities.  One is also able to see the close bond shared by young chimpanzees with their mothers.

Nature Walks

Walking freely  in the wild and taking in the natural breeze and sounds of wildlife is one of the most fulfilling activities to ever exist. For a moment, your problems are temporarily gone and this is how it feels exactly when you choose to take the nature walks. Here nature walks are mostly taken through Maramagambo forest in order to enjoy the plants, animals and beautiful scenery located within the park’s boundaries. The little intricate bits like the butterflies, ants and bees working tirelessly in their quest to gather pollen for honey are seen.  This is indeed truly connecting with nature.

Katwe Explosion Craters

salt-mining-queen- elizabeth -national-parkThese craters are also known as the Kikorongo-Katwe craters. They were formed as a result of volcanic activity. Some of these craters have developed into salt water lakes of which Lake Katwe is the most outstanding and known one. These craters show us how powerful nature can be in terms of volcanic activity. Exploring these craters also exposes one to the salt mining activity around these craters.

 

 

Lion Tracking

This activity basically involves interacting with lions at a safe but close distance. Human beings are able to track the behavior of these large cats up close. The activity lasts as per one’s preferences. Your tour guide will offer the best advice on how long this activity can last.

Kyambura Gorge

Also commonly known as “Chambura” among the locals, this is a haven of apes. In this gorge, primates are seen up close. The primates in this valley use the land to move but they also play by swinging from branch to branch which is a beautiful sight to behold.

Queen’s Pavilion

This beautiful place is found at the crater drive gate of the park. It was built with funding from CHOGM when Queen Elizabeth visited Uganda. This place is used for scientific research in order to test animals for diseases that can be passed on from them to human beings and livestock. The locals are supportive to the initiative as they alert officials about sick animals. This place also has lots of beautiful African craft sold at the shop which can act as travel souvenirs.

Other activities include hot air ballooning and mongoose tracking on Mweya Peninsular

Cultural Interactions

Another aspect that makes this trip worth it is the chance to interact with local communities and learning about their cultural norms, values and social life. The Businga community is the one that is easily accessible. They offer a variety of African crafts. Their folklore is another beautiful aspect that encompasses their life. The folklore looks at their ancestry, totems and cultural organization. One also gets to participate in their leisure activities like fishing, sports fishing and boat racing with the locals.

Vital Items For The Trip

Sun glasses; these are important in order to protect the eyes from discomfort and excessive light from the sun.

Binoculars; these aid viewing objects that are at a distance with clarity, increased field of view and a three dimensional perspective.

Light clothing; these are important due to the high temperatures more so during the dry season.

Water; for hydrating

Walking sticks; these provide stability more so on uneven terrain. They also help in reducing strain from long walks; knees and ankles.

Gumboots or good hiking shoes; these are key for preventing slips and falls.

First aid kit; this is very important in case of any accidents or emergency health conditions.

Insect repellent; for keeping away harmful insects.

Sunscreen; for protecting the body from UV rays from the sun.

Navigation tools; these include compasses, GPS trackers in order to stay on the right course of direction

Back pack; for carrying essentials for the various activities

Camera; for taking photographs

With all that said, a trip to Queen Elizabeth National Park Uganda is an experience that we all need to encounter in this lifetime. The memories from this trip do live with a person forever. They can also be used as stories to relive one’s adventures.

 

 

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