QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK

Queen Elizabeth National Park QENP, Kyambura and kigezi Wild life reserves form one of the most diverse Eco systems in Africa. This park is a home to a diversity of habitats which include lowland forest, savanna and Wetlands. The Park has a remarkable diversity of birds with over 550 species, creating the largest birders' Paradise, of any protected area in Africa. There are eleven fishing village enclaves within the protected area. The lake shore lines of the 2 main lakes George and Edward being channeled by the mighty Kazinga Channel congregate thousands of hippos. The patent Savannah speckled with Acacia and Euphorbia trees furnish a dwelling for Elephants, Lions, and Leopards, big herds of buffaloes, the Uganda Kob, and many others.

Activities include:

• Game Drives: This is done early morning and late afternoon hours by driving through the park for the purpose of viewing animals. The game tracks pass through the mating grounds of the great Uganda Kob and gives you an opportunity to view a wide range of wildlife including Elephants as they make their way down to the water, giant forest hog, buffaloes, bush backs and hungry lions searching for prey. The beautiful views of the crater lakes offer a breath taking experience.

• The Launch Cruise: A boat trip along the banks of kazinga channel takes you right in the heart of nature to a unique unmatched wild life experience in view of Hippos, buffaloes, big herds of elephants, Crocodiles and numbers of migrants and resident birds as they rest in the water, enjoy themselves drinking and playing along the channel banks.
• Bird watching: The Park incorporates a wide range of habitats including savanna, wetlands and lowland forest. This in habits over 606 species of birds including the Grey headed Kingfisher, Black headed Gonek, Pin tailed Whydah, Slender tailed Nightjars, Red-capped lark, African Mourning dove, Lasser flamingos, the rare Shoebill stock and many more.
  
• A Nature Walk: A variety of short, medium and long guided walks are offered in the park to The Kyambura Wild Life Reserve and In Maramagambo Forest leading to the home of chimps and other primates like Black and white colobus monkeys and olive baboons, crater lakes, Bats cave floors near the picturesque blue lake and hunter' cave, forest birds, Lions and views of pythons in the ostracism. The Kyambura Wild Life Reserve has three saline crater lakes, which attracts a large number of flamingoes- not found anywhere else in Uganda.
• Visit Ishasha: See the Topi, Uganda Kob and Buffaloes graze in the acacia studded savannah. The true pearl of southern part of the park! See the tree climbing lions a on the large fig tree.
• Visit the Traditional Salt and See the way the salt ore looks. Luxury accommodation is available in the Park.

ACCESS:
The distance to the park is approximately 467 kms from Kampala to Mbarara or via fort portal. The park has 3 Airfields including Ishasha, Mweya Peninsula and Kasese.

Distance (km) from Mweya Lodge to:
Fort portal                                                  129
Kabala (Via Katunguru and Bugangari)    229
Kampala                                                     438
Mbarara                                                      140
Ishasha (Via Katunguru)                            124
Kabale (Via Katunguru)                             216

Dos and Don'ts While IN the Park

• Light fires only at the fire rings at the campsites.
• Do not bring firearms or ammunitions into the park.
• Do not bring pet animals into the park.
• Do not litter.
• Stay in your vehicle except at designated areas.
• Do not drive more than 45km per hour.
• Do not start fires or throw cigarettes ends.
• Get your permit before entering the park.
• Drive only between 7:00am and 7:00pm and allow plenty of time to reach your destination.
• Give animals right of way and don't disturb wild life.
• Do not sound your horn.
• Do not pick or cut any plants or animals.