It’s
no idle boast that British Prime Minister Winston Churchill christened Uganda
the “The Pearl of Africa.” When it comes to wildlife conservation andeco-tourism, Uganda does command outstanding respect. However, a visit to the
country cannot be complete if some time is not set aside to visit QueenElizabeth National Park.
The park can be
reached from Kampala either by air or road. From Kampala, the park can be
approached from the south via Mbarara (420 km) or the north passing through
Fort Portal (410 km). Three airstrips serve Queen Elizabeth National Park and
these include Ishasha, Mweya and Kasese airfield.
This 2,056 square
kilometre park was established in 1952 when the two game reserves of Lake
George and Edward were merged into Kazinga National Park. Two years later it
was renamed Queen Elizabeth National Park when Queen Elizabeth II of England
visited Uganda.
It is one of the
oldest national parks in Uganda and is designated as a Biosphere Reserve for
Humanity under the auspices of UNESCO. Together with Kyambura and Kigezi
wildlife reserves, the park forms one of the most diverse eco-systems in
Africa.
Queen ElizabethNational Park is really enticing. Take time off and visit it. Visit with your
family or that special person in your life, but go prepared to fall in love all
over again for the park is blessed with spectacular scenery and attractions to
fill one action packed holiday and still leave scores of other experiences to
be enjoyed on a return trip.
The low attitude and
its location directly on the equator mean that the temperatures can be warm,
rising from a mean minimum 18ºC to mean maximum of 28ºC. The park receives up
to 1250mm of rain mostly from March to May and September to November. The
melting glacier waters of the Rwenzori Mountains create a vast wetland system
comprising of two main lakes George and Edward. Edward was named by the
explorer Henry Morton Stanley after the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII.
The two lakes are
connected by a 40km long channel whose shorelines are populated by thousands of
hippos and birds all year round.
This park is a
paradise for dedicated ornithologists as well as the novice bird watcher. The
bird list is 612 species including the rare Shoe Bill, the Martial Eagle,
Papyrus Gonolek, White tailed lark, Verraux’s Eagle Owl and the Lesser and
Greater Flamingos.
The park is an
ultimate feast for all senses. There are over 95 mammalian and hundreds of
butterfly species. Activities like the launch cruise along Kazinga Channel will
offer you a unique unequaled wildlife experience. It puts one right in the
heart of nature where many Hippos nest in the water while big herds of
elephants can be seen enjoying themselves along the channel banks.
Many who experience
it consider it the highlight of their entire African safari. The launch cruise
schedules run in the morning and afternoon. The open savannah dotted with
Acacia and Euphorbia trees provides habitat for lions, leopards, buffalos and
Uganda kobs. Among the many other animals seen frequently are the water bucks,
giant forest hog, hyenas and topi.
Networked by over 200
kilometres of well maintained tracks, the visitors get access to the park’s
game as some of the tracks pass through large mating grounds of the Uganda kob.
The Kasenyi sector on
the east side of Kasese road is best known for lions which prey on large
populations of the Uganda kob while the famous tree climbing lions can be
spotted on large fig trees in the Ishasha sector which is 100 km south of the
Mweya Penisular.
Another principal
feature of the park is Kyambura Gorge. This steep gorge was formed by turbulent
waters of the roaring Kyambura River. It provides a lush riverine forest that
is home to chimpanzees, red tailed monkeys, black and white Columbus monkeys,
olive baboons and other primates.
The park also has one of Uganda’s largest tracts
of tropical forest – Maramagambo forest which translates as “the forest beyond
description”. This forest stretches from the foot of the Kichwamba escarpment
to Lake Edward. Pythons are often observed in the crevices of the bat cave
floor using the bats as a source of food.
The cave is near thecopper rich blue lake and hunters’ cave. Beautiful crater lakes are spread
throughout the park, the most notable being the Katwe explosion craters.
This cluster of
extinct volcanoes north of Mweya peninsula can be explored by the winding 27km
crater drive between the main and equator gates which provide superb views into
the numerous craters.
As Christmas is
getting closer, I recommend Buffalo Safari Resort, located in Katunguru, Queen
Elizabeth National Park, overlooking Lake Rubirizi which is not only a jungle
safari resort with a touch of class but it’s also a sanctuary for birds and
other animals particularly the buffalo that come to drink.
If you are looking
for a vacation get away, a romantic weekend, Buffalo Safari Resort will surely
provide you with an extraordinary experience!
Other budget and up
market facilities are also available in the park and could be good options for
families but also for free independent travelers.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is truly amazing –
take your camera, for you will want to record all the wonders you will see!
By: Bruce Amp
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