Queen Elizabeth NP
Queen Elizabeth National Park.
From open savannah to dense Equatorial rain forests, dense papyrus swamps and brooding crater lakes to the Vastness Lake Edward and George, Queen Elizabeth National Park has been designated a Biosphere Reserve for humanity under UNESCO Auspice.
The Park, in the western arm of the Great Rift Valley, covers 1,978sq.km and boasts of the highest biodiversity ratings of any Game park in the world. The park includes a remarkable variety of ecosystems, from semi-deciduous tropical forest to green meadows savannah and swamps.
Over 500 species of birds have been recorded, making the park a magnet for bird watchers. The bird species includes the black bee- eater, several species of falcons, 11 types of king fisher, eagles and the raptors and many more. In the crater lakes to the north, flocks of flamingoes can be found. A favorite way to view the game is by launch trip on the Kazinga Channel between Lakes George and Edward.
There still exists no better introduction or a more enticing invitation to visit the park with African Secrets Limited.
Elsewhere, the remote Ishasha Sector is famed for its tree-climbing lions, the Kyambura Gorge harbours habituated chimps, the Maramagambo Forest is home to an alluring selection of forest monkeys and birds, and flocks of flamingo are resident on the crater lakes.
Location:
The 1978 sq km park enjoys a stunning location on the rift valley floor between Lakes Edward and George. Queen Elizabeth lies in the southwest, near kasese.
Famous For:
Birds:
In Africa’s protected areas, the parks impressive bird list is exceeded only by the neighboring and far larger virunga National park. To name but a few key species; martial eagle, black rumped buttonquail, African skimmer, papyrus gonolek, papyrus canary, corncrake, lesser and greater flamingo and shoebill stork.
Flora and Fauna:
The diversity is the result of an impressive range of habitats which includes; forest grassland, Acacia woodland, bushy grassland and lakeshore or swampy vegetation.
Residents of the Parks grassland include elephants, Uganda kob, waterbuck, warthog, Cape buffalo, leopard, lions, and the hyaena. Topi are found in ishasha while forest primates are found in kyambura gorge and maramagambo forest.
Activities:
Nature Walks:
A nature walk with a ranger guide enables the tourists to explore remoter areas of the Mweya peninsular. The Mweya peninsula is the hub for tourism activities and accommodation in the central section of the park.
Game viewing:
A network of tracks enables you to find elephants, buffalo, leopard, lions, Uganda kob and other animals.
Launch trips:
Topi and simba Launches that cruise between mweya jetty and the kazinga channels entrance into Lake Edward provide the parks prime wildlife spectacle.
Chimp tracking:
This can be carried out in kyambura Gorge while guided walks can be done in Maramagambo Forest.
When To Visit:
Any time of year.
Where to Stay:
Mweya Safari Lodge, jacana Safari Lodge and the Ishasha Wilderness Camp offer upmarket accommodation while the Mweya hostel and Ishasha Bandas provide budget accommodation.
Camping is possible at Mweya, Maramagambo and Ishasha. Convenient accommodation options just outside the park include: Hippo hill Camp just close to katwe.
Kingfisher Camp on the lovely kichwamba escarpment
Getting There:
The park lies 5-6 hours from Kampala on a surfaced road via Mbarara, and can be reached on a dirt road from Bwindi. Accessible by public transport
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