Overview – Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is the most popular tourist destination in Uganda. The park’s diverse ecosystems, which include sprawling savanna, humid forests, fertile wetlands and sparkling lakes make it the ideal habitat for the classy big game, ten primate species including chimpanzees and over 600 species of birds. The area also contains numerous explosion craters and is set against the backdrop of the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains. It is mainly known for its wildlife which includes African elephant, African buffalo, Ugandan kob, hippopotamus, topi, waterbuck, warthog, giant forest hog, Nile crocodile, leopard and lion. It is home to 95 mammal species and over 500 bird species. The area around Ishasha in Rukungiri District is famous for its tree-climbing lions, whose males sport black manes.
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Wildlife15 Animals
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High SeasonJune to September
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Best Time to GoJanuary to February and June to July
Pros & Cons
- Famous tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector of Rukungiri District
- Amazing birding experience with over 500 bird species
- Chimpanzee trekking is available
- Boat trips in Kazinga channel safari boat
- The main road bisects the park and people live along the boundaries
- The Mweya peninsula gets crowded in the High season
Queen Elizabeth National Park Map in Africa
Queen Elizabeth National Park Safari Reviews
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Wildlife & Animals – Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is known for its wildlife, including African elephant, African buffalo, Ugandan kob, hippopotamus, topi, waterbuck, warthog, giant forest hog, Nile crocodile, leopard and lion. It is home to 95 mammal species and over 500 bird species.
Wildlife Highlights
Elephants and buffalo are very common in this park. Tree-climbing lions are a speciality of the Ishasha sector of the park, where they can often be found resting in huge fig trees. Chimpanzee trekking is also available in the tropical forest of Kyambura Gorge.
Best Time for Wildlife Viewing
Queen Elizabeth National Park can be visited around the year, but the best time to capture the wildlife viewing is in the Dry season (from June to August and January to February) when animals are concentrated near rivers and lakes.
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Birds – Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth national park is an extraordinary destination for bird watching. It has over 600 bird species found in different habitats including savannah, forests, wetlands and bushes. The park hosts the largest number of birds more than any other park in east Africa and therefore a good destination for birders. one of the areas where lots of birds are spotted is along the Kazinga channel while cruising on the boat. Common bird sightings at this site include Pied kingfishers, African fish eagles, Water-thick knee, Spoon-billed stork, Hammerkop, African Jacana, Great egrets, Little egrets, Egyptian geese, Pink and White-backed pelicans, Malachite kingfisher and more.
Notable Birds in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Best Time for Bird Watching
Bird watching can be done throughout the year in Queen Elizabeth National park, But the best time will be from May to September when there is less rain and plenty of food. June to July has the least amount of rain. During heavy rainfalls from April to May and September to November, it's difficult to bird watch.
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Best Time to Visit – Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is open throughout the year, but the best time to visit is in the dry seasons (from January to February and June to July). However, the Scenery is more spectacular in the wet seasons from March to May and August to December.
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Best Time
January to February and June to July
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High Season
June to September
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Low Season
April, May, October and November
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Best Weather
June to July and January to February
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Worst Weather
April, May and September to October
January to February & June to July (Dry Season)
- As vegetation is less and animals gather around river crossing and waterholes, Its easier to spot wildlife
- Best time for Chimpanzee trekking
- Clear blue skies and most of the days are sunny
- The best time for birding
- Scenaries aren't that good due to the hazy air
January to February & June to July (Wet Season)
- You will see a decent amount of wildlife year-round
- The Scenery is beautiful and green
- Migratory birds can be easily spotted during this period
- Roads are slippery due to heavy rains, difficult to drive.
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Activities – Queen Elizabeth National Park
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Safari Reviews – Queen Elizabeth National Park
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Photo Gallery – Queen Elizabeth National Park
