This is a wonderful national park, sometimes dubbed 'the Pearl of Africa or Switzerland of Africa'. Quite simply this fertile equatorial area is especially scenic, with two lakes connected by a channel overlooked by a high peninsula. You will also find volcanic craters, grassy plains and tropical forest. As a result it has one of the highest biodiversity ratings in the world.

Hunting exhibits such as stuffed lions, leopard skins, deer heads and elephants tusks may still be   found adorning some hotels and   lodges, but the emphasis is   certainly more on shooting with a   camera these days. Much of   Uganda's wildlife was poached out   in the past, especially elephants,  but now the area is protected and  elephants numbers are boosted by those entering the park from the Congo, where poaching is still a problem.

ANIMALS AND BIRDS

The wide bio-diversity of habitats means that Queen Elizabeth National Park contains the most astonishing number of species - almost 100 types of mammal and 606 different birds! The Kasinga Channel alone is said to contain the world's largest concentration of hippos, but interestingly enough not many crocodiles! Other wildlife includes warthogs, buffalo,   rare aquatic sitatunga antelope,   giant forest hog, beautifully horned   Uganda kob, topi, waterbuck,   elephant and leopard. There are   no   giraffe, zebra, impala or rhino.

Kyambura (or Chambura) Gorge   on   the north-east boundary of the   park, is real Tarzan territory with thick treetop canopies and vines dangling down to the soft forest floor. The terrain comes complete with chimpanzees who crash about and chatter high up in the branches. If they don't feel like being seen, they just keep one step ahead of the out-of-breath terrestrial visitors.

The Maramagambo Forest, south of the Kasinga Channel is also home to large numbers of chimps, plus a number of other monkey species.

Some rare and odd birds inhabit this park and keen birders come from all over the world to clock up a sighting of the peculiar, pouting shoebill (or whale-headed) stork. This giant bird stands 4-foot high (more than 1 metre) and wears a rather timid expression. This and a myriad of other birds and animals are best viewed from a boat on the Kazinga Channel.

 

QUEEN ELIZABETH SPECIALITIES

• Sunset over the water
• Warthogs and hippos mowing the lawn at Mweya Lodge
• Boat ride on the Kasinga Channel
• Chimpanzees in Kyambura (Chambura) Gorge
• Beautifully positioned safari lodges

 

FACTS

The park covers 770 miles ² (1995 km²).
Road access from Uganda's capital city of Kampala is 206 miles (420km).
There is a landing strip at Mweya lodge for light aircraft or a larger airstrip at Kasese town.

 

Uganda Safaris & Tours

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Kampala,Uganda, Telephone:+256-753-040-403,+256-772-868-410
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