What is the most visited national park in Uganda? Uganda is a landlocked country situated in central African border countries like Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Sudan. 10 National Parks; 12 Wildlife Reserves; 5 Community Wildlife Management Areas; and 13 Wildlife Sanctuaries. The ten National Parks include Queen Elizabeth, Lake Mburo, Murchison Falls, Kidepo Valley, Kibale, Mount Elgon, Rwenzori Mountains, Semuliki, Mgahinga Gorilla, and Bwindi Impenetrable National Parks. These parks display the best in East Africa. Their Rift Valley landscapes and tropical forests make dramatic backdrops to an extensive variety of flora and fauna. But Elizabeth national park is the most visited national park in Uganda due to its exceptional wildlife species and ecosystems. The park is located in the western part of Uganda, covering districts such as Kasese, Rubirizi, Ruhingiri and Kamwenge. Queen Elizabeth national park is famous for its exceptional wildlife, stunning landscape and rich cultural heritage
The national park is the second largest national park in Uganda after Murchison falls national park and was gazetted in 1952 when it was called Kazinga Channel and was later renamed Queen Elizabeth National Park in 1954 in commemoration of Queen Elizabeth 11 of Britain. The park covers a total area of 1978 square kilometers and is a habitat of wildlife including savannah vegetation, wild animals, primates, and bird species among others.
What is the most visited national park in Uganda?: The major tourist attractions
Ishasha sector
One of the most famous sectors in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Ishasha is situated in the southern park of the park, famously known for hosting the amazing tree-climbing lions, which cannot be found anywhere in the world. Most tourists from all over the world come to Uganda to witness these incredible creatures in their natural habitat. The Ishasha sector is dominated by candelabra trees, and savannah woodland, including acacia trees, cactus trees, and huge fit trees, making it a good habitat for them. The best time to see these fascinating creatures is in the morning and late evening when they are resting. while at Ishasha sector, you will also get a great opportunity to see other wildlife species that dwell in the sectors such as leopards, Uganda Kobs among others as well as colorful birds like greater honeyguide, stripe kingfisher and others
Wildlife
Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the best destinations in Uganda, where visitors on a Uganda safari can engage in a fascinating game-drive adventure. The park is the second-largest national park in the country, boasting a large habitat for a huge amount of wildlife. Queen Elizabeth national park is home to over 95 mammal species including four of the big five African animals as over 250 lions, over 4000 elephants, over 2000 buffaloes, leopards, warthogs, 3000 hippos, Uganda Kobs, Topis, and crocodiles, primate species such as chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, baboons, and over 600 colorful bird species like the kingfisher, blue napped mouse bird, little bee-eater, grey-handed kingfisher, pygmy kingfisher, yellow backed weavers, pin tailed whydah, swamp nightjar, African mourning dove, slender billed weaver, lesser masked weaver, diederik cuckoo, red capped lark, white napped pigeon, dark caped warbler, Rwenzori turaco, African green pigeon, ross’s turaco, white tailed lark, grey crowned cranes, yellow throated long crow among others. making it the best national park for wildlife safaris in Uganda.
Kyambura Gorge
Kyambura Gorge is situated in the eastern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The Kyambura River is famous for its fascinating chimpanzees. The Kyambura Gorge River flows through a thick underground forest 100 meters below the Kichwamba escarpment. In addition to the captivating chimpanzees, the gorge is home to a diverse range of wildlife species. Kyambura Gorge is one of the best spots where tourists can go to track the chimpanzees and is home to many other primate species like black and white colobus monkeys, baboons, red-tailed monks, and snakes. The gorge is a popular birding spot for bird lovers. Such spotted birds include lesser flamingos, martial eagles, Verreaux’s eagle owls, Papyrus canary, pink-backed pelicans, greater flamingos, blue-headed bee-eaters, African skimmers, Papyrus gonoleks, African finfoot, African broadbills, white-winged warblers, black bee-eaters, and many others.
Kazinga channel
Kazinga Channel is an exciting attraction in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The channel is situated in the heart of Queen Elizabeth National Park, between Lake Gorge and Lake Edward. A cruise down the Kazinga Channel is the most relaxing way to enjoy your safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park. On a boat cruise safari along the Kazinga Channel, you can spot the banks crammed with hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes, and colorful water birds, as well as the caimans, monitor lizards, marabou storks, weavers, and elephant pairs of fish eagles. Elephants stride along the banks, which can be seen in the waters of the channel, and swampy vegetation surrounds the park. The channel is also home to rare bird species; it is also categorized as an important birding destination in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Kasenyi plains
The vast savannah land of the Kasenyi Plains is the perfect destination for a unique African safari experience. Kasenyi Plains is home to a huge herd of Ugandan Kobs that attracts prides of lions. It is the only destination where lion tracking can be carried out. These plains are composed of open savannah, which is the habitat of various animals and can be seen during the game drives. The plains are home to a huge population of lions, making it easy for nature lovers to encounter these fascinating creatures. Kasenyi Plains is also the best spot for bird watchers and nature lovers. Such birds that can be spotted include red-throated spur fowl, yellow-headed gonolek, crowned lover, brown snake eagle, grey-crowned cranes, African wattled eagle, and long-crested eagle, among others.
Mwaye peninsula
The Mwaye Peninsula is a popular destination and one of the most popular attractions in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Mwaye Peninsula is situated in the northeastern park of the park, and it is the best place where tourists can go for mongoose tracking. Mweya Peninsula is located in the heart of Queen Elizabeth National Park, and it contains the visitor center, a luxury lodge and restaurant, hotels, campsites, budget food options, and the departure point to start the Kainga Channel launch trips. The sector offers great opportunities for visitors to carry out activities like game drives and guided nature walks, which give them opportunities to see a wild range of wildlife species within the park.
The best time to visit Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is open all year, but wildlife viewing is at its best from January to February and June to July (the dry seasons). However, this scenic park is at its most beautiful in the wet seasons, from March to May and August to December. April, May, October, and November are very wet months, and during that time, the rain might interfere with your safari.
