To those who have never been on an African safari, you may think of visiting Kenya, Tanzania, or Rwanda. But while these classic wildlife destinations are amazing, it is Uganda, the Pearl of Africa, that has some of the most incredible biodiversity on the African continent.
No Ugandan safari would be complete without a visit to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Named after Queen Elizabeth II, the Uganda Wildlife Authority colloquially refers to the park as a medley of wonders. We couldn’t agree more. Almost nowhere else can you find chimpanzees sharing the same protected area as classic Savannah wildlife such as lions, leopards, hyenas, elephants, water buck, buffalo, warthog, Ugandan kob, hippo, crocodile, and so many others.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is divided into two primary sections. The northern sector is known for its magnificent crater lakes, its sprawling grasslands, and its euphorbia trees, which are often used by lions and leopards to get a good vantage point or to rest in during the heat of the day. It is in the north that you can also visit the Kazinga Channel. Running along the Mweya Peninsula, the channel separates Lake Edward from Lake George. River cruises are run daily, and visitors are treated to elephants, buffalo, hippo, crocodile, water buck, kob, and a vast array of birdlife as they spend their morning and afternoon basking at the water’s edge.
The south will bring visitors to the Kyambura Wildlife Reserve, where treks for chimpanzees occur in the dense, subtropical forests. Farther south is the Ishasha sector, famous for its herds of kob as the males perform leks, a dominance display to win the affection of females. Topi, another African antelope are also common here, as are lions who are famously known for climbing fig trees.
There are many different lodges available in both northern and southern Queen Elizabeth National Park. Each offers a unique East African flavor, and visitors will be spoiled with game drives, chimpanzee treks, and different foods as they spend evenings in listening to the sounds of the African night.
Finally, visitors can book their own private lion viewing experience with the Uganda Wildlife Authority. You will be taken out by the Uganda Carnivore Program, a team of carnivore researchers and conservationists who perform scientific research and take part in the greater effort to protect the park’s lions, leopards, and spotted hyenas.
As partners with the Uganda Carnivore Program, we at Nature Adventure African Safaris, we are not only committed to ensuring that you have an unforgettable carnivore viewing experience, but that you leave learning more about the challenges of conservation, and ways we can all do our part to ensure the future of wildlife in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Come experience a medley of wonders in Queen Elizabeth National Park with Nature Adventure Africa Safaris!