Did you know Queen Elizabeth national park is described as meledy of wonders due to rich biodiversity? The park which is known to be the second largest park in Uganda and located in western part set in the low- lying Rift Valley where it crosses the equator south of the lofty Rwenzori. Meledy of wonders extends to 1978sqkm covering some districts like Kasese, Kamwenge, Bushenyi and Rukungiri and many more.
The park was gazetted under the name Kazinga national park in 1952 however was a game reserve in 1920s. Recently, the meledy of wonders was renamed years later in memory of Queen Elizabeth 2 and prince philip after visiting Uganda and it is UNESCO Heritage site. The park is rich in biodiversity including landscape of tropical habitats, rolling grasslands, moist acaia, woodlands, tropical rainforest, sheer- sided volcanic calderas and variety of wetlands like swampy areas of lake Edward.
The park is protected and managed by Uganda wildlife Authority.
Things to do while in the park
Game viewing.
Meledy of wonders is the best destination for game drive due in support of 95 mammal species, 10 primate species including chimpanzees, vervet, blue red-tailed and L’Hoests monkeys, olive baboon, black and white colobus. Game drive takes about 2-3 hours searching for various mammal species like lions, leopards, buffalos, elephants, wathogs, waterburgs, duiker, giraffes, Zebras, hippopotamus that ae over 5000 species, and many more.
Bird watching
Queen Elizabeth national park is a birding paradise for bird lovers. It is recorded that the park is a home of about 600 bird species where some of these are spotted around the woodlands, forests, maramagambo forest, on kazinga channel, mweya penisular and many more. Birding may take half day or full day and birders are advised to pack binoculars, cameras, comfortable hiking boots, rain coat, long trousers, long t-shirts, water &snacks and many more. Some of the bird species spotted include African morning dove, grey headed kingfisher, swamp nightjar, Shoebill, Great Blue Turaco, Gray-crowned crane, Long-Crested Eagle, and Black-and-White-Casqued Hornbill and many more.
Nature walks
Meledy of wonders is a best destination for nature walks. Visitors are advised to be physically fit since nature walks involves footing with a guide into wilderness. During nature walks, visitors are offered a chance to get closer to wildlife species into the park unlike those visitors in 4×4 WD. Nature walks takes about 2-3 hours however visitors are briefed to pack comfortable hiking boots, water & snacks, rain coat, cameras, binoculars and many more.
Culture encounters
Despite the fact that the park is surrounded by various districts like Kasese, Kamwenge, Bushenyi and Rukungiri, it marks the park the best destination for culture tours. Guides will take the visitors through the village communities like kasese town or visiting kasenyi village or katwe community center where they will visit salt mining, visit elders for storytelling, visit local doctors who mix local herbs as medicines, will be entertained with traditional dances and many more.
How to access the park
By air transport, the closed airport serviced by scheduled flights, in Kasese one smalls airstrip on Mweya peninsular and some from Entebbe can divert thee by prior arrangement. Visitors are advised to pack in advance to avoid inconveniences.
By road transport. The park can be reached on road using two routes which are both roughly a 7-8 hours drive from Kampala. The park can be reached via Masaka – Mbarara – Bushenyi route (420 km) or Via Mubende – Fort Portal – Kasese route (410 km).
Where to stay while in the park?
Elephant plains lodge
Elephant plains lodge is located at the edge of queen Elizabeth national park offering beautiful view of the park and Lake Kikologo which is a greater lake. The lodge offers 8 rooms designed in African and modern architecture however one of the rooms support disabled visitors. Some two support family visitors whose rooms are self-catering with flushing toilets, tables, chairs, balcony, bath tap, shower with hot and cold water, towels, slippers, laundry baskets, hair drier and many more.
The lodge facilitates well stocked bar with wines, beers and soft drinks, restaurant where delicious meals are prepared by professional chefs, swimming pool for relaxation as you enjoy drinks and snacks, free wifi to chat with family and friends, free parking, and many more.
While at the lodge, visitors may do game drive to the park, boat cruise on kazinga channel, watch various bird species, and nature.
Mweya safari lodge
Mweya safari lodge is a luxurious lodge located in the heat of Queen Elizabeth national park. The lodge is one of the 5-star lodges in the park accommodating about 56 rooms which all of them are self catering rooms with flushing toilets, bath taps, showers with hot and cold water, tables, chairs, verandas, and many more. Visitors at the lodge are facilitated with well stocked restaurant where international meals are served and prepared by professional chefs, swimming pool where visitors relax, laundry, free wifi, free packing, solars/ electricity and many more.
While at the lodge visitors are able to do game drive within the park, boat cruise on kazinga channel, bird watching and nature walks.
Buffalo safari lodge
Buffalo safari lodge is located at the edge of the park and was named after various buffalo species spotted around the park. Buffalo lodge accommodates 17 rooms which some are family rooms, twins’ rooms, single rooms and double rooms. visitors are able to spend time privately as they feel the breath of wilderness. The lodge is well designed in African and modern architecture accommodating private visitors with hot and cold showers, flushing toilets, electricity, tables, chairs, verandas, towels, detergents, and facilitates laundry, free wi-fi, well stocked bar, restaurant, free packing and many more
While at the lodge visitors are assured of spotting buffalos, elephants, other wildlife species and various bird species.
