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LOCATION
AND HABITANT.
The Queen Elizabeth national park is one of the
outstanding treasures of Uganda, and has been
designated a Biosphere reserve for humanity under
UNESCO auspices. It borders on both Lake Edward
and George as well as Kazinga Channel in the western
area of the Great East African Rift valley.
The
park covers almost 2,000 square kilometers and
include a remarkable variety of ecosystems from
semi-deciduous tropical forest to green meadows,
savannah crater lakes and swamps.
In
Queen Elizabeth National park discover a vast
array of Ugandan wildlife like elephant, buffalo,
hippopotamus, Uganda kob, buck and antelope, as
well as baboons and chimpanzees, and the famous
tree-climbing lion which is usually found in the
Ishasha region.
Over
500 bird species have also been identified here
making it a Mecca for bird-watchers. They include
the shoebill stork, the Black Bee-eater, 11 different
species of kingfisher and several falcons, eagles
and other raptors. Many of the crater lakes are
home to spectacular flocks of flamingos.
The
launch trip along the Kazinga channel between
lakes Edward and George is a memorable method
of game watching and one of the most rewarding
experiences of a visit to the park.
The
Queen Elizabeth park is at its best after the
rainy seasons –October or November, March and
April. Released from the independence on permanent
waterholes the animals wonder over the whole area.
Frequent showers have cleansed and freshened the
atmosphere. And they are superb views from the
hills… just great for photography.
ACCESS.
By road: The park is 64km from Kasese, which is
linked by a fair-grade tarred road from Kampala
(490km) via Mbarara. Kasese can also reached via
mubende and Fort portal. The easiest access gate
for the park from Katunguru is the left turn immediately
after the total petrol station.
By
air: Air charter services are possible to the
airstrip near Mweya Safari Lodge or to Kasese
airstrip.
ACCOMMODATION.
King Fisher Lodge
Mweya safari lodge
Jakana Safari Lodge
Mweya Hostel
Camp sites at mweya lodge and along Kazinga channel
Ishasha Wildeness Camp |