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Location Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda

Attractions of Queen Elizabeth National Park and its Location in Uganda

The following page gives the location of Location Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda. Queen Elizabeth National Park is 1,978 Km2 in area and is situated along the Equator in the Western Rift Valley of South West Uganda, close to the Southern most tip of the Ruwenzori Mountains and is contiguous with Virunga National Park in Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire).

It is a region of varied habitats including, open grassland with thickets, thick bush, forest, swamps and lake shore. Queen Elizabeth National Park together with Virunga National Park in (DRC) completely encircles Lake Edward, which is connected to Lake George by the Kazinga channel.

Mweya Peninsura

The peninsular area including the Channel Track down to the Katunguru gate and across to the Kabatoro gate has a thick ground cover of dense vegetation predominated by Candelabra Thorn. Game viewing can be difficult especially when you don't have the guide. There are several game drive tracks to follow that are well maintained.

The sign posting can be difficult to follow at times and it is most likely you will get lost at some point. The main road in the park and the Channel Track are obvious features that the game drive tracks juncture at some stage.Most people that come to Mweya on Queen Elizabeth National Park do so to enjoy a 2 hour cruise on the Kazinga Channel. The park operates a 20 person motorized vessel.

There are sometimes 3 cruises a day depending on numbers of persons interested. Visit the parks office at Mweya to register your interest in a trip.

The Queen Elizabeth National Park office will intertwine groups and individuals together to conduct a cruise.Trips depart from the jetty below the lodge. Walk or drive to the jetty by exiting through the barrier at the entrance to Mweya HQ.

Kasenyi Section of Queen Elizabeth National Park

This is a open savannah area where Uganda Kob are the dominant mammals. Lions are frequently seen here on game drives. The Kasenyi Track can be reached by leaving Mweya on the main road to Kabatoro gate and proceeding to the main Mbarara-Kasese road.

Immediately opposite is the Kasenyi Track and parallel Kasenyi Channel tracks. There are many tracks leading off the main track to follow and explore. A visit to Kasenyi is best conducted in the morning.

Crater Lakers Section of Queen Elizabeth National Park

This area comprises a scenic area of explosion craters, some containing salt lakes, formed by volcanic activity some 8-10,000 years ago. Some of the craters are dry. The craters form a unique scenic vantage point and are important dry season watering points for animals.

Buffalo and Elephant are commonly seen on the crater floors. Flamingo are common residents.

The crater area is such a captivating and breathtaking phenomenon. It's impossible to give a fair description of the crater area, there is nothing with which to compare. It is one of the wonders of Uganda.

Kyambura Gorge on Queen Elizabeth National Park

The Kyambura river gorge is situated on Northeastern side of the Park (QENP) 35 kms from Mweya. The Ranger camp is sign posted 'Figtree camp' on the main Kasese-Mbarara road. Departing Mweya via the Katunguru gate, turn right and cross the bridge over the Kazinga Channel and proceed approximately 12 kms before turning left for 3 kms along a track leading to Figtree Camp.

The Gorge spans a distance of 16 kms and it's deepest is some 100m deep and at it's widest point over 500 metres. The Gorge emerges between savannah grasslands and has a riverine virgin forest that transits to papyrus swamps towards the Kazinga Channel.It is the only place in the Park where chimpanzees tracking activities are conducted.

These chimps have been "Habituated" to allow for viewing at close quarters. Other primates include black and white Colobus Monkey, Red-tailed monkey, baboons and vervet monkeys. Click here for more information about Primate categories in UgandaThe Gorge is in addition an important water source for Savannah animals.

Imaramagambo Forest on queen Elizabeth national park

Imaramagambo Forest is one of the largest forests in Uganda. It is a medium altitude, moist, semi-deciduous forest. Characteristics of such forest are increasingly becoming rare in Africa. Attractions in the forest include: primates, e.g. Lhost monkeys, chimpanzees, bush baby, baboons, vervet monkeys, red-tailed monkeys.

The best access to the forest is through the park gate close to Jacana Safari Lodge. There is a research station where vehicles can be left and a guide sourced. Visits are conducted on foot.