Ugandan National Parks: Queen Elizabeth
- AshleyDawn
- Aug 13, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: May 9
What Makes Queen Elizabeth National Park Unique in Africa
Queen Elizabeth National Park is located in the Southwest part of Uganda nestled along the Kazinga Channel. The Kazinga Channel in Uganda is a wide, 32-kilometer long natural channel (20 miles) that links Lake Edward and Lake George, which are 2 of the 7 African Great Lakes. The diverse ecosystem of Queen Elizabeth National Park makes it a popular destination for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers. The Rwenzori Mountains provide a gorgeous backrop to most of the park.
Ecosystem of Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda is home to a diverse ecosystem that includes semi-deciduous tropical high forests, undulating savanna grasslands, Acacia savanna, tundra and wetlands.
Land Animals You Will See in Queen Elizabeth National Park
African elephants, lions, tree climbing lions, leopards, buffaloes, chimpanzees, Ugandan kob, topi and waterbucks. Over 600 bird species including the African fish eagle, shoebill stork, and various species of kingfishers, herons, and eagles.
Water Animals You Will See in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Hippos and crocodiles
Types of Plants Unique to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda has a variety of plant types, including acacia trees, tall candelabra succulents, and ficus trees. Two species of acacia trees are found in the park, including the White Acacia (Acacia albida) and the Hock's Acacia (Acacia hockii). The White Acacia has white bark and circular growth rings on its trunk, and is often found near water sources. The Hock's Acacia is a small to medium-sized, thorny tree.
Average Temperature, Elevation and Weather at Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Average daytime temperature: 25-30°C (77-86°F)
- Elevation: 910 - 1,390 meters (2,985–4,560 feet) above sea level
- Weather: Generally hot and dry, with occasional rain showers during the wet season. Wet seasons in Uganda are March to May and September to December. The park is located along the equator, so the temperatures are usually warm, ranging from 18–28°C (64–82°F) for most of the year. During the day, temperatures can reach up to 30°C (86°F) and drop to as low as 15°C (59°F) at night.
Tribal History in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Historically, the region that now constitutes Queen Elizabeth National Park has been home to various communities, including the indigenous Basongora and Bakonzo tribes. It was also an area with abundant wildlife, making it an important hunting ground for local rulers and chiefs.
Today, fishing and salt extraction provide the main sources of income for the 20,000+ inhabitants within the ten settlements of the biosphere reserve. Locals depend on the reserve’s wood for smoking fish, cooking, lime production and handicrafts. The area surrounding the biosphere reserve has a very high population density with crop cultivation being the major economic endeavor.
History of Queen Elizabeth National Park
The park was initially known as 'Kazinga National Park' before it was renamed in 1954 to commemorate a visit by Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain. QENP is Uganda's most popular tourist destination and one of its oldest parks.
Facts About Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of Uganda's oldest protected areas, covering 1,978 sq km (764 square miles). It is home to over 95 mammal species, ten primate species, and at least 20 carnivores. It hosts 619 bird species, the second highest of any park in Africa – the 6th highest of any park world-wide. The park's highest point is at the Katwe explosion craters, which are 1,350 meters above sea level, and the lowest point is at Lake Edward, which is 910 meters above sea level. It's surrounded by volcanic features like crater lakes, volcanic canes, and deep craters.
What You Can Do at Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is famous for its tree-climbing lions - a behavior not commonly seen elsewhere in Africa. It’s also a bird watcher’s dream! You can take a driving safari around the park for up-close experiences with dozens of animals and birds. Or, you can go on a boat safari on the Kazinga Channel - which will give you another vantage point of dozens of animals and birds that graze or make a home along the water. You can also see flamingos on the salt flats of some of the smaller lakes and enjoy local artisan craft booths. An Equator point of interest was just added to the Queen Elizabeth area as well!
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