A self-drive safari to Queen Elizabeth National Park in the southwestern part of Uganda is regarded as a memorable one. Queen Elizabeth national park is regarded as one of the most visited national parks in Uganda housing the most bio-diversity of wild-life species. The park is located just a few hours’ drive from the capital Kampala about 6-7 hours’ drive about 420km on a clear day by road from Kampala Uganda’s capital and largest city via Mbarara town and Bushenyi to the park, however with yourself drive, you will have a chance to stop at various point of interest to admire nature. If you used Masaka-Mbarara town and Bushenyi road, you will stop at the equator crossing at Kayabwe for informative talks, snacks and photography. You many also stop at Mbarara for an hour lunch break before you proceed with the journey up to the park. The park has glittering savannah, shady, humid forest, lakes and fertile wetlands all these inhabit a wide bio-diversity of wildlife species including the big five such as the elephant, buffaloes, hippos, lion, leopard and many other small animals including antelopes, warthogs, giant forest hogs, Uganda kob among many other. You will also have a chance to see over 600 species of birds among which over 24 of these species are endemic to the park. The park also inhabit primate species, over 10 species of primates are inhabited at the park to mention some include chimpanzee, the black and white colobus monkeys, baboons, civet monkey, red tailed monkey among others.
Many safari activities are done at the park however the common safari activities include game viewing at the Kasenyi part of the park. The game viewing offers a chance to come out with very many species of animals including the big five and the small mammals plus very many species of birds and trees. The game drive is much suitable in a self-drive vehicle; some of the cars recommended for a game drive at the park include a pop-up roof 4×4 land cruiser, a van/supper custom. Pop-up roofs cars can give you a chance to sight games in a far distance and photography is also clear. You will also have a chance to enjoy a lunch cruise at the kazinga channel which connects lakes George and Edward. The launch cruise is a 2-3 hours while on the boat and here, you will have more chances to view more species of wildlife hippos just meters from the boat, as well as crocodiles. Elephants and buffaloes will also be seen linger along the shoreline. Don’t forget primate tracking in the kyambura Gorge.
Queen Elizabeth national park is a home to over 10 species of primates coupled with chimpanzee the closest relative to human, the one hour you will spend with the chimpanzee in their natural habitat will be regarded as a breathtaking moment, chimps are fabulous fun to watch as they play and jump from one tree to another it’s such an interesting moment. The search may last from 1-6 hours since meeting them depends on where they last spent their night from.
Visiting Queen Elizabeth national park will also offer you a great chance to see the tree climbing lions in the Ishasha sector an extension of Queen Elizabeth national park. It’s amazing to see the lions sited on fig trees or tree blanches. Other activities to enjoy at the park include birding; you will see the savannah forest birds, water birds and Albertine rift endemic. You will also visit the salt lake among many others safari activities.
A number of accommodation types are available at the park catering for all categories of people the choice are yours to choose the best suitable for you, although the car hire agency will also advise you on the suitable type of accommodation that can best suit for you in regards to the number of people traveled with and they can book for you the accommodation in time and at a low price. Most of the rooms are self-contained with comfortable beds. some of the accommodations include Mweya safari Lodge, Katara Lodge, Ihamba safari lodge, kyambura gorge, bush Lodge, Engazi lodge, ishasha wilderness camp, Kasenyi safari Lodge among many others all these lodges and camps/ have Chefs and they prepare both international and local dishes depending on your taste. Bars are well-stocked with a number of drinks and they are open at any time.
Book a self-drive car hire with us to Queen Elizabeth national park or still you can visit many other parks around the Queen Elizabeth national park like Kibale forest national park a home to the over 13 species of primates or you can visit Biwndi impenetrable national park a home to the endangered mountain gorilla your safari won’t be the same. Have a safe drive to Queen Elizabeth national park.