Queen Elizabeth National park is a notable Uganda safari holiday destination for wildlife tours, chimpanzee tracking safaris, birdwatching safaris etc. The 1978km2 Queen Elizabeth National Park enjoys a stunning location on the rift valley floor between Lakes Edward and George where a mosaic of habitats supports 95 mammal species and a remarkable 612 species of birds. Forty years ago, Douglas Willocks described the diverse features that led to its creation in 1952. There still exists no better introduction or a more enticing invitation to tour Queen Elizabeth National park ‘Scenically the area had everything.

Thirty miles to the north, the blue Rwenzori exploded from the plain, a composite, jagged mass of mountains, sixty miles long and forty wide and looking in certain lights as if you could reach out and touch them. Across Lake Edward to the west, the Mitumbe hills stood sentinel on the Congo, blue too in the long sight but in the closer green, wooded, precipitous, unfriendly and epitomising darkest Africa.

The eastern boundary of this possible park was marked by the calm green escarpment of the western Rift Valley. And between all the hills, mountains and lakes was endless savanna, its constantly repeated motif the branched cactus arms of the candelabra euphorbia tree.' The park forms part of an extensive system of contiguous protected areas, namely the Kigezi (265km2) and Kyambura (154km2) Wildlife Reserves, Kalinzu Forest Reserve, Kibale National Park (766km2) and, in neighbouring DRC, the 2000km2 Virunga National Park. Rwenzori Mountains National Park lies a few kilometres north. The dramatic scenery is largely due to mountains beyond the park boundary. The park itself lies on the rift valley floor where it rises 480m from 91 Om at the Kazinga Channel to 1390m in the Explosion Crater field. The low altitude and its location directly on the equator mean that temperatures can be warm, rising from a mean minimum of 18°C to a mean maximum of 28°C. The park receives up to 1250mm of rain, mostly during March - May and September - November.

Flora and fauna - Queen Elizabeth National park is home to 95 mammal species while the bird list is 612 species long. This diversity is the result of an impressive range of habitats. Fifty-seven vegetation types have been identified though these can be summarised as just five: forest; grassland; bushy grassland; Acacia woodland and lakeshore/ swamp vegetation. Residents of the park's grasslands include elephant, Cape buffalo, Uganda kob, waterbuck, warthog, giant forest hog, lion, leopard and hyaena. Topi are found in Ishasha, while forest primates are found in Kyambura Gorge and Maramagambo Forest. Queen Elizabeth National Park has an impressive bird list exceeded only by the neighbouring (and far larger) Virunga National Park. Key bird species include martial eagle, black-rumped buttonquail, African skimmer, Chapin's flycatcher, pink-backed pelicans, white-winged warbler, papyrus gonolek, papyrus canary, corncrake, lesser and greater flamingo, and shoebill stork.

Camping safaris in Queen Elizabeth National Park – ACamping safari is possible at Mweya, Maramagambo and Ishasha. Convenient options just outside the park include Hippo Hill Camp close to Katwe and Kingfisher Camp on the lovely Kichwamba escarpment. A new lodge is under construction in the Kyambura Wildlife Reserve.

Kazinga Channel - The 40km-long channel that connects Lake George to Lake Edward provides the park's prime wildlife spectacle. Its shoreline attracts large numbers of birds, mammals and reptiles year round. These can be seen from two covered launches, Topi and Simba that cruise between Mweya Jetty and the channel's entrance into Lake Edward. The launches run at 15.00 and 17.00. Additional voyages run at 11.00 and 13.00 subject to demand.

North Kazinga and Kasenyi - The plain north of the Kazinga Channel is the primary game viewing area. A network of tracks enables you to find elephant, buffalo and other animals in the mosaic of grassland thickets that covers the North Kazinga area near Mweya. However lion are most reliably sighted on the open Kasenyi plain east of the Kasese road where they prey on a large population of Uganda kobo Game are most rewarding in early morning and late afterne ranger guide is recommended to help you make the rr your experience.

Ishasha - Tree Climbing Lions - Ishasha 100km south of Mweya, the park's remote southern provides a true wilderness experience. Diverse hal including the Ishasha River, savanna woodland, and the rr Lake Edward Flats support a variety of wildlife incuding Ish, famous tree climbing lions, and the rare shoebill stork.

Kyambura Wildlife Reserve - This area, which protects the south-eastern banks ( Kazinga Channel, contains four crater lakes, in which numbers of flamingos periodically congregate.
The Launch Cruise - A boat trip along the hippo crowded banks of kazinga channel gives visitors a unique unmatched wild life experience. Crocodile have become a common sight and occasionally a common leopard may be seen. Many buffaloes rest in the water while the big herds of elephants enjoy themselves drinking and playing along the channel banks. See the Hippos and surrounded by vast numbers of migrants and resident birds, the boat put one, right in the hearts of nature.Visit Ishasha The true pearl of southern part of the park! See the tree climbing lions a on the large fig tree See the Topi, Uganda Kob and Buffaloes graze in the acacia studded savannah.

Queen Elizabeth National park Accommodation -
Mweya Safari Lodge - luxury hotel accommodation is an ideal place for relaxation a 5 star lodge with swimming facilities a variety of bird species can be seen in this area.
Jacana Safari Lodge - luxury accommodation is an ideal place for relaxation and refreshment built over the banks of a crater lake you will loose all your worries.
The Institute of Ecology – budget hotel & basic hostel style accommodation. Camping - can be done at Mweya, Maramagambo Forest and Ishasha sector of the park come with camping facilities or can be provided by the company.

PARK RULES AND REGULATIONS
Get your permit before entering the park.
Drive only between 7:00am and 7:00pm and allow plenty of time to reach your destination.
Do not drive more than 45km per hour.
Give animals right of way and don’t disturb wild life.
Do not sound your horn.
Do not litter.
Do not start fires or throw cigarettes ends.
Stay in your vehicle except at designated areas.
Do not bring pet animals into the park.
Do not pick or cut any plants or animals.
Do not bring firearms or ammunitions into the park.
Note that these rules are same through all the parks because they are under one protection. (Uganda wild life authority)