How to Get to Queen Elizabeth National Park

How to Get to Queen Elizabeth National Park

How to Get to Queen Elizabeth National Park — Queen Elizabeth National Park, a natural treasure nestled in the southwest region of Uganda, beckons adventurers and wildlife enthusiasts from around the world. Established in 1952 as Kazinga National Park, it later adopted the name Queen Elizabeth National Park following the momentous visit of Queen Elizabeth II to Uganda. With a sprawling expanse of 420 square kilometers, the park is a testament to the country’s remarkable biodiversity and natural beauty. To embark on your journey to this captivating destination, you’ll find several accessible routes and transportation options.

Getting to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Located approximately 392 to 399 kilometers west of Kampala, Uganda’s capital city, Queen Elizabeth National Park is among the most conveniently accessible national parks in the country. It boasts an intricate network of public roads that offer easy access, accommodating various modes of transportation, including motorcycles and bicycles. Visitors can choose from two primary routes originating from Kampala: the Kampala-Mubende-Fort Portal road or the Kampala-Masaka-Mbarara road. Additionally, the park is accessible from Rwanda via the Ntungamo-Kasese road and from Congo via the Fort Portal-Mpondwe road.

The Fort Portal-Kasese-Mbarara road provides access to key locations such as Kikorongo junction, Katunguru, and Kyambura. These points serve as both popular accommodation centers and starting points for wildlife safaris in Queen Elizabeth National Park and chimpanzee tracking in Kyampura Game Reserve. The park’s internal road network further enhances accessibility, with routes leading to notable attractions like Lake Katwe, Mweya Gate, Mukungu Fishing Village on Lake George, Kahendero Fishing Village on Lake George, and the road to Congo via Kanungu through the Ishasha sector. Importantly, these internal roads can be traversed without the need to pay a park entrance fee.

Given the plethora of public roads crisscrossing the park, Queen Elizabeth National Park can be reached by road from Kampala or any other national park in Uganda. Public transport options along these roads include buses (with a capacity of 59 passengers), shared public taxis (14-seaters), and private special hires available in neighboring district towns. Buses departing from downtown Kampala make stopovers at various points, including Kasese town, Kikorongo junction, Katunguru, or Kyambura, making it convenient for travelers to access their desired location.

Your choice of the road and mode of transport will depend on the location where you plan to spend the night before embarking on your safari adventure. Travelers staying in Kasese or the Kikorongo area the night before their safari may prefer to take the bus that traverses the Kampala-Mubende/Fort Portal road. Alternatively, they can opt for public taxis that follow routes through Fort Portal, Kasese, Mbarara, or Bushenyi. For those staying in Katunguru and Kyampura areas, the bus journey along the Kampala-Masaka-Mbarara road is a suitable option. Similar to the Kikorongo-bound travelers, they can also choose public taxis that pass through or originate from Fort Portal, Kasese, Mbarara, or Bushenyi.

Travelers arriving from other national parks in the northern region of Queen Elizabeth National Park, such as Murchison Falls National Park, Semuliki National Park, Rwenzori Mountain National Park, or Kibale Forest National Park, can connect to Queen Elizabeth via the Fort Portal-Kasese road. If your journey commences from southern national parks like Lake Mburo, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, or Rwanda, the Mbarara-Katunguru road offers seamless connectivity.

Should you require any further assistance, whether for locating public taxis in different areas, arranging private hires, or organizing pickups, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are dedicated to ensuring your journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park is as smooth and enjoyable as possible.

Queen Elizabeth National Park: An Enthralling Experience Awaits

Queen Elizabeth National Park, affectionately known as the “Pearl of Africa,” beckons visitors with its rich history, remarkable wildlife, and diverse ecosystems. Covering a vast expanse of 420 square kilometers, the park boasts a staggering array of wildlife species, including 95 mammals and 612 bird species. Here, nature enthusiasts can witness the majesty of elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes, hippos, warthogs, primates such as chimpanzees and various monkeys, antelopes, and countless other creatures.

Exploring the Wonders of Queen Elizabeth National Park

Your journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park opens the door to an array of captivating experiences:

Game Drives:

Queen Elizabeth National Park is renowned worldwide for its abundant wildlife. Embark on exhilarating game drives, where you can spot lions, leopards, buffaloes, elephants, Uganda kobs, and more.

Chimpanzee Trekking:

Venture into the enchanting Kyambura Gorge for a remarkable chimpanzee trekking experience. Guided by knowledgeable ranger guides, this two- to three-hour trek provides a rare opportunity to encounter our closest primate relatives in their natural habitat.

Boat Launch:

Cruise along the Kazinga Channel and witness the unique spectacle of wildlife congregating at the water’s edge. The channel hosts hundreds of hippos, buffaloes, and a myriad of water birds, offering a captivating and immersive experience.

Nature Walks and Birding:

Queen Elizabeth National Park is celebrated as one of the best birding destinations in Uganda, home to half of the country’s bird species. As you explore the park on foot, be prepared to encounter wild animals while marveling at the diverse avian life.

Seamless Access to Natural Wonder

Queen Elizabeth National Park is easily accessible from Kampala, with a scenic drive of 5-6 hours. Along the journey, you can pause at the equator to witness where the sun sets, traverse lush tea plantations, and immerse yourself in the lush greenery that defines Uganda. Alternatively, for a swifter arrival, flights to the park from Entebbe are available, requiring just one hour.

A wealth of beautiful lodges and hotels await your stay within the park, including Mweya Safari Lodge, Kyambura Gorge Lodge, Kazinga Channel Safari Lodge, The Bush Lodge, Buffalo Safari Resort, and more.

Whether you visit in the high season or opt for the serenity of other months, Queen Elizabeth National Park welcomes you year-round. Join us on a journey into the heart of Uganda’s wildlife and natural beauty, where unforgettable encounters with nature’s wonders await.