Queen Elizabeth National Park.
1,978 square kms, in area and is situated astride the Equator in
the Western Rift valley of South West Uganda, close to the Southern
most tip of the fabled, mist covered "Mountains of the Moon-
Rwenzori Mountains and is contiguous with Virunga National Park
in the 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 encircle Lake Edward which is connected to Lake George by
the Kazinga Channel.
Eco System
It is a world bio-sphere reserve (UNESCO 1979) includes a RAMSAR
wetland site and is classified Important Bird Area (IBA) by Birdlife
International. QENP has 568 of Uganda's 1027 species of birds (over
a quarter of Africa's bird species) more than any other park in
Africa.
In the Queen Elizabeth National Park you may see
crater lakes filled with huge flocks of flamingo.
 There
is potential to view lions relaxing and elephants ambling and giant
forest hog snuffing. Any visitor to this park cannot fail to be
amazed by the enormous diversity in each kingdom of creation. It
is simply a visual feast. Take a boat trip, a game drive, a woodland
walk or simply enjoy any of the myriad stunning views.
The Queen Elizabeth National Park provides an unforgettable and
unique experience.
Attractions
Launch trips on Kazinga Channel down the shores of Lake Edward provide
a unique vantage of viewing Savannah wildlife. A launch trip starts
at Mweya the park headquarters along the Kazinga Channel, which
joins Lake Edward and Lake George. Truly, this is among the most
exciting and memorable experience offered by the park. While on
the trip expect to be thrilled by yawning hippos and closer views
of water birds along the shores.
 In the Southern part
of the park is the Ishasha sector where tree climbing lions may
be found perched on Savannah fig trees. There is a high concentration
of game in this Savannah setting, that includes Lake Edward and
the Ishasha River flats, and the Ishasha riverine forest. The hippo
pools in the Ishasha river and Congo escarpment provides splendid
scenery.
Maramagambo Forest
Maramagambo 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. It has
very spectacular lakes and craters. It is the only place in the
park where one could find Blue Lakes. Other features of attraction
in the forest include; primates e.g Lhost monkeys, Chimpanzees,
bush baby, baboons, vervet monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, etc. Due
to its location, Maragambo has a high diversity of butterflies.
The bat and the hunters cave are other pleasant experiences that
the forest offers, and of course some forest birds.
Northern Crater Area
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 these craters are dry. These unique scenic
vantage point and are important as dry season watering points
for animals.
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