Queen Elizabeth National Park

Uganda’s parklands fulfill a deep human need. For in these tracts of earth not only the animal creation but man himself can find a sanctuary, and retreat from routine himself into the reality of a world apart“ Dr Hugh Catt, 1959

A BRIEF HISTORY
In the book on the Congo frontier (1914), an explorer writes of his first encounter with what was to become Queen Elizabeth National Park. Traveling on foot from Rwanda, his party came upon the area early one morning:

‘… It was a wonderful country. Above were steep valleys and ravines, below were wide open plains, scattered thorn trees covered the country and patches of bush alternated with green glades, … and everywhere was animal life’. The history of Queen Elizabeth National Park is interesting: in 1925, the department for Elephant control was set up to stop the elephant from marauding villages and destroying cultivation- the overall aim being to keep them within certain boundaries, protecting both elephants and people. As a result, a series of game reserves, sanctuaries and National parks were established over the years. Across the border in the Congo, Parc National des Virunga was designated in 1925 by the Belgian colonial authorities, and pressure to protect the adjoining ecosystem in Uganda led to the establishment of lake George game reserve and Lake Edward Game Reserve in the late 1920’s and early 1930’s. Several geographic and name changes followed, and Queen Elizabeth National park eventually gazzetted in 1952, encompassing 1,978 square kilometers

GEOGRAPHY
Since its inception, the protected area has grown. Set in the western Rift Valley now covers just over 2500 square kilometers, encompassing Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kyambura wildlife reserve and Kigezi wildlife reserve. This protected area runs from the foothills of the Rwenzori mountains in the north to the Ishasha border post in the south, and falls within 5 district administration: Kabarole, Kasese, Bushenyi, Rukungiri and Kanungu.

The Queen Elizabeth protected area encompasses a wide variety of habitats ranging from savanna and wetlands to riverine and lowland forest. In this wonderfully diverse ecosystem, water is what seems to dominate the landscape, with 250 kilometers of lakeshores. Lake Edward, the kazinga channel, Lake George, the Ishasha River and series of crater lakes provide a rich habitat for both mammals and birds, offering wonderful wildlife viewing opportunities for the visitors, and spectacular scenery and landscape

´´ The grandest view I have ever seen, looking worth from the Ankole escarpment, with Lakes, Edward and George and Kazinga channel in the foreground and the whole snow-capped range of the Rwenzori as a backdrop“

MAMMALS AND BIRDS
“The plain fact is that the activities of man and those of the wild fauna are largely incompatible reserves and parks that the two can come to terms“ Hugh Catt, 1959″
Queen Elizabeth has more mammal species than any other park in Uganda, with 95 recorded species, including both savanna and forest species. There are elephant, buffalo, hippo, mongoose and warthog, 10 primate species including chimpanzee, black and white Columbus monkeys, olive baboons, red tailed and vervet monkey, nearly 20 predators species including lions, leopard, spotted hyena and side striped jackal, and numerous antelope species include the kob, bushbuck, water buck, topi, the shy and elusive semi-aquatic sitatunga and four species of duiker. It is true that during the difficult years of the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, wildlife suffered at the hands of poachers, and the mammal population of Queen was adversely affected, but with consistent conservation efforts the numbers are rising again and visitors always see adverse wildlife.

The buffalo and elephant found queen Elizabeth are a reflection of two key habitats coming in together. Many of the buffalo are reddish color, which is likely due to interbreeding with the Congolese rainforest sub species, and many of the elephant resemble the smaller forest dwelling species.

Bird life is abundant in Queen Elizabeth. It is said that the vast bird diversity 611recorded species at last officially count- is among the highest for any national park in the world. The parks location straddles several different ecosystems common to both East and central Africa, and is home to a myriad of species, including Albertine Rift endemics and many migrants. A bird observatory was established in 1997 to study resident and migratory birds in the park, with a particular emphasis on the annual bird migration along the Albertine rift valley.
´´The wildlife of today is not ours to dispose of as we please: we have it in trust; we must account for it to those who come after“ King George VI

SECTORS
The Kazinga Channel Area is the main hub of the protected area. The launch for the cruise along the kazinga channel is situated here, which is a wonderful way to see hippo, buffalo, kob and the occasional Nile crocodile (which up until recently did not inhabit this area). This trip also offers spectacular bird viewing opportunities. The park authorities head quarters are situated in this sector, as is Mweya Lodge and a number of wildlife trials and tracks.

Kyambura Wildlife Reserve (pronounced Chambura), in the eastern reaches of the protected area, supports similar mammals to the rest of the park, but three saline crater lakes attract large numbers of flamingos- not found anywhere else in Uganda. Kyambura gorge is the natural home of habituated chimpanzees and visitors can partake in daily-guided walks through the gorge.

Ishasha, also known as the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth, has been referred to as one of the most alluring game viewing areas in East Africa famous for its tree climbing lions, ishasha is dominated by acacia woodland and scrubland and features the meandering ishasha river, banked by a riparian forest. Ishasha boasts giant boughed lions. This is also the only place in the protected area to see topi.

Maragambo Forest
The Maramagambo forest, stretches up the eastern escarpment and provides cool respite from the equatorial sun and offers a different sort of wildlife, including wild chimpanzees, enormous pythons and colonies of cave-dwelling fruit bats. Several forest trails have been established for walking and it is possible to rent canoes to paddle on lake Nyamusingiri. Jacana lodge is set on the edge of this lake. This forest is a valuable representative sample of east African medium altitude semi-deciduous forest, which is becoming increasingly scarce.

´´ Mysterious forest where the ground lies dark beneath the dense canopy of foliage. Its vastness is a revelation. It diminishes your stature, takes away your pride and swallow you up“ Hugh Catt 1959

WILDLIFE VIEWING DRIVES
There are a number of trials through the protected area designed for wildlife viewing. It is advisable to drive these trails in the early morning and early evening for the best viewing opportunities. The animals are wild- please stay in your car and stay in trial. Some of the highlights include:
Queens’s mile: links the channel track to the main road, and intersect the royal circuit and the link track. This route can yield elephant, buffalo, giant forest hog, bushbuck, and leopard Kasenyi track: is accessible by crossing the main Kampala -kasese road. This is where the main kob leks (mating grounds) are located which also provides excellent opportunity for viewing lion.

For outstanding scenery the route to the equator gate runs through the crater area with still, dark lakes and rich grassland set deep into volcanic craters, and baboon cliff is q stunning view point where the landscape drops dramatically and one feels pierced on the edge of the world.

Down in Ishasha, the southern circuit trial is where most of the large fig trees are found, providing the best opportunity for seeing loin. The Northern circuit is similar but longer, and provides beautiful scenery and wonderful bird watching.

THE PEOPLE- PARTNERS IN CONSERVATION

In 1979, Queen Elizabeth protected area was designated a biosphere reserve with the ultimate goal of integrating human activities and the conservation and protection of wildlife, wetland, and natural resources. There are a number of fishing villages enclaves within the protected area.
Several ethnic groups that are closely related both linguistically and culturally inhabit this part of the country: the Banyankore, the Bakiga, and the Batoro

GETTING TO THE PARK
There are two main routes from Kampala, both of which work well for visiting queen Elizabeth either as part of longer itinerary or as a stand lone destination.
• The first route is the Fort portal road, which goes via mityana and mubende. This is also the road to kibale, Rwenzori and Semliki.
• The second is slightly longer via Masaka and mbarara. This is also the main route for lake Mburo national park, bwind and mgahinga. The park is also accessible from the south, coming through Ishasha from kabala or bwind, via kihihi. For flying safaris, there are two airstrips in Queen. One Ishasha and one in mweya area.

WHERE TO STAY
There are several options for accommodation in queen Elizabeth
• Camping and lower budget facilities; the Uganda wildlife authority has Hostel and student camp. In addition, there are several campsites for independent campers in the mweya sector and down in Ishasha. Bandas are also available in Ishasha
• Lodges Mweya safari lodge is large lodge overlooking the kazinga channel in the Mweya sector of the park. Jacana lodge is smaller., set on the edge of the quiet lake Nyamusingiri in maramagambo forest