Size: 1978 sq.km, Altitude: 900 m at Lake Edward to 1,390 m in the crater area Species Recorded: 95 Mammal species, 610 Bird species
Habitat: Medium altitude moist semi-deciduous forest, moist thicket, riparian forest, river line bush land, open woodland, open grassland seasonal and permanent swamps, lakes and rivers.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the most diverse ecosystems in Africa. The melting glacier waters of the Rwenzori Mountains create a vast wetland system comprising of two main lakes; George and Edward, as well as the connecting Kazinga Channel. Thousands of Hippos populate these lake shorelines. Open savannah dotted with Acacia and Euphorbia trees provide habitat for elephants, lions, leopards, Uganda Kobs and big herds of buffaloes. Ten primate species including chimpanzees are present. Among the many other animals seen frequently are giant forest hog, boasts or more bird species than any other park in Africa.

Ishasha Sector
Ishasha is a true pear in the southern part of the park. Idyllic campsite frequently visited by colobus and other monkeys are situated along the winding Ishasha River. The famous tree-climbing lions can be spotted on large fig trees in this part of the park. Topi, Uganda kobs and buffalos graze in the acacia studded savannah.



Kyambura Wildlife Reserve
This is found in the eastern part of the Protected Area and supports similar mammals to the rest of the park. It has three saline crate lakes, which attract large numbers of flamingos - not found anywhere else in Uganda. The steep Kyambura Gorge, formed by the turbulent waters of the roaring Kyambura River, provides a lush riverine forest, home to chimpanzees, black and white Colobus and red-tailed monkeys, olive baboons and other primates as well as plenty of forest birds. A guided nature walk takes visitors into the gorge and offers a great chance to track habituated chimps in their natural habitat.

Maramagambo Forest
Many surprises await you in the extensive Maramagambo rain forest. A variety of short, medium and long guided nature walks are offered. Pythons are often observed in the crevices of the Bats Cave floor using the bats as a source of food. The cave is near the picturesque Blue Lake and Hunters Cave. Other trails lead into the heart of the forest surrounding tranquil crater lakes and home to wild chimps, other primates and many forest birds.

Launch Trip on the Kazinga Channel
A boat trip along the hippo crowded banks of Kazinga Channel gives visitors a unique unequalled wildlife experience. Eye to eye with yawning hippos and surrounded by vast numbers of migrant and resident water birds, the boat puts one, right in the heart of nature. Many buffalos rest in the water while the big herds of elephant enjoy themselves drinking and playing along the Channel banks. Crocodiles have become a common sight and occasionally leopards may be seen.

Birding in Queen Elizabeth N.P- Uganda
The park's avifauna diversity is reflected in its species list, the highest number of species recorded in any Iimportant Bird Area in Uganda and the highest of any protected area in Africa. 10 out of 26 species of globally threatened birds in the country have been recorded. Other interesting records of the park are three other threatened species: Corncrake, Blue Swallow and Chapin's Flycatcher. The park also holds a record of 296 species recorded in one day, probably the highest of such records in Africa/world. The park has a variety of habitats ranging from the grassland in the rift valley, woodlands, fresh water lakes and swamps, saline craters with thousands of flamingos and equatorial forest. This variety of habitats accounts for the species of the park.

Congregation also occur in this area (especially flamingos, terns and gulls. Other important congregations in this site include Caspian Plovers on lake George at Shoebill swamp. Munyanyange crater remains an important site for a wide range of migrant waders including the highest national record for Avocets Recurvirostra Avocets and significant numbers of Gull billed Tern, the best place for Lesser Black-backed Gull in Uganda and five species of ducks.

Other species include Shoebill on the fresh water swamps, the always photogenic African Fish Eagle, the Martial Eagle, African Skimmer papyrus interior species such as papyrus Yellow Warbler and papyrus Gonolek.

uganda savanah birding tour- Queen Elizabeth national park inclusive