Self-Game Drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park: Queen Elizabeth National Park is situated in the southwestern part of Uganda, and is one of the most popular and diverse national parks in the country. The national park is known for its stunning landscape, abundance of wildlife and unique attractions such as the tree-climbing lions of Ishasha, Queen Elizabeth National Park offers visitors a truly memorable safari experience. One of the best ways to explore this captivating park is by embarking on a self-game drive safari.
Self-game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park allow visitors to explore the hidden treasures of the park at their own pace without a private tour guide or Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) Ranger Guide and immerse themselves in the rich natural beauty and wildlife that the park has to offer. The national park is home to a wide variety of animals including 4 of the Big 5 animals such as lions, leopards, buffaloes and elephants. Other animals include hippos, crocodiles, warthogs, waterbucks, several antelopes and over 600 bird species such as White-faced whistling, red-capped robin chat, duck, fulvous whistling duck, rock’s martins, Egyptian goose, red-tailed ant thrush, garganey, Hottentot teal, hadada ibis, rufous billed heron, rufous-breasted sparrow hawk, olive woodpecker, white-tailed ant thrush, yellow-billed duck among others. With its diverse ecosystems ranging from savannah plains and dense forest to crater lakes and wetlands, Queen Elizabeth National Park offers visitors endless opportunities to spot a wide range of wildlife in their natural habitat.
Visitors can embark on a self-game drive in their own vehicles, preferably a 4 WD vehicle for the best experience, as the park features well-maintained roads and tracks suitable for self-driving. However, it is important for visitors to follow the park rules and regulations to ensure the safety and well-being of the wildlife. Visitors are advised to stay in their vehicles at all times, keep a safe distance from the animals and respect their natural habitat.
During your self-game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park, you will have the chance to spot some of the parks’ most iconic inhabitants such as the tree-climbing lions of Ishasha, as well as leopards, hyena, buffaloes, elephants, and various antelope species. The park is also known for its large concentration of hippos and crocodiles in the Kazinga Channel, which connects lake Edward and Lake George, offering visitors a self-game drive with marvelous opportunities to witness these aquatic creatures up close.
One of the highlights of a self-game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park is the breathtaking scenery that the park offers. From the vast savannah plains to rolling hills to the lush forests and sparkling lakes, visitors on a self-game drive are treated to stunning views of the Rwenzori mountains, offering picturesque backdrop for game viewing and nature exploration.
In addition to self-game drives, visitors to Queen Elizabeth National Park can also enjoy a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, guided nature walks through the Maramagambo forest, lion tracking, spot fishing, cycling and chimpanzee tracking in the nearby Kyambura Gorge. Other activities to enjoy at the park include birding; you will see the savannah forest birds, water birds, and Albertine rift endemic. You will also visit the Salt Lake among many other safari activities.
For those looking for a unique and unforgettable safari adventure in Uganda, a self-game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park is the perfect choice. By exploring the park independently and getting close to the wildlife and landscape, visitors can create memories that will last a lifetime in this diverse and captivating wilderness.
What is the cost of a self-game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park?
The cost of a self- gam drive safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park costs US$ 10 per person for both foreign non-residents and foreign residents and UGX 10,000 per person for East African citizens including Ugandans. This amazing activity is conducted without a private sector tour guide or Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) ranger guide. You will pay Park entrance fees in order to access the national park and it costs $40 for foreign non-residents, $30 for foreign residents and UGX 20,000 for East African residents.
Getting to Queen Elizabeth National Park
To get to Queen Elizabeth National Park by road, you will have to drive from Kampala, Entebbe, or another part of Uganda, depending on where you first stay when you land in Uganda. The drive to the park is about 5 to 6 hours, depending on the route you have used and the traffic you encounter on your day of travel. There are two major road routes that get you to Queen Elizabeth National Park, and these routes are from Kampala, via Mbarara, getting you to the eastern entry of the park, and via Fort Portal, getting you to the northern entry of the park.
Accommodation
A number of accommodation types are available at the park catering for all categories of people the choice is yours to choose the best suitable for you, although the car hire agency will also advise you on the suitable type of accommodation that can best suit for you in regards to the number of people traveled with and they can book for you the accommodation in time and at a low price. Some of the accommodations include Queen Elizabeth Safari Lodge, Tembo Safari Lodge, Kabatoro Guest House, Katara Lodge, Mweya Safari Lodge, Ishasha Wilderness Camp, Enganzi Lodge, Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge, Elephant Hub Lodge, Kyambura Gorge Safari Lodge, Irunga Forest Safari Lodge, Marafiki Safari Lodge, Twin Lakes Safari Lodge, Pumba Safari Cottages, Kazinga Channel Eco, Kingfisher Camp, Jacana Safari Lodge, Simba Safari Lodge, and Hippo Hill Lodge, among others.
Contact our trusted tour operators for more information about the Self-game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park and Book with our tours and travel companies such as; Achieve Global Safaris which offers the best tour packages while on your safari in Uganda.
