IS IT SAFE TO VISIT QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK, IN UGANDA?

The recent terrorist attacks in Queen Elizabeth National Park and how safe it is to visit the park now.

The recent inhumane attack on the tourists in Queen Elizabeth national park in western part of Uganda, Kasese District, has raised controversies and a number of questions on whether the park and the whole country are now safe for tourists to the country.

On 17^th October 2023, a group of terrorists that the Ugandan authorities confirm were part of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) ambushed a tourist car in Queen Elizabeth National Park and killed two foreigners and one Ugandan. The tragic incident forced the Uganda security authorities together with Uganda Wildlife Authority to kick off a hunt of these assailants and promised to aggressively punish the assailants. Good news – they were later arrested and now facing their charges in courts of law, read here a full statement.

The President of Uganda had later confirmed the assassination of the ADF senior commander known as Meddie Nkaslubo and to date, several Ugandan security organs including Uganda police and United People’s Defence Unit (UPDF) together with other militia have been deported heavily on the Uganda – Congo border to ensure no more external threats to the country. There’s also tight security within the park ensuring security and safety of the visitors making it a safe destination to take your Uganda Safari.

ABOUT QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK.

Elephants in Queen Elizabeth National Park

The mighty Queen Elizabeth National Park ranks as the second biggest and oldest national park in Uganda after Murchison Falls National Park. It is one of the most visited national parks in Uganda and one of the popular safari destinations for many visitors on Uganda safari tours.

Queen Elizabeth national park is situated in the western part of Uganda spanning the districts of Kasese in the northeastern part, Rubirizi in the southeast, Rukungiri and Kamwenge district while covering about 764 square miles of the total surface land area.

Queen Elizabeth National Park was established in 1952 after combining both Lake Edward and Lake George game reserves as Kazinga National Park.

Attractions in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Aside from the exceptional wildlife and plant life, Queen Elizabeth National Park shelters some of the popular key tourism destinations making it a must visit for the ultimate Uganda safari experience. The stunning attractions in the queens largely contribute to its popularity and they include the majestic mountain of Rwenzori, the second highest peak on the African continent.

Kazinga channel.

Kazinga channel is yet another popular and finest spot to be at while visiting the park for its beauty and wonders. It shelters a wide range of the park’s wildlife especially during the dry season when different animal species gather for drinking water giving a chance to visitors to steal a glance at it. Kazinga Channel connects both Lake Edward and Lake George in the park making it a hot spot for both birding and boat cruise experiences.

Tree climbing lions in Ishasha sector.

Another notable attraction while at the park is the unique tree climbing lions that can be sighted during the remarkable game drive. The Ishasha sector in the southern part of the park is a popular spot to see these interesting lion species and they give total satisfaction to the African tour safaris.

There are also about 600 different bird species in the park alongside over 95 different mammal species that include about 2000 buffaloes, 3000 hippos and about 4000 elephants.

Kyambura Gorge is yet another eye-catching attraction in the Queens, it’s in this spot that visitors shall be able to track a wide range of primate species in the park.

Katwe Salt Lake.

Lake Katwe is one of the popular crater lakes in the park famous for its salt works. This is where visitors shall be able to learn about the salt mining processes and their stages of formation.

Safari Activities in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Boat cruise. A cruise on the fresh waters of Kazinga channel connecting both Lake Edward and Lake George is one of the remarkable tourism activities not to miss out on Uganda safaris. Boat cruising in the Queens is done in two shifts where the first one kicks off in the morning and the next in the afternoon. Visitors shall be able to sight several wildlife species including hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes and elephants, especially on the shores of these water bodies.

Cultural tours. The community tours in Queen Elizabeth National Park and the fascinating stories of the local people around are some of the remarkable moments that bring out the ultimate cultural experience on African safari tours. There are a number of communities in the surroundings of the park where visitors can enjoy their community walks while visiting the local villages around the park as they learn about their history, way of living, preparation of locally made foods, cultural dances and more.

Sándor Jakubinyi

14:31 22 Feb 24

2019 megigazulás

12:45 21 Feb 24

We went on a two-week trip with my family, organised by Coleb from Standard Safaris.

I had my concerns about organised trips, but this one didn’t justify any of those. Everything went very smoothly, even when some problems arose with one of the cars it got fixed by next morning, the accomodations were clean and comfortable, the programs were exciting and well-balanced - everything was done to a truly high standard.

If you plan to visit Uganda and are looking for a guide, I warmly recommend Coleb and his team. In case you have a choice of drivers, go for Godwin, his presence made this trip even more enjoyable - cheerful, helpful, good sense of humour, generally a great person. Just look for the guy with a big smile and big heart:)

Bert Simoens

09:38 08 Jan 24

We recently embarked on a safari adventure with Standard Safaris in Uganda, which was truly exceptional. Our guide, Yonah, was outstanding - his kindness, knowledge, and discretion significantly enhanced our experience. He was the heart of our trip.

The local company's planning was offering a tailor-made journey that matched our interests. We saw an array of wildlife in Murchison, enjoyed rafting at Jinja, and experienced mountain biking at Sipi. A visit to Kidepo National Park was a highlight and comes highly recommended.

The vehicle provided was comfortable and reliable. We highly recommend Standard Safaris for anyone seeking an unforgettable safari in Uganda. Their professionalism and the exceptional guidance of staff like Yonah make them an great choice.

Michał Kostrzewa

00:41 15 Nov 23

We are all extremely grateful Standard Safaris for an incredible East Africa experience. I recently booked a custom trip for group of 8 people, including an 8-year-old boy, from Kampala through Queen Elizabeth National Park and on to Rwanda and Burundi. Coleb delivered on everything that was discussed and agreed upon beforehand.

The car provided was in great condition and our driver Meddy went above and beyond to make sure we were comfortable, informed, and had the best possible time. He was friendly, knowledgeable, and professional. All local services were inlcuded in (reasonable) price that we agreed, so there was no need to worry about payments during the 6 day trip. Also Standard Safaris agreed took care about safety and security by helping us organize armed ranger while in the park.

The whole trip was hassle-free and smooth. We saw amazing wildlife in Queen Elizabeth NP, took in the sights of Rwanda and Burundi, and made lifelong memories.

I would happily book with Standard Safaris again in a heartbeat and recommend them wholeheartedly to anyone looking for the best East Africa trip. They provide top-notch service while ensuring you have an incredible, customized experience. If you want a hassle-free, flawlessly organized African adventure, Standard Safaris is the tour operator to book with.

Ivan Nammanda

18:31 27 Oct 23

Very organized travel operator who chose awesome guide to make our trip wonderful.

We booked a nine days trip with Standard Safaris and all was perfect from start to finish. Coleb was very prompt at replying and easy to liaise with ahead of the trip. We had done a lot of research and had an itinerary in mind and Coleb helped us to put everything together to make this happen for a very reasonable price.  On the trip we had a private vehicle for the whole tour which was exactly what we wanted. Bryan was our driver and an amazing guide - really friendly and knowledgable, working hard to find the things that we wanted to see and quickly understanding what was of interest to us/how much information to give.

Would highly recommend a trip to Uganda with Standard Safaris. We are definitely coming back soon!

MUGAIGA KENNETH

18:01 27 Oct 23

The company has very courteous tour guides with wide knowledge of fauna and frola in the whole of East Africa.
The choice of safari Lodges is good with first class treatment.
Game drive security is assured.
Almost The whole of September I was traversing through DRC, Uganda,and Rwanda on a gorilla tour and wildlife expedition.
Everything was arranged and booked perfectly by Standard Safaris.
The owner, Coleb was always helpful whenever we needed to ask questions about this gorilla safari in Uganda and beyond.
It was a complex expedition but Standard safaris and Coleb made it look amazingly easy.
I’ll recommend Standard safaris 200%, for all gorilla safaris in Uganda, Rwanda and wildlife tours in east africa.

travel uganda

16:35 27 Oct 23

This is so far the best gorilla trekking company in Uganda, and africa, by far. I had a wonderful time with Standard Safaris as a solo traveler.
My guide was excellent and our safari planner, Coleb was quick with responses and the prices were very friendly.
I’ll definitely book with Standard safaris on my next gorilla tour in Rwanda and Uganda.