Best Time To Visit Queen Elizabeth National Park
Best Time to visit Queen Elizabeth National Park is during the 2 dry seasons each year, which falls between June – September & December – February. Nonetheless, Queen Elizabeth is most beautiful in the Wet seasons from March to May and August to December. April, May, October and November are abnormally wet months and during this time, the downpour could obstruct your safari.
Queen Elizabeth National Park, which lies against the backdrop of Africa’s Third highest Peak of Rwenzori Mountains, in the Western region of Uganda, is the most visited Park in Uganda.
The Park is the second largest, out of the 10 Uganda national Parks, with several habitats like Savannah grassland, tropical rain forest, Lakes and Wetlands which protects Large number of wild animals, Chimpanzees and over 600 species recorded in the Park.
Its perfect position has made many visitors to pair it with Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park, and Rwenzori trekking excursions along Kilembe trail route and Central circuit trail route in Rwenzori Mountains National Park.
Queen Elizabeth National Park can easily be accessed by both Air and road. While the air flights are the easiest, convenient and quickest way to get to the Park, road transport (though takes long hours to reach the park), offers the best breathtaking sceneries of the rolling landscapes, break stops at the most captivating places like the Equator for photography, as well as the crafts shop in case you want to buy souvenirs.
Scheduled flights to Queen Elizabeth national Park operate daily from Entebbe international Airport or Kajjansi Airfield to Kihihi, Mweya and Isasha Airstrips. Whereas, by road from Kampala which takes between 6-8 hours’ drive follows 2 major routes via Mbarara and Fort Portal to the East and North of the Park respectively.
Best Months to Visit Queen Elizabeth National Park?
The best time to Visit Queen Elizabeth National Park is during the dry months of June, July, August, September, December, January and February, when most visitors come to Queen Elizabeth for its dry season wildlife viewing and game drives, yet the Park can be visited all year round. Vast population of water dependent buffaloes, Hippos, and Elephants can be seen during this period, both in and along the banks of Kazinga Channel. However, the park is most beautiful during the rainy months of March, April, May, October and November.
June – September & December – March
Queen Elizabeth National Park is best visited in the dry months from June to September and December to March, though it can be Visited all year round. The dry months are best for wildlife viewing during on game drives, Chimpanzee tracking. Most Wild game are easily and clearly spotted by all water sources at the park, especially herds of Elephants, Buffaloes as well as Schools of Hippos at the banks and in Kazinga channel respectively. Some few birds and crocodiles may also be seen. Around these months, the tracks are dry, even in Kyambura Gorge and Kalinzu Forest, which gives way for Chimpanzee tracking experience, as well as guided nature walks.
March – May & October – November
Whereas the wet months of March, April, May, October and November are the wet seasons when the Queen Elizabeth National Park is most beautiful, due to lush green vegetation. Migratory birds from Europe and northern Africa, flock the Park at this time, which is the best time for bird watching experience especially for avid birders.
Apart from bird watching, the season also has other benefits such as low accommodation rates because the park is less crowded with only few people available.
Otherwise, activities like Nature walks, chimpanzee trekking and game drives are difficult due to Slippery trails.
