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Trekking through the remote villages overlooking queen Elizabeth national park gives one of the best views you will find in the area.
A group of local women teaches visitors how to make local handicrafts. Participate and produce your own or buy from other locally made souvenirs on display.
After the wildlife safari, join the community to sing and dance to the traditional music of the Bakonzo tribe neighboring Queen Elizabeth National Park.
The Bakonzo are Bantu-speaking people. This tribe is one of the 54 tribes of Uganda. They live on the Rwenzori Mountains and are until now, known as the indigenous tribe of this mountain. The Bakonzo people originally traveled from the Congo and settled here about 300 years ago. There are about 800 000 Bakonzo people in Uganda today.
The Rwenzori Mountains are central to the life of the Bakonzo people who live on the lower slopes, and it is the home of their central spirit Kitasamba, king of the Mountains. In the local language (Lukonzo), Rwenzori means Rainmaker, and they are called Mountains of The Moon as during the day they are covered by cloud, but are often clear at night and visible by moonlight. These mountains are shared by Uganda and Congo. The mountains provide an important source of water as they supply water to the surrounding communities and to Lakes George, Edward, and Albert, which support an important fishing industry
The Bakonzo people are reliant on subsistence agriculture and despite poverty and economic problems; they are blessed with a plentiful supply of clean, fresh water and fertile soil. Traditional crops include millet, yams, beans, potatoes, and bananas. More recently new crops such as cassava, maize, and coffee are also grown.
The Bakonzo are distinctive from all other tribes of Uganda. They also stand out from the other Bantu tribes of Uganda in many ways. Their language dialect is not easily adopted by any other tribes of Uganda, including the closely living tribes such as the Batooro who live in Kabarole located on the foot of the Rwenzori Mountains. Many other ways of life stand out from all other Ugandan ethnic tribes, such as the way they carry their luggage, the naming of children, the clans, their diet, and the dressing code.
Because it is the most unique tribe of Uganda, you probably don’t know Uganda well, until you have met the Bakonzo people. To learn more about the Bakonzo tribe and culture, visit Ruboni community camp, in the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains.
Experience one of the most outstanding moments while at Queen Elizabeth National Park by participating in the village hill trek. It is a 3-5 hours hill trail overlooking this wildlife-packed savannah of Queen Elizabeth, astride Lake George at the equator. The trek offers one of the best views in the area.
This panoramic view gives it all. Viewing the lakes surrounded by expansive savanna is like a magical dream of the jungle. You will see the land dotted with grazing wild animals. on the earlier part of the trail, you can also be able to take the sight of fishing boats hovering over the waters in the middle of the jungle. With a local guide, the trek starts from the Elephant home, Kikorongo. The tour is offered in an affordable package that includes a packed lunch. Within the price, you will also get a day pack with 1 liter of water.
Taking this tour is probably the first time you will realize that 3 hours of trekking can feel to be too short. The beauty of this trail easily keeps you going without realizing the hustle of climbing the hills. It feels like flying over Queen Elizabeth National Park as you enjoy the views over Lakes; George and Kikorongo, that you won’t find anywhere else in the area.
Anybody can go on this trek with ease. It is suitable for all levels of strength since it has two optional routes. Those who wish to visit the mountain lake by car will be able to use a less scenic route driving to the village near the lake. The advantage of using a walking trail is that it is mainly open with short grasses and shrubs that allow for full-time views of the landscape in the entire region.
As you trek, unique plants, insects, and colorful birds are a common sight, making this trail a birder’s pick. With a bird guidebook, you will be amazed to spot and identify some of the birds such as black-headed Weaver, scaret_chested sunbird, and more. As you take the breaks, spend some time learning from the guide how the local people relate to these birds.
The hill trek gives every guest, an opportunity to live like a local for a moment. During the tour, you will meet and mix with the local people doing their local trades. These meetings can turn up to be all-round participation in the local life. From observing the local mountain architecture, innovative wats of transporting basic and commercial commodities, planting, harvesting, processing and tending to domestic animals. You ill also be amazed to hear the story of how the local culture contributes to the conservation of the natural habitat on these hills. The farmers are taking the effort to innovatively prevent the soil from flowing downhill.
This trek is a world on its own. You will be inspired by this survival economy that runs without any machinery on these hills. All basic needs such as firewood and other domestic luggage are carried manually on the back. The women carry with a string around the head, supported by the neck. They carry this way to have a balance on the mountainsides. As you intermingle with the mountain people, you will learn that this way of carrying is another bizarre adaptation by the tribe over years.
The hills are so fertile that everything put on the ground will germinate. The food grown contributes to the domestic food needs and income when they sell the surplus. The local crops grown on these hillside farms include; cotton, coffee, bananas, beans, and other vegetables. Visit the farms to take some pictures or even participate in the farm activities. The farmers will explain the farming processes of their crops.
After spending time with the farmers, you will continue to the most interesting point of the trail; the mountain lake, parched on the top of the mountain. At the most scenic spot next to the lake, you will take your picnic lunch. The farmer will tell you the story of the local beliefs and practices he knows about this mountain lake and how it formed in his garden. Take a tour around the lake to view it from different angles. The time at the lake is a memorable picture moment. After the tour around the lake is a good time to descend to your lodge at Queen Elizabeth national park.
It is very easy to arrange this trek if you want to take it. We require you to book at least one day before the trekking day. Contact us today to reserve your date.
Queen Elizabeth is the second oldest park in Uganda. Its size is 1978 square km, making it the second-largest in Uganda.
This park was established in the year 1952 as Kazinga National Park. This name lasted only two years, then it was renamed to its current name to commemorate the visit of the queen of England.
From the traditional tales, the land currently occupied by the park was a hunting ground for the local tribes. These tribes include the Batagwenda and Banyaruguru in the Bunyaruguru highlands and Bakonzo on the Rwenzori Mountains side.
At the creation of the park, this land was never settled due to the infestation of tsetse flies that were in the area. As a result, the people who used to live there had moved to other neighboring landscapes leaving the park to remain as an exclusive wildlife habitat. This land use has lasted until this current day. When it was turned into a National Park, hunting from here was reduced but the tribes kept hunting the stray animals that would go to the human residential areas since these areas were equally forested and sparsely settled.
In the year 1979 hunting wild animals by soldiers were permitted in Uganda National Parks during the rule of President Iddi Amin. This permission was also practiced in Queen Elizabeth, an act that accounts for a considerable loss of Uganda’s wild animals during that time.
However, due to the successive conservation strategies, the Uganda wildlife population has greatly recovered in recent decades, making the country one of the leading wildlife havens in east Africa. Specifically, this has qualified Queen Elizabeth to be the most preferred destination for wildlife activities in Uganda, that no one should miss.
Queen Elizabeth is dissected by a national public highway from Mbarara to Kasese/ fort portal. This road is tarmac and all-weather standard. The road makes a loop from Kampala and back to Kampala on both ends, making it easy to access Queen Elizabeth National Park by public transport. You can easily find buses from Kampala or Matau (shared taxis) in the neighboring towns passing through the park. No one will be allowed to enter beyond the gates on foot. This means if your lodge is inside the park, if you want to do a boat cruise at Mweya or any other activity, you will need to have private transport. If you visited by public transport, the cars can be easily hired from Katunguru, Kasese town, Kyambura, lake Katwe or at the Elephant home
Neighboring National Parks and how to get there after your stay in Queen Elizabeth
Queen Elizabeth is located in the center of natural wonders. Its neighborhood makes up other unique nature reserves and National Parks that can be reached in a few hours drive. as the west is entirely dominated by Rwenzori mountains, the East is covered by Kalinzu, Maramagambo, Kyambura and Kigezi wildlife reserves.
In the North, you find Kibale National Park, the home of chimps and other primates.
To the west, you find Rwenzori Mountains National Park forming the wonderful backdrop during the safari. Rwenzori is the scenic park for those who want to do all levels of adventurous mountain climbing.
South of Queen Elizabeth, you will find Bwindi forest almost touching ends. This is the home of the famous mountain gorillas.
From the immediate neighbor parks, you will find other parks such as Semuliki national park to the northwest, Murchison falls national park to the far north and Mugahinga gorilla national park to the far south.
It is possible to travel from Queen Elizabeth to any of these parks within one day. If you haven’t figured how to travel to/ from Queen or you need any other on-ground help, please feel free to contact us now. We will provide support from the smallest to the most complex holiday details, including travel, hotel reservation, and wildlife safaris or booking other destinations around Uganda.
Queen Elizabeth is home to over 95 mammals and more than 500 bird species and a variety of reptiles and small insects. The common animals you may see during your visit include;
Since this park is home to a large variety of bird species, every guest will not miss on birds during a game drive/ safari or the Kazinga channel boat cruise.
Location and access:
Queen Elizabeth is located about 400km, on the equator, west of Kampala. From Kampala, the two routes that can be used to access the park are;
For road transport, public and private means is easy to arrange from Kampala city, at no extra cost other than the net price of transportation. contact the Elephant home or your tour operator for current information regarding transportation.
It is also possible to fly to Queen Elizabeth from Kanjansi (Entebbe Road) to Kasese airstrip. Scheduled flights are available twice a day on most days of the week. Chartered flights can be arranged any day.
Year of establishment: 1952
Size: 1978 square km
Mammals species: over 95 mammals
Primates species: 10
Birds species: Over 500 species
Vegetation and land features: Savannah, Wetlands, Forests, fresh water lakes, salt lakes, rift valley escarpment, equator
The elephant home is a complete story. A story of the journey of converting poachers to conservationists. The former hunters and encroachers have been converted to friends and partners of wildlife conservation through generating income, skills, connections and other benefits from tourism.
When you decide to stay with us. We ensure that every coin you spend at the Elephant home goes a long way to the local family to put food on their table buy scholastic materials provide medical care and or buy cloth for that least known household in the villages next to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Hosting guest at the Elephant home brings to the community, a feeling of appreciation when they get the opportunity to share with you their story of wildlife.
Our accommodation facilities have been designed to ensure that your visit to queen Elizabeth National Park is the most memorable one. Each of our guest rooms are fully furnished with private bathrooms, beds with mosquito netting, furniture and a private balcony. We also have private camping and ample packing space where guests can pack or sleep in their car rooftop tents. We now have tools that will be used to charge the guest gadgets as well as supply WiFi in our restaurant. The delicious meals served in our restaurant have made every client wish they are able to stay longer.
We are located in the heart of the jungle. Whether you want to take a walk, sit and listen to nature’s sounds, explore the rich plant life or take the views of Queen Elizabeth National Park, our secure neighborhood has you catered. The Elephant home is a bird sanctuary. You will listen to the birds 14 hours of the day from crack of dawn to late evening. In our self guided walk, you will have the liberty to walk in the animals’ tracks as you look for the spoors from different mammals that graze on the property. From the top of the self guided trail, relax as you view he lakes and game grazing in the park.
Immerse yourself in the local nature and culture as you watch wildlife and culture on the community trails. The elephant home is a perfect base to explore Queen Elizabeth national park and her neighborhoods. At the lodge, you will find experienced guides and allot of trails to do in and outside the park, whether you want to trek the Rwenzori foothills or the savannah plains.
You will have he opportunity to join the cultural demonstrations and workshops, village guided walks, traditional dances, traditional salt mining tours, Boda Boda safaris, chimp tracking, looking for tree climbing lions in Ishasha, the crater lakes tours game drives in Kasenyi, Kazinga channel boat cruise, lion tracking and many others.
By staying with us at the Elephant Home, you help us as we continue to contribute to conserve and develop the community neighboring the park.