Activities at Elephant Plains Lodge
Elephant Plains Lodge offers a carefully chosen range of activities. These focus on wildlife, nature, and culture. Activities are led by experienced guides who know the park extremely well.
#1 Game Drives in the Kasenyi Plains
The northern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park is called Kasenyi, also known as the “Kobs Mating Ground.” Here, you’ll see hundreds of elegant Uganda kobs (antelopes that live in harems led by a dominant male). Keep your eyes peeled lions often lie in wait for a chance to hunt. You’ll also spot big herds of buffalo, giant forest hogs, warthogs, monitor lizards, and sometimes even a lone elephant roaming the plains.
#2 Wildlife Viewing at Mweya Peninsula
The Mweya Peninsula is a prime starting point for game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Its forested areas hide narrow natural trails, perfect for exploring. You might spot elusive leopards or herds of elephants. Waterbucks, hyenas, warthogs, and giant forest hogs are common sights. Being close to the Kazinga Channel, you could even see hippos grazing early in the morning or at dusk. Bird lovers will be thrilled by species like the Black Bee-eater, Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl, and Malachite Kingfisher.
#3 Boat Safari on the Kazinga Channel
The Kazinga Channel links Lake Edward and Lake George and hosts the world’s largest concentration of hippos. A boat safari offers incredible views of hundreds of hippos, sometimes plunging into the water as you pass. Crocodiles lie along the banks, while buffalo and waterbucks come to drink. Elephants may visit the shores too. The channel is also a paradise for birdwatchers, with pelicans, fish eagles, kingfishers, cormorants, and the brightly colored saddle-billed stork.
#4 Exploring the Crater Lakes
In the northwest of the park, dramatic crater lakes await. Formed by ancient volcanic activity, these craters and dry calderas offer stunning views of the park and surrounding hills. Flamingos flock here, and wild animals, including buffalo, come to drink. It’s a photographer’s dream.
#5 Chimp Tracking in Kyambura Gorge
The northeast of the park is a real Tarzan territory. Savannah grasslands suddenly drop into the 100-meter-deep Kyambura Gorge, covered in lush riverine forest. Walking along the river, you will follow the sounds of chattering chimpanzees, red-tailed monkeys, and other primates. Keep an eye out for colorful forest birds as you navigate the dense forest canopy.
#6 Finding Tree-Climbing Lions in Ishasha
Head southwest to Ishasha for a truly unique experience. Here, Uganda kobs, topis, and buffalo graze peacefully across the savannah. The winding Ishasha River marks the border with DR Congo, where hippos drift lazily in the water. Colobus monkeys and baboons often peek at visitors. The highlight? Tree-climbing lions lounging in the branches of giant fig trees. Your guide will help you track them along the southern circuits of Ishasha.
#7 Crossing the Equator
A popular photo stop is the Equator, marked by two large circles in the park. Nearby is the Queen’s Pavilion, originally a temporary shelter for Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh in 1954. A permanent pavilion was built five years later for a visit by the Queen Mother. Today, the site features an information center with internet access and a coffee shop.
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