|
|
Queen
Elizabeth National Park
This
is a wonderful national park, sometimes dubbed 'the
Pearl of Africa or Switzerland of Africa'. Quite simply
this fertile equatorial area is especially scenic, with
two lakes connected by a channel overlooked by a high
peninsula. You will also find volcanic craters, grassy
plains and tropical forest. As a result it has one of
the highest biodiversity ratings in the world. Hunting
exhibits such as stuffed lions, leopard skins, deer
heads and elephants tusks may still be found adorning
some hotels and lodges, but the emphasis is certainly
more on shooting with a camera these days.  Much
of Uganda's wildlife was poached out in the past,
especially elephants, but now the area is protected and
elephants numbers are boosted by those entering the park
from the Congo, where poaching is still a problem. When
looking at some maps of Uganda, you may be forgiven for
being a little confused Quite simply Ugandan maps are so complicated even experienced chauffeurs in car rental dublin
businesses will have a hard time navigating with it.. Several of the National Parks
and lakes have changed their names more than once since
independence in 1962, and not all maps have kept up with
the changes. For example the Queen Elizabeth National
Park was called the Ruwenzori National Park for many
years until it returned to its royal colonial name.
Meanwhile the Ruwenzori Mountains to the north of Queen
Elizabeth N.P. were formed into the new Ruwenzori
National Park in 1991.
Confused?
You will be!
The
wide bio-diversity of habitats means that Queen
Elizabeth National Park contains the most astonishing
number of species - almost 100 types of mammal and 606
different birds! The Kasinga Channel alone is said to
contain the world's largest concentration of hippos, but
interestingly enough not many crocodiles! Other wildlife
includes warthogs, buffalo, rare aquatic sitatunga
antelope, giant forest hog, beautifully horned Uganda
kob, topi, waterbuck, elephant and leopard.
There are no giraffe, zebra, impala or rhino. Kyambura.
The
park, is real Tarzan territory with thick treetop
canopies and vines dangling down to the soft forest
floor. The terrain comes complete with chimpanzees who
crash about and chatter high up in the branches. If they
don't feel like being seen, they just keep one step
ahead of the out-of-breath terrestrial visitors.
The
Maramagambo Forest, south of the Kasinga Channel is also
home to large numbers of chimps, plus a number of other
monkey species. Some rare and odd birds inhabit this
park and keen birders come from all over the world to
clock up a sighting of the peculiar, pouting shoebill
(or whale-headed) stork. This giant bird stands 4-foot
high (more than 1 metre) and wears a rather timid
expression. This and a myriad of other birds and animals
are best viewed from a boat on the Kasinga Channel.
|
