In 1979, the Queen Elizabeth National Park was designated UNESCO biosphere reserve for humanity with the aim of integrating the activities of local communities with biodiversity conservation.
This is one of the most visited areas in Uganda for animal observation. A very popular area of the park is the Ishasha plain, which is known for its outlandish population of lions who climb on the trees. Although the reason for this bizarre behavior is still under discussion, it is said to be a way of escaping from the annoying flies of the park.
If you have the opportunity to stay inside the Queen Elizabeth park, the Hippo Hill Camp will give you many surprises. In fact, its name is not given by chance and we realized this with first hand experience.
In the evening we had dinner at the camp’s restaurant and, as always, we lingered to have a chat with other travelers while exchanging stories and information regarding the itinerary. Then, we decided to go to sleep. It was dark already and there were not lights around.
We were quietly walking towards our tent, when suddenly it spotted some strange silhouettes were in front of us. We also heard an odd background noise. We only needed the time to get used to the dim light, when we realized that we were just a few meters away from two big hippos that were grazing the grass quietly and peacefully.
What about now? We laughed, but at the same time we knew that there was not so much to joke about those animals, especially if they are that big. So, in a mix of amazement, fear and fun, we waited for them to move away a little from the front door and then ran quickly towards the tent. It was fun to hear the sound of their snout pulling the grass off the ground. It was less epic than the roar of a lion in the distance, yet nice.
The Kyambura Nature Reserve, adjacent to the Queen Elizabeth, is also worth visiting. The main aim of the reserve is to protect the environment characterized by a series of impressive volcanic lakes, one of which is particularly loved by thousands of small and big flamingoes that are concentrated in the area.
On the way back to Kampala, the Lake Mburo National Park is the perfect destination for a break. The flat valleys are covered by dense vegetation, which is a pleasant location to observe the local fauna. There are five lakes nearby: Lake Mburo is the largest one, but they all have a big appeal because the animals of the area. The main attraction are the animals that live in the plains, such as zebras, buffaloes, impalas, topi and antelopes. Nowadays, there are not as many animals as in the past, and probably the shepherds are still poisoning them in order protect their livestock.
On the way back to Kampala, another mandatory stop is Kaiabwe, on the equator line. We recommend spending a few moments there and, if you have time, take a walk around the local market.
Another pleasant stop is Lake Bunyoni, the deepest lake in the country, full of islands. You can spend the morning doing a boat trip around the archipelago. Ask when the market takes place during the week: trades, in fact, are made directly on traditional boats, which are full of all kinds of products. Kabale, the capital of Kigezi, is called the “Switzerland of Africa” for its cultivated and terraced hills.
