Founded in 1952 as Kazinga National Park and later renamed two years later as Queen Elizabeth National Park to commemorate the visit by Queen Elizabeth II, the park is known for its wildlife, including African buffalo, Ugandan kob, hippopotamus, giant forest hog, warthog, Nile crocodile, African bush elephant, African leopard, lion, and chimpanzee. It is home to 95 mammal species and over 500 bird species. The area around Ishasha in Rukungiri District is famous for its tree-climbing lions, whose males sport black manes. Fishing in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park – the approximately 2000sq.km sized park extends from Lake George in the north-east to Lake Edward in the south-west and includes the Kazinga Channel which connects the two lakes; George & Edward. These form a good watch catchment area that supports sport fishing in QENP.
Best places for sport Fishing in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Fishing on Lake George:
Lake George is a habitat to a variety of fish. The main economic activity that takes place here is fishing. Common types of fish in this lake include Tilapia Nilotica, Haplocromis, Nigripinnis and Themocyclops hyelinus among others. Fish caught from Lake George is said to be one of the most delicious in Uganda because of the saline waters of the lake. The fish is sold to the nearby towns such as Kasese and Katunguru. There are a number of fishing villages around the lake including Kahendero fish landing site which can be visited during your game drive around Kasenyi. Realm Africa Safaris™ can arrange for you to join in with a local fisherman for a fishing experience on Lake George or alternatively you may visit the fishing village for an opportunity to know about their lifestyle, the different methods of fishing used, the problems they face around the area and on the water when fishing including how they manage to co-exist with the hippos and crocodiles that inhabit the waters.
Fishing on Lake Edward:
Lake Edward shared between Uganda (29%) and the Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC (71%) connects with Lake George through the 36 km Kazinga Channel . The most common fish caught on Lake Edward is Bagrus doc mac (locally known as semutundu), Protopterus aethiopicus (commonly referred to as lungfish) and Tilapia. Anglers are advised to bring their own fishing gear and equipment while on a fishing safari to Queen Elizabeth National park.
Fishing on the Kazinga Channel: Fishing in Queen Elizabeth National Park
The Kazinga channel is a dominant feature of Queen Elizabeth National Park and a major fishing spot for anglers on a fishing safari to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Fishing on the Kazinga channel can be done from the boat and on the channel banks, however, all anglers are advised to be careful with the wildlife in the water – there are hippos and crocodile in the Kazinga channel waters. We advise working with a local guide.
