Mweya Peninsular

Mweya Peninsular is located in the northern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park, the second-largest park in Uganda. It is at the eastern shores of the magnificent Kazinga Channel, which links up with Lake Edward. The peninsula r is part of the Rwenzururu sub-region in the Kasese district in southwestern Uganda.

The Peninsular is popularly known as the most visited region in Queen Elizabeth National Park due to its rich biodiversity, accessibility through both road and air transport and availability of quality accommodation.

The peninsular area includes the channel track down to Katunguru gate, then across to Kabatoro gate through a thick ground cover with dense vegetation dominated by candelabra thorn trees.

This dense vegetation cover in the area makes game viewing quite tough.  Though there are many well-maintained tracks used for game drives, following the signposting is challenging from time to time and there are chances that at one point you may lose track. The major road within the park and the channel track are remarkable features to allow game drives to be done in the area.

History of Mweya Peninsular

The presence of humans in the Mweya peninsular is said to be at least 50,000 years.

In 1889, an explorer Henry Morton Stanley explored the area up to the rim of the peninsular but only saw a “formless void’` which was probably smoke from the burning fires. The area had only 80 huts and many goats and sheep.

When Lugard reached the same area after two years, it was deserted. As time went on, the peninsular and the neighboring places had been abandoned to sleeping sickness and rinderpest that had claimed people and animal lives.

Later in 1952, the peninsular was declared part of Queen Elizabeth National Park. people returned to the area and currently has an estimated population of 400 people. Presently, this place is one of the main sought-after places in the park due to different activities carried out within the area.

Activities in Mweya Peninsula

Game drives at Mweya Penisula

This is an essential safari experience in the area. It quite challenging but with the help of knowledgeable guides,  you will get the best experience.

The peninsular has well-defined game trails, though the signposting may at times be difficult to follow. It’s quite challenging, but with the help of knowledgeable game guides, you will get the best experience.

The peninsular offers morning and late afternoon game drives where you see wild animals like elephants, warthogs, antelopes, Kobs, and buffalos.

Night game drives are also done in the area, and you can sight some nocturnal mammals like leopards and hyenas.

Kazinga Channel boat cruise

Many people come to this peninsular to enjoy a boat trip along the Kazinga Channel. The peninsular has two operators, Uganda Wildlife Authority and Mweya Safari Lodge. Boat cruises are done 2 or 3 times a day depending on the demand. Registration for the boat trip is done at the head park offices on the peninsula. Boat trips cost  $30 per person for 2 hours.  The tourist is free to choose to board either a 10-seater or 20-seater boat for comfort. The boats have experienced guides and have canopies to protect you from direct sun rays.

Mongoose tracking at Mweya Peninsula

This is another amazing activity on the peninsular. It involves a group of only four visitors accompanied by a group of researchers to go into the wild to find out more about these social animals. Tracking mongoose is done for 1-3 hours as you identify the individual animals, monitor their social behavior, and record all your findings. this is one way of habituating them as they get used to human presence.  Morning hours are best for observing these small wild creatures as they are most active during this time as they are always feeding.

 How to get to the Mweya peninsula

The quickest way of reaching Mweya Peninsular is by taking a direct flight from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip to Mweya Airstrip taking 2hrs:18 mins.

Alternatively, you can drive from Kampala along Mityana – Mubende Road to Kasese and then connect To Mweya in 7-8 hours depending on the type of vehicle used and the traffic conditions. The road route takes more hours but is too scenic.

Where to stay in Mweya peninsula.

Mweya peninsula has various accommodations ranging from presidential suites, family cottages, royal cottages, and double, twin to single room accommodations with the best facilities that give comfort to all visitors.

Some of the accommodations in the area include

Mweya Safari Lodge: This is a luxury lodge that gives clear views of the Kazinga channel and animals that concentrate at the banks of the channel to quench their thirst. The lodge offers presidential suites, royal cottages deluxe rooms with bathrooms, and a balcony that gives you a slip-up of the Kazinga channel. More facilities at the accommodation include a craft shop, well-stocked bar, pool table, DSTV, restaurant, swimming pool, and hospitable attendants.  The lodge offers game drives and boat cruise services.

Mweya Hostel: It is also called “The Mweya Institute of Ecology”. It is a mid-range accommodation with single and double rooms with shared bathrooms.  There is also a self-contained house that accommodates 5-6 people. It is close to the Kazinga Channel thus giving quick access to boat cruises. The hostels have a canteen and a restaurant with both local and international meals served by caring attendants.

popular gorilla safaris for Uganda and Rwanda

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