Uganda · West
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Savannah, crater lakes, a wide channel full of hippos and a forest gorge with chimpanzees, all in one park. It is the most varied safari stop in Uganda and sits right next to Bwindi.
At a glance
- Where: Western Uganda, between Lake George and Lake Edward, with the Rwenzori mountains to the north.
- Size: About 1,980 square kilometres.
- Best for: Boat cruise, game drives, tree-climbing lions, chimpanzees and birding.
- From Kampala: About six to seven hours by road, or a short flight.
- Suggested stay: Two to three nights.
What there is to do
- Kazinga Channel boat cruise. The channel joins Lake George and Lake Edward and holds one of the highest hippo concentrations in Africa. Buffaloes, elephants and many water birds come to its banks.
- Game drives on the Kasenyi plains. Open grassland with Uganda kob, buffaloes and elephants, and the best known area for lions in the north of the park.
- Tree-climbing lions of Ishasha. In the quiet southern sector, lions sometimes rest in the branches of large fig trees. They are not there every day, but the sector is worth the drive.
- Chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge. A forested gorge cutting through the savannah, often called the Valley of Apes.
- Maramagambo forest and the crater lakes. Forest walks, bat caves and viewpoints over volcanic craters.
- Birding. More than 600 bird species have been recorded, one of the highest park lists in Africa.
A park of many habitats
The park was set up as Kazinga National Park in 1952 and renamed two years later. Within a small area you find open plains, papyrus swamp, forest, salt lakes and volcanic craters, which explains the range of wildlife. More than 95 mammal species live here, and the snow-capped Rwenzori peaks often show on the northern horizon on clear mornings.
Best time to visit
Game drives work in every month. The drier months, December to February and June to August, give easier roads and clearer views. In the wetter months the park is greener and quieter, and migrant birds are present from about November to April.
Combining Queen Elizabeth with gorillas
This is the easiest pairing in Uganda. The southern Ishasha sector leads straight on to Bwindi, so you can finish your game drives and reach your gorilla lodge the same day. Our 4-day Queen Elizabeth safari and 6-day Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls safari cover the park on its own. For birders, the 2-day birding safari is a shorter option. To add gorillas, see the 10-day best of Uganda safari.
Wildlife you may see
Frequently asked questions
How many nights should I spend in Queen Elizabeth?
Two nights is the minimum for a game drive, the boat cruise and one extra activity. Three nights adds Ishasha or Kyambura without rushing.
Will I see the tree-climbing lions?
They are one of the park's famous sights, but lions choose where to rest, so a sighting cannot be promised. Your guide checks the known trees on each visit.
Is Queen Elizabeth good for birding?
Yes. The channel, the wetlands, the forest and the plains each have their own birds, so a single park offers a long list.
Ready to trek? Ask for your quote.
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