Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Discover Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda's most diverse safari destination, where savannah plains, crater lakes, forests and the wildlife-rich Kazinga Channel create an extraordinary African wilderness. Encounter elephants, lions, leopards, hippos and Uganda kob, cruise the Kazinga Channel and search for the famous tree-climbing lions of Ishasha.
▶ ENQUIRE ABOUT THIS PARK- • Lion (including Tree-Climbing Lions)
- • African Elephant
- • Cape Buffalo
- • Hippo
GENERAL OVERVIEW
Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of Uganda's premier safari destinations and a spectacular showcase of the country's extraordinary ecological diversity. Stretching across 1,978 square kilometres in western Uganda, the park combines open savannah, acacia woodland, wetlands, crater lakes, tropical forests and the wildlife-rich Kazinga Channel beneath the dramatic backdrop of the Rwenzori Mountains.
Established in 1952 as Kazinga National Park and renamed in 1954 following a visit by Queen Elizabeth II, the park has become one of Uganda's most celebrated wildlife destinations. It supports more than 95 mammal species and over 600 bird species, making it particularly rewarding for both classic game viewing and birdwatching.
The park's most iconic experiences include game drives across the Kasenyi Plains, boat cruises along the Kazinga Channel and chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge. Further south, the remote Ishasha sector is renowned for its tree-climbing lions, while the volcanic crater landscapes provide some of the most distinctive scenery in western Uganda.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is more than a wildlife destination. Its communities, cultural heritage, wetlands, forests and conservation landscapes create an immersive safari experience that combines wildlife, scenery and local culture in one remarkable destination.
SIZE
Queen Elizabeth National Park is 1,978 square kilometers (km²) in size.
- Valid passport or accepted travel identification
- Appropriate Uganda visa where required
- Valid UWA park entry
- Applicable activity permits where required
- Proof of payment
- Licensed safari vehicle/operator where applicable
- Appropriate clothing and footwear for safari activities
- For chimpanzee tracking and other specialist activities, separate activity fees or permits apply.
- Driving is restricted between 06:30 AM and 07:00 PM; night game drives require official UWA guide escort and prior authorization.
- Strictly adhere to the park speed limit of 40 km/h to prevent wildlife road accidents.
- Off-track driving is prohibited unless participating in an official UWA Lion Tracking research activity (violators incur a $150 per person fine).
- Wildlife always retains the absolute right of way on all tracks and roads.
- Do not step out of your vehicle except at designated picnic spots, crater lookouts, or official lodge grounds.
- Chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge and walking safaris must be escorted by an armed UWA ranger.
- Do not make loud noises, hoot (UGX 100,000 fine), or feed wild animals.
- Sitting on vehicle roofs or bonnets during game drives is strictly illegal ($100 penalty per incident).
- Littering and dropping trash are strictly banned (UGX 100,000 fine).
- Drones are strictly forbidden without express written authorization from UWA and the Civil Aviation Authority.
HOW TO GET THERE
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By Road from Kampala/Entebbe: A 6-to-7-hour drive (approx. 380–420 km) via Mbarara and Bushenyi, or via Fort Portal and Kasese on paved highways.
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By Air: Scheduled or charter domestic flights fly from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip to Kasese Airstrip, Mweya Airstrip, or Kihihi Airstrip (approx. 1 hour 15 minutes flight duration).
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By Road from Bwindi: A 2-to-3-hour drive from northern Bwindi (Buhoma Sector) to the southern Ishasha Sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Best time to visit Queen Elizabeth National Park: January to February and June to September (Dry Seasons providing optimal game viewing, short savannah grass, and easy trail navigation)
WILDLIFE & LANDSCAPE
QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK GALLERY
LODGES & CAMPS - ACCOMMODATION OVERVIEW
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FAQS
Queen Elizabeth National Park is located in western Uganda, near Kasese and the Rwenzori Mountains. It lies between Lake Edward and Lake George and is part of the Albertine Rift.
The park is famous for its diverse wildlife, the spectacular Kazinga Channel, tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector, chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge, and dramatic crater-lake landscapes.
Visitors can encounter elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes, hippos, Uganda kob, warthogs, waterbucks, hyenas, chimpanzees and numerous other mammals. The park also supports more than 600 bird species.
Queen Elizabeth offers excellent opportunities to see four of the traditional Big Five - lions, leopards, elephants and buffaloes. Rhinos are not naturally present in the park, so visitors seeking all five should combine their safari with Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary or another rhino destination.
Yes. The Ishasha sector in the southern part of the park is renowned for its tree-climbing lions, which are often seen resting on large fig and acacia trees overlooking the savannah.
The Kazinga Channel is a natural waterway connecting Lake George and Lake Edward. It supports one of Africa's highest concentrations of hippos and attracts elephants, buffaloes, crocodiles and abundant waterbirds. Boat cruises along the channel are one of the park's signature safari experiences.
Yes. Chimpanzee tracking is available in Kyambura Gorge, where visitors can explore a forested gorge in search of habituated chimpanzee communities and other primates.
The best time for a classic wildlife safari is generally June to September and January to February, when conditions are typically drier and game viewing is easier. The green seasons from March to May and October to November offer lush scenery and excellent birdwatching.
A 2–3 day safari is ideal for experiencing the park's major highlights, including game drives and a Kazinga Channel boat cruise. Adding additional days allows time for chimpanzee tracking, Ishasha and cultural experiences.
Absolutely. Queen Elizabeth combines particularly well with Kibale National Park for chimpanzee trekking and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for mountain gorilla trekking. It can also be combined with Murchison Falls, Semuliki or the Rwenzori Mountains for a longer Uganda safari.
TRIPADVISOR REVIEWS
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