Located in western Uganda, between the dramatic Rwenzori Mountains and the great lakes of the Albertine Rift, Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of East Africa's most diverse and rewarding safari destinations. The park is famous for its extraordinary combination of open savannah, tropical forests, wetlands, volcanic crater lakes and the magnificent Kazinga Channel, which connects Lake George with Lake Edward. This remarkable variety of habitats supports an impressive diversity of wildlife, including elephants, buffaloes, lions, leopards, Uganda kobs, hippos, chimpanzees and more than 600 species of birds. The park was originally established as Kazinga National Park in 1952, covering approximately 1,978 square kilometres, and is part of the larger Albertine Rift ecosystem. For travellers combining Rwanda and Uganda, Queen Elizabeth National Park is an exceptional addition to a gorilla trekking adventure — it can be combined with Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Kibale Forest, Murchison Falls, or a Rwanda safari through Volcanoes and Akagera.
Highlights
Top Experiences
Kazinga Channel boat safari — the park's signature experience: two hours on the water past enormous hippo pods, Nile crocodiles, buffalo herds, and waterbirds at close range
Tree-climbing lion sightings in the Ishasha sector in the park's south, where lions have an unusual habit of resting in fig trees — one of only two places in Africa where this is reliably seen
Chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge, a forested canyon holding a habituated chimp community, with dramatic gorge walls rising above the forest — visitors descend into the 'underground forest' from open savannah
Game drives across the Kasenyi Plains and Mweya Peninsula for lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, topis, warthogs and hyenas
Crater lake scenic drives through the volcanic explosion craters around Katwe and Lake Bunyampaka, some holding flamingos
Birdwatching with more than 600 species recorded, including the African skimmer, shoebill stork, Martial eagle and dozens of wetland species
Lion research and tracking experiences offering deeper insights into predator behaviour and conservation
Cultural experiences with communities surrounding the park, connecting conservation with local people
Mweya Peninsula
The Mweya Peninsula is the main tourism hub of Queen Elizabeth, strategically located between Lake Edward and the Kazinga Channel. It offers spectacular views over the surrounding waters and is the ideal base for boat cruises, game drives and wildlife viewing. Elephants, buffaloes, hippos, warthogs, Uganda kobs, leopards and lions are all regularly encountered around Mweya.
Kasenyi Plains
The Kasenyi Plains are among the most famous wildlife areas in the park — vast open savannah especially known for large populations of Uganda kob, which attract predators such as lions and leopards. The open landscape makes wildlife easier to observe, particularly during early morning and late afternoon game drives.
Ishasha Sector
The remote Ishasha sector in the park's south, about 100 kilometres from Mweya, is home to the famous tree-climbing lions, which are most often seen resting in the branches of large fig trees on the open Ishasha plains. Ishasha is typically combined with an onward drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, creating a beautiful connection between the mountain gorilla forests of southwestern Uganda and the savannah of Queen Elizabeth.
Kyambura Gorge
Often called the 'Valley of Apes', Kyambura Gorge is a dramatic underground forest carved into the surrounding savannah — approximately 16 kilometres long with steep walls and lush vegetation. A river flows through the gorge, creating rich habitat for chimpanzees, red-tailed monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys, L'Hoest's monkeys, baboons and exceptional birdlife. The contrast of open savannah above and lush tropical forest below makes this one of Queen Elizabeth's most unforgettable experiences.
Maramagambo Forest
The Maramagambo Forest provides habitat for primates, birds and other forest wildlife. Activities include guided nature walks, birdwatching, primate viewing and exploration of the famous Bat Cave. The forest offers a quieter, more intimate experience compared with the open savannah plains.
Combining With Other Parks
Queen Elizabeth sits between Kibale to the north and Bwindi to the south, making it the natural centre of a western Uganda circuit. Two nights at Mweya combined with a Kazinga Channel cruise, Kyambura chimp trek and one night in Ishasha before Bwindi is a popular and efficient route. The park is also easily combined with Rwenzori Mountains for a truly comprehensive Uganda journey.
🦍 With GorillaWise Collection & Safaris
We include Queen Elizabeth on every western Uganda circuit, timing the Kazinga Channel cruise for late afternoon, slotting Ishasha in for the tree-climbing lions, and connecting it north to Kibale and south to Bwindi. For travellers arriving from Rwanda, we design cross-border journeys combining gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking, wildlife safaris and cultural experiences throughout the region.
Available Packages
21-Day Grand East Africa Safari
21 days · On Request
14-Day Classic East Africa Safari
14 days · On Request
10-Day Rwanda & Uganda Big Five Safari
10 days · On Request
14-Day Primates & Big Five Safari
14 days · On Request
10-Day Grand Primate Circuit
10 days · On Request
7-Day Uganda Primates Safari
7 days · On Request
10-Day Rwanda & Uganda Gorilla Circuit
10 days · On Request
🗓️ Best Time to Visit
Year-round. June to September and December to February are the best game-viewing months. January to March are especially good for the Ishasha tree-climbing lions. The wetter seasons bring lush green landscapes, excellent birdwatching, dramatic skies and fewer visitors.
Uganda 🇺🇬