Queen Elizabeth National Park: Uganda’s Classic Savannah and Crater-Lake Wilderness
Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s most diverse safari landscape, a sweeping mix of savannah plains, shimmering crater lakes, forests, wetlands, and the open waters of the Kazinga Channel. Located in the western arm of the Great Rift Valley, the park offers a classic East African safari with a distinct Ugandan character. Wildlife roams across wide horizons, birds fill the skies, and the scenery constantly shifts from open grasslands to dramatic volcanic features.
The park stretches from the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains in the north to the rolling hills of Ishasha in the south. This variety creates one of the richest ecosystems in the region, both in wildlife and in landscapes. It is a place where lions rest in fig trees, elephants wander between lakes, and hippos gather in enormous pods along the water.
Wildlife & Conservation
Queen Elizabeth is famous for its tree climbing lions. These unique lions often perch in fig and acacia trees in the Ishasha sector, creating one of the most sought after sightings in East Africa. The park is also home to large herds of elephant and buffalo, numerous antelope species, and predators such as leopards and hyenas.
The Kazinga Channel supports one of the highest concentrations of hippos in Africa. Crocodiles are commonly seen along the banks and hundreds of waterbirds gather in the shallows. In total, more than 600 bird species have been recorded here, making Queen Elizabeth one of the most important birding destinations on the continent.
Chimpanzees and other primates live in the nearby Kyambura Gorge and Maramagambo Forest, adding forest wildlife to the park’s already impressive list.
Popular experiences to look forward to in QENP
Classic Game Drives
The Kasenyi plains provide excellent sightings of lions, Uganda kob, and other savannah wildlife. Morning and late afternoon drives offer the best light and the most activity. The Ishasha sector is the highlight for anyone hoping to see the famous tree climbing lions.
Kazinga Channel Boat Cruises
A cruise along the Kazinga Channel is the signature Queen Elizabeth experience. The channel links Lake George and Lake Edward and attracts huge numbers of hippos, elephants, buffalo, crocodiles, and birds. Photographers love this activity because wildlife often appears at very close range.
Chimp Tracking in Kyambura Gorge
Kyambura Gorge is a lush, forested canyon known as the Valley of Apes. Trekking here takes visitors into a cool, shaded world where a small community of chimpanzees lives among the fig trees and vines.
Best time to visit
Queen Elizabeth is excellent throughout the year. The drier periods from June to September and from December to February offer the easiest wildlife viewing. In the wetter months the park becomes greener and the birdlife is exceptional, although some tracks can be muddy. Temperatures are warm but the park’s elevation keeps conditions comfortable.
Getting There
The park lies about a six to seven hour drive from Kampala or Entebbe. Many travellers choose to fly into Mweya or Kasese airstrips to shorten travel time. Lodges are spread across the park in Kasenyi, Mweya Peninsula, Kyambura, and Ishasha, each offering different access points to the main wildlife areas.