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Queen Elizabeth National Park

Uganda’s Land of Craters and Crossings

Queen Elizabeth National Park spans southwestern Uganda, a diverse landscape of savannah, wetlands, crater lakes and dense forest linking Lake Edward and Lake George via the wildlife-rich Kazinga Channel. Few parks in East Africa pack such a variety of ecosystems into a single reserve.

The park is famous for the tree-climbing lions of its Ishasha sector, along with healthy populations of elephant, buffalo, hippo and leopard, and boat cruises along the Kazinga Channel that reliably deliver some of Africa’s densest hippo and birdlife viewing. Chimpanzee tracking is also available in the neighbouring Kyambura Gorge, adding primates to the park’s wildlife roster.

Queen Elizabeth’s combination of savannah game drives, channel cruises and chimpanzee trekking makes it one of Uganda’s most complete safari destinations. Its scenic crater lakes and volcanic landscape add further depth to an already varied itinerary.

Quick Facts About Queen Elizabeth National Park

Information
Details
Location
Southwestern Uganda, between Lake Edward and Lake George, near the town of Kasese.
Size
Approximately 1,978 square kilometres of savannah, wetland and crater lakes.
Famous For
Tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector and boat cruises on the Kazinga Channel.
Best Time to Visit
December to February and June to September, during the drier months.
Recommended Stay
Two to three days to combine game drives, a channel cruise and chimpanzee tracking.
Main Wildlife
Tree-climbing lions, elephants, hippos, buffaloes, leopards and chimpanzees.
Nearest Gateway
Kasese, nearby, or Kampala, approximately five to six hours by road.
Safari Experience
Game drives, Kazinga Channel boat cruises and chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge.

Why Visit Queen Elizabeth National Park

See Tree-Climbing Lions
The Ishasha sector's lions are known for resting in fig trees, one of only a few places in Africa where this behaviour is regularly observed.
Cruise the Kazinga Channel
This boat safari reliably delivers some of Africa's densest hippo and birdlife viewing, alongside elephants and buffaloes along the shore.
Track Chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge
A short trek into this lush gorge offers the chance to encounter wild chimpanzees within the park's boundaries.
Explore Varied Ecosystems
From savannah to wetland, crater lakes and forest, few parks pack such ecological diversity into a single reserve.
Combine With Bwindi Gorilla Trekking
Queen Elizabeth's location makes it a natural addition to a Uganda itinerary that includes gorilla trekking in Bwindi.
Enjoy Scenic Crater Lakes
The park's volcanic crater lakes add striking scenery and additional wildlife-viewing opportunities beyond the main savannah areas.
Best Time

Queen Elizabeth National Park can be visited year-round, thanks to its permanent channel and lake systems.

December to February and June to September offer the driest conditions for game drives and easier road access.

The wetter months bring lush landscapes and excellent birdwatching, with fewer visitors overall.

A boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel is a highlight, offering close views of hippos, elephants and abundant birdlife along the shoreline.

Game drives in the Ishasha sector and chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge round out the park’s varied activities.

Wildlife

The park is known for its tree-climbing lions, alongside healthy populations of elephant, buffalo, hippo and leopard.

Kyambura Gorge shelters chimpanzees, while the Kazinga Channel supports one of Africa’s densest hippo populations and rich birdlife.

The park is roughly five to six hours from Kampala by road, or accessible via scheduled flights to nearby airstrips.

Its location in southwestern Uganda makes it a natural stop between Kampala and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Book a Kazinga Channel cruise in advance, as it is one of the park’s most popular activities and can fill up during peak season.

Bring binoculars, as the park’s birdlife is exceptional and often best appreciated on the water.

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