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Queen Elizabeth National Park; Uncover the Untold Mystery.

Witness the world’s greatest wildlife spectacle across 14,763 km² of open savannah — Without a doubt, this park is Uganda’s crown jewel.

Best time to visit

Jun-Sept

Minimum stay

4-5 days

Top Sightings

Tree climbing lions, Chimpanzees, Hippos & Crocodiles

Distance from Capital

329 Kms2

Location

Kasese, Rubirizi, Kamwengye & Rukungiri

Best for

Family, Friends & Honey mooners

In the heart of Africa, where the savannah plains of Uganda meet the well know “Mountains of the Moon” – the Rwenzori Mountains, lies an extraordinary sanctuary known as Queen Elizabeth National Park. Located in the southern region of Uganda, Queen Elizabeth National Park is the second largest national park in Uganda after Murchison Falls National Park and it spans districts of Kasese, Kamwenge, Rukungiri, and Rubirizi.

The park is the most visited tourist destination in Uganda, and it is renowned for its unique geographical features such as the Kazinga Channel, the Kyambura Gorge and also characterized by the diverse eco-systems such as the Savannah grasslands, dense forests, wetlands, and crater lakes.

Queen Elizabeth National Park offers a wide range of activities such as game drives, boat safaris, birding safaris, Chimp tracking, nature walks, and also cultural encounters. Queen Elizabeth National Park was named after Queen Elizabeth II of England who visited the park in 1954 and it spans an area of 1,978 square kilometres.

The Location of Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is located in the southern region of Uganda. It highlights the majestic Rwenzori Mountains also known as the “Mountains of the moon”, it is nestled between lake Edward and lake George and connects them through the Kazinga Channel and also includes the Maramagambo forest area while sharing borders with Kyambura Game Reserve, Kigezi Game Reserve and the Kibale National Park in Uganda and the Virunga National Park in DRC.

Queen Elizabeth Safari activities

COMBINE 01

Tree climbing lions

COMBINE 01

Hot air balloon safari

Come and experience one of the best and rare ways to watch the wildlife from different directions
COMBINE 01

Bird watching safaris

What do you know about Uganda birding, what birds do you know in Uganda birding
COMBINE 01

Boat Cruise

The best water activity that gives yiu an opportunity to see water animals

Wildlife in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to over 95 different mammal species, which include the Big Five (the Elephant, Buffalo, Lion, and Leopard), the Uganda Kob, the Topi, Spotted hyenas, Defassa waterbuck, Rothschild’s giraffes, warthogs, and primate species like the Black and White Colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, Olive Baboons, and the critically endangered chimpanzees. You get to witness all these mammal and primate species by partaking in game drives.

The Lakes (Lake Edward and Lake George) and the Kazinga Channel also offer great opportunities to witness aquatic species such as crocodiles and hippos. Partake in boat cruise safaris and get to witness all these aquatic species.

The park is also home to several bird species, which include the African fish eagle, Shoebill stork, Martial eagles, Grey-crowned crane, African skimmer, African jacana, Hamerkop, Marabou stork, African hoopoe, African green broadbill, African pied hornbill, Brown-chested lapwing, Grey-headed kingfisher, Red-throated bee-eater, and the African paradise flycatcher.

Selected Queen Elizabeth Sightings & Attractions

African Cape Buffalo
Uganda Kob
Warthogs
Uganda Equator
Tree Climbing lion
Zebra
African Elephant
Lion

Things to do.

Game drive

Game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park is a popular activity to do in the Kasenyi Plains. You get a lifetime opportunity to witness the breathtaking landscape, four of the big five sighting.

Encounter the majestic Elephants as they transverse the savanna plains, witness the Buffaloes which are renowned for their strength and adaptability, view Lions as they prey on the Uganda Kobs and Leopards which are well known for camouflage and incredible speeds.

Witness the various wildlife such as the Topis, Spotted hyenas, Defassa waterbuck, Rothschild’s giraffes, warthogs and primate species including the critically endangered chimpanzees.

Game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Lion Tracking

In Queen Elizabeth national Park, you get to do an awe-inspiring activity known as lion tracking where you partake in game drives to witness the famously known “Tree Climbing Lions” in the Ishasha sector, these unique lions are only found in this sector in the whole of Uganda.

Lion tracking is the second interesting activity to do in the park and it is conducted by professional researchers from the Uganda carnivore program through the open savanna plains giving you a lifetime opportunity to witness the lions well known as the “king of the jungle” in their natural habitat.

Chimpanzee Tracking

This is one of the best-done activities in Queen Elizabeth National Park and it is carried out in Kyambura Gorge which is located in the eastern part of the park and well known as the “valley of Apes”. Chimpanzee Tracking in Queen Elizabeth National Park is done in two sessions that is the morning session and the afternoon session.

During the activity, you get an opportunity to witness the endangered chimpanzees, baboons, red-tailed monkeys, black and white Colombus, and the chimp tracking activity takes about 2-3 hours with these Apes in their natural habitats.

Bird watching

Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to over 619 bird species, and this makes it a popular Birders’ haven for bird watching. The park has a number of birding areas such as Mweya Peninsular, Kyambura Gorge, Kasenyi Plains, Kazinga Channel and also the Lake Katwe area.

During the birding activity, you get to witness the various bird species including the African fish eagle, Shoebill stork, Martial eagles, Grey-crowned crane, African skimmer, African jacana, Hamerkop Marabou stork, African hoopoe, African green broadbill, African pied hornbill, Brown-chested lapwing, Grey-headed kingfisher, Red-throated bee-eater, and the African paradise flycatcher.

Boat Cruise

Another awe-inspiring activity to do in Queen Elizabeth National Park is boat cruise which is carried out on the Kazinga channel that connects Lake Edward to Lake George. Boat cruise is mostly done in the morning and afternoon hours when the aquatic wildlife is most visible.

During the Boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, you get to witness crocodiles lurking on the shores and encounter the large concentration hippos in the water. Kazinga Channel is well known for high concentration of hippos in Africa.
While boat cruising, you get to witness animals drinking water on the shores like elephants, waterbucks, Uganda Kobs, buffaloes and view various bird species on trees all around the shores.

Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

Nature Walks

This adventurous activity involves exploring the park on foot, while appreciating the cool breathtaking landscape, enjoying the fresh-wild wind, and also the sound of nature in far distances. Nature walks in Queen Elizabeth national park are done the Maramagambo forest, Kyambura Gorge, and the Mweya peninsular.

During nature walks, you get a close view of wildlife including elephants, buffaloes, chimpanzees, white and black colombus monkeys, also bird species such as woodpeckers, chestnut wattle eye among others.

Warthog
What is the best time to visit?

It is important to note that Uganda’s tourist destinations are open all year long, and Uganda has two seasons that is the ‘wet’ and ‘dry’ seasons. The best time to visit the Queen Elizabeth National Park is during the dry season when the Chimp trails are less slippery and also the open savanna is drier for easy vehicle movement during wildlife viewing.

How to get there?

Queen Elizabeth National Park lies in the southwestern Uganda and can be accessed by either road using public/private means of transport from Kampala to the park which takes about 6 – 7 hours while driving and also by air using an aircraft from Kajjasi airstrip to Kasese airstrip and it takes 1 – 2 hours.

Selected Queen Elizabeth Safari Packages

6 Days
Private
6 Days Uganda Gorilla, Chimpanzee and Queen Elizabeth Safari from Kigali
from

$ 1100

per person
6 Days
Private
6 Days Uganda Gorilla Trekking, Batwa Culture and Queen Elizabeth Safari
from

$ 800

per person
4 Days
Private
4 Days Queen Elizabeth and Kibale Chimpanzee Safari
from

$ 1099

per person
Where to Stay?

You get an opportunity to decide where to stay due to the wide range of Luxury, midrange and budget accommodations available in the park where you can stay, and these include.

Luxury Lodges such as Katara Lodge, Elephant plains Lodge, Kyambura Gorge lodge, Midrange Lodges such as Engaji lodge, Elephant hub, and also Budget lodges such as Topi Lodge, Pumba Safari Cottage, Engeri game lodge.

 

katara Lodge

Katara Lodge

With that in-depth about Queen Elizabeth National Park, you now know what to do, where to stay, what to see, how to access the park and mostly when to visit the park.
Are you ready to set off to the heart of Africa and uncover the breathtaking savanna landscapes in Uganda yet still not sure where to start from? Friendly Gorillas Safaris is here to walk you through the whole process from arrival to making unforgettable memories and then to departure. Book now or email us on friendlygorillas@gmail.com for inquires.

Queen Elizabeth in Summary

Best Attractions

Tree climbing lions, Chimpanzees, Hippos & Crocodiles

Best time to visit

Jun-Sept

Best Attractions

Wildlife, river scenery and game drives

Top activities

Boat Cruise, Game Drives, Tree climbing Lions Tracking

How to Get there.

The destintation can be accessed in two different ways for example by road and Air transport. By road transport, it can be accessed by two major routes including the Southern route that moves via Mbarara and the Northern route that goes via Fort Portal and can also be accessed through connnecting from different National Parks ie Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Kibale Forest National Park. The other way is by air using a chartered flight from Entebbe International airport or Kajjansi air strip to either Mweya or Ishasha air strips for a period of close totwo hours

Recommended duration

Engiri game lodge (Budget), Enganzi game Lodge (Standard), Mweya Safari Lodge (Luxury)

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I see the famous tree-climbing lions?

The world-famous tree-climbing lions live in the Ishasha sector, which is located in the southern part of the park. They are best spotted during the hottest parts of the day (between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM), when they climb large fig trees to rest and catch a breeze. In Uganda, they are only found in Queen Elizabeth National Park and are one of the major attractions in Queen Elizabeth National Park, attracting very large numbers of visitors

Can I track chimpanzees in Queen Elizabeth National Park?

Yes. Chimpanzee trekking is primarily conducted in the dramatic Kyambura Gorge (also known as the “Valley of Apes”). Tracks can also be arranged in the nearby Kalinzu and Maramagambo forests. Large numbers of Chimpanzees are in Queen Elizabeth National Park, though not as many as in Kibale Forest National Park. These chimpanzees also attract large numbers of visitors from different countries and continents

Can I see the “Big Five” at the park?

You can see four of the Big Five here: lions, leopards, elephants, and Cape buffaloes. Rhinos are absent from the park. However, travelers driving from Kampala can stop at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to track rhinos and complete the full list. The most commonly seen animals are the big 4 of the big 5, so the Rhino Is not commonly seen. The rhino is very rare and is only common in a few gazetted areas; for example, the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary on the route to Murchison Falls National Park

What is the single popular activity?

The Kazinga Channel boat cruise is one of the most popular activities. It offers a different perspective on nature. This 2-hour launch trip offers an up-close look at one of the world’s densest concentrations of hippos, alongside crocodiles, elephants, and hundreds of bird species lining the shores. Tracking the tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector is also one of the most interesting activities in the area, attracting large numbers of visitors

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Why Choose Friendly Gorillas Safaris.

Transparent Pricing

No surprises. Your quotation explains accommodation, permits, park fees, transport, meals and exclusions before you book.

Responsible Travel

Your journey supports conservation areas, local guides, porters, lodges and communities connected to wildlife tourism.

Expert Local guides

We only work with knowledgeable guides who value wildlife, safety, hospitality and meaningful guest experiences.

With you always

You receive personal support from start to finish. Before arrival and reliable assistance throughout your safari.

Guaranteed Departures

After booking, no surprising changes. Your tours depart when, how and from the same location we mentioned it would.

Your Safari your way

All our safaris are strictly designed around your interests, travel dates, comfort level and budget shape every itinerary.

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Book your Queen Elizabeth adventure safari today

Tell us when you would like to travel, how many people are joining you and what you want to experience. We will help you build a private safari around your destination, accommodation preferences and available time.

Low Season

Oct, Nov, Mar, Apr, may

Peak Season

Jun, July, Aug, Sept, Dec

Recommended Stay

Buhoma Gorilla Camp,

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