Queen Elizabeth National Park

Where savanna meets rainforest, and lions forget they’re not leopards.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s most varied safari canvas: sweeping grasslands, volcanic craters, papyrus-fringed channels, and distant Rwenzori peaks. It’s wonderfully easy to combine with Bwindi Impenetrable Park for gorilla trekking to the south and Kibale for chimpanzees to the north—so you can tick off primates and predators in one trip.

Queen Elizabeth National Park runs from the foothills of the northern Rwenzori Mountains to Ishasha border gate in the south - a massive park of just under 2,000 km². So you can opt to stay in both the northern and southern sectors.

From Kazinga to Ishasha: Many Faces of Queen Elizabeth National Park

Here the grasslands of Uganda meet the eastern rainforest. So magical scenery combines with abundant wildlife, both predators and primates. This includes a vast concentration of hippo and the famous tree-climbing lion.

Kazinga Channel - Drift along the Kazinga Channel by boat as elephant, buffalo and Ugandan Kob gather to drink. . Hippo, crocodiles, and water birds also frequent the banks, including a lively cast of kingfishers, pelicans, and open-billed storks.

Chimpanzee Trekking in Kyambura Wildlife Reserve

Head east to Kyambura Gorge & Wildlife Reserve (pronounced Chambura), for guided forest walking safaris and the chance to meet a habituated chimp community. We’ll arrange chimpanzee permits ahead of time Here as well large numbers of flamingos are attracted to a series of three saline crater lakes.

Further to the sooth cool forest trails in Maramagambo reveal caves with thousands of fruit bats, plus monitor lizards and the occasional (large) python.

The Ishasha Wilderness Sector – for Lions with a Head for Heights

Down in the southern Ishasha sector, scan the ancient fig trees for the park’s famed tree-climbing lions, acting more like leopards. They like to laze – improbably - on the boughs of ancient fig trees. The meandering Ishasha River runs through this area, with riparian forest on its riverbanks. This is also the only place in the park to see Topi.

Birding in Queen Elizabeth (QENP for short)

QENP is one of Uganda’s finest birding destinations with 560+ species recorded. This is exceptional diversity for a single park. Flamingos often colour the saline crater lakes of Kyambura - not what most people most expect on a classic savanna safari.

Whilst the Kazinga Channel often delivers bird-watching specials include malachite, pied kingfishers, great white and pink-backed pelicans and the open-billed stork.

We recommend May to September when as is when bird sightings peak, and chimp trekking is easier on drier trails.

Ready to pair Ishasha’s lions with Bwindi’s gorillas? Let’s design your tailor-made Uganda safari.

Frequently Asked Questions

When’s the best time to visit Queen Elizabeth National Park?
June to mid-September is the classic “dry” window with top game viewing; as is December to mid-March. The chimpanzee trekking tends to be easier as the trails are less muddy. The long rains (mid-Mar–May) and short rains (mid-Sep–Nov) green the landscape but make roads muddy.

Can I combine Queen Elizabeth Park with gorilla trekking?
Absolutely! Queen Elizabeth National Park lies just north of Bwindi, so we often design trips that follow Ishasha’s lions with Bwindi’s gorillas (and even add in Kibale for the chimps).

Is a boat safari worth it in Queen Elizabeth National Park?
Yes—Kazinga Channel cruises bring you eye-level with elephants, buffalo, and hippos, with prolific waterbirds all around. A late-afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel is prime time for elephants and hippos.

Useful Links:

• Add Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
• Or chimpanzee trekking in Kibale
• Sample Tour: Ultimate Uganda Private safari
• Review of Mari's recent Uganda Safari Trip incl gorilla trekking
• Back to MAIN Uganda Safari Holidays