Queen Elizabeth National Park

The Heart of Gorilla Conservation

Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of Uganda’s most popular and diverse safari destinations, offering spectacular landscapes, abundant wildlife, and a variety of unforgettable experiences. Located in western Uganda, the park is surrounded by the dramatic Rwenzori Mountains and features savannah plains, crater lakes, forests, and the famous Kazinga Channel. Visitors can enjoy exciting game drives with opportunities to see elephants, lions, buffaloes, leopards, hippos, Uganda kobs, and other wildlife. The park is also renowned for its unique tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector.

A boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel provides excellent opportunities to observe large concentrations of hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and water birds. Beyond game viewing, visitors can enjoy chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge, bird watching, nature walks, and cultural experiences. With its diverse wildlife, scenic beauty, and range of activities, Queen Elizabeth National Park is an essential stop on any Uganda safari.

Safari Attractions

Tree climbing lions

The Ishasha sector of the park is home to the tree climbing lions. Elephants, topi, leopards can also been in Ishasha

More wildlife

The park is also home to elephants, buffalo, hippos, hyenas, jackals, and plenty of birdlife.

Kazinga channel

Kazinga channel is home to large herds of hippos, crocodiles and buffalo by the banks of the channel

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Game viewing

Game viewing in Queen Elizabeth National Park offers an exciting opportunity to explore Uganda’s diverse wildlife and beautiful savannah landscapes. Game drives provide chances to see elephants, buffaloes, lions, leopards, Uganda kobs, warthogs, hippos, and several antelope species. The Kasenyi Plains are particularly popular for wildlife viewing, while the Ishasha sector is famous for its tree-climbing lions. Early morning and late afternoon game drives offer some of the best opportunities to spot animals when they are most active. With stunning scenery and abundant wildlife, Queen Elizabeth National Park provides an unforgettable safari experience for wildlife enthusiasts.

Kazinga channel

The Kazinga Channel is one of Uganda’s most remarkable wildlife attractions, connecting Lake George and Lake Edward in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Famous for its large concentration of hippos and crocodiles, the channel also attracts elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks, and numerous bird species along its shores. A boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel offers an unforgettable opportunity to observe wildlife from the water while enjoying beautiful views of the surrounding landscapes.

Visitors can watch hippos cooling in the water, crocodiles resting on the banks, and elephants coming to drink. The channel is also a paradise for bird lovers, with species such as African fish eagles, kingfishers, herons, and egrets frequently seen. The peaceful boat journey, combined with excellent wildlife viewing and photography opportunities, makes the Kazinga Channel a must-visit attraction for anyone exploring Queen Elizabeth National Park and western Uganda.

Birding

Birding safaris in Queen Elizabeth National Park offer an excellent opportunity to explore Uganda’s rich birdlife across savannah, wetlands, forests, and lakes. The park is home to more than 600 bird species, making it one of Uganda’s top birding destinations. Visitors can look for colourful species such as the African Fish Eagle, Great Blue Turaco, African Skimmer, Grey Crowned Crane, and various kingfishers, herons, and egrets.

The Kazinga Channel is particularly rewarding for water birds, while the Maramagambo Forest and Ishasha sector offer opportunities to discover forest and woodland species. Guided birding walks, game drives, and boat cruises provide different ways to enjoy the park’s diverse birdlife and scenic landscapes.

Chimp trekking

Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge offers an exciting opportunity to explore a beautiful underground forest within Queen Elizabeth National Park. Known as the “Valley of Apes,” Kyambura Gorge is home to habituated chimpanzee communities, as well as other primates, colourful birds, and diverse forest vegetation. Guided by experienced trackers, visitors descend into the gorge and follow forest trails in search of chimpanzees.

Once found, you can observe their feeding, grooming, communication, and playful behaviour. The trek can be moderately challenging due to steep and uneven terrain, but the experience of exploring the gorge and encountering chimpanzees in their natural habitat makes it highly rewarding.