Queen Elizabeth national park is a renowned wildlife reserve in Uganda boasting diverse eco systems including savannah, forests and wetlands. The park is home to a variety of wildlife species and scenic landscapes making it a popular destination for safaris and nature enthusiast.
Queen Elizabeth is situated in southwestern Uganda, spanning districts of Bushenyi, Kasese, Kamwengye and Rukungiri. It is boarded by Lake Edward to the southwest and Rwenzori Mountains to the north, it is part of the western rift valley and is easily accessible from various parts of Uganda.
One of the unique aspects of Queen Elizabeth national park is the incredible bio diversity, housing a wide array of wildlife in different eco systems that includes grasslands, forests and wetlands. The park is renowned for the tree climbing lions and feature Kazinga channel where visitors can enjoy boat safaris amidst diverse bird spices and large concentration of hippos and crocodiles.
About Queen Elizabeth National Park
What to see in the park.
What to do In the Park
Where to Stay
What to see in the park.
- Tree climbing lions
The ishasha sector is known for its unique tree climbing lions providing a rare opportunity to witness these big cats lounging in the branches. This behavior is not commonly observed in lions elsewhere making it a unique and fascinating spectacles for visitors.
- Kazinga channel.
Kazinga is a water channel that connects lake Edward to Lake George, take a boa safari on the kazinga channel to observe crocodiles and hippos plus a variety of birds and animals that come to drink from these waters. It offers stunning views and diverse wildlife encounters.
- Game drives.
Explore the park’s diverse savannas on a game drive where you get to encounter animals like elephants, buffaloes, lions, leopards, and antelopes.
- Big four cats.
Queen Elizabeth hosts the big four cats among the big five cats of wildlife, while in this place, you will have chance to encounter these big cats. The big cats are lions, elephants, buffaloes and leopards which is not the case in other national parks.
- Kyambura Gorge.
This deep gorge is home to a population of chimpanzees. Guided treks offer chance to track and observe these primates in their natural habitat, these primates include red tailored monkeys, vervet monkey and black and white colobus monkeys. This place is also known as the ‘’valley of Apes’’, a deep gorge carved by Kyambura river and surrounded by savannah that makes it seem like it’s isolated. You can also enjoy watching birds and spot different species like white faced whistling duck, and African fin foot.
- Mweya peninsular.
Enjoy panoramic views of the park, Rwenzori Mountains and the kazinga channel from this elevated area. This is a prominent geographical fate within the park situated between Lake Edward and Lake George, when you visit, you are rewarded with breathtaking views of the landscape and a vantage spot to clearly observe wildlife like hippos, elephants, and various bird species.
What to do In the Park
- Game drives
Explore the park’s vast land in an open savannah as you drive around to see and encounter different animals while in their habitat. Some of the animals you can see are African elephants, giraffes, antelopes, lions, leopards, warthogs, hyenas, chimpanzees, giant forest hogs, and Uganda kobs.
- Bird watching.
Queen Elizabeth national park is home to over 600 bird species, the Mweya peninsula r and Kyambura gorge are particular places that reward bird watchers with exceptional spotting of their favorite birds. Some of these birds include African skimmer, papyrus gonolek, saddle billed stork, red chested sunbird, double toothed barbet and Ludwig’s bustard.
- Boat safaris on kazinga channel.
Take an adventurous boat safari trip on kazinga channel to witness hippo, crocodiles and numerous birds and animals. This channel connects Lake Edward to Lake George providing a unique water based perspective of the park’s wildlife.
- Chimpanzee Tracking In Kyambura Gorge.
Embark on a guided trek in Kyambura gore to track, observe and learn about chimpanzees within their natural habitat. Apart from chimps, you get chance to see other primates like red tailored monkeys, olive baboons, vervet monkeys and white and black colored monkeys.
- Tree climbing lions in the Ishasha sector.
The Ishasha sector is located in the southern part of Queen Elizabeth national park known for its unique population of tree climbing lions, making it a distinctive and sought after area for wildlife enthusiasts. The sector still offers different landscapes compared to other parts of the park with acacia trees and savannah grasslands. When you visit this place, you are able to learn and witness the unique behavior of tree climbing lions a phenomenon not commonly observed in other regions.
- Nature walks.
Explore the park on foot with guided nature walks allowing you to appreciate the smaller details of the eco system and potentially encounter various flora and fauna of the surrounding area.
Where to Stay
High-end lodges in Queen Elizabeth NP:
- Mweya Safari Lodge
- Elephant Plains Lodge
- Kyambura Volcanoes Lodge
Mid-budget Lodges in Queen Elizabeth NP:
- Kasenyi Safari Lodge
- Bush Lodge
- Buffalo Safari Lodge
- Elephant Hub Lodge
Low budget lodges in Queen Elizabeth NP:
- Simba Safari Camp
- Bush Lodge (Tents)
- Little Elephant
- Irungu Lodge
- Kazinga Wilderness Camp
Where to stay in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth NP:
High-end lodge:
- Ishasha Wilderness Camp
Mid-budget lodges:
- Enjojo Lodge
- Ishasha Jungle Lodge
Low budget lodges:
- Topi Lodge
- Ishasha Pride Lodge
Our Partners
Uganda Tourism Board
.
Uganda Wildlife Authority
.
The Buhoma Gorilla Camp
.
The Bwindi Kids Charity
.
