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Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is the most popular destination for Uganda safaris. This is partly due to its closeness to the country’s gorilla trekking destinations, but also because it is one of East Africa’s most biodiverse parks. The park features vast freshwater lakes, stretches of equatorial rainforest, rolling savannah, and brackish crater lakes.
All of this lies on the floor of the Great Rift Valley beneath the snow-capped peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains. Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to four of the Big Five animals (no rhino). Elephants and buffalo are easy to spot, and lions are seen regularly. Bird lovers will be amazed. The park hosts over 610 bird species, the highest number of any national park in East Africa.
A diverse and surprising landscape
Queen Elizabeth National Park is mostly a classic savanna. The views are wide and open. You can see far across grassy plains dotted with acacia trees. Water is everywhere.
The Kazinga Channel runs through the heart of the park. It connects Lake George and Lake Albert. Along the channel, you can spot many animals. Hippos, crocodiles, elephants, buffalo, and countless water birds gather at the water’s edge. Queen Elizabeth National park is also home to several crater lakes. These areas hold less wildlife, but they are incredibly scenic and peaceful.
One of the park’s most special places is the Kyambura Gorge. It is a deep valley filled with tropical rainforest. You can hike down into the gorge. On the rim, you are still in the savanna. As you descend, the landscape changes completely. Suddenly, you are surrounded by forest. Hippos rest in the river below. And with some luck, you can see wild chimpanzees deep inside the gorge.
A UNESCO Man & Biosphere Reserve
Unlike many African parks and reserve where human settlements are banned, this park is a UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve. When it was established in 1952, the existing villages were allowed to remain. Today, locals still grow coffee, tend small farms, fish, and mine salt from the crater lakes, creating a rare and peaceful balance between community life and conservation.
Lots of Wild Animals in Queen Elizabeth National park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is rich in wildlife. The park is home to more than 95 mammal species and over 610 bird species. You can see lions and leopards. Large herds of elephants roam the savanna. There are hippos, buffalo, leopards, antelopes, and giant forest hogs. Vultures circle above, while pelicans and deep pink flamingos gather near the water. Hyenas are often heard at night.
One animal truly stands out here: the tree-climbing lion. These rare lions live in the Ishasha sector, in the south of the park. Together with Lake Manyara National Park in Tanzania, it is the only place in the world where you can see them. Because parts of the park are bushy and forested, many monkey species live here. You may spot black-and-white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and even chimpanzees.
Activities In Queen Elizabeth National Park
There is a variety of things to do in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The park boasts a diverse landscape that you can explore in a variety of ways:
Game Drives
A classic game drive is a must during your visit to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The park is vast, and each area feels different. You can go on three or even four game drives and still see something new every time. If you want a deeper experience, you can join the Lion Tracking Experience. During this drive, you visit a pride of lions that is being monitored for research. Your guide explains the project and why the lions are tracked. This is as close as you can get to wild lions. They continue their daily life as if you are not there. And if you are very lucky, you may even see them shortly after a hunt
Boat safaris
A boat safari on the Kazinga Channel is a highlight of any visit to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The channel has one of the highest concentrations of hippos in Africa. You will see hippos floating in the water. Elephants come to bathe along the banks. Crocodiles lie still in the sun, waiting patiently. The birdlife is spectacular. Many water birds gather here, making the boat safari a calm and unforgettable experience.
Chimpanzee trekking
Kyambura Gorge is one of the most special places in Uganda for chimpanzee trekking adventures.
One moment, you are driving across open savanna, spotting elephants, leopards, and lions. The next moment, you step into a deep tropical rainforest. The contrast is striking. And it makes the chimpanzee trek even more memorable. You can also go chimpanzee trekking in the nearby Kalinzu Forest Reserve where over 300 wild chimpanzees live.
Visit to the crater lakes
On the northern edge of Queen Elizabeth National Park, you will find several crater lakes. You can easily drive past them and stop to enjoy the views. The land around the lakes is open, rugged, and slightly drier. This contrast makes the crater lakes stand out even more. It is a striking and beautiful landscape.
Gorilla Rafting
The Rwenzori Mountains feed many rivers in western Uganda. This creates a unique chance to go rafting through tropical rainforest. From Kambuga, you raft down the Birira River. This stretch lies between Ishasha and Buhoma. The scenery is stunning and the adventure unforgettable. You float past green hills and banana plantations.
Dense rainforest lines the riverbanks. Monkeys and birds are often seen along the way. This rafting experience is both exciting and peaceful. It is suitable for adventure lovers and families alike. Children from eight years old can join.
safaris featuring Queen Elizabeth National Park
Best Lodges in QUEEN ELIZABETH ational Park
Questions about qUEEN eLIZABETH NATIONAL PARK safaris
Is 2 days enough for a Queen Elizabeth NP trip?
Yes, a two-day visit to Queen Elizabeth National Park is possible. However, with the drive from Kampala or Entebbe taking a minimum of seven hours each way, a 2-day trip feels quite rushed and significantly limits what you’ll be able to experience. For a more relaxed and rewarding safari, we recommend setting aside at least 3 days—ideally 4—for a dedicated Queen Elizabeth National Park visit. If your itinerary also includes gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, plan for a minimum of 4 days, with 5 or more being ideal to fully enjoy both experiences.
Can I combine a Queen Elizabeth NP trip with gorilla or chimp trekking?
A Queen Elizabeth National Park safari pairs very well with both chimpanzee and gorilla trekking. For gorillas, the most convenient trekking location from Queen Elizabeth NP is Buhoma, on the northern edge of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Depending on where you’re staying in Queen Elizabeth, the drive to Buhoma typically takes between 3 and 4 hours. Travel to other gorilla trekking regions in Bwindi or to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is also possible, but these routes usually require 5 to 7 hours on the road.
When it comes to chimpanzee trekking, Queen Elizabeth NP offers even easier access. Kyambura Gorge and Kalinzu Forest Reserve—two popular trekking sites—sit right next to the park and can be visited as day trips from virtually any lodge or camp in the area. Kalinzu generally offers a slightly higher chance of sightings, while Kyambura stands out as the most affordable chimp trekking option in Uganda.
It’s also simple to add Kibale National Park, the country’s premier chimp trekking destination, to a budget safari that includes Queen Elizabeth NP. However, keep in mind that Kibale is more expensive and tends to attract larger numbers of visitors compared to Kyambura or Kalinzu.
