Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s most visited and diverse national park, located in the western part of the country. It spans the districts of Kasese, Rubirizi, Rukungiri, and Kamwenge, covering an area of approximately 1,978 square kilometers (764 square miles). The park lies within the western arm of the East African Rift Valley and borders Kibale Forest National Park to the north and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo to the west.

This rich conservation area includes a range of ecosystems—savannahs, tropical rainforests, lakes, rivers, volcanic craters, and wetlands—providing a scenic backdrop to the park’s abundant wildlife and making it a must-visit destination for safari lovers.

Queen Elizabeth National Park was originally known as Kazinga National Park when it was established in 1952. However, after a royal visit by Queen Elizabeth II in 1954, the park was renamed in her honor. Unlike East Africa’s drier safari parks like the Serengeti and Maasai Mara, Queen Elizabeth experiences a more moderate climate due to its location in the Rwenzori Mountains rain shadow, keeping the park lush and green throughout the year.

Wildlife in Queen Elizabeth National Park

The park is home to an incredible diversity of wildlife, with over 95 mammal species and more than 490 bird species recorded. Key mammals include: African elephants, Lions (including the famous tree-climbing lions of Ishasha), Buffaloes, Leopards, Hippos, Spotted hyenas, Uganda kobs, Topi, waterbuck, and bushbuck, Warthogs and giant forest hogs, Chimpanzees and other primates including L’Hoest’s monkeys, baboons, and black-and-white colobus monkeys

The park is recognized as a Lion Conservation Unit, with more than 200 lions, including a unique population of tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector.

Birdwatching Paradise

Queen Elizabeth National Park is a top birding destination in Africa. During migratory seasons, the park attracts numerous bird species escaping the cold winters in Europe. Popular birding sites include the Kazinga Channel, Maramagambo Forest, Kyambura Gorge, and Lake Munyanyange.

Commonly spotted bird species include: Shoebill stork, Martial eagle, Papyrus Gonolek, Pink-backed pelican, African skimmer, Great and Long-tailed cormorants, Flamingos (in crater lakes like Lake Munyanyange), Malachite and Pied kingfishers

Whether you’re a novice or expert birder, Queen Elizabeth National Park offers unmatched opportunities for avian photography and observation.

Safari Activities in Queen Elizabeth National Park

1. Game Drives

Game drives are the most popular way to explore the park. There are three main game drive sectors:

• Kasenyi Plains: Known for large herds of Uganda kobs, buffaloes, elephants, and predators like lions and hyenas.
• Ishasha Sector: Famous for tree-climbing lions that lounge in fig trees during the hot afternoons.
• Katwe Crater Area: Scenic landscape dotted with extinct volcanic craters and salt lakes.

Morning and evening game drives offer the best chances of spotting predators and other animals in action. Night game drives are available for visitors interested in nocturnal species like leopards and hyenas.

Game drive fee: $30

With UWA ranger guide: Additional $20

Spotlight hire for night drives: Around $20

2. Boat Cruise Along the Kazinga Channel

The Kazinga Channel, which links Lake Edward and Lake George, is one of the best locations for observing animals and birds up close. During the 2-hour boat safari, you'll see:

• Hundreds of hippos and Nile crocodiles
• Large herds of elephants and buffaloes
• Dozens of water birds like herons, kingfishers, storks, and fish eagles

Boat cruise fee: $30

Tickets available at Mweya Visitor Information Centre

Cruises run multiple times a day using public or private boats

3. Chimpanzee Trekking in Kyambura Gorge

Also called the "Valley of Apes", Kyambura Gorge offers thrilling chimpanzee tracking experiences. The gorge is 16 km long and 100 meters deep, carved out by the Kyambura River. A guided trek leads you through a thick underground forest inhabited by: Chimpanzees, Black-and-white colobus monkeys, Red-tailed monkeys, Baboons

Tracking fee: $50

Limited to 8 permits per day

Bookings made at Mweya Visitor Information Centre

4. Nature Walks in Maramagambo Forest

The Maramagambo Forest offers guided nature walks along well-established trails. This activity is ideal for:

• Bird watchers
• Nature enthusiasts
• Visitors interested in primates and forest biodiversity

Expect to encounter chimpanzees, L’Hoest’s monkeys, vervet monkeys, and bush babies, along with butterflies, reptiles, and small crater lakes.

Community and Culture

Queen Elizabeth National Park shares borders with communities belonging to the Bakonjo, Banyankole, and Bakiga tribes. Most locals practice subsistence farming or pastoralism. The Bakiga also engage in salt mining, particularly around the Katwe Salt Lake, which has been a source of salt for centuries.

The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) collaborates with these communities and conservation groups to promote eco-tourism, wildlife research, and community-based conservation programs.

Getting to Queen Elizabeth National Park

By Road

• From Kampala via Mbarara: ~420 km / 8-hour drive
• From Fort Portal: ~4-hour drive
• From Lake Mburo National Park: ~6-hour drive

While major roads are tarmacked, park interior roads are murram (gravel) and may require a 4x4 vehicle.

Public buses travel from Kampala to Kasese, but they don’t enter the park. From Kasese, one must hire a taxi or boda-boda to the park gate.

By Air

For a faster and more convenient option, travelers can book chartered flights from:

• Entebbe International Airport
• Kajjansi Airstrip - To airstrips at Kasese, Mweya, or Ishasha

Most tour operators offer pick-up and transfer services from airstrips to lodges and park offices.