Park Overview

Queen Elizabeth National Park sits in the Albertine Rift Valley in western Uganda, spread between Lake Edward and Lake George. It was gazetted in 1952 as Kazinga National Park and renamed two years later to commemorate a royal visit. Today it's one of Uganda's most visited parks, and for good reason: its species count is exceptional, with more than 95 mammal species and over 600 recorded bird species sharing a landscape of savanna grassland, euphorbia-studded hills, volcanic crater lakes and pockets of dense forest.

The park is generally divided into distinct sectors — Mweya and Kasenyi to the north of the Kazinga Channel, and Ishasha in the far south — each with its own character and its own reasons to visit.

The Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

If you do one activity in Queen Elizabeth National Park, make it this. The Kazinga Channel is a natural, roughly 32-kilometre waterway connecting Lake Edward and Lake George, and it holds one of the largest concentrations of hippos found anywhere on the continent, alongside large numbers of Nile crocodiles, elephants and buffalo that come down to drink along its banks.

Boat cruises typically run for around two hours and depart from the Mweya area. Because animals come to the water rather than the other way around, this is one of the most reliable wildlife-viewing activities in the entire park — a good option even for travellers with limited mobility, since it requires no walking.

Ishasha and the Tree-Climbing Lions

South of the Kazinga Channel, the Ishasha sector is famous for one of the strangest sights in African wildlife: lions resting in the branches of fig and acacia trees. This behaviour is rare — found in only a handful of lion populations worldwide — and researchers believe it may help the lions escape biting flies and the heat of the ground, or simply gain a better vantage point over the surrounding plains where Uganda kob graze.

Sightings are never guaranteed, since the lions move between trees and territories, but Ishasha's game drives also turn up topi, buffalo, elephant and excellent birdlife, making it worthwhile even on days without a lion sighting.

Chimpanzee Trekking in Kyambura Gorge

Tucked into the park's northern section, Kyambura Gorge is a steep-sided, forested rift valley locals call the "Valley of Apes." It offers a shorter, more affordable alternative to a full chimpanzee trekking day in Kibale Forest National Park, though sightings here can be less predictable since the gorge's chimpanzee community ranges over a wide area.

Other Activities

Best Time to Visit

Queen Elizabeth National Park can be visited year-round, but the dry months of June to September and December to February offer the best game-viewing visibility, since shorter grass makes it easier to spot wildlife. For a full seasonal breakdown across Uganda, see our best time to visit Uganda guide.

How Many Days Do You Need?

Most itineraries allow two to three nights in Queen Elizabeth National Park — enough time for a Kazinga Channel cruise, a game drive in Kasenyi or Ishasha, and one additional activity such as chimp trekking or a crater lake tour. The park also works well as a stop between Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Kibale Forest National Park on a longer western Uganda circuit.

Budget Breakdown

For a full cost breakdown across an entire Uganda trip, see our Uganda safari prices explainer, and always confirm current park fees directly with the Uganda Wildlife Authority or with our booking team, since rates are reviewed periodically.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Skipping the Kazinga Channel cruise to save time — it's usually the single best wildlife activity in the park.
• Expecting guaranteed tree-climbing lion sightings in Ishasha; treat it as a highlight, not a certainty.
• Forgetting binoculars, given how bird-rich this park is.
• Underestimating driving distances between Mweya, Kasenyi and Ishasha — they're further apart than they look on a map.
• Not packing neutral-coloured clothing for game drives and forest walks.

Frequently Asked Questions