Queen Elizabeth National Park

The Park 

Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda stands as a distinguished destination, harmonizing breathtaking landscapes with unparalleled encounters with wildlife. With a rich tapestry of over 100 mammal species, including iconic lions, majestic elephants, and lively chimpanzees, alongside an impressive 606 bird species, the park’s diverse ecosystems promise an immersive safari adventure like no other.

At the core of the park lies the remarkable Kazinga Channel, a natural conduit between Lake Edward and Lake George. Here, visitors can partake in boat cruises for intimate encounters with hippos lounging along the banks, while elephants and buffaloes traverse nearby, creating captivating wildlife displays.

Birdwatchers love the channel’s shores, teeming with avian wonders. The Kyambura Gorge offers encounters with chimpanzees and the Maramagambo forest has many attractions, including a blue lake, hunters’ cave, bat cave, and crater lakes.

In essence, Queen Elizabeth National Park emerges as a haven for nature enthusiasts and adventure aficionados alike, offering indelible experiences amidst the breathtaking splendor of Uganda’s wilderness.

Top things to do in Queen Elizabeth National Park 

Game viewing / Wildlife drives in Kasenyi and Ishasha Sector

Explore the northeast tracks of Kasenyi Savannah Plains in Queen Elizabeth National Park for breathtaking wildlife encounters. Spot Uganda Kobs, elephants, and warthogs against lush green and golden savannahs. Birdwatchers will delight in the diverse avian life, while predators lurk for their next meal.

Venture through Kasenyi, North Kazinga Plains, and the Ishasha Sector for guaranteed sightings of buffaloes, antelopes, elephants, and lions, including elusive leopards along the Leopard track.

Don’t miss the unique Tree climbing lions in the Ishasha sector, a highlight of any safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Witness these majestic creatures lounging on fig tree branches, a sight that will stay with you long after your adventure ends. Ishasha offers a distinct landscape and unforgettable wildlife encounters, making it a must-visit on any African safari.

Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

Experience the breathtaking vistas from the Mweya Peninsula as it gracefully merges with the tranquil waters of Lake Edward via the scenic Kazinga Channel. Spanning 32 kilometers, this natural watercourse seamlessly links the eastern Lake George with the western Lake Edward.

Originating from the Rwenzori Mountains, Lake George pours its waters into the Kazinga Channel, which, in turn, feeds into the expansive Lake Edward, renowned as one of Africa’s largest freshwater lakes, sprawling over 2,000 square kilometers.

Embark on a journey through the channel and immerse yourself in the diverse wildlife sanctuary of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Witness a captivating array of terrestrial, aquatic, and bird life in their natural habitat.

Join our daily 2-hour launch trips, departing at 9:00, 11:00, 15:00, and 17:00, for an opportunity to encounter over 60 species of birds. Keep your eyes peeled for the majestic presence of hundreds of hippos, buffalos, and elephants dotting the shoreline, making every moment an unforgettable wildlife spectacle.

Chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge.

The Kyambura Gorge, nestled within the eastern expanse of Queen Elizabeth National Park, is traversed by the Kyambura River. Plummeting to a depth of 100 meters, this natural wonder stretches 16 kilometers beneath the Kichwamba region, reaching a breadth of one kilometer at its widest point.  Nicknamed the ‘Valley of Apes,’ it is home to approximately 15-20 habituated chimpanzees.

Renowned for its diverse primate population, including black and white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, olive baboons, and red-tailed monkeys, the gorge offers captivating chimpanzee and nature walks lasting from 2 to 4 hours.

Chimpanzee tracking operates in two sessions, commencing with a morning session at 8:00 and followed by an afternoon session at 13:00, departing from Fig Tree Camp. However, chimp sightings are not guaranteed due to the limited number of habituated primates.

Birdwatching safaris in the park.

Queen Elizabeth National Park has been designated as an Important Birding Area (IBA) by Birding International, underscoring its significance as a haven for bird watchers. Hosting an impressive array of over 600 bird species, the park showcases a remarkable fusion of savanna and forest ecosystems, seamlessly connecting with the vast forests of DR Congo.

Birding aficionados can revel in observing a diverse range of avifauna, spanning water birds, woodland inhabitants, and forest dwellers, particularly within the captivating Maramagambo Forest.

Enthusiasts can spot a multitude of bird species, including 54 raptors and various migratory birds. Among the notable sightings are White-winged Terns, Swamp Flycatchers, Grey-capped Warblers, Grey-headed Kingfishers, Collared Pratincoles, African Jacanas, Pin-tailed Whydahs, and Martial Eagles.

Moreover, visitors can relish encounters with Gabon Nightjars, Slender-tailed Nightjars, Black-headed Gonoleks, Great Cormorants, Long-tailed Cormorants, Common Squacco Herons, African Skimmers, African Fish Eagles, Verreaux’s Eagle-Owls, Sedge Warblers, White-winged Warblers, Papyrus Gonoleks, Papyrus Canaries, Great White Pelicans, Pink-backed Pelicans, African Mourning Doves, and Marabou Storks.

The park offers numerous prime birding locations, including the Kazinga Channel, Kasenyi Area, Mweya Peninsula, Maramagambo Forest, Ishasha Sector, Lake Kikorongo, Katunguru Bridge area, and Katwe Area, inviting visitors to explore and immerse themselves in the captivating avian diversity.

Nature Walks at the Maramagambo Forest

Explore the wonders of Maramagambo Forest through captivating nature walks lasting from 2 to 6 hours, cherished by bird enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.

Embark on guided excursions along four distinct trails, each offering a unique experience centered around forest conservation and wildlife discovery.

Immerse yourself in the tranquil beauty of the waterfall trail, a 4-hour journey spanning 11 kilometers through the forest’s undulating terrain, culminating in the breathtaking Kilyantama waterfall.

Venture along the river trail for a 1 to 2-hour trek to the Kajojo River, where encounters with a variety of primates including L’Hoest’s monkeys, Vervet monkeys, and baboons, alongside diverse bird species, await amidst the lush greenery.

For hiking enthusiasts, the forest trail presents an ideal opportunity to traverse scenic landscapes, observe flowing rivers, encounter primates, and marvel at the rich diversity of bird and tree species.

Embark on the valley trail for a 2-hour exploration, meandering along the ridge to discover the majestic Viagra tree, while the palm trail, a leisurely 5-kilometer stroll, unveils treasures such as the towering Raphia palms and enchanting dragon trees.

Community-Based Tourism Projects

Kikorongo Women Community (KWC)

Kichwamba Escarpment Community Tour

The program brings real-life experiences to tourists while enabling the local community to develop income-generating tourism-related ventures that safeguard their traditions and preserve the local environment.

Katinda Cliff and Twin Lakes

Kasyoha- Kitomi Forest Trail

Get off the beaten track and head to Kasyoha –Kitomi forest on a 3-hour guided hike.  Look out for primates such as chimpanzees, blue monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, and baboons.

The reserve also boasts spectacular crater lakes such as the twin lakes of Kamweru and Kyema as well as the “transparent” lake Kamunzuku.

Indigenous Tree Conservation Program.

You will have a chance to plant your tree on land adjacent to the Kasyoha-Kitomi Forest Reserve. This program aims at preserving and re-establishing indigenous trees that are of great benefit to the community as some are of medicinal value.

At the Kichwamba Foundation

You may participate in other community activities including a coffee tour experience learning about the processing of coffee, Local beer brewing, and Tasting, Local food preparation and tasting, and Cultural Traditional Dances. 

Crater Lakes Explosion Tours 

Three primary focal points stand out: the Katwe Explosion Craters nestled within Queen Elizabeth National Park, the adjacent Bunyaraguru Crater Field perched on the magnificent Kichwamba escarpment, and the enchanting Ndali-Kasenda Crater Field near Kibale National Park.

Among these, the vast Kyemengo Crater within the Katwe Explosion Craters steals the spotlight.

Located just north of the impressive Mweya Peninsula, these sites boast the highest elevations within the national park. Embark on the breathtaking Crater Drive spanning 27 kilometers, offering panoramic views of the picturesque crater lakes along the way.

The drive promises abundant wildlife sightings, with Buffaloes and Elephants being the most common. The Lake Nyamunuka crater drive, spanning about 2 hours, treats visitors to glimpses of buffalo herds.

Look out for Lake Kitagata, a serene lake fed by saline hot springs, devoid of wildlife but exuding unmatched beauty.

As you traverse this route, you’ll be treated to vistas of the grand Western Rift Valley and its escarpments, Lake George, the Rwenzori Mountains of the Moon, the Kazinga Channel, and Lake Edward.

Don’t miss the opportunity to explore the stunning Lake Katwe and its historic salt works along the journey.

Katwe Salt Lake

Lake Katwe stands as a unique spectacle in East Africa, being among the rare salt lakes in the region. Devoid of wildlife due to its high salinity, the lake becomes a focal point during the dry season when communities gather to extract salt from its milky waters.

This traditional salt mining practice, which has endured for centuries, was once a thriving enterprise until alternative sources and techniques emerged.

Salt extraction continues in Katwe, predominantly by hand. The salt harvested from Lake Katwe forms a significant portion of the supply used in Ugandan households.

Visitors to the salt mines have the opportunity to delve into the intricacies of the salt mining industry while engaging with the local mining community. The majority of the salt finds its way to manufacturers, with miners retaining a portion for personal use.

Adjacent to Lake Katwe lies the avian sanctuary of Lake Munyanyange, where the captivating sight of lesser and greater flamingos can be observed from August to November.

Wildlife Conservation and Research Tours

Queen Elizabeth Park provides opportunities for Wildlife Research Tour Projects, encompassing activities such as Lion Tracking, Mongoose Tracking, Hippo Census, and Bird Species Counts.

Participants engage in monitoring various bird species and mammals using locator devices, such as radio collars, while gaining insights into animal habituation calls and behaviors.

Accompanied by researchers and ranger guides, tourists observe as researchers record data for various projects, occasionally participating in animal censuses.

Where to stay in Queen Elizabeth National Park 

Elephant Plains Lodge

The lodge stands 941m above sea level on the western escarpment of the Albertine rift in the northeastern part of the park, offering panoramic views of the open grasslands stretching to Lake George.

It has 6 double/twin ensuite cottages and 2 family cottages with 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. All 10 cottages have spacious verandas with stunning park views.

Facilities include a lounge, bar, restaurant, dining room with a spacious deck, swimming pool, gardens, nature trail walkways, craft shop, free WIFI, wheelchair accessibility, and an open-top game vehicle.

Mweya Safari Lodge

The lodge is located on the Mweya Peninsula and features 16 Classic Guest Rooms, 28 Deluxe Guest Rooms, 2 Wheelchair Friendly Guest Rooms (Included Classic rooms), 2 Suites, 2 Safari Tents, 2 Family Cottages, the Queen’s Cottage, the Presidential Cottage, Queen’s Pavilion Conference Facilities.

Other facilities include Marasa Africa Spa, Fitness Centre, Poolside deck overlooking the Kazinga Channel, Gift Boutique Store,  Business Centre, Kazinga Restaurant, and Terrace, Tembo Bar, Poolside deck overlooking the Kazinga Channel, and Bush Dinning in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Buffalo Safari Lodge

The Lodge is located at Queen Elizabeth Park, Katunguru Bridge, near the magical Kazinga channel, 1km off Kasese-Mbarara road, Western Uganda.

The lodge has both standard and deluxe cottages, making a total of 17 rooms currently. Each room is designed to make the most of the spectacular views of the surrounding landscape from every angle as well as offer a cooling retreat from the scorching savannah heat of Queen Elizabeth National Park – from the bed, the sitting area, and even the upper balcony.

Other facilities include a restaurant and dining room, a lounge and bar area, a swimming pool, and a large terrace overlooking the park.

Bush Lodge

The lodge has 12 en-suite bandas and two safari tents for an authentic bush experience. There are also 10 non-self-contained tents that are budget-friendly. All tents come with comfortable beds and power outlets. Guests can enjoy a starlit shower in the ensuite bathroom that has an outdoor shower. The lodge also has a large dining tent and a bar area for guests to enjoy.

Ishasha Wilderness Camp. 

The camp is located in the Southern Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, on the Ntungwe River. It is home to the famous tree-climbing lions. The camp has eight Safari tent-styled rooms, each of which has a private verandah that overlooks the river.

The tents are all en-suite and comfortably furnished with large mosquito-netted beds. They also have hot “bush” showers, running water for the hand basins, and a flushing “eco-friendly” toilet.

Other amenities at the camp include a thatched central lounge and dining area, a campfire area, bush dining, sundowners, and a gift shop.

The best time to visit Queen Elizabeth National Park

The Park experiences two distinct seasons: the dry season and the wet season. The dry season spans from December to March and June to August. During this period, water becomes scarce, facilitating wildlife viewing as animals congregate around reliable water sources while vegetation thins out.

Conversely, the wet or green season falls between April to May and September to November. These months see increased rainfall, resulting in lush vegetation but fewer animal sightings. However, the wet season is optimal for observing migratory birds, offering picturesque landscapes for photography and often discounted room rates at lodges.

For travelers seeking favorable weather conditions, the ideal time for bird watching is from June to September, characterized by low rainfall and abundant food sources for birds.

How to get to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park is located about 410km west of Kampala. The drive takes at least 7 to 8 hours.   It is also possible to fly to any of the nearby airstrips of Kasese, Mweya, or Kihihi (for Ishasha) by scheduled or chartered aircraft from Entebbe International Airport (EBB)