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Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of Uganda’s most famous and ecologically diverse parks. Situated in the country’s western region, it spans approximately 1,978 square kilometers, stretching between Lake George and Lake Albert. The park was named in 1954 in honor of Queen Elizabeth II following her visit, and it has since become a premier destination for wildlife safaris, birdwatching, and nature-based adventures.
Overview
The morning sun casts long shadows across the savannah as your vehicle bumps along russet-coloured tracks in Queen Elizabeth National Park, located in southwestern Uganda. This 1,978 square kilometre park sits in the heart of Uganda’s Rift Valley, where lakes, forests, wetlands, and grasslands converge to create one of Africa’s most biodiverse sanctuaries, framed by the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains and the shores of Lake Edward.
A family of elephants moves silently through the golden grass while overhead, the call of a fish eagle pierces the dawn quiet. The Kazinga Channel, linking Lake George and Lake Edward, teems with wildlife and is home to the largest concentration of hippos in East Africa. Boat cruises along the channel offer close encounters with elephants, buffalo, crocodiles, and hundreds of bird species, making it a prime spot for photographers and nature lovers alike.
The park supports over 95 mammal species, including tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector, leopards, spotted hyenas, Uganda kobs, warthogs, and primates such as chimpanzees, black-and-white colobus monkeys, and red-tailed monkeys. Hippos dominate the waterways, while antelope species range from tiny oribi to the majestic eland. With more than 600 bird species, Queen Elizabeth National Park is also a haven for birdwatchers seeking endemic and rare species.
Whether on a traditional game drive, a tranquil boat safari, or a guided walk in the forest, Queen Elizabeth National Park combines breathtaking scenery, incredible wildlife, and rich biodiversity, offering an unforgettable Ugandan safari experience.
Reasons to go on safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of Uganda’s most treasured wildlife sanctuaries, celebrated for its incredible biodiversity. The park is home to over 95 mammal species, 10 primate species, and more than 600 bird species, making it a prime destination for wildlife enthusiasts, birdwatchers, and safari-goers.
Mammals
The park hosts a wide variety of mammals, including:
The Big Four: Queen Elizabeth is home to four of Africa’s Big Five—lions, leopards, buffaloes, and elephants. Lions in the Ishasha sector are particularly famous for their tree-climbing behavior, often lounging lazily on branches. Leopards, though elusive and primarily nocturnal, can occasionally be spotted resting in trees during the day.
Antelopes: The park’s savannahs support numerous antelope species, including Uganda kob, waterbuck, topi, and defassa waterbuck. These herbivores play a vital role in sustaining predator populations.
Hippos: The Kazinga Channel is home to over 5,000 hippos, who spend much of their day lounging in the water.
Other Mammals: Additional wildlife includes spotted hyenas, giant forest hogs, and several monkey species such as black-and-white colobus monkeys and olive baboons.
Primates
Queen Elizabeth National Park is also a haven for primates, with ten species recorded.
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Chimpanzees: The Kyambura Gorge is a highlight for chimpanzee trekking, offering visitors an unforgettable chance to observe these intelligent primates in their natural habitat.
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Other Primates: The park also hosts red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, baboons, and mangabeys, often encountered during guided walks through Maramagambo Forest and Kyambura Gorge.
Birds and Reptiles
With over 600 bird species, Queen Elizabeth is a premier birding destination.
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Notable Birds: Species such as the African fish eagle, yellow-billed stork, and a variety of kingfishers can be seen across the park. The Kazinga Channel attracts abundant aquatic birds, including pelicans, cormorants, herons, and waders.
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Reptiles: Crocodiles are commonly found along the Kazinga Channel, while the Maramagambo Forest shelters African rock pythons, which hunt bats in the forest caves.
Queen Elizabeth National Park’s rich tapestry of mammals, primates, birds, and reptiles, combined with its varied ecosystems—from savannahs and crater lakes to forests and wetlands—makes it a must-visit destination for anyone seeking a complete African wildlife experience.
Game Drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park deliver some of Uganda’s most thrilling wildlife experiences. From majestic lions lounging in trees to herds of elephants strolling across the savannah, each drive brings you face-to-face with Africa’s iconic wildlife. Guided by experienced safari rangers, the park’s main circuits offer varied landscapes and exceptional opportunities for up-close encounters, photography, and immersive safari adventures.
Boat Safaris on the Kazinga Channel
A boat safari on the Kazinga Channel is one of the most immersive wildlife experiences in Uganda. This 32-kilometre natural waterway connects Lakes Edward and George, offering a leisurely 2–3 hour cruise from the Mweya Peninsula. From the comfort of a covered boat, visitors can observe one of Africa’s largest concentrations of hippos wallowing in the water, Nile crocodiles basking on the banks, and herds of elephants and buffalo coming to drink. Hundreds of water birds, including pelicans, kingfishers, and African fish eagles, soar overhead or wade along the shoreline.
Boat safaris allow closer wildlife encounters than most land-based drives, providing excellent photo opportunities and a truly immersive safari experience. Knowledgeable guides accompany every cruise, offering insights on the park’s ecology, wildlife behavior, and bird species, and helping spot even the most elusive animals.
Cruises are offered in two main sessions, typically at 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM, and operate year-round. The dry seasons—from December to February and June to September—offer the best viewing conditions, with afternoon trips providing dramatic lighting for wildlife photography.
Most tours are conducted on shared boats, creating a sociable atmosphere for travelers. For a more personalized experience, Nkuringo Safaris can arrange private boat safaris, offering quiet, intimate encounters with the Kazinga Channel’s spectacular wildlife.
How to Get to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda
By Road: Queen Elizabeth National Park is approximately 400 kilometres from Kampala, a scenic 6-hour drive through rolling hills, tea plantations, and rural villages. The roads are generally well-maintained, offering a comfortable journey into Uganda’s western wilderness.
By Air: For a faster option, domestic flights from Entebbe International Airport land at Kasese or Mweya airstrips, bringing you closer to the park and saving valuable travel time.
From Other Parks: Many visitors combine their safari with gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, which is about a 3–4 hour drive from Queen Elizabeth National Park, making multi-park itineraries convenient and accessible.
