Queen Elizabeth National Park spans almost 2,000 km² between Lakes Edward and George, beneath the Rwenzori Mountains. A two-hour boat trip on the Kazinga Channel, which links the lakes, is one of the best wildlife experiences in Uganda, with hippos, buffalo, elephants and crocodiles crowding the banks.
In the remote southern Ishasha sector, lions climb into the branches of fig trees to rest, while the Kyambura Gorge shelters a community of chimpanzees in a sunken forest. Crater lakes, salt pans and fishing villages add further variety.
Highlights
- Kazinga Channel boat cruise
- Tree-climbing lions of Ishasha
- Kyambura Gorge chimpanzees
- Explosion craters
Wildlife & what you'll see
- Tree-climbing lions
- Elephant, buffalo and hippo
- Uganda kob
- Chimpanzee in Kyambura Gorge
- Over 600 bird species
Things to do
- Boat safari
- Game drives
- Chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura
- Crater drive
Best time to visit
June to August and December to February; good all year.
Getting there
About 6–7 hours by road from Entebbe, or fly to Kasese or Mweya.
Experiences in Queen Elizabeth National Park
FAQs about Queen Elizabeth National Park
Why do the Ishasha lions climb trees?
Nobody knows for sure — theories include escaping biting insects, catching a breeze and watching for prey. It is one of only a few places in Africa where this is common.
