Queen Elizabeth National Park: Guide to Nature & Safari Experience

Established in 1952 and named in honor of Queen Elizabeth II, the park is known for its breathtaking scenery, prolific wildlife, and varied activities. It seamlessly blends classic game viewing with unique experiences like boat cruises along the Kazinga Channel, chimp tracking in Kyambura Gorge, and the chance to witness tree-climbing lions in the southern Ishasha sector.

Queen Elizabeth National Park Location

Queen Elizabeth National Park is located in the Southern western region of Uganda. It is bordered by the Democratic Republic of Congo to the west and Lake Edward & Lake George with diverse landscapes including savanna, forests and volcanic craters. 

Flora & Fauna 

The park contains grasslands, woodlands, forests, swamps, as well as lakes. There will be tall grasses, acacia trees and tropical plants, and crater lakes and wetlands will be a beauty to it. 

Queen Elizabeth National Park has well over 95 species of mammals and also more than 600 species of birds. There are elephants, buffaloes, hippos, waterbucks, warthogs, and tree-climbing lions.

Kyambura Gorge Forest & Kalinzu Forest is where chimpanzees have their homes and hundreds of birds such as flamingos and eagles may be seen. The savannah is home to lions, leopards, and hyenas therefore an excellent wildlife destination.

Highlights & Activities

Game Drives: Morning and evening game drives in the Kasenyi plains and Mweya peninsula guarantee you sightings of lions, antelopes, elephants, buffaloes. The Kasenyi plains are a major hunting ground for the lions in the area.

Kazinga Channel Boat Safaris: This water channel connects Lake Edward to Lake George. It has high populations of hippos, crocodiles, resident bird life by the channel banks & is a watering point for so many animals like the buffaloes, elephants. 

Lion Tracking: For those who crave a deeper, more educational experience, lion tracking in the Kasenyi sector offers unmatched insight into predator behavior. Guided by researchers from the Uganda Carnivore Program, you’ll help locate collared lions using radio telemetry and observe their movements in real time.

Along the way, you’ll learn about conservation challenges, population dynamics, and the delicate balance between predator and prey in this thriving ecosystem.

Crater Lake Tours: Visit Katwe Explosion Craters in order to see volcano views, soda lakes and salt pans; this is the best place to be visited by nature lovers and photographers.

Birdwatching: It has over 600 species of birds and the walks and drives are guided by the guide and they display flamingos, rare papyrus birds and many others.

Special Features of the Park

Kazinga Channel

The Kazinga Channel is a 32km long natural water channel that links Lake Edward and Lake George which has one of the largest populations of hippos, crocodiles in the Nile, and numerous birds. In this case, a boat tour gives amazing experiences of wildlife even at the edge of the water body.

Tree-Climbing Lions

The lions in the Ishasha sector are well known as tree climbers which is  a rare wildlife feature. These lions frequently hang up in the fig and acacia tree branches, no proven reason is known for this behaviour but some say its to cool off or avoid insects getting to them but this behaviour is only observed in certain areas in Africa and thus a safari tourist attraction.

Queen Elizabeth Accommodations

Luxury

• Mweya Safari Lodge:  Located on the peninsula within Queen Elizabeth National Park with the spectacular views of the Rwenzori Mountains. It has a swimming pool, restaurant, bar and over 44 comfortable rooms with cottages and super deluxe tents. It’s an ideal lodge for family bookings, weddings and large groups. 
  
• Elephant plains Lodge: Perched on top of the stunning western escarpment it offers breathtaking views stretching over the open grasslands. All eight cottages are built to offer privacy with 2 of them big enough to cater for families with small children. 
  
• Kyambura Game Lodge: This is an eco-friendly game lodge at the western side of the Rift Valley and has cottages and suites where one can see scenic mountain and park views.
  
• Ishasha Wilderness Camp: This exclusive camp blends the magic of a luxury tented Camp with superb service in the unspoilt Queen Elizabeth National Park famous for its tree climbing lions. It gives a nice location to be in the heart of nature where you can see the elephants, buffalo, monkeys as well. This Camp is known for its add on services like the well organized Sundowners and Bush breakfasts by the River.

Mid-Range

• The Bush Lodge:  Offering authentic accommodation at pocket friendly rates Bush lodge offers an excellent base for all safari activities within Park. Accommodation is available in bandas and safari tents too.
  
• Enganzi Game Lodge: This is a middle end lodge in Kichwamba Rift Valley that contains grass -thatched cottages and suites with good views of the savannah plains and Elizabeth National Park.
  
• Buffalo Safari Lodge: It is a mid-range lodge that is placed along the Kazinga channel and nearly perfect to nature lovers and has a picturesque view of Lake Rubirizi, the Kazinga channel, and the park overall.

Budget

• Pumba Safari Cottages: A low end lodge close to Queen Elizabeth Park with warm rooms and hospitable service. The guests can have beautiful views and can even view the elephants in the surrounding waterhole.
  
• Simba Safari Camp: This is a simple lodge that has plain cottages but views the crater lakes at a low cost. It is near Kasenyi Plains which has convenient views of hippos, elephants, crocodiles and birds along Kazinga Channel.

How to Reach the Park

It is in between Bwindi Impenetrable and Kibale Forest and thus a natural visit on a circuit safari.

By Road

• Kampala/Entebbe: 6-7 hours by road, via Mbarara or Fort Portal.
• Accessible to Kibale Forest National Park: 2-3 hours (some130km).
• Bwindi (Buhoma or Ishasha): Takes 2-4 hours by sector.

By Air

• Scheduled or charter flights ply between Entebbe and Kasese Airstrip which are approximately 1 hour off the Mweya Peninsula.

Best Time to Visit

The National Park can be accessed all through the year. Game viewing is best done in the dry seasons, June to September and December to February when the weather is clear, the grass is short and the animals are being drawn to water.

The green birds in the park are due to the wet seasons that are during the months of March to May and October to November. It has less tourists and therefore you get more intimate safari time.

Park Details

Entry Fees

Entry fees into Queen Elizabeth National Park: Usd 40 per adult per day & Usd 20 per child per day valid for 24hrs.

Safari Trips with Kibale

Visitors usually have 2 to 3 nights stay here combining traditional game drives with boat safaris and exclusive primate experience in Kibale.

Combinations that are popular are:

• QENP + Kibale Forest: Chimp trekking, Crater Lake and primate density.
• QENP + Bwindi: Game viewing and gorilla trekking, the best combination in a diverse safari.
• QENP + Lake Mburo: This is the best place to take a more relaxing and scenic ride between Kampala and QENP.
• QENP + Semuliki or Rwenzori Mountains: Include hot springs, hiking and biodiversity.

Travel Tips for Visitors

• Safety first: Keep distance and follow directions.
• What to bring: The sunscreen, hat, insect repellant and water.
• Wear some nice clothes: Natural colored light clothing and comfortable walking shoes.
• Preplan: Book a reservation, particularly during the busy times.
• Care about the natural environment: Do not litter in the park.

Safari Packages 

Conclusion 

You want to be one with nature, admire breathtaking views, or just have a significant experience to learn; Queen Elizabeth Park can provide a balanced experience of it. The combination of its accessibility and the natural beauty makes it one of the most memorable places that one will remember once even when they have moved out of Vancouver.

Activentures Africa Safaris is a Ugandan safari business that provides tours to the National Park and other East African parks. The site next displays the various safari packages such as game drives, boat trips, as well as chimpanzee tracking. 

FAQs

Is it safe to do a safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park?

Safaris to Queen Elizabeth National Park are safe. We recommend booking with a licensed Tour operator like Activentures Africa Safari and make sure you engage in all park activities in company of a wildlife ranger.

When is the best time to book a safari to Queen Elizabeth National Park?

The best time would be the dry season when the savannah grasses are low so it’s easy to sight animals dry months (June-Sept, Dec-Feb) however the wet season is also considered good because of the less crowds allowing for more intimate safari experiences wet months (Mar-May, Aug-Dec) these are also good for the lush scenery and birding.

What animals can be seen in Queen Elizabeth National park? 

Wildlife & Big Five: lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo (four of the Big Five); rhinos aren’t present but can be seen at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.

What are the must do activities in Queen Elizabeth National Park?

Game drives in the Kasenyi Plains, Queen Pavilion,  baboon cliff & Ishasha (tree-climbing lions). 

Boat ride along the Kazinga Channel (Wildlife & birds)

Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge or Kalinzu Forest. 

How do you access Queen Elizabeth National Park?

By road its about 6-7 hours drive from Kampala

By Air – Daily Scheduled flights out of Entebbe into Kasese, Mweya, or Kihihi using Aerolink, Pearl Sky Air.  Chartered flights for more privacy or bigger group travel can also be organized.

What can I pack while on safari?

• Light/ neutral colored clothes to wear on the game drives.
• Comfortable walking or hiking boots.
• Sunscreen, sunglasses and hat.
• Insect repellent (mosquito and others).
• Field glasses to improve the sightseeing of wildlife.
• An elegant camera or cell phone with extra batteries.
• Light rain jacket that will be used during bad weather.
• Water bottle that can be used again to ensure that one stays hydrated in warm weather.

May I see gorillas there?

No. Mountain gorillas inhabit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park.  But it is possible to combine a gorilla trek with your Queen Elizabeth National Park safari since these parks are just approximately 2hrs drive from each other.

Is a Queen Elizabeth National Park safari suitable for families with young children?

Absolutely – the park is very family‑friendly, especially if you choose a lodge with child‑proofed pools and guided walks that keep little legs safe. Guides tailor the narrative for younger minds, pointing out “big‑foot” tracks and explaining why hippos are called river cows. For seniors, the shorter drives and frequent rest stops mean you won’t be on a bumpy 4×4 all day. Just make sure you flag any mobility needs early so we can arrange wheelchair‑accessible rooms or a gentler itinerary.