Queen Elizabeth National Park

Set in western Uganda between the Rwenzori Mountains and the Kigezi Highlands, Queen Elizabeth National Park is the country’s second-largest national park and one of its most popular safari destinations. Covering almost 2,000 square kilometres, the park is famous for its rich wildlife, beautiful scenery, and wide variety of activities.

The park was first protected as a wildlife reserve in the 1920s before becoming Kazinga National Park in 1952. In 1954, it was renamed Queen Elizabeth National Park to mark the visit of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.

The park’s landscapes are incredibly diverse. Wide open savannahs, forests, wetlands, crater lakes, and open plains provide habitats for a remarkable variety of wildlife. Lake Edward and Lake George are connected by the Kazinga Channel, while scenic volcanic craters, including Katwe Crater, are known for their traditional salt mining.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to more than 95 mammal species and over 600 bird species, making it one of Africa’s best wildlife and birdwatching destinations. Visitors regularly see elephants, buffaloes, lions, leopards, hippos, hyenas, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, topis, giant forest hogs, and many other animals. The park also supports ten primate species, including chimpanzees, olive baboons, vervet monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and L’Hoest’s monkeys.

Game drives across the Kasenyi Plains offer excellent wildlife viewing, with large herds of Uganda kob attracting predators such as lions and leopards. In the Ishasha Sector, visitors come from around the world to see the park’s famous tree-climbing lions, which often rest on the branches of large fig trees.

The Kazinga Channel is one of the park’s biggest highlights. A boat cruise along the channel brings visitors close to one of the world’s largest concentrations of hippos, as well as crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes, and many bird species. It is also one of the best places to watch wildlife gather at the water’s edge.

On the eastern side of the park lies Kyambura Gorge, a deep forested valley surrounded by open savannah. Often called the “Lost Valley of the Apes,” it is home to a habituated community of chimpanzees. Guided treks through the gorge offer visitors the chance to see these fascinating primates in their natural habitat.

Visitors can also enjoy guided nature walks, birdwatching, lion and leopard tracking, mongoose tracking around Mweya Peninsula, and cultural experiences in the surrounding communities. With its outstanding wildlife, breathtaking landscapes, and unforgettable activities, Queen Elizabeth National Park offers one of the finest safari experiences in East Africa.