Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park is in the southwestern region of Uganda, right in the heart of the Great Rift Valley. It is the most popular safari national park in the country, covering 1,978 square kilometers of amazing landscapes. One reason people love visiting is that it’s close to places where you can trek to see wild gorillas and chimpanzees. But it’s also one of the most wildlife-rich parks in all of East Africa.

Here, you’ll explore wide open savannahs, lush rainforests, sparkling freshwater lakes, salty crater lakes, and enjoy views of the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains. The park is home to four of the famous Big Five animals—elephants, buffaloes, lions, and leopards (only rhinos are missing). Elephants and buffaloes are everywhere, and lions are seen quite often too. Bird lovers will be in paradise—over 610 species have been recorded here, the highest number in any East African park! Crocodiles and hippos fill the rivers and lakes, while chimpanzees swing through the trees. You might also spot black-and-white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, spotted hyenas, antelopes, leopards, and the rare and strange-looking giant forest hogs. Queen Elizabeth National Park is truly a magical place where every corner is full of wild surprises.

Best Queen Elizabeth National Park Safari Packages

Best Queen Elizabeth Park Activities

1. Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

The Kazinga Channel is a 32-kilometre-long natural waterway that links Lake Edward and Lake George in Queen Elizabeth National Park. This channel is famous for having one of the highest concentrations of hippos in the world! On a boat cruise here, you’ll float past huge pods of hippos relaxing in the water with just their eyes and nostrils showing. Giant crocodiles sunbathe along the shores, and you’ll see hundreds of waterbirds everywhere—more than almost anywhere else in Africa.Elephants often stroll down to the channel to drink, and buffaloes enjoy cooling off in the shallows. This relaxing boat ride is one of the best ways to see lots of animals up close without disturbing them. It’s like cruising through a wild animal kingdom!

2. Game Drive

Game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park are an unforgettable adventure. While rhinos are missing, the rest of Africa’s famous “Big Five” are here—lions, elephants, leopards, buffaloes. Head out early in the morning and you might catch lions stretching and yawning as the sun rises, herds of Uganda kob standing alert in the golden grass, and elephants quietly moving through the acacia trees. The Kasenyi Plains are a hotspot for wildlife. If you’re lucky, you might spot a leopard slipping out of the tall grass or a hyena trotting back to its den after a night of hunting. Every drive feels like a real-life nature documentary, with surprises waiting around every corner.

3. Predaor Tracking

Join a park biologist for a thrilling safari unlike any other. On this special activity, you’ll track lions and leopards while learning about their behavior, movement patterns, and social life directly from an expert. Several lion prides and some individual leopards are fitted with radio collars, which means your chances of finding lions are very high. Leopards, being more elusive, are not guaranteed—but every moment offers something fascinating to discover. Because you’re with a researcher, you’ll be allowed to drive off the usual safari tracks and go deep into the bush, following the signals and clues just like real wildlife scientists do. It’s a rare chance to see the savannah through a biologist’s eyes and understand how predators live and survive in the wild. Plus, your participation helps fund important conservation research in the park.

4. Chimpanzee Tracking in Kyambura Gorge

Kyambura Gorge has hidden rainforest tucked deep inside its 100-meter deep ravein—often called the “Valley of Apes.” This lush, green paradise is home to a small, wild community of chimpanzees, as well as monkeys, colorful birds, and even the occasional snake.Tracking chimpanzees here is a real adventure. You’ll hike through thick vegetation, cross streams, climb muddy slopes, and sometimes even scramble over fallen trees. It’s wild, exciting, and incredibly rewarding. Spotting chimpanzees in their natural habitat as they swing through the trees or call to one another is an unforgettable experience. This is also a great chance to do a second chimp trek during your trip!

5. Tracking Tree-Climbing Lions

In the remote southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park lies the Ishasha Sector—famous for its rare tree-climbing lions. Unlike most lions, these big cats have developed a unique habit of lounging high up in fig trees. They climb to escape the heat, avoid biting flies, and enjoy the cool breeze above the ground. As you drive through the area, keep your eyes on the branches—you might see lions stretched out like sleepy house cats, their golden bodies draped over limbs, and their tails swinging gently in the wind. The best time to spot them is during the hottest part of the day when they’ve left the warm ground behind to rest in the shade above. It’s a sight you won’t forget!

6. Maramagambo Forest Walk

Maramagambo Forest is a magical, ancient rainforest filled with stories, mystery, and hidden wonders. Its name means “the end of words,” based on a local legend. Long ago, a group of young villagers got lost in this forest. After days of wandering, they finally made it back home—but they were so tired and shocked that they couldn’t speak. Since then, the forest has carried the name “Maramagambo.” Today, you can explore this enchanting forest on a guided nature walk. As you wander beneath towering trees, you’ll spot black-and-white colobus monkeys jumping through the canopy and hear the calls of countless birds above. The forest floor is alive with tiny creatures like colorful butterflies, insects, and the shy forest duiker. Every step offers a new discovery in this peaceful and vibrant jungle.

7. Explore Explosion Craters

Queen Elizabeth National Park has some of the most amazing scenery in Uganda, thanks to powerful volcanic explosions that happened millions of years ago. These blasts didn’t create lava but instead left behind big round holes in the ground—called explosion craters. There are 41 of these craters in the park, and 28 are now beautiful lakes. The biggest area is called the Katwe Crater Field, which looks like a green version of the moon’s surface. It’s full of ancient craters, hills, and valleys that are fun to explore. You can take a game drive or walk along the edges of the craters for amazing views of the park and the distant Rwenzori Mountains, also known as the Mountains of the Moon. It’s a perfect place to enjoy both nature and some really cool Earth history—all in one adventure!

8. Bird Watching

Queen Elizabeth National Park is a true paradise for bird lovers, with over 600 species recorded—more than any other park in East Africa! Every corner of the park offers a chance to spot something special. On a birding safari, you might see mighty martial eagles gliding high in the sky or catch a glimpse of the rare and strange-looking shoebill hiding in the papyrus swamps. The air is filled with sound—the soft whoop of hornbills, the sharp calls of turacos, and the cheerful tinkling song of the black-headed gonolek. Early mornings are magical, with a beautiful chorus of bird calls led by Uganda’s national bird, the elegant grey-crowned crane. Whether you’re a bird expert or just curious, bird watching in this park is full of colorful surprises and unforgettable moments.

8. Cultural Experiences

Unlike many other African national parks where settlements are banned, Queen Elizabeth National Park is special. It is part of a UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve, where wildlife, visitors, and rural communities live side by side in harmony. When the park was established in 1952, about a dozen villages were already there, and the people stayed on. These local communities make a simple living by growing bananas, farming small plots of land, mining salt, and fishing for Nile tilapia—known locally as ngege and famous for being delicious grilled—as well as lungfish, mudfish, and catfish. This rare mix of vibrant local life, thriving wildlife, and stunning nature makes Queen Elizabeth National Park a truly unique and fascinating place to visit.

8. Cross The Equator

One of the most popular stops on a safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park is the Equator—the imaginary line that divides the Earth into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Here, a large circular marker shows exactly where this special line runs through Uganda. Nearby stands the Queen’s Pavilion, originally built as a simple shelter for Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh during their visit in 1954. Five years later, a permanent pavilion was constructed for a visit by Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. Today, visitors can also enjoy a modern information center with internet access and a cozy coffee shop, making this spot both historic and welcoming. Crossing the Equator here is a fun and memorable experience!

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Queen Elizabeth National Park