Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park: Uganda's Classic Safari Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s classic safari park. In one day you can cruise past hundreds of hippos on the Kazinga Channel, search for lions on the open Kasenyi plains and look down into crater lakes formed by ancient volcanic explosions.
The park stretches for almost 2,000 square kilometres between Lake George and Lake Edward, with the Rwenzori Mountains on the northern horizon. It is home to elephants, buffalo, Uganda kob, leopards and the famous tree-climbing lions of Ishasha. It also offers chimpanzee tracking and more than 600 bird species. Because it lies between Kibale and Bwindi, nearly every Uganda gorilla safari can include it.
Why Queen Elizabeth National Park Is Uganda’s Most Popular Safari Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park covers almost 2,000 square kilometres of savannah, forest, crater lakes and wetlands in western Uganda. As a result, it offers more variety than almost any park in East Africa. On a single trip, you can watch elephants bathe in the Kazinga Channel, search for lions in Ishasha and track chimpanzees in a hidden gorge.
The park also sits conveniently on the route to Bwindi. Therefore, most Uganda gorilla safaris spend at least one night here.
Top Things to Do in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Kazinga Channel boat cruise
The Kazinga Channel links Lake George and Lake Edward. A two-hour afternoon boat cruise brings you close to hippos, crocodiles, buffalo and elephants at the water’s edge. The banks are also a paradise for birds such as pelicans, kingfishers and African fish eagles.
Game drives on the Kasenyi plains
Early-morning game drives on the Kasenyi plains reveal large herds of Uganda kob, waterbuck and buffalo. Lions often hunt here, and with luck you may also spot leopards and hyenas.
Tree-climbing lions in Ishasha
In the remote southern Ishasha sector, lions are famous for resting in the branches of fig trees. Ishasha is on the road to Bwindi, so it makes a perfect stop on the way to your gorilla trek.
Chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge
Below the savannah lies Kyambura Gorge, a sunken tropical forest that shelters a small community of chimpanzees. The trek is adventurous, and it adds primates to a classic game-viewing safari.
Birdwatching and crater lakes
With more than 600 recorded bird species, Queen Elizabeth is one of Africa’s top birding parks. The Katwe explosion craters and the salt-mining lake at Katwe add dramatic scenery and local culture.
Best Time to Visit Queen Elizabeth National Park
Wildlife viewing is best in the drier months from June to September and from December to February, when animals gather near water. Nevertheless, the park is rewarding all year, and the green seasons bring excellent birding.
How to Get to Queen Elizabeth National Park
The drive from Kampala takes around six to seven hours, often via Fort Portal and Kibale Forest. Scheduled flights also serve the Mweya and Kasese airstrips.
Plan Your Queen Elizabeth Safari with Traford Safaris
We combine Queen Elizabeth with gorillas in Bwindi and chimpanzees in Kibale for a complete Uganda safari. See our 6-day Uganda adventure tour, browse all Uganda safaris, or request a tailor-made quote.
Queen Elizabeth National Park FAQs
How many days do I need in Queen Elizabeth National Park?
Two nights are ideal. They allow a morning game drive, the Kazinga Channel cruise and a visit to Ishasha or Kyambura Gorge.
Can I see the Big Five in Queen Elizabeth?
You can see lions, leopards, elephants and buffalo here. For rhinos, add a stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
Where to Stay in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Every Traford safari is available in three styles: Signature (luxury), Classic (mid-range) and Adventurer (budget). Below are the lodges and camps we recommend most often for this park. Final choices depend on availability, your travel dates and, for gorilla parks, the sector of your permit.
Choose your base by what you most want to do: Mweya and Kasenyi for the Kazinga Channel and lions, Kyambura for chimps, or Ishasha for the tree-climbing lions.
- Signature: Kyambura Gorge Lodge overlooking the gorge, Mweya Safari Lodge on the Kazinga Channel, Kasenyi Safari Camp on the crater rim, and Ishasha Wilderness Camp on the Ntungwe River.
- Classic: Elephant Plains Lodge, Ihamba Lakeside Safari Lodge and Bush Lodge on the Kazinga Channel. In Ishasha, Enjojo Lodge is a comfortable choice.
- Adventurer: Simba Safari Camp near the Kasenyi plains and Pumba Safari Cottages, both excellent value.
Not sure which lodge suits you? Tell us your budget and travel style, and our reservations team will shortlist two or three options for Queen Elizabeth, check availability and include them in your quote. You will travel between parks in one of our own custom 4×4 Land Cruisers with a pop-up roof for game viewing, charging ports and Wi-Fi, driven by an experienced Traford driver-guide.
What Our Guests Say
Traford Safaris holds a 5.0-star rating on Google. Here is what recent travellers wrote:
“A special thank you to Sheba for creating such a wonderful itinerary and organising everything so seamlessly from start to finish.”
Paul Santos, Uganda safari · Google review ★★★★★
“Had the most rewarding 15 day Uganda Rwanda Safari. My itinerary matched everything I needed and wanted. Gorilla trekking was the highlight of the trip.”
Celine Rohas, Uganda and Rwanda safari · Google review ★★★★★
Why Travel with Traford Safaris
- Licensed and local: a Kampala-based company registered with the Uganda Tourism Board, planning safaris across Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania.
- Our own vehicles: we own and maintain our fleet of custom 4×4 Land Cruisers, with pop-up roofs, charging ports and Wi-Fi.
- Permits handled for you: we book gorilla and chimpanzee permits directly with the Uganda Wildlife Authority and the Rwanda Development Board, and confirm them before your trip.
- Private and flexible: every safari is private and tailor-made, and itineraries can start on any day that suits you.
- Three travel styles: Signature (luxury), Classic (mid-range) and Adventurer (budget), so the same itinerary can fit different budgets.
- One planner from start to finish: our reservations team, led by senior safari consultant Agaba Sheeba, stays in touch before and during your trip.
Queen Elizabeth National Park: Fees and Official Information
Entry fees, permit prices and park rules for Queen Elizabeth National Park are set by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Because rates change from time to time, we always confirm the latest fees when you book and show them clearly in your quote.
Want help planning? Talk to our team about your dates, budget and travel style.
