Queen Elizabeth National Park, covering 1,978 sq km across four districts in western Uganda, is one of the country’s most biologically diverse parks, stretching from the Kazinga Channel‘s hippo-lined shores to the volcanic craters around Katwe and the famous tree-climbing lions of Ishasha. Established in 1952 and originally named Kazinga National Park after the channel connecting Lakes George and Edward, it was renamed in 1954 in honour of a royal visit.
The park at a glance
- 1,978 sq km across Kasese, Kamwenge, Rubirizi and Rukungiri districts in western Uganda
- Established in 1952; nearest city is Kasese
- Home to 95 mammal species and more than 600 recorded bird species, among the highest counts of any African park
- Includes the Kazinga Channel, the Ishasha sector and a field of volcanic explosion craters near Katwe
A park of many landscapes
Few parks pack in as much variety as Queen Elizabeth. The Kazinga Channel, linking Lakes George and Edward, hosts one of Africa’s densest hippo concentrations alongside elephants, buffalo and abundant waterbirds, best seen on a boat cruise; Offmap Safaris covers the channel in more detail on its own page. To the south, the Ishasha sector is famous for lions that climb into fig and acacia trees, a rare behaviour seen in only a handful of populations worldwide. Around Katwe, a field of volcanic explosion craters and crater lakes, some used for salt extraction, adds striking scenery to game drives.
Wildlife and habitats
The park’s mix of open savannah, wetland, forest and lake shoreline supports leopards, chimpanzees in the Kyambura Gorge, and large herds of Uganda kob alongside the more usual buffalo and elephant. This habitat diversity is part of why Queen Elizabeth holds one of the highest mammal species counts of any protected area in East Africa, and why birders often rank it among Uganda’s top destinations.
Things to do
- A Kazinga Channel boat cruise for hippos, elephants and waterbirds
- Game drives in the Ishasha sector in search of tree-climbing lions
- Chimpanzee trekking in the Kyambura Gorge, the “Valley of Apes”
- Exploring the volcanic explosion craters and crater lakes near Katwe
Practical information
- Reached by road from Kampala, about five to six hours, or via connecting flights to Kasese or Mweya airstrips
- The park is large; most visitors base themselves near Mweya for the channel and craters, or near Ishasha for the tree-climbing lions
- Best visited in the dry seasons, June to September and December to February, for easier game drives
Queen Elizabeth National Park offers one of Uganda’s widest ranges of safari experiences in a single park. Offmap Safaris can combine its highlights with Bwindi gorilla trekking or a wider western Uganda circuit. To start planning, visit Plan My African Safari, message us on WhatsApp at +256 701 243 304, or email [email protected]. See also our notes on health and safety and responsible travel.
