Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s most popular tourist destination. The park is situated in the shadow of the Rwenzori Mountains. It has almost 100 mammal species and a remarkable 606 bird species, this makes it superb safari territory. Here you find elephants, a profusion of hippos, the elusive giant forest hog, lions, leopards and handsome Uganda kob among others.
A boat cruise on the Kazinga channel should be a part of any safari here. The Kazinga channel is a 36 km channel connecting Lake George and Lake Edward. In the waters and along the shores you can expect to see a rich animal life with hippos, buffaloes, elephants, birds and more. Another activity that should be included is at least one morning or evening game-drive searching the savanna for interesting sightings. Queen Elizabeth National Park is known for being one of two parks in the world where lions have the habit of regularly climbing trees. To see this special behaviour you head to Ishasha, the southern part of Queen Elizabeth national park. Here you game-drive to spot the lions high in the big fig trees.
Besides the classical safari activities Queen Elizabeth national park offers even more. In the Kyambura gorge and Kalinzu Forest close by the park there are habituated chimps that can be trekked. A chimps trekking is an exciting experience where you go in a group with a specialised guide through beautiful forest to see our close cousins the chimps. In the Maramagambo Forest it is as well possible to go for a nature walk. This forest is home to an alluring selection of forest monkeys and birds. For birders there are great opportunities in Queen Elizabeth national park, as mentioned above it is home to 606 bird species. A special sight for both the birder and the not so bird interested is the flocks of flamingo that are resident on the crater lakes.
Being a park where specific communities are allowed to stay within the park boundaries a visit to a fishing village or to see the work of harvesting salt in the salt lakes is possible.
ACTIVITIES
– Game drive
– Boat cruise on Kazinga channel
– Chimpanzee trekking
– Birding
– Community tourism
ACCESS
The national park is a 420 km drive away from Kampala (takes around 7 hours). It is also possible to take a chartered flight to Kasese, Mweya or Ishasha.
Safaris with Queen Elizabeth NP
Take a look under “safaris” in the menu at the top of this page for itinerary options that can be adapted to your wishes. See some top safaris to Queen ELizabeth NP below.
QUEEN ELIZABETH SAFARI – 4 DAYS
Have time to explore Queen Elizabeth National Park, go for a boat-cruise on Kazinga channel, enjoy an early morning game-drive, trek chimps in Kalinzu forest and relax by the lodge enjoying the magnificent view over Queen Elizabeth National Park.
7 DAYS Uganda Safari
During this popular safari you’ll experience the amazing mix that Uganda can offer! This includes chimps trekking in Kibale Forest and Mountain Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Forest. As well as game drives on the savannas in Queen Elizabeth National Park and Lake Mburo National Park. As an extra you visit Mabamba Swamp to search for the Great Shoebill Stork.
BIG 5 & GORILLAS UGANDA SAFARI – 12 DAYS
Search for the Big 5 and trek for mountain gorillas as well as chimps. Four of the Big 5 roam freely in National Parks in Uganda, this is the lion, leopard, buffalo and elephant. The 5th of the Big 5 is the rhino, that was hunted to extinction in Uganda in the 80’s, but is now being reintroduced thanks to the great efforts of Ziwa Rhino sanctuary.
Queen Elizabeth NP
