Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park offers travelers in Uganda to get in their non-gorilla game-viewing fix.  This diverse park is home to a number of magnificent animals, including tree climbing lions, hyena, elephant, buffalo and plenty of antelope species. The landscape comprises primarily grassy savanna plains, but also boasts leafy rainforest, dense papyrus swamps and natural volcanic crater lakes. 

In the northern sector of the park, we recommend a scenic boat safari on the Kazinga Channel to spot some of Africa’s biggest hippo pods and an abundance of game. The southern Ishasha region is home to tree climbing lions, although you need to stay a night or two in this region to have the highest chance of seeing them. The Kyambura Gorge is home to habituated chimpanzees and is where memorable treks to visit these fascinating primates take place (a lesser known spot for chimps than Kibale National Park). 

Queen Elizabeth is busier than other Ugandan parks, although compared to other East African safari destinations, nowhere in Uganda ever really gets crowded. If you’re considering a full driving safari through Uganda, then a stop at Queen Elizabeth National Park is a good way to break up the drive between Kibale National Park for chimp trekking and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for gorilla trekking.  This combo makes for an epic primate and wildlife safari all in the same country!

Our favorite accommodations in Queen Elizabeth

Other areas to explore in Uganda