Queen Elizabeth National Park

Savannah plains, crater lakes, tree-climbing lions and exceptional wildlife diversity

Queen Elizabeth National Park is located in western Uganda, spanning the districts of Kasese, Kamwenge, Bushenyi and Rukungiri. It lies approximately 376 kilometres southwest of Kampala by road.

The park stretches from Lake George in the northeast to Lake Edward in the southwest and includes the Kazinga Channel that connects the two lakes.

95 species of mammal
500 species of birds

About the park

The park is named after Queen Elizabeth II and is home to 95 species of mammal and over 500 species of birds. The area around Ishasha in Rukungiri District is famous for its tree-climbing lions, whose males have distinctive black manes.

The park is also known for its volcanic landscape, including cones and deep craters, many with crater lakes such as Lake Katwe, where salt is still extracted.

Set against the backdrop of the Rwenzori Mountains, the park offers wide views over rolling green hills, dramatic craters, the wildlife-rich Kazinga Channel and the open plains of Ishasha.

Queen Elizabeth National Park also has a strong cultural presence, with opportunities to meet local communities and experience storytelling, dance and music.

With around 5000 hippos, 2500 elephants and over 10,000 buffalo, sightings of Africa’s iconic wildlife are common. Other species include warthogs, waterbuck, Uganda kob, topi and sitatunga antelope.

Discover Queen Elizabeth National Park

Explore one of Uganda’s most diverse national parks, where open savannah, crater lakes and rich wildlife come together in one remarkable landscape. Let us include Queen Elizabeth National Park in your Uganda safari itinerary.

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Wildlife and Birdlife

Discover 600 bird species

Birding in Queen Elizabeth National Park is exceptional due to its diverse habitats, ranging from savanna and wetlands to lowland forest. The park hosts over 600 bird species, the highest number of any protected area in East Africa.

The park is also home to lion, leopard, serval and smaller cat species. The tree-climbing lions of Ishasha are the most famous. Leopards and smaller cats are mostly active at night and are best seen during night game drives.

Access and Location

Access by road is approximately 438 kilometres from Kampala on a tar road to the main gate turn-off, followed by 20 kilometres on a dirt road.

Incredible wildlife