Queen Elizabeth National Park

The park was founded in 1952 as Kazinga National Park, and renamed two years later to Queen Elizabeth National Park to commemorate a visit by Queen Elizabeth II.

Lioness at the Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park | Background Info

Queen Elizabeth National Park is understandably Uganda’s most popular tourist destination. The park’s diverse ecosystems, which include sprawling savanna, shady, humid forests, sparkling lakes and fertile wetlands, make it the ideal habitat for classic big game, ten primate species including chimpanzees and over 600 species of birds.

Set against the backdrop of the jagged Rwenzori Mountains, the park’s magnificent vistas include dozens of enormous craters carved dramatically into rolling green hills, panoramic views of the Kazinga Channel with its banks lined with hippos, buffalo and elephants, and the endless Ishasha plains, whose fig trees hide lions ready to pounce on herds of unsuspecting Uganda kob.

Discover Queen Elizabeth National Park

What to see and do at Queen Elizabeth National Park

Tree Climbing Lions: with just two populations of these unique lions in the whole world, explore the southern Ishasha sector to track these lions commonly seen up in the fig and acacia trees.
The Kazinga Channel: this natural water channel connects Lakes Albert and Gorge and is home to a large number of hippos, Nile Crocodiles, elephants and hippos which can easily be seen on the thrilling Kazinga Boat Ride
Kasenyi Plains: these plains are popularly visited by tourists on a Uganda Wildlife Safari as they are home to a very large number of antelopes, the Uganda Kobs, lions and several large predators
Kalinzu Forest: this is offers very rewarding chimpanzee tracking experiences and it is located on the southeastern corner of the park

The Kyambura Gorge: this verdant forested 100 meter deep valley with peculiar is home to a large number of primates and popular for Chimpanzee tracking tours in Uganda.
Mweya Peninsular: this is a stretch of land that protrudes into Lake Edwards is commonly visited during game drives as it offers perfect game views while exploring the various game tracks.
Lake Katwe Salt Works: within the alkaline Lake Katwe, salt mining works have been ongoing for several years since that is the main economic activity in the area. Consequently a large number of tourists visit here to learn and observe the traditional method of salt mining The Katwe Explosion
Crater Lakes: these lakes found in the northern part are found on the highest elevation of the park. from here tourists enjoy sweeping views of the Rwenzori Mountain ranges, the western rift valley escarpments and lakes George and Edward.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is found in the western part of Uganda laying between Lakes Gorge and Albert with the Kazinga Channel crossing through its 700 sq mile land area. The park is home to 618 bird species which is the 6th highest diversity in the world and the highest in Africa making it a perfect destination for Uganda Birding Safaris, in addition to 10 primate species like chimpanzees and 95 mammals including big game.

Park Ecosystem

The golden grasslands and pristine landscapes of Queen Elizabeth National Park connect several regions and two lakes (George and Edward), with the scenic Kazinga channel, which runs through it. Whether explored on a leisurely river cruise or in a safari vehicle, the park now boasts four of the Big Five, with steadily increasing populations of lion, elephant and leopard, as well as great herds of buffalo. This is also one of the few places in the world known for tree-climbing lion, similar to those found in Lake Manyara National Park across the border in Tanzania. The southern part of the park is volcanic and is pocked with crater lakes that are rich in minerals.