"Uganda’s premier safari destination, QENP incorporates a remarkable variety of terrestrial and freshwater habitats within its relatively compact area - a biodiversity reflected a staggering tally of more than 600 bird species. Wildlife highlights include the tree-climbing lions of Ishasha, the habituated chimpanzees of Kyambura Gorge, and the massive herds of buffalo and elephant routinely seen from boat trips on the Kazinga Channel.”

- Philip Briggs

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Measured by practically any biodiversity index, the 1,978km2 Queen Elizabeth National Park is every bit as monarchic as the name it acquired after a 1954 visit by the British royals. Habitats range from lush tropical rainforest, moist acacia woodland and euphorbia-studded savannah to vast inland seas, forest-fringed rivers and saline crater lakes, all set below the lofty glacial peaks of the legendary Ruwenzori or Mountains of the Moon.

The main tourist focus is Mweya Peninsula, which overlooks the steep-sided Kazinga Channel connecting Lakes Edward and George. A two-hour launch trip along the channel comes with a near-certainly of seeing hundreds of hippo, buffalo and elephant, as well as pelicans, storks and other aquatic birds. The game-viewing road above the channel is the one place in Africa that regularly yields daytime sightings of giant forest hog (the world’s largest swine), while the nearby Kasenyi Plains are home to plentiful lions and form an important breeding ground for the near-endemic Uganda kob.

Several other sectors of QENP warrant a visit. The sumptuous jungle of Maramagambo offers some fine monkey-viewing and forest birdwatching focussed on the five interlocking volcanic craters that comprise Lake Nyamasingiri. Close by, chimpanzee-tracking excursions run daily into the well-wooded Kyambura Gorge. Most compelling of all, the southerly Ishasha Plains possess an untrammelled wilderness atmosphere and form the most reliable place in East Africa to see tree-climbing lions.

- Philip Briggs

Philip is a renowned Africa expert and author of many guidebooks to African destinations. His latest is the Bradt guide to Uganda.

When to go

Find out when is best to visit

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DRIER PERIOD

A brief drier interlude before the more intense long rains arrive in March. The altitude does, however, mean that this ‘dry season’ is a little unpredictable. While this park always has good birding during this time of the year migratory species can be found in full breeding colours.

Its location so close to the equator means that the Queen Elizabeth National Park has consistent temperatures throughout the year, while the high altitude (884 to 1,337m or 2,900 to 4,386ft) moderate these to a pleasant average maximum of 29°C/84°F through the year. Mornings can be surprisingly cool, so do pack a light fleece encase you need one.

Queen Elizabeth National Park has no distinct dry season, although June and July do tend to be the driest months of the year. There is also a slight lapse in rainfall in January and February.

The park can be good throughout the year, but game viewing is best in the driest months of the year, as vegetation thins and wildlife become a little more concentrated. Drier walking trails also make chimpanzee trekking a little easier.

DRIER PERIOD

A brief drier interlude before the more intense long rains arrive in March. The altitude does, however, mean that this ‘dry season’ is a little unpredictable. While this park always has good birding during this time of the year migratory species can be found in full breeding colours.

Its location so close to the equator means that the Queen Elizabeth National Park has consistent temperatures throughout the year, while the high altitude (884 to 1,337m or 2,900 to 4,386ft) moderate these to a pleasant average maximum of 29°C/84°F through the year. Mornings can be surprisingly cool, so do pack a light fleece encase you need one.

Queen Elizabeth National Park has no distinct dry season, although June and July do tend to be the driest months of the year. There is also a slight lapse in rainfall in January and February.

The park can be good throughout the year, but game viewing is best in the driest months of the year, as vegetation thins and wildlife become a little more concentrated. Drier walking trails also make chimpanzee trekking a little easier.

WET SEASON

The exact start and end of the rains are always a little uncertain, but generally, this period is the wettest time of the year. This wet season is also often characterised by overcast skies and consecutive days of rain. The air is less hazy during the wetter month, improving visibility and with that some incredible views can be seen during the sunnier periods.

While this park always has good birding during this time of the year migratory species can be found in full breeding colours.

Its location so close to the equator means that the Queen Elizabeth National Park has consistent temperatures throughout the year, while the high altitude (884 to 1,337m or 2,900 to 4,386ft) moderate these to a pleasant average maximum of 29°C/84°F through the year. Mornings can be surprisingly cool, so do pack a light fleece encase you need one.

Queen Elizabeth National Park has no distinct dry season, although June and July do tend to be the driest months of the year. There is also a slight lapse in rainfall in January and February.

The park can be good throughout the year, but game viewing is best in the driest months of the year, as vegetation thins and wildlife become a little more concentrated. Drier walking trails also make chimpanzee trekking a little easier.

WET SEASON

The exact start and end of the rains are always a little uncertain, but generally, this period is the wettest time of the year. This wet season is also often characterised by overcast skies and consecutive days of rain. The air is less hazy during the wetter month, improving visibility and with that some incredible views can be seen during the sunnier periods.

While this park always has good birding during this time of the year migratory species can be found in full breeding colours.

Its location so close to the equator means that the Queen Elizabeth National Park has consistent temperatures throughout the year, while the high altitude (884 to 1,337m or 2,900 to 4,386ft) moderate these to a pleasant average maximum of 29°C/84°F through the year. Mornings can be surprisingly cool, so do pack a light fleece encase you need one.

Queen Elizabeth National Park has no distinct dry season, although June and July do tend to be the driest months of the year. There is also a slight lapse in rainfall in January and February.

The park can be good throughout the year, but game viewing is best in the driest months of the year, as vegetation thins and wildlife become a little more concentrated. Drier walking trails also make chimpanzee trekking a little easier.

WET SEASON

The exact start and end of the rains are always a little uncertain, but generally, this period is the wettest time of the year. This wet season is also often characterised by overcast skies and consecutive days of rain. The air is less hazy during the wetter month, improving visibility and with that some incredible views can be seen during the sunnier periods.

While this park always has good birding during this time of the year migratory species can be found in full breeding colours.

Its location so close to the equator means that the Queen Elizabeth National Park has consistent temperatures throughout the year, while the high altitude (884 to 1,337m or 2,900 to 4,386ft) moderate these to a pleasant average maximum of 29°C/84°F through the year. Mornings can be surprisingly cool, so do pack a light fleece encase you need one.

Queen Elizabeth National Park has no distinct dry season, although June and July do tend to be the driest months of the year. There is also a slight lapse in rainfall in January and February.

The park can be good throughout the year, but game viewing is best in the driest months of the year, as vegetation thins and wildlife become a little more concentrated. Drier walking trails also make chimpanzee trekking a little easier.

DRIER PERIOD

A brief drier interlude before the more intense long rains arrive in September. The altitude does, however, mean that this ‘dry season’ is a little unpredictable.

Its location so close to the equator means that the Queen Elizabeth National Park has consistent temperatures throughout the year, while the high altitude (884 to 1,337m or 2,900 to 4,386ft) moderate these to a pleasant average maximum of 29°C/84°F through the year. Mornings can be surprisingly cool, so do pack a light fleece encase you need one.

Queen Elizabeth National Park has no distinct dry season, although June and July do tend to be the driest months of the year. There is also a slight lapse in rainfall in January and February.

The park can be good throughout the year, but game viewing is best in the driest months of the year, as vegetation thins and wildlife become a little more concentrated. Drier walking trails also make chimpanzee trekking a little easier.

DRIER PERIOD

A brief drier interlude before the more intense long rains arrive in September. The altitude does, however, mean that this ‘dry season’ is a little unpredictable.

Its location so close to the equator means that the Queen Elizabeth National Park has consistent temperatures throughout the year, while the high altitude (884 to 1,337m or 2,900 to 4,386ft) moderate these to a pleasant average maximum of 29°C/84°F through the year. Mornings can be surprisingly cool, so do pack a light fleece encase you need one.

Queen Elizabeth National Park has no distinct dry season, although June and July do tend to be the driest months of the year. There is also a slight lapse in rainfall in January and February.

The park can be good throughout the year, but game viewing is best in the driest months of the year, as vegetation thins and wildlife become a little more concentrated. Drier walking trails also make chimpanzee trekking a little easier.

DRIER PERIOD

A brief drier interlude before the more intense long rains arrive in September. The altitude does, however, mean that this ‘dry season’ is a little unpredictable.

Its location so close to the equator means that the Queen Elizabeth National Park has consistent temperatures throughout the year, while the high altitude (884 to 1,337m or 2,900 to 4,386ft) moderate these to a pleasant average maximum of 29°C/84°F through the year. Mornings can be surprisingly cool, so do pack a light fleece encase you need one.

Queen Elizabeth National Park has no distinct dry season, although June and July do tend to be the driest months of the year. There is also a slight lapse in rainfall in January and February.

The park can be good throughout the year, but game viewing is best in the driest months of the year, as vegetation thins and wildlife become a little more concentrated. Drier walking trails also make chimpanzee trekking a little easier.

WET SEASON

The exact start and end of the rains are always a little uncertain, but generally, this period is the wettest time of the year. This wet season is also often characterised by overcast skies and consecutive days of rain. The air is less hazy during the wetter month, improving visibility and with that some incredible views can be seen during the sunnier periods.

Its location so close to the equator means that the Queen Elizabeth National Park has consistent temperatures throughout the year, while the high altitude (884 to 1,337m or 2,900 to 4,386ft) moderate these to a pleasant average maximum of 29°C/84°F through the year. Mornings can be surprisingly cool, so do pack a light fleece encase you need one.

Queen Elizabeth National Park has no distinct dry season, although June and July do tend to be the driest months of the year. There is also a slight lapse in rainfall in January and February.

The park can be good throughout the year, but game viewing is best in the driest months of the year, as vegetation thins and wildlife become a little more concentrated. Drier walking trails also make chimpanzee trekking a little easier.

WET SEASON

The exact start and end of the rains are always a little uncertain, but generally, this period is the wettest time of the year. This wet season is also often characterised by overcast skies and consecutive days of rain. The air is less hazy during the wetter month, improving visibility and with that some incredible views can be seen during the sunnier periods.

Its location so close to the equator means that the Queen Elizabeth National Park has consistent temperatures throughout the year, while the high altitude (884 to 1,337m or 2,900 to 4,386ft) moderate these to a pleasant average maximum of 29°C/84°F through the year. Mornings can be surprisingly cool, so do pack a light fleece encase you need one.

Queen Elizabeth National Park has no distinct dry season, although June and July do tend to be the driest months of the year. There is also a slight lapse in rainfall in January and February.

The park can be good throughout the year, but game viewing is best in the driest months of the year, as vegetation thins and wildlife become a little more concentrated. Drier walking trails also make chimpanzee trekking a little easier.

WET SEASON

The exact start and end of the rains are always a little uncertain, but generally, this period is the wettest time of the year. This wet season is also often characterised by overcast skies and consecutive days of rain. The air is less hazy during the wetter month, improving visibility and with that some incredible views can be seen during the sunnier periods.

Its location so close to the equator means that the Queen Elizabeth National Park has consistent temperatures throughout the year, while the high altitude (884 to 1,337m or 2,900 to 4,386ft) moderate these to a pleasant average maximum of 29°C/84°F through the year. Mornings can be surprisingly cool, so do pack a light fleece encase you need one.

Queen Elizabeth National Park has no distinct dry season, although June and July do tend to be the driest months of the year. There is also a slight lapse in rainfall in January and February.

The park can be good throughout the year, but game viewing is best in the driest months of the year, as vegetation thins and wildlife become a little more concentrated. Drier walking trails also make chimpanzee trekking a little easier.

WET SEASON

The exact start and end of the rains are always a little uncertain, but generally, this period is the wettest time of the year. This wet season is also often characterised by overcast skies and consecutive days of rain. The air is less hazy during the wetter month, improving visibility and with that some incredible views can be seen during the sunnier periods.

Its location so close to the equator means that the Queen Elizabeth National Park has consistent temperatures throughout the year, while the high altitude (884 to 1,337m or 2,900 to 4,386ft) moderate these to a pleasant average maximum of 29°C/84°F through the year. Mornings can be surprisingly cool, so do pack a light fleece encase you need one.

Queen Elizabeth National Park has no distinct dry season, although June and July do tend to be the driest months of the year. There is also a slight lapse in rainfall in January and February.

The park can be good throughout the year, but game viewing is best in the driest months of the year, as vegetation thins and wildlife become a little more concentrated. Drier walking trails also make chimpanzee trekking a little easier.

Experiences

Chimpanzee trekking in Kyabura Gorge

Tracking chimpanzees in their natural habitat, as they swing from the branches in the canopy high above the forest floor is nothing short of exhilarating. The chimps effortlessly cross and scamper through the trees above the gorge, and visitors on the other hand must cross the river using natural bridges in order to keep up with the chimps. So although the walk usually lasts only 2–3 hours, descending the steep gorge and crossing the log bridges over the river requires some agility and fitness. Chimpanzee tracking is also available in  Kalinzu, a forest reserve,  where there is a community of about 40 habituated chimpanzees.

Enjoy a game drive in one of Africa’s most diverse parks

Queen Elizabeth National Park is considered to be one of Uganda’s most varied and most beautiful protected areas. Queen, as she is affectionately known, is home to two of Africa’s big cats, the majestic lion and the elusive leopard. Guests can explore the plains of Queen Elizabeth Park in Uganda on a variety of game drives, usually at dawn and dusk. It is when daylight hours are coolest that wildlife is most active.

Lion research safari

Join a local scientific researcher on his daily game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park to locate and record the behavior of a lion pride he is studying. This activity is best done in the mornings when there is ample time to track the pride and chances of finding them are high.

A birders paradise

Both Uganda and Rwanda offer some of the world’s best bird watching, with a vast diversity of bird species. Uganda has over 1,000 bird species with 150 found only in Uganda. Each location offers the chance to see a number of different birds, with the vast majority endemic to the Region.    

Take in the rich wildlife along the Kazinga Channel on a boat safari

The Kazinga Channel is a 32-kilometer long channel, rich in wildlife, that links Lakes Edward and George. Boat trips down the channel depart from Mweya Safari Lodge (about an hour’s drive through the park from Kyambura Gorge Lodge) and last 3-4 hours. The boat cruise provides a wonderful opportunity to photograph the many animals that come to cool off at the waters’ edge, including lion, buffalo, hippo, elephant, and leopard.

Community Coffee Tour

See the transformation of coffee beans into delicious Ugandan coffee – all done by hand, by local community members – and even get to sample the finished product for yourself. At the end of the tour guests are given the opportunity to purchase some of the cooperative’s coffee, which makes a great souvenir and supports the local community.

Explore Queen Elizabeth National Park Properties

What People Say

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