Queen Elizabeth National Park
Uganda's Most Diverse Safari Destination
About Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP) is Uganda's most visited national park — and for good reason. Its 1,978 km² spans savanna, forest, wetlands, and crater lakes, supporting one of the most diverse wildlife assemblages in Africa: 95 mammal species, 600 bird species, and the famous tree-climbing lions of the Ishasha sector. The Kazinga Channel, connecting Lake Edward and Lake George, hosts one of the largest concentrations of hippos and buffalo in Africa. East Africa Bridge Tours visited QENP in February 2026 and we have first-hand knowledge and real photography from the park.
Best time to visit
Wildlife you may see
- Tree-climbing lions (Ishasha)
- African elephant
- Cape buffalo
- Hippopotamus
- Nile crocodile
- Uganda kob
- Topi
- Olive baboon
- Chimps (Kyambura Gorge)
- 600+ bird species
Activities in Queen Elizabeth National Park
All activities are available as part of East Africa Bridge Tours packages or as add-ons.
Kazinga Channel Boat Safari
A 2-hour boat trip on the Kazinga Channel offers some of the most spectacular hippo and buffalo encounters in Africa.
Game Drive
Morning and afternoon game drives across the Kasenyi Plains for lion, elephant, kob, and topi — Uganda's best classic game drive circuit.
Chimpanzee Tracking (Kyambura Gorge)
Descend into the dramatic Kyambura Gorge for a guided chimp tracking experience along its forested walls.
Tree-Climbing Lion Search (Ishasha)
Search for the world-famous tree-climbing lions of Ishasha sector — unique behaviour only seen here and in Tanzania's Lake Manyara.
Crater Lake Drive
A guided drive past the volcanic explosion craters south of Mweya, stopping at Katwe to meet the salt miners.
Getting to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth NP is approximately 370 km from Kampala or Entebbe (6–7 hours by road). East Africa Bridge Tours provides private 4WD Land Cruiser transfers. Domestic flights from Entebbe to Kasese (30 min) are available and East Africa Bridge Tours can coordinate bookings.
East Africa Bridge Tours packages visiting Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park — Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Kazinga Channel and why is it special?
- The Kazinga Channel is a 32 km natural waterway connecting Lake George and Lake Edward. It hosts one of Africa's highest concentrations of hippos and water birds. The 2-hour boat trip is consistently rated one of Uganda's top safari experiences.
- Are there tree-climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth NP?
- Yes — the Ishasha sector in the southern part of QENP is famous for its lions that habitually rest in fig trees. This behaviour is extremely rare globally and makes for unique photography.
- Can I see chimpanzees in Queen Elizabeth NP?
- Yes — Kyambura Gorge in the park's north-east contains a habituated chimp group, though the population is smaller than Kibale Forest. Viewing is not guaranteed but East Africa Bridge Tours liaises with rangers for best timing.
- Is Queen Elizabeth NP good for the Big Five?
- QENP has elephant, buffalo, and leopard reliably. There are no rhinos and the lions are present but more secretive than parks like Serengeti. It is an excellent general wildlife park rather than a classic Big Five destination.
- Can I combine Queen Elizabeth NP with gorilla trekking?
- Yes — the most popular Uganda circuit runs Entebbe → Kibale (chimps) → Queen Elizabeth NP → Bwindi (gorillas) → Kigali exit. East Africa Bridge Tours's 8-day Wild Uganda package covers this entire circuit.
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