DISCOVER QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK

Encounter majestic elephants, powerful buffaloes, lions, leopards, hippos and a variety of antelope species across the spectacular landscapes of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Offers an unforgettable safari experience surrounded by breathtaking scenery.

BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK!

THE BEST OF QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK

QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK

One of Uganda’s oldest and most diverse protected areas and a major safari destination in East Africa. The park situated in western Uganda, primarily in the Kasese, Rubirizi, Rukungiri and Kanungu areas, along the Albertine Rift. The park lies between Lake Edward and Lake George, with the Kazinga Channel connecting the two lakes. Covering approximately 1,978 km², the park combines open savannah, woodland, tropical forest, wetlands, crater lakes and the spectacular Kazinga Channel, with the Rwenzori Mountains forming a dramatic backdrop

The conservation history of the area began before the national park itself existed. Lake George Game Reserve was established in 1925, while Lake Edward Game Reserve was established in 1930. These early reserves were created partly because of the area’s abundant wildlife and the desire to protect ecosystems connected to the protected areas across the border in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

These protected areas were combined in 1952 to form Kazinga National Park, which was renamed Queen Elizabeth National Park in 1954 following Queen Elizabeth II’s visit to Uganda. Today, the park is one of Uganda’s leading safari destinations, offering game drives, Kazinga Channel boat cruises, birdwatching, crater-lake excursions, cultural experiences and remarkable landscapes shaped by the Albertine Rift.

WILDLIFE FOUND IN QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK

Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of Uganda’s richest wildlife areas, offering an exceptional combination of savannah plains, forests, wetlands, lakes and riverine habitats. With diverse landscapes and abundant wildlife, the park provides an unforgettable safari experience.

Lions
Leopards
Buffaloes
Warthogs
Waterbucks
Uganda kob
Chimpanzees
Olive baboons
Hippopotamuses
Giant forest hogs
African elephants
Colobus monkeys
Bushbucks and duikers
Red-tailed monkeys and vervet monkeys

Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of Uganda’s premier birdwatching destinations, with more bird species. Its exceptional bird diversity is largely due to the combination of savannah, wetlands, forests, crater lakes, woodland and the Kazinga Channel, which provide habitats for waterbirds, forest species, raptors, migratory birds and Albertine Rift-associated species (More than 600 birds species).

Notable Bird Species

Some of the most sought-after species include:

Shoebill
African Jacana
Goliath Heron
Papyrus Canary
Papyrus Gonolek
African Skimmer
African Fish Eagle
Great Blue Turaco
Grey Crowned Crane
Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl
Abyssinian Ground Hornbill
Pied and Malachite Kingfishers
Great White and Pink-backed Pelicans
African Openbill and Yellow-billed Stork

The park’s dense vegetation and mountainous terrain make some species challenging to locate, but this is also what makes birding here particularly rewarding.

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS & ACTIVITIES WITHIN QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK

Major Attractions

Kazinga Channel

The famous channel connecting Lake George and Lake Edward is one of the park’s highlights, supporting large concentrations of hippos, crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes and waterbirds.

Major Activities

Activities within the park.

Game Drives
Birdwatching
Chimpanzee Tracking
Crater Lake Exploration
Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

Activities outside the park.

Cultural Experiences

Queen Elizabeth National Park offers an unforgettable combination of wildlife, landscapes and adventure.

THE BEST TIME TO VISIT QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK

Queen Elizabeth National Park can be visited throughout the year, but the drier months of June –August and December – February are generally the most favorable for traditional wildlife safaris. During these periods, rainfall is lower, vegetation is less dense, and animals tend to concentrate around permanent water sources, making wildlife easier to observe.

Best time according to Moth’s

June – September: Excellent for wildlife viewing

Generally, one of the most rewarding periods for a classic Queen Elizabeth park safari. This is the drier part of the year, when vegetation becomes less dense and animals are often easier to spot across the open plains. As the dry season progresses, wildlife increasingly depends on the park’s permanent wetlands, marshes and other reliable water sources.

December – February: Warm and Dry

The weather offers another favorable window for visiting Queen Elizabeth National Park. These months fall between the main rainy periods and can provide a good balance of wildlife viewing and green landscapes. There may still be water and vegetation in the wetlands, while the surrounding plains can remain relatively open for game viewing.

March–May: Long-rain season

The long rains generally occur from March to May, transforming Tsavo normally dry landscape into a much greener and more vibrant environment. Rainfall brings fresh vegetation, replenishes wetlands and creates dramatic seasonal scenery.

October – November : Best for green landscapes, birdlife and a quieter atmosphere

Bring the shorter rains, which can gradually refresh the landscape after the dry season. The arrival of rain stimulates new vegetation growth, and the plains can become increasingly green.

The best time to experience Queen Elizabeth National Park is throughout the year, as each season offers a unique safari experience.