Uganda
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Lions in the trees. Hippos by the hundred. A forest gorge hiding chimpanzees beneath the savannah.
Area
1,978 km² - Uganda's most visited national park
Location
Western rift valley, straddling the equator
Bird Species
600+ species - highest count in any East African park
Signature Wildlife
Tree-climbing lions, hippos on Kazinga Channel, chimps in Kyambura Gorge
Access
6 hours from Kampala by road, or 1-hour charter flight
Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda's most diverse wildlife destination. From tree-climbing lions in Ishasha to the hippo-packed Kazinga Channel and chimpanzees in a hidden forest gorge, this park delivers Africa's greatest hits in a single, unforgettable landscape.
Tree-Climbing Lions of Ishasha
One of only two places on Earth where lions routinely climb trees. Watch prides draped across fig branches - a sight so improbable you need to see it to believe it.
Kazinga Channel Boat Safari
A 32-kilometre natural waterway connecting two great lakes, teeming with hippo pods, Nile crocodiles, bathing elephants, and astonishing concentrations of waterbirds.
Kyambura Gorge Chimpanzee Tracking
Descend into a hidden forest canyon carved 100 metres below the savannah to track a habituated community of chimpanzees - Africa's most unexpected primate encounter.
Experience Designer
Brighton Mboya
Regions of Speciality:
Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda
Trip Designer
Brighton has spent the last decade building safaris across the East African circuit, from the Serengeti's migration corridors to the misty volcanoes of Rwanda and the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda. He started out guiding walking safaris in Tarangire, then moved into gorilla and chimp trekking after years escorting researchers through the Albertine Rift. His itineraries turn on the small details most operators skip: the right camp on the right night of the migration, a permit window that lines up with the gorilla family closest to your lodge, a quiet bush airstrip that saves a full day on transfer.
Trip Inspiration
Snapshot of a Day
You are mid-channel, engine cut, drifting. A hippo surfaces two metres from the hull, nostrils flaring, pink ears twitching. Behind it, a Nile crocodile slides off a sandbank. An African fish eagle launches from a dead tree and plunges talons-first into the water. Your coffee goes cold in your hand.
Trip Inspiration
3-Day Queen Elizabeth Safari
Kazinga Channel, game drives, and Ishasha tree-climbing lions. The essential Queen Elizabeth experience in three focused days.
Recommended Duration: 3 days
Best Time To Go: Jun-Sep, Dec-Feb
Things to See & Do: Game drives, Kazinga boat safari, Ishasha lions
Don't Miss Out On: The Kazinga Channel at golden hour - the density of life is overwhelming.
Snapshot of a Day
You are 100 metres below the savannah, standing in a riverine forest that shouldn't exist. Somewhere above, a chimpanzee screams - then you see the branch shake, and a dark shape swings into view, pausing to crack a nut against a branch with percussive precision.
Trip Inspiration
4-Day Safari & Chimps
The complete Queen Elizabeth immersion: game drives, boat safari, chimpanzee tracking, and the tree-climbing lions of Ishasha.
Recommended Duration: 4 days
Best Time To Go: Jun-Sep, Dec-Feb
Things to See & Do: Game drives, Kazinga boat, chimp tracking, Ishasha, crater lakes
Don't Miss Out On: Kyambura Gorge - tracking chimps in a forest hidden beneath the savannah.
Featured stays
Mweya Safari Lodge
Location: Mweya Peninsula, overlooking Kazinga Channel
Kyambura Gorge Lodge
Location: Rim of Kyambura Gorge, overlooking the rift valley
Testimonials
“I've been on safari in five African countries. Nothing prepared me for a pride of lions sleeping in a fig tree ten feet above the Land Cruiser.”
Our guide Moses knew exactly which trees to check. We found the Ishasha pride on the third fig - six lions draped across branches like they'd been poured there. A young male yawned, canines catching the light, then repositioned himself with all the grace of someone rolling over on a sofa. Meanwhile, on the Kazinga Channel that morning, we'd counted over 200 hippos. This park is absurd in the best possible way.
— David & Karen, Toronto, Canada - August 2024
Process
Step 1
Let's connect
Whether you have a specific trip in mind or are looking for inspiration, get in touch with your travel preferences, and one of our specialists will kick off the planning.
Step 2
Detailed Brief
After a conversation to learn more about your trip, you will receive details on an adventure with us, including activities and accommodation options in the destinations.
Step 3
Customized Itinerary and Confirmation
Collaborate with your specialist to adjust and finalize the itinerary. A per-person trip cost is presented once the itinerary is confirmed.
Step 4
Support, Start to Finish
From the moment you arrive until your trip ends, our team is with you. Experienced guides, porters, and a 24/7 support line ensure your safety and enjoyment.
Good to know
Combine with Bwindi
Queen Elizabeth is a natural pairing with Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (3-4 hours south). Most Uganda itineraries combine both for a safari-plus-gorillas experience.
Equator Crossing
The park straddles the equator. A monument on the main road marks the line - a mandatory photo stop and a chance to watch the Coriolis effect demonstration.
Tsetse Flies in Ishasha
The Ishasha sector has tsetse flies. Wear neutral-coloured clothing (avoid dark blue and black) and bring insect repellent. The flies are annoying but the lions are worth it.
Queen-elizabeth safaris
Queen Elizabeth Safari - 3 Days
Three days exploring Uganda's most diverse national park. Game drives on the open savannah, a boat safari on the Kazinga Channel with hippos and crocodiles, and the chance to track chimpanzees in the underground forest of Kyambura Gorge. A complete Uganda safari in a compact itinerary.
Queen Elizabeth Safari & Chimps - 4 Days
A deeper exploration of Queen Elizabeth National Park with dedicated time for chimpanzee tracking, the Kazinga Channel, Ishasha's tree-climbing lions, and extended game drives through crater lake country. Four days to absorb Uganda's most biodiverse park at a pace that rewards patience.
Frequently Asked Questions
The lions of Queen Elizabeth's Ishasha sector are famous for climbing fig trees - a behaviour seen in only two places on Earth (Ishasha and Lake Manyara in Tanzania). Scientists believe they climb to escape tsetse flies and heat at ground level, or to gain a vantage point for spotting prey. Seeing a pride draped across the branches of a fig tree is one of Africa's most iconic sights.
The Kazinga Channel is a 32-kilometre natural waterway connecting Lake Edward and Lake George. A boat safari along the channel offers some of the best wildlife viewing in Uganda - hippo pods of 50+, Nile crocodiles, buffalo herds, elephants bathing, and extraordinary concentrations of waterbirds.
Yes. The Kyambura Gorge - a dramatic forested canyon cut into the savannah - is home to a habituated chimpanzee community. Tracking takes 2-4 hours and involves descending into the gorge through dense tropical forest. Sightings are not guaranteed but success rates are around 80%.
Ready to plan your Queen-elizabeth adventure?
Tell us about your dream trip and we'll craft a bespoke itinerary around your interests and timeline.
Get In Touch