Queen Elizabeth National Park sits in southwestern Uganda, stretching across 1,978 square kilometres between Lake Edward and Lake George. Named after Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II following her 1954 visit, it stands as Uganda’s most popular wildlife destination. The park straddles the equator, so visitors can literally step between the northern and southern hemispheres in a single stride.

The landscape is strikingly varied — open savannah, tropical forest, wetlands, and volcanic craters all share the same space. This mix of habitats explains why the park hosts such an extraordinary range of animals and birds. With over 600 bird species recorded, it ranks among Africa’s top birding destinations.

Things to Do in Queen Elizabeth National Park

1. Game Drives

Game drives form the backbone of any QENP visit. The Kasenyi Plains, on the northern side of the park, deliver outstanding lion sightings — this area holds one of Uganda’s largest lion populations. Early morning and late afternoon drives yield the best results, since animals move freely in cooler temperatures. Beyond lions, expect to encounter elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kob, topi, warthogs, and spotted hyenas roaming the open grasslands.

The Ishasha sector, located in the far south, deserves a dedicated visit. This remote corner shelters the park’s famous tree-climbing lions, a rare behaviour documented in very few places worldwide. Ishasha also offers good chances of spotting leopards and giant forest hogs.

2. Boat Cruise on the Kazinga Channel

The Kazinga Channel connects Lake George to Lake Edward, and cruising along it ranks among East Africa’s finest wildlife experiences. Hippos pack the shallows in enormous numbers — the channel holds one of the world’s largest hippo concentrations. Elephants wade in to drink and bathe, buffaloes line the banks, and crocodiles bask on sandy shores.

Furthermore, the birdlife here is simply spectacular. African fish eagles, pink-backed pelicans, African skimmers, malachite kingfishers, and hundreds of other species crowd the channel’s edges. Afternoon cruises, when the light is golden and animals are most active, tend to be the most rewarding.

3. Chimpanzee Tracking in Kyambura Gorge

Cutting through the savannah like a hidden canyon, Kyambura Gorge shelters a habituated community of chimpanzees. Trekking down into this forest gorge feels dramatically different from the open plains above. Expert rangers lead small groups along forest trails, tracking chimp calls and movement until the group is located. Spending an hour in the presence of these intelligent primates is genuinely unforgettable. Besides chimps, the gorge also holds black-and-white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and a rich birdlife unique to forest environments.

4. Maramagambo Forest

Stretching across the park’s eastern edge, Maramagambo Forest offers guided nature walks through dense tropical woodland. The forest shelters bat caves where pythons hunt roosting bats — one of Uganda’s stranger natural spectacles. Primates are common here too, including chimpanzees and blue monkeys. Birdwatchers particularly love this forest for its forest-specialist species, many of which are difficult to find elsewhere.

5. Crater Lakes Drive

Volcanic craters dot the landscape north of the park, forming a chain of stunning emerald and turquoise lakes. The Crater Lakes Loop Drive winds through this dramatic scenery, offering views that feel more like a painting than real life. Some lodges and community projects sit along this route, providing chances to interact with local communities and learn about traditional salt harvesting from the mineral-rich lakes.

6. Birdwatching

With over 600 recorded species, QENP ranks among Africa’s top birding destinations. Shoebill storks, one of Africa’s most sought-after birds, live in the papyrus swamps near Mweya. Organised birding walks and boat trips specifically targeting these extraordinary birds depart regularly from Mweya Peninsula. Throughout the park, flamingos, African spoonbills, saddle-billed storks, and dozens of raptors appear with impressive regularity.