Uganda's Most Popular Safari Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Home to tree-climbing lions, massive hippo pods and 600+ bird species. Uganda's most biodiverse park stretches from the Rwenzori foothills to Lake Edward — offering game drives, Kazinga Channel boat cruises and chimpanzee tracking.

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1,978

km² Park Area

600+

Bird Species

95+

Mammal Species

Game Sectors

About The Park

Uganda's Most Biodiverse Safari Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda's most visited wildlife destination, covering 1,978 km² across southwestern Uganda. The park is famous for its extraordinary biodiversity — from the tree-climbing lions of Ishasha to the massive hippo pods of the Kazinga Channel, and over 600 bird species making it one of the world's top birding destinations.

Famous tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector — a rare behaviour
Kazinga Channel — one of Africa's best wildlife boat cruise experiences
600+ bird species — among the highest concentrations in Africa
Large herds of elephant, buffalo, Uganda kob and topi
Chimpanzee tracking available in Kyambura Gorge
Rwenzori Mountains visible on clear days — spectacular backdrop

Lake Edward and Lake George connected by the Kazinga Channel

Both Mweya and Ishasha sectors offer very different experiences

Kazinga Channel boat cruise Queen Elizabeth National Park Uganda wildlife

Park Sectors

Two Extraordinary Safari Experiences

Queen Elizabeth National Park is divided into two main sectors — each offering a completely different wildlife experience.

🦁 Mweya Sector — North

The main tourism hub with Mweya Peninsula Lodge overlooking Lake Edward. Home to the Kazinga Channel boat cruise — 40km of waterway teeming with hippos, crocodiles, elephants and 600+ bird species. Game drives reveal large elephant herds, buffalo, Uganda kob, topi and leopards. The best overall safari experience in Uganda.

🌳 Ishasha Sector — South

Uganda's most unusual wildlife spectacle — lions that climb and rest in ancient fig trees. The Ishasha tree-climbing lions are found nowhere else in East Africa outside of Lake Manyara in Tanzania. Game drives in Ishasha also reveal large Uganda kob herds, buffaloes, warthogs and occasional leopards. A must-add to any Queen Elizabeth itinerary.

🐒 Kyambura Gorge

Known as the "Valley of Apes" — a dramatic forested gorge within Queen Elizabeth NP where chimpanzees can be tracked. The gorge descends 100 metres below the surrounding savanna, creating a completely different forest ecosystem. Guided chimp tracking walks available alongside game drives.

🌊 Kazinga Channel Cruise

The unmissable 2-hour boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel is one of Uganda's top wildlife experiences. The channel banks are lined with the world's largest concentration of hippos outside of the Nile, huge crocodiles, massive elephant herds drinking at the water's edge and hundreds of spectacular bird species.

Activities

What To Do in Queen Elizabeth NP

🚢

Kazinga Channel Cruise

A 2-hour boat safari along the 40km Kazinga Channel. Hippos, crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes and 600+ bird species from the comfort of a safari boat. The best wildlife boat cruise in Uganda.

🦁

Game Drives

Morning and afternoon 4×4 game drives through the Mweya and Ishasha sectors. Spot tree-climbing lions, large elephant herds, buffalo, leopard, Uganda kob and topi with our expert naturalist guides.

🐒

Chimp Tracking

Track chimpanzees in the dramatic Kyambura Gorge — the Valley of Apes. A guided forest walk into the gorge to find and observe a habituated chimpanzee community in their natural habitat.

🐦

Birding

With 600+ species, Queen Elizabeth is one of Africa's top birding destinations. The African skimmer, shoebill stork, pink-backed pelican and Martial eagle are among the sought-after species.

🌅

Lion Tracking — Ishasha

Dedicated game drives in the Ishasha sector in search of the famous tree-climbing lions resting in giant fig trees. An extraordinary and unique wildlife spectacle found almost nowhere else on Earth.

🚶

Nature Walks

Guided walking safaris along the Mweya Peninsula with armed rangers. Get closer to nature, track animal footprints and learn about the park's ecology from our expert guides.

Wildlife

Animals You'll See in Queen Elizabeth NP

🦁

Tree-Climbing Lion

🐘

African Elephant

🦛

Hippo

🐊

Nile Crocodile

🐆

Leopard

🐃

Buffalo

🐒

Chimpanzee

🐦

Shoebill Stork

Common Questions

Queen Elizabeth NP FAQ

How far is Queen Elizabeth NP from Kampala?

Queen Elizabeth National Park is approximately 360km from Kampala — about 5-6 hours by road through Fort Portal or Mbarara. Tulambule arranges comfortable private 4×4 transfers with stops at the Equator and other points of interest along the way.

How many days should I spend at Queen Elizabeth NP?

We recommend 2-3 nights minimum. This allows one day for game drives and Kazinga Channel cruise in the Mweya sector, and a second day for the Ishasha tree-climbing lions. Adding a third night allows chimp tracking in Kyambura Gorge.

Can I combine Queen Elizabeth with gorilla trekking?

Yes — this is our most popular combination. The Classic 8-Day Gorilla & Queen Elizabeth Safari covers Kazinga Channel cruise, Ishasha lions, tree-climbing lions and Bwindi gorilla trekking. It's Uganda's signature safari experience.

When is the best time to visit Queen Elizabeth NP?

Queen Elizabeth is excellent year-round. The dry seasons (June-August and December-February) offer better game viewing and easier road access to Ishasha. The green season brings lush scenery and superb birding with fewer tourists.

Plan Your Queen Elizabeth Safari

Tell us your travel dates and group size — we'll build a complete Queen Elizabeth itinerary with game drives, Kazinga Channel cruise and tree-climbing lions. Response within 24 hours.

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📞 +256 782 915 447 · ✉️ info@tulambule.com · Est. 2014 · 100% Ugandan Owned