Queen Elizabeth National Park, located in western Uganda, is one of the country’s most popular and diverse national parks. Spanning approximately 1,978 square kilometers, the park is renowned for its stunning landscapes, abundant wildlife, and rich biodiversity. From savannahs and wetlands to lush forests and volcanic craters, Queen Elizabeth National Park offers a quintessential African safari experience.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is found in the western part of Uganda laying between Lakes Gorge and Albert with the Kazinga Channel crossing through its 700 sq mile land area. The park is home to 618 bird species which is the 6th highest diversity in the world and the highest in Africa making it a perfect destination for Uganda Birding Safaris, in addition to 10 primate species like chimpanzees and 95 mammals including big game.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is understandably Uganda’s most popular tourist destination. The park’s diverse ecosystems, which include sprawling savanna, shady, humid forests, sparkling lakes and fertile wetlands, make it the ideal habitat for classic big game, ten primate species including chimpanzees and over 600 species of birds.
Set against the backdrop of the jagged Rwenzori Mountains, the park’s magnificent vistas include dozens of enormous craters carved dramatically into rolling green hills, panoramic views of the Kazinga Channel with its banks lined with hippos, buffalo and elephants, and the endless Ishasha plains, whose fig trees hide lions ready to pounce on herds of unsuspecting Uganda kob.
Queen Elizabeth National Park: The Experience
The golden grasslands and pristine landscapes of Queen Elizabeth National Park connect several regions and two lakes (George and Edward), with the scenic Kazinga channel, which runs through it. Whether explored on a leisurely river cruise or in a safari vehicle, the park now boasts four of the Big Five, with steadily increasing populations of lion, elephant and leopard, as well as great herds of buffalo. This is also one of the few places in the world known for tree-climbing lion, similar to those found in Lake Manyara National Park across the border in Tanzania. The southern part of the park is volcanic and is pocked with crater lakes that are rich in minerals.
Elephant and buffalo are very common, and lion are surprisingly easy to spot. There are many interesting antelope species, such as Uganda kob, topi and bushbuck. Hippo and crocodile are common in Kazinga Channel. A troop of chimpanzee has been habituated for tracking and nine other primate species are found, including the black-and-white colobus monkey. Giraffe and zebra are absent.
Queen Elizabeth National Park: Birdlife
Queen Elizabeth National Park has the largest checklist of any protected area in East Africa with more than 600 bird species recorded. This is mostly due to the wide variety of habitats: from savannah to forest to wetland. Many of the birds in the park are regarded as specials within East Africa, which make it a prime birding destination. The swamps in the Ishasha sector are a good place to look for the elusive shoebill stork. Migratory birds are present from November to April.
The birdlife in Queen Elizabeth NP is good year-round, but at its best from late May to September, when the rain is less and food is abundant. June to July has the least rain, while April to May and September to November have the most rain. The heavy rains might result in delays due to impassable roads and slippery hiking trails. These may limit your bird-watching time. From November to April, migratory birds can be found in the park.
Discover the incredible beauty and rich biodiversity of Queen Elizabeth National Park with our tailored safari packages. Whether you’re here to enjoy game drives, boat safaris, chimpanzee tracking, or bird watching, we have the perfect itinerary for you. Contact us today to start planning your adventure in one of Uganda’s most iconic national parks.