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Experience Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s most popular and biodiverse safari destination, offering breathtaking landscapes, abundant wildlife, and rich cultural heritage. Straddling the equator, the park features monuments marking the exact spot where it crosses latitude 00, adding to its uniqueness.
Originally founded as Kazinga National Park in 1952, it was renamed in 1954 to commemorate a visit by Queen Elizabeth II of England. Today, it stands as one of Africa’s greatest wildlife havens, home to over 95 mammal species and an astonishing 600+ bird species—making it a paradise for nature enthusiasts.
Set against the majestic backdrop of the Rwenzori Mountains, the park boasts an incredible variety of ecosystems, including:
✅ Vast savannas teeming with classic big game
✅ Lush, humid forests harboring primates like chimpanzees
✅ Sparkling lakes and the Kazinga Channel, bustling with hippos, buffaloes, and elephants
✅ Fertile wetlands, a sanctuary for migratory birds and other aquatic life
📍 Highest Point – The Katwe Explosion Craters at 1,350m above sea level
📍 Lowest Point – The shores of Lake Edward at 910m
Queen Elizabeth National Park offers some of the best game viewing in Uganda. The park is one of the few places in the world where lions climb trees, particularly in Ishasha, where they perch in fig trees, waiting to ambush unsuspecting Uganda kobs.
The park also supports 20 species of carnivores, making it one of Uganda’s top destinations for predator sightings.
One of the park’s most iconic attractions, the Kazinga Channel, connects Lake Edward and Lake George. This 40km-long waterway is a magnet for wildlife, where visitors can witness:
🔹 Hundreds of hippos basking in the waters
🔹 Massive Nile crocodiles lurking on the shores
🔹 Herds of elephants and buffaloes quenching their thirst
🔹 Scores of water birds, including pink-backed pelicans and saddle-billed storks
While lions are usually found on the ground, the Ishasha Sector of Queen Elizabeth is famous for its tree-climbing lions. These unique predators spend their days lounging on fig trees, scanning the vast savanna plains for prey. This behavior is rare globally, making Ishasha a must-visit for safari enthusiasts.
Beyond its wildlife wonders, Queen Elizabeth National Park is deeply interwoven with the traditions of the local communities. Visitors can engage in:
🔹 Storytelling sessions that bring ancient legends to life
🔹 Traditional dances and music performances
🔹 Cultural tours in the nearby Bakonzo, Basongora, and Banyabindi communities
The conservation of Queen Elizabeth’s ecosystems has not only protected wildlife but also benefited the local people, who rely on ecotourism and sustainable resource use.
Queen Elizabeth’s vast savanna ecosystem is primarily open grassland, though it transitions into moist and woody terrain towards the west. The park’s thorny acacia woodlands, along with dense candelabra shrubs, create a distinct habitat, particularly along the Kazinga Channel and the Kasenyi Plains.
✔️ See Africa’s famous tree-climbing lions in Ishasha
✔️ Cruise along the Kazinga Channel for unmatched wildlife encounters
✔️ Spot over 600 bird species in Uganda’s most diverse birding destination
✔️ Experience the rich culture of the local communities
✔️ Explore one of Uganda’s oldest and most visited national parks
Download Park brochure here QENP PARK BROCHURE
GREEN PARKS
Uganda’s national parks and reserves exemplify environmental stewardship and climate-friendly practices, with all areas adhering to sustainable management principles that preserve biodiversity and natural habitats. We ensure that the natural landscapes remain pristine and resilient against climate change.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is located about 410km/255mi west of Kampala. The direct drive takes at least 7 to 8 hours, but your itinerary will most likely include some parks on the way. It is also possible to fly to any of the nearby airstrips of Kasese, Mweya or Kihihi (for Ishasha) by scheduled or chartered aircraft from Entebbe International Airport (EBB) or Kajjansi Airfield near Kampala.
You will enter Uganda at Entebbe International Airport (EBB), about 46km/29mi from Kampala, the capital city. Generally, your tour operator will arrange for your pick-up from the airport, and organize any further transportation required as part of your safari package.
Word from the Executive Director
Welcome to the official website of the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). I am honored to serve as the Executive Director of this remarkable institution, entrusted with the stewardship of Uganda’s unique and diverse wildlife heritage.
Uganda’s protected areas are home to some of the world’s most iconic species and landscapes, from the mountain gorillas in the misty forests of Bwindi, to the roaring waterfalls of Murchison, the tree-climbing lions of Ishasha, and the snow-capped peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains. These natural wonders are not only vital to our national identity but also to our economy, environment, and global biodiversity.
At UWA, we are committed to conserving wildlife and ecosystems through inclusive, innovative, and science-led approaches. We place a strong emphasis on community involvement, tourism development, environmental education, and combating wildlife crime. Our mandate goes beyond protection, it includes ensuring that wildlife conservation contributes to the well-being of communities and the sustainable development of our nation.
This website is a gateway to understanding our work, accessing real-time information, and discovering how you can support conservation efforts. Whether you are a tourist, researcher, investor, conservation partner, or passionate citizen, we invite you to engage with us and be part of this shared responsibility.
Together, let us ensure that Uganda’s wildlife and wild places continue to thrive for us and for future generations.
Conserving for Generations
Dr. James Musinguzi, PhD
Executive Director
