Queen Elizabeth National Park is a gem for anyone dreaming of a safari in stunning scenery. It is known for its many felines, especially the tree-climbing lions, which in themselves are a unique sight. During the safari, elephants, leopards, buffaloes, lions and antelopes will (hopefully) make an appearance. Queen Elizabeth is the most visited national park in Uganda and here you should definitely combine a game drive with a safari on the Kazinga Channel. This is a park that offers magical safari experiences, beautiful scenery and a genuine feeling of being in Africa. 
Where is Queen Elizabeth National Park?
The national park is located in western Uganda, between Lakes Edward and George, about 400 km southwest of the capital Kampala. It is the second largest protected natural area in Uganda. Queen Elizabeth National Park is located right on the equator and there is a monument marking the exact spot where you cross latitude 00. The area is part of the Rift Valley, which stretches from Malawi, through Uganda and on to the Red Sea. The national park also includes the Kazinga Channel and Maramagambo Forest. 
Facts about Queen Elizabeth National Park
The national park was established in 1952 under the name Kazinga National Park. Two years later, Queen Elizabeth II visited the park, which resulted in the national park changing its name. This impressive national park spreads over 1978 square kilometers. Queen Elizabeth National Park is known to be the most species-rich area in relation to its size. The national park consists of several ecosystems, such as savannah, lakes, fertile wetlands, volcanic craters and tropical forest. There is a warm tropical climate with two annual rainfall periods. The Katwe Craters are the national park’s highest point (1350 meters) while Lake Edward is the lowest point (910 meters). The jagged Rwenzori Mountains form a great backdrop and visitors can enjoy the sight of volcanic craters and lakes. 
How do I get to Queen Elizabeth National Park?
You can get to this natural paradise either by car or by plane. If you drive directly from Entebbe or Kampala, calculate around 7 hours (paved road). From Kampala there are two routes: Via Mbarara to the eastern part of the national park or Fort Portal in the northern part. Most visitors include other national parks in their program. Queen Elizabeth National Park is often combined with Kibale National Park for chimpanzee trekking. From Kibale it is around 3 hours drive (mostly dirt roads). No visit to Uganda is complete without gorilla trekking, which often happens in Bwindi National Park. Then Queen Elizabeth National Park is a natural stop from Entebbe or Kampala on the way to Bwindi. The drive is around 4 hours (mostly dirt roads). From Lake Mburo National Park, calculate 4 to 5 hours in the car. From Kasese it is between 45 minutes to an hour by car. From Mount Rwenzori National Park it’s around an hour’s drive. 
You can also reach Queen Elizabeth National Park by domestic flight from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield (outside Kampala). The closest airstrips to Queen Elizabeth National Park are Kasese, Mweya and Ishasha. From here it’s a drive to the national park. There are daily flights from both Entebbe and Kajjansi. Flight times are between 1 to 2 hours (depending on the airport). 
Wildlife in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to a wealth of animal species. As many as 95 mammals, ten primates and over 600 species of birds call this park home. Considering the size of the park, this is a phenomenal number. Elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo and hippo are among the favorites. There are also monkeys, warthogs and a number of antelope species. Rhino, zebra and giraffe are not among the national park’s residents. Queen Elizabeth National Park offers a special attraction: Tree-climbing lions! The felines inhabit the Ishasha and Kasenyi areas and sightings are frequent but unpredictable. Another favorite is the chimpanzees. They have become quite accustomed to humans and there is a good chance of seeing them in the Kyambura Gorge area. 
Experiences you won’t want to miss
Safari by car is a given when you visit Queen Elizabeth National Park. Safaris usually take place in the morning and afternoon when the animals are most active. You won’t want to miss a boat safari on the Kazinga Channel either. A 40-kilometer-long canal connects Lake George and Lake Edward – and offers great experiences. The channel attracts a variety of animals, such as elephants, hippos and buffalos, as well as various bird species. Get up close to the wildlife in a completely different way than in the car. 
Chimpanzee trekking in Kichwamba Gorge. Over the centuries, the Kyambura River has created a deep gorge through the Kichwamba Escarpment. The slopes on either side of the gorge are too steep for the large herbivores, but are a perfect habitat for large primates, especially chimpanzees. A knowledgeable and authorized guide from the Ugandan Wildlife Authority will take you on a few hours of hiking in search of man’s closest relative. Note that this is not like visiting a zoo and the chance of seeing chimpanzees is around 60 percent. Bird enthusiasts and nature lovers can embark on a guided hike in the Marambagambo Forest. Here you’ll have the opportunity to see flora, fauna and wildlife not seen on the open savannah, as well as hidden lakes and bat caves. To understand human history in Queen Elizabeth National Park, a visit to Katwe Salt Pans is recommended. Here you will learn more about the technique used to extract the salt and hear more about how the extraction and trade resulted in Uganda becoming a rich kingdom. Please note that this area is very hot. 
When should you visit Queen Elizabeth National Park?
The question “when is the best time to visit” does not apply to Uganda. As the country sits on the equator, it can rain all year round. That said, it’s generally drier to visit Queen Elizabeth National Park from June to early October and December to early March. More precipitation is common in October, November and March to the end of May. April and May have been the months with the most rainfall. Queen Elizabeth is a national park you can visit all year round. 
How long should you stay in Queen Elizabeth National Park?
Most visitors spend a minimum of two nights in the national park (or just outside). You’ll need at least two full days to explore the national park with safaris by car and boat. Arrival day is usually spent at the lodge relaxing. If you have more time to spare (up to four nights), you can add in chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge. 
