Queen Elizabeth National Park, formerly Ruwenzori National Park, national park located in southwestern Uganda. It occupies an area of 764 square miles (1,978 square km) in a region of rolling plains east of Lake Edward and foothills south of the Ruwenzori Mountains.
Queen Elizabeth National Park Safari 2026 | Tree Lions, Kazinga Channel & Chimp Trek
Queen Elizabeth National Park safari 2026: See tree-climbing lions in Ishasha, boat cruise on Kazinga Channel for hippos + elephants, chimp trekking in Kyambura
Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s most diverse safari park. In 2 days, you can see tree-climbing lions in Ishasha, take a Kazinga Channel boat cruise past 2,000 hippos + elephants, and track chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge. At 1,978km², it’s Uganda’s 2nd largest park and borders DR Congo + Lake Edward. No other park gives you Big 5 game drives, boat safaris, and primates all in 1 place. Located 5-6hrs drive from Kampala or 1hr flight from Entebbe.
5 Top Things to Do in Queen Elizabeth National Park
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Tree Climbing Lions in Ishasha Sector
The #1 reason tourists visit. Only 3 places in Africa have tree lions: Ishasha Uganda, Lake Manyara Tanzania, and Samburu Kenya. Lions climb fig trees to escape tsetse flies + heat. Best time: 9am-11am and 3pm-5pm. Success rate 70% in dry season.
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Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
1hr boat cruise between Lake Edward + Lake George. One of Africa’s best boat safaris. See 2,000+ hippos, Nile crocodiles, elephants, buffalo drinking at shoreline. 50+ bird species. Cruises at 9am, 11am, 2pm, 4pm. $30 per person.
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Chimpanzee Trekking in Kyambura Gorge
“The Valley of Apes”. 95% forest, so chimps are harder to see than Kibale, but gorge + crater lake views are stunning. 3hr trek. $50 permit vs $250 in Kibale. Best budget chimp option.
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Game Drives in Kasenyi Plains
Kasenyi = Uganda’s “mini Serengeti”. Open grassland with huge herds of Uganda kob, buffalo, elephant. Best for lion, leopard, hyena at night. Early morning 6am drive = best predator action.
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Explosion Crater Lakes Drive
70+ crater lakes formed by volcanic explosions. Scenic drive with views over Rwenzori Mountains. Great for sunset + birding. Flamingos appear Nov-April.