Kazinga Channel boat trip
A slow cruise past hippos, buffalo and waterbirds.
Uganda · Western Uganda
Queen Elizabeth
Savannah, a wildlife-rich channel and lions in trees.
Queen Elizabeth National Park stretches across western Uganda between Lakes George and Edward. It combines savannah, crater lakes and the Kazinga Channel, and its southern Ishasha sector is known for lions that sometimes rest in fig trees.
- Country
- Uganda
- Known for
- Kazinga Channel · Ishasha lions
- From Kampala
- About 6–7 hours by road
- Ideal stay
- 1–2 nights
The place
Queen Elizabeth, at a glance.
A boat trip along the Kazinga Channel, which links Lake George and Lake Edward, is one of the park's highlights, with hippos, buffalo, elephants and waterbirds along the banks.
Game drives cross savannah home to Uganda kob, buffalo, elephants and lions. The Ishasha sector in the south lies on the route to Bwindi.
The park was named after Queen Elizabeth II's visit in 1954. Its landscapes range from open savannah on the Kasenyi plains to the explosion craters around Katwe and the Mweya Peninsula, where the Kazinga Channel boat trips start.
More than 600 bird species have been recorded, one of the highest totals of any park in Africa, thanks to the mix of water, grassland and forest.
Planning notes
- Official name
- Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Region
- Western Uganda
- Known for
- Kazinga Channel · Ishasha lions
- From Kampala
- About 6–7 hours by road
- Ideal stay
- 1–2 nights
- Combines well with
- Bwindi, Kibale, Murchison Falls
The appeal
Why visit Queen Elizabeth?
Ishasha sector
Known for lions that sometimes rest in fig trees.
Savannah game drives
Uganda kob, buffalo and elephants on open plains.
Wild encounters
Wildlife of Queen Elizabeth.
Hippos, buffalo, elephants, Uganda kob, lions, leopards and many waterbirds. Wildlife is free-ranging, so sightings vary and can never be guaranteed.
Hippos and buffalo along the Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park 
Buffalo herd drinking at the water’s edge 
Lion pride resting in the branches of a large tree 
Elephants among palm trees on green savannah
Travel through the year
When to visit Queen Elizabeth.
Year-round, with the drier months best for game drives.
Jun – Sep · Dec – Feb
Drier periods, good for game drives.
Mar – May · Oct – Nov
Rainy seasons; greener landscapes.
Your way of travelling
Ways to experience Queen Elizabeth.
Optional activities are arranged separately and may cost extra.
01
Kazinga Channel boat trip
A slow afternoon cruise past hippos, buffalo, elephants coming down to drink and huge numbers of waterbirds.
02
Kasenyi plains game drive
Early-morning drives among Uganda kob, buffalo and elephants, with a chance of lions.
03
Ishasha
The quieter southern sector, crossed on the way to Bwindi, where lions sometimes rest in fig trees.
04
Crater drive
A scenic drive past crater lakes in the north of the park.
The way there
Getting to Queen Elizabeth.
By road
About six to seven hours from Kampala, or a short drive from Kibale.
From Kibale
A drive of a few hours south from Kibale, which is how most of our safaris arrive.
On to Bwindi
South through the Ishasha sector to Bwindi, a full day with a game drive on the way.
Finding your pace
How long to stay.
1–2 nights
A boat trip and game drives; add Ishasha on the way to Bwindi.
Where to stay
Accommodation in Queen Elizabeth.
Lodges and camps for this destination are agreed with you after you enquire, based on your dates, budget and preferences.
Trip ideas
Shortest trip
5 Days Uganda Gorillas, Chimpanzees & Wildlife SafariEntebbe / Kampala → Kibale → Queen Elizabeth → Ishasha → Bwindi → Entebbe / Kampala
The long way
15 Days Best of Uganda Gorilla & Wildlife SafariEntebbe → Ziwa → Murchison Falls → Kibale → Queen Elizabeth → Ishasha → Bwindi → Lake Bunyonyi → Lake Mburo → Entebbe
6 safaris
Safaris that include Queen Elizabeth.
Gorillas & primates12 days · Uganda · Private or group
12 Days Uganda Gorillas, Chimps & Big Five Adventure
Uganda in depth, ending at Lake Mburo
Primate safari · Mid-range
Twelve days covering rhinos at Ziwa, two nights at Murchison Falls, Kibale's chimpanzees, Queen Elizabeth, a gorilla trek in Bwindi and a final night at Lake Mburo.
Price on request
Gorillas & primates5 days · Uganda · Private or group
5 Days Uganda Gorillas, Chimpanzees & Wildlife Safari
Kibale, Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi
Primate safari · Mid-range
Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest, a boat trip on the Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park and a gorilla trek in Bwindi, in five days.
Price on request
Gorillas & primates7 days · Uganda · Private or group
7 Days Uganda Wildlife, Gorillas & Chimpanzees Safari
Primates and savannah at a gentler pace
Primate safari · Mid-range
A week covering Kibale's chimpanzees and Bigodi wetland, two nights in Queen Elizabeth National Park and a gorilla trek in Bwindi.
Price on request
- Gorillas & primates
8 days · Uganda · Private or group
8 Days Uganda Gorilla, Chimpanzee & Big Five Safari
Murchison Falls to Bwindi, in comfort
Primate safari · Luxury
A luxury Uganda circuit: rhino tracking at Ziwa, Murchison Falls, chimpanzees in Kibale, Queen Elizabeth National Park and a gorilla trek in Bwindi.
Price on request
Gorillas & primates10 days · Uganda · Private or group
10 Days Uganda Primates & Big Five Safari
The full Uganda circuit, overland
Primate safari · Mid-range
Ten days overland: Ziwa's rhinos, Murchison Falls, Kibale's chimpanzees, two nights in Queen Elizabeth National Park and a gorilla trek in Bwindi.
Price on request
Gorillas & primates15 days · Uganda · Private or group
15 Days Best of Uganda Gorilla & Wildlife Safari
Two weeks from the Nile to Lake Bunyonyi
Primate safari · Mid-range
Our longest Uganda safari: Ziwa, Murchison Falls, Kibale, three nights around Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi, two restful nights at Lake Bunyonyi and Lake Mburo.
Price on request
Beyond Queen Elizabeth
Where to next?
Ways to travel
Before you go
Practical notes.
Tree-climbing lions
Lions in trees are seen irregularly and are never guaranteed.
Common questions
Queen Elizabeth, explained.
Will I see tree-climbing lions?
Lions in the Ishasha sector are sometimes seen resting in fig trees, but sightings are irregular and cannot be guaranteed.
How do you travel from Queen Elizabeth to Bwindi?
By road through the Ishasha sector, with a game drive on the way. It is a full day with stops.
When is the best time to visit Queen Elizabeth National Park?
It is good year-round. The drier months, roughly June to September and December to February, are best for game drives.
Is the Kazinga Channel boat trip included?
It is included in the Uganda safaris that list it in the itinerary; your written quote confirms the details.
Your Queen Elizabeth journey
Ready to see Queen Elizabeth for yourself?
Explore safaris that include Queen Elizabeth, or tell us how you would like to travel.