Queen Elizabeth National Park

The park was originally named Kazinga National Park but after a visit by Queen Elizabeth II, the name was changed to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Another interesting fact is that the park spans the equator line with a monument sitting on either side of the road to mark the exact spot where it crosses latitude 0.

As if the park was not beautiful enough, the jagged Rwenzori Mountains are the backdrop to much of the park. Other features include of the park include the Kazinga Channel, the Katwe crater, Lake Edward, the Papyrus Swamps and the Ishasha River. These different ecosystems enable a varied safari experience, game drives and walks from your accommodation.

The remote Ishasha sector, in the southern part of the park, is famous for its tree-climbing lions. These lions enjoy spending hot afternoons snoozing up fig trees, are the most memorable sight in the entire park.

Do see our best camps & lodges in Queen Elizabeth National Park picks for 2026/27 on this page.

Where safari game drives are certainly the main focus for itineraries that visit the park, Queen Elizabeth National Park also has a rich cultural background too. There are many opportunities for tourists to meet up with the local communities and be part of cultural activities like traditional dances, storytelling moments, and listening to traditional music.

Community projects are also available to visit and get involved in, which can usually be organised through the lodge you are staying in, or through your tour operator beforehand.

Do see our best camps & lodges in Queen Elizabeth National Park picks for 2026/27 on this page.

Like much of Uganda’s destinations, the park can be visited at any time of the year but the best experience, in terms of the game, is between the months of June and September. The months of December to January are also good times to go, as these are the dry seasons so the wildlife is more reliable as it tends to congregate around the permanent water sources.

The park is easy to combine with other destinations in Uganda, such as gorilla trekking in Bwindi, chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest, or to fly up to Murchison Falls in the northern region of Uganda.

Do see our interactive best time to visit Queen Elizabeth National Park guide on this page as well as on our parent guide to uganda page for more in-depth information on when to go.

Or call us on +44 1525 840 149. That’s what we’re here for.

As much as AI has changed the way we all approach our lives, there is still no substitute for picking up the phone and having a chat through the options with one of us on USA +1-917-336-2937

This allows us to completely tailor the property choices, costs and itinerary length to your needs…but we also understand that this is not always possible with the busy lives we all lead.

With this in mind, we have also put together a safari finder tool that should help you to narrow down the initial stages at which point we can jump in to “round off the edges” as it were.

Alternatively please feel free to › send us an email with your timings, group size and rough likes and dislikes and we can get the ball rolling.

As much as AI has changed the way we all approach our lives, there is still no substitute for picking up the phone and having a chat through the options with one of us on USA +1-917-336-2937

This allows us to completely tailor the property choices, costs and itinerary length to your needs…but we also understand that this is not always possible with the busy lives we all lead.

With this in mind, we have also put together a safari finder tool that should help you to narrow down the initial stages at which point we can jump in to “round off the edges” as it were.

Alternatively please feel free to › send us an email with your timings, group size and rough likes and dislikes and we can get the ball rolling.