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Uganda’s classic safari, from savannah to channel.
Watch elephants and hippos from the water on the Kazinga Channel, explore open savannah, and look for Ishasha’s famous tree-climbing lions.
Queen Elizabeth National Park stretches across western Uganda between Lake Edward and Lake George, with the Rwenzori Mountains on the horizon. Its savannahs, crater lakes, forests, and wetlands make it one of Africa’s most varied parks.
Game drives reveal elephants, buffalo, Uganda kob, and lions, while a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel brings you close to hippos, crocodiles, and huge numbers of birds. In the southern Ishasha sector, lions are often found resting in fig trees.
The park combines naturally with gorilla trekking in Bwindi, and we can help you plan a journey that suits your interests, travel style, and budget.
Glide along the channel between Lake Edward and Lake George for close views of hippos, elephants, buffalo, and birdlife.
Search the Ishasha sector for lions lounging in the branches of fig trees, a behaviour seen in only a few places in Africa.
Explore open savannah in search of elephants, buffalo, Uganda kob, leopards, and lions.
Walk into a forested gorge with guides to look for chimpanzees and other primates.
Discover volcanic crater lakes and one of Africa’s richest birding destinations, with more than 600 species recorded.
Queen Elizabeth National Park can be visited all year, with wildlife present throughout.
| PERIOD | WHAT TO EXPECT |
|---|---|
| December – February | Generally drier, with good game viewing as animals gather near water. |
| March – May | The long rains bring green landscapes and excellent birding, though some tracks can be muddy. |
| June – August | The main dry season and a popular time for safaris, often combined with gorilla trekking. |
| September – November | Short rains return, with fewer visitors and plenty of wildlife. |
Wildlife sightings, including the tree-climbing lions, can never be guaranteed. We'll plan your time in the park to give you the best chances.
Combine game drives, a Kazinga Channel boat cruise, and the search for tree-climbing lions.
Open a day to see what happens.
Travel west from Kampala through tea plantations and rolling countryside to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Set out on a morning game drive across the savannah in search of elephants, buffalo, and lions.
Explore the southern Ishasha sector, famous for lions that rest in the branches of fig trees, with time for a picnic lunch in the wild.
Enjoy a final morning in the park before travelling back to Kampala, or continue south to Bwindi for gorilla trekking.
From lodges overlooking the Kazinga Channel to tented camps in the quieter Ishasha sector, there are options to suit different travel styles and budgets.
Tell us what matters most to you, and we’ll help you find the right place to stay in Queen Elizabeth.
Everything was smooth and stress free from start to finish and their customer service was exceptional. They checked in regularly to make sure I had arrived safely … and genuinely cared that I was enjoying my trip.
Planning our Cape Town trip with Elite Travel Consultants was very seamless from start to finish. The team was professional, responsive, and always ready to answer our questions.
Their service was professional, smooth, and stress-free from start to finish. They helped plan everything within my budget and made the whole process easy.
The level of professionalism is top notch. I really enjoyed my trip.
The park is around 6-7 hours by road from Kampala, or a short scheduled flight from Entebbe to the Mweya or Kasese airstrip.
Two to three nights allows time for game drives, a Kazinga Channel cruise, and a visit to Ishasha or Kyambura Gorge.
Yes. Bwindi is a few hours’ drive south via the Ishasha sector, which makes the two parks a classic combination.
The lions of Ishasha are often seen in fig trees, but they are wild animals and sightings cannot be guaranteed.
The official currency is the Ugandan Shilling (UGX). US dollars are widely accepted for park fees and some lodges, usually in notes printed from 2013 onwards.
English and Swahili are official languages, and Luganda is widely spoken in and around Kampala.
Uganda uses East Africa Time (EAT), which is UTC+3.
It depends on your nationality. Citizens of East African Community countries, including Kenya, can travel with a passport or national ID. Many other visitors need an e-visa, and the East Africa Tourist Visa covers Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda together. We’ll confirm what you need when we plan your trip.
Tell us when you’d like to travel, who you’re travelling with, what you’d like to experience, and what you’d like to spend. We’ll help you turn your ideas into a personalised journey.
