Tree-climbing lions, the Kazinga Channel and crater lakes
Queen Elizabeth National Park in south-western Uganda is the country's most visited savannah park. It covers about 1,980 square kilometres and combines open plains, crater lakes, the Kazinga Channel and the Maramagambo Forest. It lies between the Rwenzori Mountains and Lake Edward and is close to both Kibale and Bwindi.
The Kazinga Channel joins Lake George and Lake Edward and holds one of the highest hippo populations in Africa. The boat cruise lasts about two hours and also shows crocodiles, elephants, buffalo and many water birds. The Kasenyi plains are the best area for lions and Uganda kob. In the south, the Ishasha sector is known for lions that climb fig trees to rest.
Game drives are best at dawn and late afternoon. You can add chimpanzee tracking at Kyambura Gorge, a walk in Maramagambo Forest to see the bat cave, or a visit to the salt works at Lake Katwe. Birdwatchers can expect more than 600 species recorded in the park.
June to August and December to February are the driest months and the best for game viewing. March to May and October to November are wetter but greener, with good bird activity.
The drive from Kampala is about 6 to 7 hours. The park is on the road between Kibale and Bwindi, which makes it a natural stop on a western Uganda route. Domestic flights to Mweya airstrip are available from Entebbe.
Two nights is a good minimum, one for the Kasenyi and channel area and one for Ishasha on the way to Bwindi. A trip that combines Queen Elizabeth with chimpanzee tracking and gorilla trekking works well over six to nine days. See our Uganda safari tours for itineraries that include the Kazinga Channel cruise and the tree-climbing lions.
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