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Queen Elizabeth National Park

Uganda's most visited park - the Kazinga Channel, crater lakes, and the tree-climbing lions of Ishasha.

Overview

Queen Elizabeth spreads across roughly 1,978 square kilometres between Lake Edward and Lake George, in the shadow of the Rwenzori mountains, and takes in savannah, crater lakes, papyrus swamp, forest and the Kazinga Channel that links the two lakes. The channel is the park's centrepiece: a two-hour boat cruise along it passes what is often described as the densest concentration of hippo in the world, plus buffalo, elephant coming down to drink, and an extraordinary density of waterbirds. In the far south, the Ishasha sector is famous for lions that lie along the branches of fig trees - a behaviour seen in only a handful of places on earth. Kyambura Gorge, a sunken forest slicing through the savannah, holds a small habituated chimpanzee group. The park sits on the equator, has over 600 recorded bird species, and its Katwe crater lakes have been worked for salt by hand for six hundred years.

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Photos of Queen Elizabeth National Park

Operators serving Queen Elizabeth National Park

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Things to do in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Places and experiences rather than companies. Each one carries the thing you would otherwise find out by turning up.

  • Kazinga Channel boat trip

    Water

    The channel between Lakes Edward and George, lined with hippo, buffalo and birds.

    Two hours, in the afternoon when animals come down to drink. Consistently the best value single activity in the park.

    2 hoursPaid

  • Ishasha tree-climbing lions

    Wildlife

    The southern sector, where lions rest in fig trees.

    Not guaranteed, and a two-hour drive from the main sector. Worth building into a route toward Bwindi rather than making a separate trip.

    4 hours

Where these are, around Queen Elizabeth National Park

5 listings with a mapped location.

Map of 5 listings
  • Listed

What Queen Elizabeth National Park costs

All-in on the ground, per person per day, excluding international flights. Ranges rather than a single figure, because accommodation and group size move the total more than anything else.

Indicative daily cost per person for Queen Elizabeth National Park, by travel style
StylePer person, per day
Camping or budget lodge, shared vehicle$150 – $220
Mid-range lodge$220 – $400
Luxury camp, private vehicle$550 – $1,100

Of that, $40 – $60 a day is government fees set by Uganda Wildlife Authority. Every operator pays the same, so a quote below this floor is not a better deal — it is a different trip.

Add this to a whole-trip estimate

Indicative figures checked for 2026. Park fees are revised annually and some are quoted before VAT — confirm current rates with your operator or the park authority before you book.

When to visit Queen Elizabeth National Park

Month by month: wildlife, weather and how busy it gets.

October

Long rains — some tracks impassable and some camps closed. Lowest prices.

Wildlife
Wildlife: 3 / 5
Weather
Weather: 2 / 5
Crowds
Crowds: 2 / 5
Rainfall
160 mm
Temperature
17–28 °C
Show all twelve months
When to visit Queen Elizabeth National Park
Best time to visitWildlifeWeatherCrowdsRainfallTemperature
JanuaryPeak seasonShort rains — brief afternoon storms, green landscapes, fewer visitors.Wildlife: 4 / 5Weather: 4 / 5Crowds: 3 / 570 mm17–30 °C
FebruaryPeak seasonShort rains — brief afternoon storms, green landscapes, fewer visitors.Wildlife: 4 / 5Weather: 4 / 5Crowds: 3 / 580 mm17–30 °C
MarchWet month — expect rain most days, and lush, difficult country.Wildlife: 3 / 5Weather: 3 / 5Crowds: 2 / 5130 mm17–29 °C
AprilLong rains — some tracks impassable and some camps closed. Lowest prices.Wildlife: 3 / 5Weather: 2 / 5Crowds: 2 / 5180 mm17–28 °C
MayLong rains — some tracks impassable and some camps closed. Lowest prices.Wildlife: 3 / 5Weather: 2 / 5Crowds: 2 / 5150 mm17–28 °C
JuneShort rains — brief afternoon storms, green landscapes, fewer visitors.Wildlife: 4 / 5Weather: 4 / 5Crowds: 4 / 560 mm16–29 °C
JulyPeak seasonKazinga Channel boat trips at their fullest.Wildlife: 5 / 5Weather: 5 / 5Crowds: 4 / 560 mm16–29 °C
AugustPeak seasonShort rains — brief afternoon storms, green landscapes, fewer visitors.Wildlife: 5 / 5Weather: 4 / 5Crowds: 4 / 590 mm16–29 °C
SeptemberWet month — expect rain most days, and lush, difficult country.Wildlife: 4 / 5Weather: 3 / 5Crowds: 3 / 5130 mm17–29 °C
OctoberLong rains — some tracks impassable and some camps closed. Lowest prices.Wildlife: 3 / 5Weather: 2 / 5Crowds: 2 / 5160 mm17–28 °C
NovemberWet month — expect rain most days, and lush, difficult country.Wildlife: 3 / 5Weather: 2 / 5Crowds: 2 / 5140 mm17–28 °C
DecemberWet month — expect rain most days, and lush, difficult country.Wildlife: 4 / 5Weather: 3 / 5Crowds: 3 / 5100 mm17–29 °C

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