Things to Do in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park sprawls across nearly 2,000 square kilometers in southwestern Uganda, making it the country's most visited wildlife destination. The park sits at the base of the Rwenzori Mountains and encompasses an impressive variety of landscapes - from the Kazinga Channel that connects Lake Edward and Lake George, to crater lakes, savanna plains, and papyrus swamps. What makes this place genuinely special is the sheer diversity of wildlife you'll encounter. You might spot tree-climbing lions lounging in fig trees one moment, then watch hippos wallowing in the channel the next. The park is home to over 95 mammal species and an astounding 600 bird species, which gives you a sense of just how biodiverse this ecosystem actually is. It's the kind of place where every game drive feels different, and you'll likely find yourself surprised by what turns up around each corner.

Most visitors eat at their lodges or camps, which typically offer buffet-style meals featuring both international and Ugandan cuisine. The food is generally quite good, with fresh vegetables and fruits sourced locally when possible. If you're staying outside the park in Kasese, you'll find local restaurants serving Ugandan staples like matoke (steamed bananas), posho (maize meal), and fresh fish from the nearby lakes. Some of the upmarket lodges within the park offer excellent dining experiences with views over the Kazinga Channel, making meals part of the overall safari experience.

The dry seasons from December to February and June to September offer the best wildlife viewing conditions, as animals concentrate around water sources and roads are more accessible. That said, the park is worth visiting year-round - the wet seasons bring lush green landscapes, fewer crowds, and excellent birdwatching as migratory species arrive. The tree-climbing lions in Ishasha are actually easier to spot during the wet season when they climb trees to escape the muddy ground. If you're planning to track chimpanzees, the dry months tend to have higher success rates, though the forest walks are beautiful any time of year.