Queen Elizabeth National Park Uganda: Tree-Climbing Lions, Chimps & Safari Guide 2026

Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s most biodiverse protected area and one of East Africa’s most compelling yet undervisited safari destinations. Named after Queen Elizabeth II following her 1954 visit, this sprawling 1,978 square kilometre park in western Uganda encompasses extraordinary ecological diversity: open savannah, dense forest, volcanic crater lakes, the vast wetlands of the Kazinga Channel, and the forested depths of the Kyambura Gorge — all set against the dramatic backdrop of the Rwenzori Mountains on the western horizon.

What makes Queen Elizabeth truly exceptional is its combination of savannah and forest species in a single destination. Tree-climbing lions, enormous hippo concentrations, abundant elephants, and the spectacle of Uganda kob (the antelope depicted on Uganda’s coat of arms) on the open Ishasha plains, combined with chimpanzees in the Kyambura Gorge and extraordinary birdlife — over 600 species — make this one of Africa’s most diverse and rewarding parks.

The Tree-Climbing Lions of Ishasha

Uganda’s single most famous wildlife attraction is also one of Africa’s most bizarre and wonderful — the tree-climbing lions of Ishasha, in the park’s remote southern sector. Lions across Africa occasionally climb trees, but the Ishasha lions do it routinely, spending hours draped across the branches of massive fig trees with their legs dangling, regarding the world with magnificent indifference. The behaviour is thought to be partly a response to biting insects on the ground and partly a learned social tradition passed down through the generations of Ishasha’s resident prides.

Ishasha is a full 2–3 hours’ drive from the park’s main Mweya sector, so visiting it typically involves an overnight stay in the southern sector or a very long day’s drive. The sightings — a pride of lions sprawled in the upper canopy of a massive fig tree, with the Maramagambo Forest as a backdrop — are genuinely extraordinary and completely unlike any lion encounter you will have elsewhere in East Africa. Most Uganda safari operators visit Ishasha en route between Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi, making it a natural stop on the western Uganda gorilla circuit.

Kazinga Channel: Africa’s Greatest Boat Safari

The Kazinga Channel connects Lake Edward and Lake George through the heart of Queen Elizabeth National Park. A two-hour boat trip on the channel is one of Uganda’s premier wildlife experiences and, by some measures, one of Africa’s finest boat safaris. The channel supports one of Africa’s highest hippo concentrations — approximately 5,000 individuals — and enormous crocodile populations. But the spectacle goes far beyond hippos and crocodiles: elephants drink at the water’s edge within metres of the boat, African fish eagle pair call from dead trees on the bank, and an extraordinary procession of waterbirds — goliath heron, yellow-billed stork, African spoonbill, Malagasy pond heron, and dozens more — line the shoreline in numbers that make serious birders weep with joy.

The launch trip runs twice daily from the Mweya peninsula (morning and afternoon), and the afternoon trip — with golden light on the channel and wildlife activity peaks as the temperature drops — is particularly spectacular. This is one experience that no Uganda safari should miss.

Birdwatching in Queen Elizabeth

Queen Elizabeth is one of Africa’s premier birdwatching destinations. Over 600 species have been recorded across its varied habitats — a number that places it among the top ten birdwatching sites on the continent. The Maramagambo Forest harbours rare Albertine Rift endemics including the African green broadbill and the forest ground thrush. The Kyambura Gorge adds riverine forest species. The open savannah is home to the martial eagle, bateleur, and secretary bird. And the Kazinga Channel’s waterbirds, as noted above, are simply extraordinary in diversity and density.

For serious birders, a dedicated Queen Elizabeth birding itinerary — combining the channel boat trip, Maramagambo Forest walks, and Kyambura Gorge — can produce 200+ species in three days. Combined with Uganda’s other birding strongholds (Bwindi, Mabamba Swamp for shoebill stork), Uganda rivals any destination in Africa for birdwatching. Talk to our team about building a birding-focused Uganda itinerary.

Wildlife Beyond the Headlines

The park’s Kasenyi plains in the northern sector support large concentrations of Uganda kob — a medium-sized, golden-brown antelope that lives in enormous herds and stages remarkable lek displays during breeding season (dominant males defending small territories within a traditional display ground, with females choosing their preferred mate). Elephant herds roam freely between the savannah and forest edges. Leopard are present but more elusive than in East Africa’s drier parks. Giant forest hog, warthog, topi, and waterbuck add to the plains game variety.

Getting to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park is approximately 6 hours from Entebbe (Kampala) by road, or 1 hour by chartered light aircraft from Entebbe airport. The park is almost always visited as part of the western Uganda circuit — combined with Kibale chimpanzee trekking and Bwindi gorilla trekking. The road journey from Kibale to Queen Elizabeth takes approximately 2.5 hours; from Queen Elizabeth to Bwindi (via Ishasha) takes 3–4 hours on variable road quality. Flying between sectors on charter aircraft saves significant time and is recommended for travellers with limited days. Talk to our team to build your Uganda circuit efficiently around your available time.