Where exactly are the tree-climbing lions?

Tree-climbing lions are found exclusively in the southern Ishasha sector. The lions favour large fig trees along the Ntungwe River drainage. Morning game drives between 6 and 9am offer the best viewing — the dry season produces the most reliable tree-climbing sightings when shade is scarce.

June to September is the primary dry season with the best road conditions and game viewing. December to February is equally good. The Kazinga Channel boat cruise is outstanding year-round regardless of season.

Can I combine Queen Elizabeth with Bwindi?

Absolutely — this is Uganda's classic safari circuit. Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi's Buhoma sector are approximately 3–4 hours apart. A 5–7 day package combining the Kazinga Channel, Ishasha lions, Kyambura chimp trekking, and Bwindi gorilla trekking is our most popular itinerary.

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Uganda's most visited and ecologically complex park — tree-climbing lions in Ishasha, the wildlife-dense Kazinga Channel, chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge, and over 600 bird species across 1,978 km² of Albertine Rift wilderness.

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Overview

Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda's most visited, most diverse, and most ecologically complex national park. Stretching across 1,978 square kilometres of the spectacular Albertine Rift Valley, the park encompasses a remarkable mosaic — open savannah grasslands, tropical rainforest, papyrus swamps, volcanic crater lakes, and the shores of both Lake Edward and Lake George, connected by the famous Kazinga Channel. Named after Queen Elizabeth II, who visited Uganda in 1954, the park has earned a legendary reputation for several extraordinary wildlife experiences: the tree-climbing lions of the Ishasha sector (one of only a handful of populations in the world that habitually rest in trees), the Kazinga Channel launch cruise (a 2-hour boat safari along one of Africa's most wildlife-rich waterways with enormous hippo pods and 100+ bird species), and chimpanzee trekking at the atmospheric Kyambura Gorge — a dramatic 100-metre-deep rainforest canyon cutting through open savannah. With over 600 recorded bird species, Queen Elizabeth is one of Africa's greatest birding destinations.

Queen at a Glance

Location: Western Uganda
Size: 1,978 km²
Altitude: 910 — 1,845 m
Best Time to Visit: June–September & December–February

Key Attractions

Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

The unmissable centrepiece of any Queen Elizabeth safari. The 2-hour launch trip along the Kazinga Channel passes what may be Africa's highest concentration of hippos in any single waterway, massive Nile crocodiles basking on sandbars, African elephants bathing at the water's edge, and a staggering diversity of waterbirds including Goliath herons, African fish eagles, pink-backed pelicans, and African skimmers. The experience of drifting past hundreds of hippos at close range is one of the most memorable in East African safari. Cruises at USD 30 per person.

Tree-Climbing Lions of Ishasha

The southern Ishasha sector is one of the world's most unique wildlife destinations. Queen Elizabeth's lions have developed the remarkable habit of climbing and resting in the branches of large fig trees — probably to escape insects and gain better views over their territory. Morning game drives in the Ntungwe River area from 6 to 9am offer the best opportunities to witness this extraordinary behaviour, available nowhere else in Uganda.

Kyambura Gorge Chimpanzee Trekking

Descend into the remarkable Kyambura Gorge — a deep, forested ravine cutting dramatically through open savannah — to find the habituated chimpanzee community that lives here. The gorge is one of the most visually striking landscapes in Uganda. Permits cost USD 150 per person. The combination of chimpanzees, dramatic gorge scenery, and surrounding savannah makes this a uniquely Queen Elizabeth primate experience.

Northern Sector Game Drives

The savannah north of the Kazinga Channel supports exceptional concentrations of wildlife. Uganda kobs are the park's most abundant antelope, grazing in their hundreds alongside topi and warthogs, while lions, elephants, and Cape buffalos are regularly encountered. Leopard sightings are relatively frequent in the riverine thickets — among the best odds for this elusive cat anywhere in Uganda.

Getting There

By air: fly from Entebbe International Airport to Kasese Airstrip (approximately 55 minutes); charter flights can also use the Mweya Airstrip within the park. By road from Kampala: 5–6 hours via Mbarara and Bushenyi on excellent paved roads. By road from Bwindi (Buhoma): 3–4 hours. By road from Kibale: 2–3 hours. By road from Kigali (Rwanda): 6–7 hours via the Gatuna/Katuna border. The park is well-connected by road and is a natural component of the western Uganda safari circuit.

Plan Your Journey

Our team handles all logistics — airport transfers, cross-border road trips, and charter flights. Reach out and we'll design the smoothest route to suit your itinerary.

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Where to Stay

Ultra-Luxury

The River Station

private plunge pools, a safari spa over a waterhole, and the only lodge in the Kyambura Wildlife Reserve.

Ultra-Luxury

Kyambura Gorge Lodge

Perched on the gorge rim with exceptional guiding, managed by Volcanoes Safaris.

Luxury

Elephant Hab Lodge

infinity pool overlooking Kyambura Gorge with elephant herds grazing below, 10 minutes from chimp trekking.

Luxury

Mweya Safari Lodge

iconic peninsula lodge between Lake Edward, Lake George, and the Kazinga Channel.

Luxury

Enjojo Lodge

40 lush acres near the Ishasha gate, thatched cottages connected by wooden walkways, with elephants as regular visitors.

Mid-Range

Buffalo Safari Lodge

25 acres near the Kazinga Channel, with elephants and hippos wandering the grounds.

Mid-Range

Ishasha Jungle Lodge

raised wooden deck cottages along the Ntungwe River, right in tree-climbing lion territory.

Ultra-Luxury

The River Station

private plunge pools, a safari spa over a waterhole, and the only lodge in the Kyambura Wildlife Reserve.

Ultra-Luxury

Kyambura Gorge Lodge

Perched on the gorge rim with exceptional guiding, managed by Volcanoes Safaris.

Luxury

Elephant Hab Lodge

infinity pool overlooking Kyambura Gorge with elephant herds grazing below, 10 minutes from chimp trekking.

Luxury

Mweya Safari Lodge

iconic peninsula lodge between Lake Edward, Lake George, and the Kazinga Channel.

Luxury

Enjojo Lodge

40 lush acres near the Ishasha gate, thatched cottages connected by wooden walkways, with elephants as regular visitors.

Mid-Range

Buffalo Safari Lodge

25 acres near the Kazinga Channel, with elephants and hippos wandering the grounds.

Mid-Range

Ishasha Jungle Lodge

raised wooden deck cottages along the Ntungwe River, right in tree-climbing lion territory.

Frequently Asked Questions

A minimum of 3 nights is recommended to experience both the northern Mweya area and the southern Ishasha sector, approximately 90km apart by road. One night in the north for the Kazinga cruise and game drives, two in the south for tree-climbing lions and Kyambura chimp trekking.