Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of Uganda’s most popular destinations. It is in the Albertine Rift Valley, near the majestic Rwenzori Mountains, and covers an area of approximately 1980 square kilometres. The park encompasses diverse habitats, including savannas, tropical forests, and wetlands.

The park bears the name of Queen Elizabeth II of England, who visited the area and was mesmerized by the beauty of the surrounding landscapes. The park was formerly known as Kazinga National Park, named after the Kazinga Channel, which continues to be a popular tourist destination in the park.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to an incredible array of wildlife, with over 600 species of birds, including various types of bee-eaters, 11 species of kingfishers, flamingos, raptors, falcons, and even the elusive shoebill. It also hosts populations of hippos, elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes, Ugandan kobs, gazelles, and 10 species of primates.

The best way to experience the park is by boat along the 40-kilometer Kazinga Channel, which connects Lake Edward and Lake George. There are land safaris available in places like Kasenyi and the Mweya Peninsula. Departing from the Mweya Peninsula, these boat trips offer sightings of abundant wildlife congregating along the channel. With one of the world’s largest concentrations of hippos, elephants, crocodiles, antelopes, fish eagles, and multiple bird species, exploring the Kazinga Channel is a quintessential experience for any visitor to Uganda, leaving indelible memories.

About a three-hour drive from the Mweya Peninsula lies the Ishasha sector, renowned for its tree-climbing lions. While Ishasha is part of Queen Elizabeth National Park, it deserves special mention due to its uniqueness, almost warranting consideration as a separate park within the larger reserve.