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January – February and June – August (Dry Seasons for best game viewing)
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Safari Lodges / Tented Camps (Mweya Peninsula, Katunguru, or Ishasha Sector)
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4x4 Land Cruiser with Pop-up Roof
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Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
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Professional English-speaking Driver/Guide
Destination Overview
Queen Elizabeth National Park is the most popular park in Uganda, and at Maudie Safaris, we believe it offers the most diverse ecosystem in East Africa. Located in the western arm of the Great Rift Valley, it is set against the stunning backdrop of the Rwenzori Mountains (the “Mountains of the Moon”).
It is a park of expansive savannah, humid forests, sparkling lakes, and fertile wetlands. It connects the George and Edward lakes via the Kazinga Channel, a waterway that boasts one of the highest concentrations of hippos in the world. Unlike the Mara or Serengeti, the landscape here is dotted with euphorbia trees and volcanic explosion craters. It is one of the few places on earth where you can see lions climbing trees in the south and chimpanzees swinging through the gorge in the north on the same trip.
Preserving the Ecosystem
The park faces unique challenges as several fishing villages are located within its boundaries, leading to human-wildlife conflict. Maudie Safaris supports the Uganda Carnivore Program, which monitors the health and movement of lions and leopards in the northern sector. We also advocate for community tourism, encouraging our guests to visit the Katwe Salt Lake where locals have been mining salt traditionally for centuries. By supporting these industries, we reduce the pressure on the park’s resources and help maintain the delicate balance between the villagers and the wildlife.
Highlights
- The Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise: The absolute highlight of the park. A two-hour launch trip brings you within meters of hippos, Nile crocodiles, and thirsty elephants drinking at the water's edge.
- Tree-Climbing Lions: Found in the southern Ishasha sector, these unique lions spend their days resting in the branches of fig trees to escape the heat and tsetse flies.
- Kyambura Gorge: Known as the "Valley of Apes," this underground forest is a sunken world home to a habituated family of chimpanzees.
- Kasenyi Plains: The primary game driving area, famous for its large herds of Uganda Kobs which attract prides of lions and solitary leopards.
- Birdwatching: With over 600 recorded bird species (more than any other park in East Africa), this is a birder's utopia. Look out for the African Skimmer and the Martial Eagle.
- Explosion Craters: The scenic Katwe explosion craters offer panoramic views of the Rift Valley and the park below.