Which animals to see on safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park?

Which animals to see on safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park? Queen Elizabeth National Park located in western Uganda, is one of the country’s most diverse and wildlife-rich safari destinations. It is home to over 95 mammal species and more than 600 bird species, making it a prime spot for wildlife viewing.

1. Big Game Animals

• Lions – Including the famous tree-climbing lions of Ishasha.
• Leopards – Elusive but occasionally spotted in the Kasenyi plains and Mweya Peninsula.
• Elephants – Often seen near the Kazinga Channel and open savannahs.
• Buffaloes – Large herds roam throughout the park.

2. Primates

• Chimpanzees – Found in Kyambura Gorge, offering an exciting trekking experience.
• Baboons & Monkeys – Including olive baboons, vervet monkeys, and black-and-white colobus monkeys.

3. Aquatic and Semi-Aquatic Species

• Hippos – Abundant along the Kazinga Channel.
• Nile Crocodiles – Often spotted basking along the water’s edge.

4. Antelope Species

• Ugandan Kob – The park’s most common antelope, often seen in Kasenyi.
• Topi – Mainly found in the Ishasha sector.
• Waterbucks & Bushbucks – Frequently seen near water sources.

5. Unique & Other Notable Species

• Giant Forest Hogs – The largest wild pig species, commonly seen in Mweya.
• Warthogs – Often spotted in open areas.
• Hyenas – Rare but present in the park.

A safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park offers a mix of savannah, forest, and wetland ecosystems, ensuring diverse wildlife sightings throughout the park.

Birdlife

• Over 600 bird species make Queen Elizabeth a birding paradise. Notable species include:
  • African fish eagle.
  • Malachite and pied kingfishers.
  • Shoebill stork (rare but possible in the wetlands).
  • Flamingos (seasonally in the crater lakes).

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Wildlife on the Kazinga Channel Cruise

The Kazinga Channel is famous for its dense concentrations of animals along the water’s edge. Key highlights and Which animals to see on safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park include:

1. Hippos:
   • The channel is home to one of Africa’s largest hippo populations.
2. Nile Crocodiles:
   • Frequently seen basking on the banks.
3. Waterbirds:
   • Cormorants, herons, pelicans, African jacanas, and saddle-billed storks.
4. Elephants and Buffaloes:
   • Often seen drinking or cooling off at the water’s edge.
5. Other Mammals:
   • Monitor lizards, and occasionally lions or leopards coming to drink.

This combination of game drives and a boat cruise provides an unforgettable experience of Uganda’s wildlife. Entrance Fees for Queen Elizabeth National Park costs USD40 per person for Non-foreign residents to be allowed to do game drives and the Boat cruise on Kazinga Channel costs $30 per person..

About Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the savannah Parks found in Kasese district in Western Uganda, it spreads to the western arm of the Great Rift Valley and is home to a wide variety of wildlife including elephants, lions, hippos, buffalo, Uganda kob, baboon, and many species of birds.  With both a riverine and savannah habitat, the park includes the southern Ishasha area with its tree climbing lions and Maramagambo, one of the largest surviving natural forests in Uganda.  The northern Mweya area, traversed by the equator and dominated by the scenery of crater lakes, is often occupied by large flocks of flamingos. This Park is such a beauty and has attracted many visitors throughout the years. The two sectors of Queen Elizabeth National Park;

The Ishasha Sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park is very famously because of its population of the tree-climbing lions that are a very exceptional attraction, the Lions are normally seen lazily lying up within the branches of the huge fig trees staring down at the numerous Uganda Kobs that are graze in the open Ishasha plains and these are actually the main prey to these lions. Sometimes even leopards can be seen lying in the tress. Depending on Luck, you will be able to see them while on game drive

The Mweya sector of Queen Elizabeth National is the mostly used for game drives for visitors to spot various animals. There is a lot to see in Queen Elizabeth National Park besides wildife, Namely; Lake Katwe salt mines, crater lakes, Kyambura gorge, Chimpanzees, Mangoose project, Maramagambo forest, the beautiful scenery and the view of the Mountain Rwenzori.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the best national Parks in Uganda to do game drives, It is very safe and there are lots of animals to see in the Park. Game drives are major- thought activity while visiting a game national park in Uganda, It’s an ultimate experience to see animals in their natural environment in the wilderness in Queen Elizabeth National Park such as the buffaloes, Elephants, Lions (by Luck), Antelopes, Warthogs and many others can all be viewed during the game drive. Our professional guides who are very knowledgeable about the fauna and flora of Queen Elizabeth National Park will help in spotting the animals and giving relative information while on game drive.

Where to stay in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park has a variety of accommodation choices where you can stay while on your safari. The lodges range from Luxurious to Budget Lodges and are very comfortable and safe for stay. It is always advised to choose Lodges depending on the on your budget. For Luxurious Lodges include Ishasha Wilderness Camp Lodge for the Part of Ishasha sector, Then in Mweya sector, there is Kyambura Gorge Lodge, Katara Lodge, Elephant Plains Lodge, Mweya safari lodge, For budget/Mid-range lodges, you can stay at Ishasha Jungle safari Lodge, buffalo safari Lodge, Twin Lakes Lodge, Elephant Hab, Park View Lodge and Many others. You can choose where to stay depending on the Part of the Park you are visiting.

Why book with Eco Adventure Safari trip to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Eco Adventure Safaris is a Local tour operator based in Uganda with its head offices in Entebbe. Eco Adventure Safaris is run and owned by Ugandans. We specialize in life changing experiences and sustainable tours and holidays to all East African countries. We are members of AUTO (Association of Uganda Tour Operators) and are registered by UTB (Uganda Tourism Board).

We have a good and long working relationship with UWA (Uganda Wildlife Authority) making it easy to book your gorilla permits and gorilla trekking safari. Eco Adventure Safaris is highly reviewed on trip advisor as well as Safari bookings. Please contact us here for more information about Which animals to see on safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park.