The morning sun casts long shadows across the savannah as your vehicle bumps along the russet-coloured track in Queen Elizabeth National Park, located in southwestern Uganda. A family of elephants moves silently through the golden grass ahead, while overhead a fish eagle’s distinctive call pierces the dawn quiet. This 1,978 square kilometre park sits in western Uganda’s Rift Valley, where lakes, forests and grasslands create one of Africa’s most biodiverse sanctuaries nestled between the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains and Lake Edward.
The park is one of the country’s most visited destinations for those seeking a traditional safari experience. Queen Elizabeth National Park supports an extraordinary variety of animals and is home to about 95 species of mammals, including around 200 lion. Herds of elephant roam the savannah, while hippo crowd the waterways. The park’s primates include chimpanzees, black-and-white colobus monkey, and red-tailed monkey. You’ll also find leopard, spotted hyena, and various antelope species, from the tiny oribi to the massive eland. Read more about other places to visit in Uganda and the best time to visit Uganda.
