Which District Is Queen Elizabeth National Park Located In? Uganda Location Guide 2026
Which district is Queen Elizabeth National Park located in? Queen Elizabeth National Park is located in western Uganda and extends across four districts: Kasese, Rubirizi, Rukungiri, and Kamwenge. Understanding the Queen Elizabeth National Park location is useful when planning a Uganda safari because each district provides access to different attractions, wildlife areas, accommodation options, and safari activities.
The park is one of Uganda’s most famous wildlife destinations, renowned for its savannah landscapes, elephants, buffaloes, lions, leopards, hippos, diverse birdlife, the spectacular Kazinga Channel, and the famous Ishasha tree-climbing lions.
If you are planning a Queen Elizabeth National Park safari, knowing which district you will enter through can also help you choose the best route, lodge and activities for your itinerary.
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Which District Is Queen Elizabeth National Park In?
Queen Elizabeth National Park is in four districts of western Uganda:
- Kasese District
- Rubirizi District
- Rukungiri District
- Kamwenge District
The park’s location across these districts gives visitors access to different ecosystems and wildlife experiences. The original guide identifies Kasese as a major gateway while also highlighting the wildlife and attractions associated with Rubirizi, Rukungiri and Kamwenge.
This is why you may see different towns and districts mentioned when searching for the location of Queen Elizabeth National Park Uganda. The park is not confined to one administrative district.
Queen Elizabeth National Park Location at a Glance
| Location detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Country | Uganda |
| Region | Western Uganda |
| Main districts | Kasese, Rubirizi, Rukungiri and Kamwenge |
| Park size | Approximately 1,978 km² |
| Major attraction | Kazinga Channel |
| Famous wildlife | Tree-climbing lions, elephants, buffaloes, lions and hippos |
| Popular activities | Game drives, boat cruises, birdwatching and chimpanzee tracking |
| Major safari gateway | Kasese area |
Queen Elizabeth National Park covers approximately 1,978 square kilometres and contains a mixture of savannah, wetlands, forests, lakes and other habitats.
1. Kasese District – A Major Gateway to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Kasese District is one of the most important districts associated with Queen Elizabeth National Park. It is particularly useful for travelers approaching the park from Kampala, Fort Portal, the Rwenzori region or southwestern Uganda.
Kasese is also associated with some of the park’s best-known attractions, including the Kasenyi Plains, Mweya Peninsula and Kazinga Channel. These areas provide excellent opportunities for game drives, wildlife viewing and boat cruises.
The spectacular Rwenzori Mountains also provide a dramatic backdrop to this part of western Uganda.
Read our guide to where Mount Rwenzori is located in Uganda
What Can You See in Queen Elizabeth National Park from Kasese?
A safari around the Kasese side can include:
- Lions and elephants on game drives
- Buffaloes and antelopes on the Kasenyi Plains
- Hippos and crocodiles along the Kazinga Channel
- Waterbirds and other bird species
- Scenic views around Mweya Peninsula
- Savannah and crater-lake landscapes
The Kazinga Channel is particularly important because boat cruises provide opportunities to see hippos, crocodiles and numerous waterbirds close to the water’s edge.
2. Rubirizi District – Wildlife, Crater Lakes and the Kazinga Channel
Rubirizi District is another important district within the wider Queen Elizabeth National Park location.
The Rubirizi side is known for its scenic landscapes, crater lakes and access to wildlife areas. Travelers interested in photography, birdwatching, wildlife viewing and scenic drives can incorporate this area into their itinerary.
The connection between Lake George and Lake Edward through the Kazinga Channel is one of the park’s defining geographical features and a major reason visitors include a boat safari in their Uganda wildlife tours.
If your main interest is wildlife viewing and aquatic scenery, a Kazinga Channel boat cruise is one of the experiences worth adding to a Queen Elizabeth National Park itinerary.
3. Rukungiri District – Home of the Ishasha Sector
Rukungiri District is particularly important for travelers interested in the Ishasha Sector, famous for its unusual tree-climbing lions.
Ishasha is located in the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park and is one of the most distinctive wildlife areas in Uganda. The lions are sometimes seen resting in the branches of large fig and acacia trees, creating one of the most memorable photographic opportunities on a Uganda safari.
Learn more about the tree-climbing lions of Ishasha
Why Visit the Ishasha Sector?
The Ishasha area offers more than tree-climbing lions. A game drive can also provide opportunities to see:
- African elephants
- Buffaloes
- Lions
- Antelopes
- Topis
- Different bird species
- Beautiful open savannah scenery
For travelers coming from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Ishasha can also form an excellent route into Queen Elizabeth National Park.
See our 5 Days Bwindi Gorillas and Queen Elizabeth Safari
4. Kamwenge District – Kyambura Gorge and Chimpanzee Tracking
Kamwenge District is another district associated with Queen Elizabeth National Park and is especially relevant to visitors interested in primates.
One of the most important attractions here is Kyambura Gorge, popularly known as the Valley of Apes. The gorge provides an opportunity for visitors to participate in chimpanzee tracking while exploring a dramatic forested landscape.
Chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge complements the traditional savannah safari experience by adding a primate encounter to your Queen Elizabeth National Park itinerary.
Explore Uganda’s safari destinations and chimpanzee experiences
For travelers who want to combine chimpanzees with more extensive primate experiences, Queen Elizabeth National Park can also be combined with Kibale Forest National Park.
Queen Elizabeth National Park Districts Map: How the Four Districts Fit Together
When people search for a Queen Elizabeth National Park map or ask which district Queen Elizabeth National Park is located in, the most important point is that the park extends across several administrative areas.
Kasese, Rubirizi, Rukungiri and Kamwenge each connect visitors with different parts of the wider park landscape.
This makes the park particularly versatile for safari planning. You can enter or leave through different routes depending on whether your priorities are:
- Game drives
- Ishasha tree-climbing lions
- Kazinga Channel boat cruises
- Birdwatching
- Chimpanzee tracking
- Crater lakes
- Rwenzori scenery
- Connecting to Bwindi or Kibale
How to Get to Queen Elizabeth National Park from Kampala
One of the most common questions after finding the Queen Elizabeth National Park location is how to get there from Kampala.
The road journey from Kampala to Queen Elizabeth National Park is approximately 400 kilometres, depending on the route and exact destination within the park. The journey generally takes around six to seven hours by road, although travel time can vary because of traffic, road conditions and stops.
The route passes through central and southwestern Uganda, with travelers commonly continuing toward the Mbarara, Bushenyi and Kasese areas.
For travelers who want to include Queen Elizabeth National Park as part of a broader Uganda safari, it can be combined with other major destinations.
See our 7 Days Uganda Wildlife Safari itinerary
How to Get to Queen Elizabeth National Park from Fort Portal
Fort Portal provides another convenient approach to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
The drive from Fort Portal toward the park takes you through scenic western Ugandan countryside, with views toward the Rwenzori Mountains and surrounding rural landscapes.
This route is particularly useful for travelers combining Queen Elizabeth National Park and Kibale Forest National Park, especially those interested in chimpanzee tracking.
Explore our 7 Days Uganda Primate Safari
How to Get to Queen Elizabeth National Park from Mbarara
Travelers approaching Queen Elizabeth National Park from Mbarara can continue west toward the park through the southwestern Uganda road network.
Mbarara is an important transit point for many Uganda safari itineraries, particularly those connecting Queen Elizabeth National Park with Lake Mburo National Park, Bwindi and other destinations.
Read our Lake Mburo National Park entrance fee and activity guide
Lake Mburo is a useful addition to a longer Uganda wildlife safari because of its zebras, impalas, landscapes and walking-safari opportunities.
How to Get to Queen Elizabeth National Park from Kasese
If you are already in Kasese, access to Queen Elizabeth National Park is considerably easier than traveling from Kampala or Entebbe.
Kasese is therefore an important staging point for travelers visiting the park, particularly those focusing on the northern and central sections.
Visitors can arrange private safari transportation with a 4×4 vehicle and professional driver-guide, allowing them to move between wildlife areas and accommodation according to their itinerary.
What Is Queen Elizabeth National Park Famous For?
Knowing which district Queen Elizabeth National Park is located in is only the first step. The park is famous for its extraordinary combination of wildlife, landscapes and water-based experiences.
1. Tree-Climbing Lions: The Ishasha Sector is famous for its tree-climbing lions. These lions are among the most distinctive wildlife attractions associated with Queen Elizabeth National Park.
2. Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise: The Kazinga Channel connects Lake George and Lake Edward and is one of the most popular attractions in the park.
A boat safari provides excellent opportunities to see hippos, crocodiles and numerous waterbirds while enjoying views of the surrounding landscape.
3. Game Drives: Game drives across the park’s savannah landscapes can provide sightings of elephants, buffaloes, lions, antelopes and other wildlife.
Discover the 2026 Queen Elizabeth National Park entrance fee and activities
4. Birdwatching: Queen Elizabeth National Park is also an important birding destination. The park’s varied habitats support hundreds of bird species, making it attractive to both specialist birders and travelers who simply enjoy wildlife photography.
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5. Chimpanzee Tracking: Visitors can add chimpanzee tracking around Kyambura Gorge to their Queen Elizabeth safari.
Those looking for a longer primate-focused itinerary can combine Queen Elizabeth with Kibale Forest National Park, one of Uganda’s best-known chimpanzee destinations.
Best Queen Elizabeth National Park Safari Activities by District
Different parts of the park are better suited to different activities.
| District / area | Main safari experiences |
|---|---|
| Kasese | Game drives, Kasenyi Plains, Mweya Peninsula, Kazinga Channel |
| Rubirizi | Kazinga Channel, crater-lake scenery, birdwatching |
| Rukungiri | Ishasha Sector, tree-climbing lions and game drives |
| Kamwenge | Kyambura Gorge and chimpanzee tracking |
This geographical variety is one of the main reasons Queen Elizabeth National Park works so well as a central destination in a Uganda wildlife safari.
Where to Stay: Queen Elizabeth National Park Lodges
Your preferred district can also influence where you stay.
Travelers visiting the central and northern areas can look for accommodation around Mweya, Kasenyi and the Kazinga Channel, while those focusing on Ishasha may prefer accommodation closer to the southern sector.
Visitors combining chimpanzee tracking with a Queen Elizabeth safari can also choose accommodation that reduces driving time between the park and Kyambura Gorge.
For a longer Uganda safari, we can help combine Queen Elizabeth National Park with Bwindi, Kibale and Lake Mburo rather than treating the park as an isolated destination.
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Can You Combine Queen Elizabeth National Park with Gorilla Trekking?
Yes. Queen Elizabeth National Park is an excellent addition to a Uganda gorilla trekking itinerary.
A popular combination is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park + Queen Elizabeth National Park, allowing travelers to experience mountain gorillas and classic savannah wildlife during the same Uganda trip.
See our 2 Days Gorilla Trekking Uganda package
For travelers arriving through Rwanda, a Rwanda and Uganda safari can combine gorilla trekking, wildlife viewing, chimpanzee tracking and cultural experiences.
Explore our 12 Day Rwanda and Uganda Safari
Queen Elizabeth National Park vs Other Uganda National Parks
Queen Elizabeth National Park is especially attractive because it combines savannah wildlife, forests, wetlands, crater lakes and a major waterway in one destination.
If you have limited time, Lake Mburo National Park can be a shorter safari addition closer to Kampala, while Murchison Falls offers a different landscape and Nile River experience.
For travelers looking for a broader Uganda itinerary, combining several national parks provides a more diverse wildlife experience.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Queen Elizabeth National Park Location
Which district is Queen Elizabeth National Park located in?
Queen Elizabeth National Park is located across Kasese, Rubirizi, Rukungiri and Kamwenge districts in western Uganda.
Is Queen Elizabeth National Park in Kasese District?
Yes. Kasese District is one of the principal districts associated with Queen Elizabeth National Park and is an important gateway to the park.
Is Queen Elizabeth National Park in Rubirizi District?
Yes. Rubirizi District is also part of the wider Queen Elizabeth National Park area and provides access to attractions around the park.
Which district is Ishasha in?
The Ishasha Sector is in the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park and is associated with the Rukungiri/Kasese area described in safari planning resources. The key attraction is the famous tree-climbing lions.
Which district is Kyambura Gorge in?
Kyambura Gorge is associated with the eastern side of Queen Elizabeth National Park and is a popular destination for chimpanzee tracking.
How far is Queen Elizabeth National Park from Kampala?
The road distance is roughly 400 kilometres, depending on the route and the particular park sector you are visiting. A typical journey takes around six to seven hours, although actual travel time varies.
What is Queen Elizabeth National Park famous for?
The park is best known for its tree-climbing lions in Ishasha, Kazinga Channel boat cruises, game drives, elephants, buffaloes, lions, hippos, birdwatching and diverse landscapes.
Plan Your Queen Elizabeth National Park Safari with Us
Now that you know which district Queen Elizabeth National Park is located in, you can plan your visit around the attractions that interest you most.
Whether you want to watch tree-climbing lions in Ishasha, cruise the Kazinga Channel, search for elephants and lions on the Kasenyi Plains, track chimpanzees around Kyambura Gorge, photograph Uganda’s remarkable birdlife or combine Queen Elizabeth with Bwindi gorilla trekking, the park can form the heart of an unforgettable Uganda safari.
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Rather than worrying about which route, district, lodge or safari activity to choose, let us design your journey around your interests, available time and budget.
Contact Trek Rwanda Gorillas today and let us plan your Queen Elizabeth National Park safari with professional guides, comfortable transport and carefully selected wildlife experiences.
Your Uganda adventure starts with choosing the right route—and we can help you make every day count.