Queen Elizabeth National Park
One of Uganda's best-known savanna parks, spread across plains, crater lakes and forest between Lake George and Lake Edward. It is known for elephants, hippos, buffalo and tree-climbing lions.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
In this savannah park, Ishasha is known for its tree-climbing lions, and the Kazinga Channel for boat safaris that pass among hippos.
Attractive locations
Kazinga Channel
A natural waterway linking Lake George and Lake Edward. Boat trips along its banks show large numbers of hippos, buffalo, elephants and waterbirds close to the water.
Lake Edward
One of the smaller African Great Lakes, forming the park's western edge and shared with Congo. Its shores are home to hippos, fishing villages and many water birds.
Lake George
A shallow lake on the park's north-east side, joined to Lake Edward by the Kazinga Channel. Its shores are rich in birds, and boat trips pass hippos and buffalo.
Kyambura Gorge (Kyambura Game Reserve)
A deep, forested gorge in the savanna where a small community of chimpanzees lives. Guided tracking walks descend into the cool forest along the river at the bottom.
Lake Katwe
A salt lake near the park, where local workers have traditionally harvested salt by hand from shallow pans. Guided visits explain how this industry works and why it matters locally.
Maramagambo Forest
A large forest in the south of the park with walking trails, crater lakes and a cave full of bats. Many visitors come for the birds and primates.
Airports
Savannah Airstrip KHX
It is about 75 km in a straight line from Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Kisoro Airport KXO
It is about 132 km in a straight line from Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Scams and safe taxis
Weather by month
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
- Jan22.7 °C64 mm
- Feb23.4 °C67 mm
- Mar22.9 °C122 mm
- Apr22.0 °C123 mm
- May21.7 °C108 mm
- Jun21.8 °C64 mm
- Jul22.0 °C62 mm
- Aug22.1 °C100 mm
- Sep22.2 °C122 mm
- Oct21.8 °C140 mm
- Nov21.4 °C139 mm
- Dec21.8 °C88 mm
Driest months: Jan, Jun, Jul. Wettest months: Apr, Oct, Nov.
Costs
Prices here are about 35% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.
Who can help
Emergency
999 or 112.
local government
Uganda Police Force (emergency 999 / 112)
Helps with: Uganda's national police. Its FAQ says to dial 999 or 112 in an emergency, and its headquarters lists two landline numbers and an email for general enquiries.
Who qualifies: Anyone in Uganda, including visitors, who needs police help.
Phone: 999
Email: info@upf.go.ug
local government
Tourism Police Zonal Commanders (Uganda Tourism Board)
Helps with: Police commanders who protect Uganda's tourism destinations and the safety of travellers. Anyone facing a problem can contact the commander for their region; numbers are in a PDF on the page.
Who qualifies: Travellers, tourism operators and communities facing a safety or security problem in Uganda's tourism areas.
local government
Uganda Tourism Board (UTB)
Helps with: Uganda's national tourism board. Its tourism police page gives a general office line and email, and points visitors to the regional tourism police commanders.
Who qualifies: Anyone visiting Uganda or planning a trip there.
Phone: +256-414-560-800
Email: utb@utb.go.ug
ngo
Uganda Red Cross Society
Helps with: Uganda's national Red Cross society, with headquarters in Kampala. Its contacts page lists a toll-free line and separate numbers for first aid training and commercial ambulances.
Who qualifies: People in Uganda who need to reach the Red Cross, including for first aid training.
Phone: 0800 211 088
Email: sgurcs@redcrossug.org
Address: Plot 551/555 Rubaga Road, P.O. Box 494, Kampala
un agency
International Organization for Migration (IOM) Uganda
Helps with: The UN migration agency's country office in Kampala, with sub-offices at Nakivale, Kyangwali and Kyaka II. Contact it about migration matters in Uganda.
Who qualifies: Migrants and organisations working on migration. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.
Phone: +256 31 2263210
Email: iomkampala@iom.int
Address: Plot 6A Bukoto Crescent, Naguru, P.O. Box 11431, Kampala
embassy
Foreign embassies and high commissions in Uganda (official list)
Helps with: For a lost passport or serious trouble, contact your own country's embassy or high commission. The Ugandan foreign ministry attaches a diplomatic list (September 2022 edition) with contact details of missions.
Who qualifies: Citizens of each country, through their own embassy or high commission.
local government
Department of Disaster Preparedness and Management (Office of the Prime Minister)
Helps with: Uganda's national disaster management department, based at the Postel Building in Kampala. Its page on the prime minister's office site lists a toll-free line.
Who qualifies: Anyone in Uganda affected by a disaster or reporting one.
Phone: 0800 177 777
Address: Clement Hill Road, Postel Building, Kampala