Queen Elizabeth National Park

🇺🇬 Uganda

🐘 Elephants Along the Kazinga Channel
🌍 #19 Global · 4.8 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #14 in Africa #14 in Savanna & Grassland
East Africa, Uganda 1750 spp. recorded

Queen Elizabeth is a tropical savanna reserve in western Uganda, spanning open grasslands, dense woodlands, and shallow crater lakes. Visitors walk through flat grassy tracks and shrubby acacia trails beneath the shadows of distant mountains.

-0.227° S   29.976° E

Wildlife

SIGHTING PROBABILITY Share of citizen-science records from the park that report this species
<5%
Rare5–20%
With luck20–40%
Possible40–70%
Likely>70%
Very likely
ACTIVITY PATTERN
☀️ Diurnal 🌙 Nocturnal 🌅 Crepuscular ☀️🌙 Day & Night

⭐ Iconic Species

Lion ★
VU

Lion

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Panthera leo

50–60% · Likely
Common Hippopotamus ★
VU

Common Hippopotamus

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Hippopotamus amphibius

60–70% · Likely
African Bush Elephant ★
EN

African Bush Elephant

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Loxodonta africana

70–80% · Very likely
Nile Monitor ★
LC

Nile Monitor

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Varanus niloticus

50–60% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Speckled Mousebird
LC

Speckled Mousebird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Colius striatus

60–70% · Likely
Black-headed Gonolek
LC

Black-headed Gonolek

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Laniarius erythrogaster

60–70% · Likely
Rüppell's Glossy-starling
LC

Rüppell's Glossy-starling

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Lamprotornis purpuroptera

60–70% · Likely
Kob
LC

Kob

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Kobus kob

60–70% · Likely
Waterbuck
LC

Waterbuck

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Kobus ellipsiprymnus

60–70% · Likely
Common Bulbul
LC

Common Bulbul

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pycnonotus barbatus

60–70% · Likely
African Buffalo
NT

African Buffalo

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Syncerus caffer

60–70% · Likely
White-browed Coucal
LC

White-browed Coucal

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Centropus superciliosus

60–70% · Likely
Cape Turtle Dove
LC

Cape Turtle Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Streptopelia capicola

50–60% · Likely
Hamerkop
LC

Hamerkop

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Scopus umbretta

50–60% · Likely
African Fish-Eagle
LC

African Fish-Eagle

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Haliaeetus vocifer

50–60% · Likely
Common Warthog
LC

Common Warthog

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Phacochoerus africanus

50–60% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

Lion ★
VU

Lion

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Panthera leo

50–60% · Likely
Common Hippopotamus ★
VU

Common Hippopotamus

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Hippopotamus amphibius

60–70% · Likely
African Bush Elephant ★
EN

African Bush Elephant

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Loxodonta africana

70–80% · Very likely

📊 Most Spotted

Kob
LC

Kob

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Kobus kob

60–70% · Likely
Waterbuck
LC

Waterbuck

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Kobus ellipsiprymnus

60–70% · Likely
African Buffalo
NT

African Buffalo

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Syncerus caffer

60–70% · Likely
Common Warthog
LC

Common Warthog

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Phacochoerus africanus

50–60% · Likely
Olive Baboon
LC

Olive Baboon

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Papio anubis

50–60% · Likely
Giant Forest Hog
LC

Giant Forest Hog

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Hylochoerus meinertzhageni

40–50% · Likely
Tantalus Monkey
LC

Tantalus Monkey

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Chlorocebus tantalus

40–50% · Likely
Topi

Topi

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Damaliscus korrigum

40–50% · Likely
Leopard
VU Endemic

Leopard

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Panthera pardus

40–50% · Likely
Mantled Guereza
LC

Mantled Guereza

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Colobus guereza

30–40% · Possible
Banded Mongoose
LC

Banded Mongoose

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Mungos mungo

30–40% · Possible
Northern Bushbuck
LC

Northern Bushbuck

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tragelaphus scriptus

30–40% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

Speckled Mousebird
LC

Speckled Mousebird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Colius striatus

60–70% · Likely
Black-headed Gonolek
LC

Black-headed Gonolek

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Laniarius erythrogaster

60–70% · Likely
Rüppell's Glossy-starling
LC

Rüppell's Glossy-starling

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Lamprotornis purpuroptera

60–70% · Likely
Common Bulbul
LC

Common Bulbul

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pycnonotus barbatus

60–70% · Likely
White-browed Coucal
LC

White-browed Coucal

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Centropus superciliosus

60–70% · Likely
Cape Turtle Dove
LC

Cape Turtle Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Streptopelia capicola

50–60% · Likely
Hamerkop
LC

Hamerkop

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Scopus umbretta

50–60% · Likely
African Fish-Eagle
LC

African Fish-Eagle

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Haliaeetus vocifer

50–60% · Likely
Red-necked Francolin
LC

Red-necked Francolin

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pternistis afer

50–60% · Likely
Pied Kingfisher
LC

Pied Kingfisher

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ceryle rudis

50–60% · Likely
Grey-backed Fiscal
LC

Grey-backed Fiscal

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Lanius excubitoroides

50–60% · Likely
Yellow-throated Longclaw
LC

Yellow-throated Longclaw

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Macronyx croceus

50–60% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

Nile Monitor ★
LC

Nile Monitor

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Varanus niloticus

50–60% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Nile Crocodile
LC

Nile Crocodile

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Crocodylus niloticus

50–60% · Likely
Uganda blue-headed tree agama
LC

Uganda blue-headed tree agama

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Acanthocercus ugandaensis

30–40% · Possible
Speckle-lipped Mabuya
LC

Speckle-lipped Mabuya

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Trachylepis maculilabris

20–30% · Possible
Montane side-striped chameleon
LC

Montane side-striped chameleon

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Trioceros ellioti

10–20% · With luck
African Rock Python
NT

African Rock Python

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Python sebae

10–20% · With luck
Black-necked Spitting Cobra
LC

Black-necked Spitting Cobra

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Naja nigricollis

10–20% · With luck
African Striped Skink
LC

African Striped Skink

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Trachylepis striata

Insufficient data
Spotted Bush Snake
LC

Spotted Bush Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Philothamnus semivariegatus

Insufficient data
Puff Adder
LC

Puff Adder

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Bitis arietans

Insufficient data
Johnston's Chameleon
LC

Johnston's Chameleon

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Trioceros johnstoni

Insufficient data
Tropical House Gecko
LC

Tropical House Gecko

🌙 Nocturnal Reptile

Hemidactylus mabouia

Insufficient data
Brown Forest Cobra
LC

Brown Forest Cobra

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Naja subfulva

Insufficient data

📊 Most Spotted

Common Reed Frog
LC

Common Reed Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Hyperolius viridiflavus

Insufficient data
Anchieta's Ridged Frog
LC

Anchieta's Ridged Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Ptychadena anchietae

Insufficient data
Nile Ridged Frog
LC

Nile Ridged Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Ptychadena nilotica

Insufficient data
Kivu Reed Frog
LC

Kivu Reed Frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Hyperolius kivuensis

Insufficient data
Four-striped Tree-folding Frog
LC

Four-striped Tree-folding Frog

Amphibian

Afrixalus quadrivittatus

Insufficient data

Animal Events

🐦

Kazinga Channel Wildlife Gathering

JanFebSep

Concentration of hippos, elephants, buffaloes, and waterbirds along the Kazinga Channel, creating one of Africa’s highest biomass densities per square kilometer.

Common Bulbul
LC

Common Bulbul

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pycnonotus barbatus

60–70% · Likely
Common Hippopotamus
VU

Common Hippopotamus

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Hippopotamus amphibius

60–70% · Likely
African Bush Elephant
EN

African Bush Elephant

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Loxodonta africana

70–80% · Very likely
🦌

Ishasha Tree-Climbing Lion Mating Season

JanFebMarJunSep

Tree-climbing lions use fig trees (e.g., Ficus natalensis) as vantage points for hunting and socializing, with increased mating activity observed during these months.

Lion
VU

Lion

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Panthera leo

50–60% · Likely
Mantled Guereza
LC

Mantled Guereza

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Colobus guereza

30–40% · Possible
Red-tailed Monkey
LC

Red-tailed Monkey

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Cercopithecus ascanius

20–30% · Possible
🐦

Kob Breeding Concentration in Mweya Peninsula

FebMar

Large herds of Kob gather in open grasslands for breeding, attracting predators like lions and leopards, creating dramatic wildlife interactions.

African Wattled Lapwing
LC

African Wattled Lapwing

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Vanellus senegallus

40–50% · Likely
Lion
VU

Lion

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Panthera leo

50–60% · Likely
Kob
LC

Kob

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Kobus kob

60–70% · Likely

Sighting Calendar

Chance of spotting each species, month by month

Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Species Total
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
Lion
60–70
60–70
70–80
30–40
30–40
60–70
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
30–40
50–60
Common Hippopotamus
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
40–50
60–70
60–70
60–70
80–90
50–60
40–50
50–60
African Bush Elephant
70–80
70–80
70–80
40–50
50–60
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
Nile Monitor
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
40–50
50–60
70–80
50–60
40–50
50–60
Speckled Mousebird
50–60
80–90
50–60
60–70
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
Black-headed Gonolek
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
Rüppell's Glossy-starling
60–70
70–80
60–70
50–60
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
50–60
60–70
50–60
Kob
70–80
70–80
70–80
40–50
40–50
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
50–60
50–60
60–70
Waterbuck
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
60–70
Common Bulbul
40–50
70–80
60–70
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
African Buffalo
70–80
70–80
60–70
50–60
40–50
60–70
60–70
50–60
70–80
60–70
60–70
50–60
White-browed Coucal
50–60
50–60
50–60
40–50
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
40–50
40–50
60–70
Cape Turtle Dove
40–50
60–70
60–70
40–50
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
50–60
40–50
50–60
Hamerkop
50–60
60–70
50–60
30–40
60–70
60–70
70–80
40–50
60–70
40–50
50–60
60–70
African Fish-Eagle
40–50
50–60
50–60
40–50
50–60
60–70
60–70
50–60
40–50
50–60
50–60
30–40
Common Warthog
60–70
60–70
70–80
30–40
30–40
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
20–30
40–50
40–50
Animal Events
🐦 Kazinga Channel Wildlife Gathering
🦌 Ishasha Tree-Climbing Lion Mating Season
🐦 Kob Breeding Concentration in Mweya Peninsula

Sighting Zones

Warm areas are where all species together are recorded most, so they track where people go as much as where animals are. For one species, see the map on its own page.

0.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ World-class
🐘 Elephants Along the Kazinga Channel

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Excellent

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
5.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
1143
🐒 Mammals
332
🦎 Reptiles
210
🐸 Amphibians
65
1750 Total Species
850 Global average across 296 parks
66 Threatened 8 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Excellent

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
4.8 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
65%
📊
Coverage (264 species at ≥5% of 1750 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
15%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (6 mammal, 6 bird)
46% Global avg
67%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
134 Global avg
219
🌟
Iconic-group species (≥15%) (every species from the 19 iconic groups — monkeys, cats, toucans, macaws, sloths, crocodilians… — not just the 4 highlighted above)
15 Global avg
28
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
27 Global avg
41

Quick answers

What animals can you see in Queen Elizabeth National Park?

The most likely sightings are African Bush Elephant (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Speckled Mousebird (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers), Black-headed Gonolek (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers), Common Hippopotamus (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers), Rüppell's Glossy-starling (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers) — among 1750 recorded vertebrate species, based on citizen-science data from GBIF.

When is the best time to visit Queen Elizabeth National Park for wildlife?

February has the highest combined sighting rate for the park's top species in our month-by-month GBIF data. The full sighting calendar on this page shows each species' best months.

Can you see Lion in Queen Elizabeth National Park?

Yes — about 59% of wildlife watchers report a Lion sighting in Queen Elizabeth National Park, based on 107 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Common Hippopotamus in Queen Elizabeth National Park?

Yes — about 68% of wildlife watchers report a Common Hippopotamus sighting in Queen Elizabeth National Park, based on 152 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see African Bush Elephant in Queen Elizabeth National Park?

Yes — about 71% of wildlife watchers report a African Bush Elephant sighting in Queen Elizabeth National Park, based on 170 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Nile Monitor in Queen Elizabeth National Park?

Yes — about 58% of wildlife watchers report a Nile Monitor sighting in Queen Elizabeth National Park, based on 102 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

⚖️

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