What is the weather and climate in Queen Elizabeth National Park Queen Elizabeth is one of Uganda’s famous national parks and the most popular tourist destination. The park is the second-largest of the country’s national parks and was gazetted in 1952. The park was named after Queen Elizabeth II to commemorate her visit to Uganda in 1954. It was previously referred to as Kazinga National Park but was later renamed in her Honor. The park is also one of the largest protected areas in Uganda. The park covers an area of about 1,978 sq. km and extends from Lake George in the northeast to Lake Edward in the southwest and includes the Kazinga Channel connecting the two lakes. It is home to 95 mammal species and over 600 bird species. The area around Ishasha in Rukungiri District is famous for its tree-climbing lions. The park gives you spectacular views of the Rwenzori Mountains.
The climate in Queen Elizabeth National Park is warm. Temperatures remain constant throughout the year. Daytime temperatures typically rise to around 28 degrees Celsius /82-degree Fahrenheit and slowly fall to around 18 degrees Celsius /64-degree Fahrenheit at night. Queen Elizabeth NP doesn’t have a real Dry season, so there is always potential for rain. But there is less rain from mid-December through to February, and rainfall is lowest over June and July.
Dry Seasons–January to February and June to July
January and February
In January and February, you might still see some rain in Queen Elizabeth National Park, even though these months are usually drier. There can be stretches of rainy days, so it’s good to be prepared for a sudden downpour now and then.
June and July
In June and July, Queen Elizabeth National Park experiences its driest weather, with only a small chance of rain. During the day, temperatures typically reach about 28 degrees Celsius (82-degree Fahrenheit), while at night, it cools down to around 17 degrees Celsius (63-degree Fahrenheit). It’s a good time to enjoy the park’s beauty without worrying too much about rain interrupting your plans.
Wet Seasons–March to May & August to December
March, April, and May
In Queen Elizabeth National Park, the months of March, April, and May bring a lot of rain, especially in April when the rainfall is at its highest. During this period, the afternoons are usually quite enjoyable with temperatures reaching around 29 degrees Celsius (84-degree Fahrenheit), while mornings are cooler, sitting at about 18 degrees Celsius (64-degree Fahrenheit). However, the heavy rain can make some roads difficult to navigate, and the paths used for chimp trekking can become slippery and challenging.
August, September, October, November and December
The months of August to December in Queen Elizabeth National Park bring a climate that feels a lot like the spring months of March to May. During this period, the park experiences some rain, with November being the wettest month. It’s a time when the lush landscape starts to thrive, making the natural beauty even more vibrant.
Safari highlights for a Uganda safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Boat cruise along the Kazinga channel
A boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel is a must-do activity while exploring Queen Elizabeth National Park during your Uganda safari. This scenic cruise takes you between Lake George and Lake Edward, offering chances to see a variety of wildlife, such as elephants, buffalos and antelopes, families of warthogs, large groups of hippos, and crocodiles basking on the shore. The shores of Kazinga are also a paradise for birdwatchers, especially during migration season when many birds head south for warmer weather. You’ll be treated to stunning views of the Mweya Peninsula and the daily lives of local fishing villages along the water’s edge.
Game drives
Wildlife sightings in Queen Elizabeth National Park are one of the most and main exciting activities in the park. Game drives on safari offer amazing chances to encounter an incredible array of wildlife in their natural habitat. Game drives are typically conducted in the early morning and late afternoon, when wildlife activity is at its peak. More so these drives can be carried out in different areas depending on your point of interested such as Mweya peninsula, Ishasha sector, Kasenyi plains and crater lakes. During your game drives, you’ll get the opportunity to spot animals such as leopards, lions, buffaloes, elephants, Uganda Kobs, and warthogs, as well as different birds. The park is also home to tree-climbing lions, which are seen resting on branches.
Lion tracking at Ishasha
The lion tracking experience in Queen Elizabeth National Park offers just that – a unique opportunity to follow and observe these incredible creatures in their natural habitat. By joining this adventure, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of their daily lives, from what they eat to how they interact with each other.
The lion tracking experience is flexible, with options to join in the early morning, afternoon, or even at night. Each session typically lasts between two to three hours, giving you ample time to soak in the sights and sounds of the savannah. What’s more, you might even get to venture off the beaten path and drive into the wilderness to get a closer look at these magnificent animals. During Lion tracking, sometimes you can drive off the tracks to have a close encounter with the lions. You will be guided by park guide or researcher until you find the lions as they track their location.
Chimpanzee tracking
Chimpanzee tracking is one of the highlights of any safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Chimpanzee tracking tour in the park is done in Kyambura Gorge. This activity involves trekking on foot through the jungle of the Kyambura forest in search for these captivating creatures in their natural habitat. The chimpanzee tracking here normally starts just as any chimpanzee tracking destining in Uganda with morning about the rules and regulations on how to track these fascinating primate and expectations. After the briefing, you will be guided to trek through the Kyambura Gorge lush forest in search of these captivating habituated chimpanzee’ groups. Upon meeting with these chimpanzee group, you’ll have the opportunity to observe these intelligent primates up close as they go about their daily activities, such as playing, grooming, foraging for food, and carrying their young ones. You will also have the opportunity to take photographs and observe their behaviors.
Where to stay in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park offers a wide range of accommodation facilities for group travelers. These accommodations ranges from luxury, midrange and budge such as Mweya Safari Lodge, Bush Lodge, Elephant Plains Lodge, Ishasha Wilderness Camp, Parkview safari Lodge, Hippo Hill Lodge, Kingfisher Lodge Kichwamba, Kyambura Game Lodge Ishasha Ntungwe River Camp, Ishasha Tented Camp / Ishasha River Camp, Simba Safari Camp, Volcanoes Kyambura Gorge Lodge and Ishasha Jungle Lodge among others.
