Unmissable: diverse ecosystems, tree-climbing lions, and Kazinga Channel cruises. The dream. Queen Elizabeth National Park, located in western Uganda, spans 764 square miles and forms part of a larger ecosystem connected to Kibale Forest National Park and the Virunga landscape, encompassing over 2,000 square miles of biodiverse terrain. Established in 1952, it is Uganda’s most visited park, renowned for its unique tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector and a rich array of wildlife, including 95 mammal species like elephants, buffalo, hippos, leopards, and 600 bird species, making it a birdwatcher’s paradise. Its varied habitats—savannahs, wetlands, forests, and the Kazinga Channel—support this diversity. Conservation efforts focus on anti-poaching, habitat restoration, and community tourism with local Bakonjo and Banyabindi communities. Accommodation ranges from budget camps to luxury lodges, with the grunts of hippos and calls of pelicans as a nightly serenade. Named after Queen Elizabeth II during her 1954 visit, the park offers thrilling game drives, boat safaris, and chimpanzee tracking in a stunning, wildlife-rich landscape.