Ultimate Guide for Booking Queen Elizabeth National Park Safaris & Tours
Think of Uganda, think of Queen Elizabeth National Park, and think of unforgettable memories. Your life deserves the sights and sounds of whispering plants, playful primates, great mammals, beautiful views, and welcoming people. This is why we introduce to you Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda’s most visited park.
Other parks include Murchison Falls National Park (home to the most powerful waterfalls in the world), Lake Mburo National Park (whispers of the wild), Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (where silver meets gold), Semuliki National Park (the birder’s haven), Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mount Rwenzori National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, Kibale Forest National Park, and Mount Elgon National Park.
Queen Elizabeth National Park, known as the “medley of wonders,” offers a rich Uganda safari experience. It has a wide range of landscapes, many wildlife species, and a favorable climate. What makes it special is the wildlife. This is a place that removes stress, connects you with nature, and brings peace of mind. In the park, you will see mammals, primates, birds, and many plants.
Here is what you need to know about Queen Elizabeth National Park: its history, attractions, entrance fees, location, and the best time to visit. This information helps you make the right choice when planning your trip to Uganda’s most popular park.
Park Accessibility
The park is open to everyone regardless of age, nationality, or background. Visitors come for honeymoons, bird watching, primate trekking, photography, camping, and many other activities. You can visit for a single day or spend many days, depending on your budget.
Queen Elizabeth National Park stretches across several districts, including Kasese, Rubirizi, Kamwenge, and Rukungiri. Nearby attractions include Maramagambo Forest, Kalinzu Forest, Kyambura Game Reserve, Kigezi Game Reserve, Mount Rwenzori National Park, and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Scenery of Queen Elizabeth NP
The park lies at the base of the snowcapped Rwenzori Mountains, surrounded by Savannah, wetlands, crater lakes, and forests. The Kazinga Channel connects Lake Edward and Lake George and is full of hippos and crocodiles.
The park’s lowest point is Lake Edward at 910 meters, and its highest point is 1,350 meters above sea level. This ecosystem supports large animals, primates, and birds.
History
The park was first called Kazinga National Park in 1952. In 1954 it was renamed Queen Elizabeth National Park after Queen Elizabeth II of England visited.
Before becoming a park, the area was used for grazing by the Basongora people. In the late 1800s, explorers like Stanley and Lugard passed through. Later, outbreaks of smallpox and rinderpest reduced livestock, and locals turned to fishing.
This shift allowed wildlife to increase. By 1912, Lake George and the Ishasha sector were declared reserves, forcing people to move out to other areas. In the 1930s, sleeping sickness further reduced human settlement.
On March 31, 1952, the park was officially declared a national park, covering 1,978 square kilometers. In 1954, it was renamed Queen Elizabeth National Park. Since then, many conservation efforts and tourism developments have taken place.
Important areas include Ishasha (famous for tree-climbing lions), Kyambura Gorge (chimpanzees), Kazinga Channel (hippos and crocodiles), Mweya Peninsula (game viewing), crater lakes, the Equator, and Queen’s Pavilion (photography and scenery).
Wildlife
Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the richest wildlife areas in Uganda. It is home to four of Africa’s Big Five: lions, leopards, elephants, and buffaloes.
Other animals include antelopes, hippos, crocodiles, waterbucks, Uganda kobs, warthogs, and topis. In total, about 96 mammal species live in the park.
Boat cruises on the Kazinga Channel and game drives in the park are the best ways to see the animals. Early morning and evening game drives give you the best chance to spot predators and grazing animals.
Activities
Visitors to Queen Elizabeth National Park can enjoy:
- Game drives
- Nature walks
- Bird watching
- Cultural visits in local communities
- Primate trekking in Kyambura Gorge
- Tracking tree-climbing lions in Ishasha
- Boat safaris on the Kazinga Channel
- Photography and filming
- Camping safaris
With all these activities, a visit to Queen Elizabeth National Park gives you lasting memories of Uganda’s wildlife and natural beauty.
Park Entrance
Accessing Queen Elizabeth National Park requires an entrance fee for everyone regardless of nationality, status, or language. The fees are set by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, which manages all national parks in Uganda.
Entrance fees are as follows:
- Adults: USD 40 for foreign non-residents, USD 30 for foreign residents, and UGX 20,000 for Ugandans.
- Children: USD 20 for foreign non-residents, USD 10 for foreign residents, and UGX 5,000 for East African citizens.
- Ugandan pupils or students pay UGX 3,000, while members of Uganda Wildlife Clubs pay UGX 2,000.
- Annual park entry passes are also available:
- Individual annual pass: USD 350 for foreign residents and UGX 150,000 for East African citizens.
- Couple annual pass: USD 500 for foreign residents and UGX 200,000 for East African citizens.
- For air access, landing fees apply:
- USD 10 for foreign registered gliders and microlights.
- UGX 20,000 for Ugandan registered aircraft.
The money collected is used for conservation, supporting local communities, and improving park services.
Location of Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is in southwestern Uganda, a landlocked country in East Africa. It borders South Sudan to the north, the Democratic Republic of Congo to the west, Kenya to the east, Rwanda, and Tanzania to the south.
Uganda lies in the East African Great Lakes region, with Lake Victoria, Lake Edward, and Lake Albert forming major boundaries. The equator passes through Uganda, right where Queen Elizabeth National Park is located. This position has helped create the rich wildlife population in the area.
Uganda is also known for its friendly people. From the time you arrive until you leave, you will be warmly welcomed. The country is home to the source of the River Nile (the world’s longest river), endangered mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, snow-capped mountains, Murchison Falls, and the rare tree-climbing lions of Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Accessing the Park
The park can be reached by road or air. By road, it is about 420 km from Kampala, Uganda’s capital, and takes about 5–6 hours via the Mbarara–Kasese highway.
By air, travelers can book chartered or scheduled flights from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip to Mweya Airstrip inside the park.
Best Time to Visit Queen Elizabeth National Park
The park is open all year round. However, the best months for safaris are December to February and June to October, when there is little or no rain. During this period, wildlife viewing is easier, and activities are more enjoyable.
For travelers on a budget or those who prefer fewer visitors, March to May and November are good choices. In these months, lodges and tour operators often give discounts.
Accommodation at the Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park offers a wide range of accommodation options, from budget to luxury. Facilities are well managed with professional staff and good security.
Options include lodges, UWA bandas and dormitories, and campsites. Popular choices are Mweya Safari Lodge, Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge, Ishasha Wilderness Camp, and Kasenyi Safari Camp.
In conclusion, Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of Uganda’s most visited destinations and a top choice for travelers worldwide. With its wildlife, welcoming climate, and wide variety of attractions, it is a place worth exploring.
