How to Plan a Wildlife Safari in Uganda – Queen Elizabeth National Park: Costs, Best Time & Safety Tips

Planning a Uganda Safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park: Costs, Seasons, and Safety Tips

By WildlifeLens — August 2025

Uganda is a popular safari destination, and Queen Elizabeth National Park offers diverse wildlife and landscapes. Known for tree-climbing lions and over 600 bird species, the park provides excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing. This guide covers essential information for first-time visitors, including safari costs, best visiting seasons, safety tips, and accommodation options.

Waterbucks stare at tourists at Queen Elizabeth National park Uganda

 Image Credit: by Aacuda, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Why Choose Queen Elizabeth National Park?

Located in western Uganda, Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s most popular park, covering nearly 2,000 square kilometers. It features diverse ecosystems—savannah plains, volcanic crater lakes, wetlands, and the Kazinga Channel. The park is home to elephants, buffaloes, hippos, crocodiles, and the tree-climbing lions of the Ishasha sector. Compared to other East African parks, Queen Elizabeth offers a less crowded safari option at a reasonable cost.

How Much Does a Safari Cost in Queen Elizabeth National Park?

Safari costs depend on your travel style—budget, mid-range, or luxury.

1. What to Budget For

  • Game drives and boat cruises: Safaris typically include morning and evening drives; boat trips on the Kazinga Channel provide wildlife viewing opportunities.
  • Park entry fees: Check the official Queen Elizabeth National Park page for current rates for international visitors and resident discounts.
  • Guides and accommodation: Options range from lodges to tented camps. The Ishasha sector also offers luxury tented camps with easy access to wildlife areas.
  • Extras: Vehicle hire, meals outside of your package, and optional gorilla treks in nearby Bwindi (permits are required).

2. Best Time to Visit

Dry months are ideal—animals gather near water, roads are in good condition, and visibility is higher. According to multiple sources:

Shoulder months like November or March have fewer visitors and lush scenery, though rain is possible.

Queen Elizabeth National Park provides opportunities to see elephants, hippos, lions, and a wide variety of bird species in their natural habitat.

3. Things to Do & Not Miss

  • Tree-climbing lions in Ishasha—one of the few locations where lions rest in fig trees.
  • Boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel—observe hippos, elephants, crocodiles, and birds.
  • Chimp trekking in the nearby Kyambura Gorge or Maramagambo Forest (source).

Queen Elizabeth National Park offers diverse landscapes and a variety of wildlife. Planning ahead—considering costs, timing, accommodation, and safety—helps ensure a smooth safari. Both budget and luxury options are available for visitors, making the park accessible to a wide range of travelers.

Have you visited Queen Elizabeth National Park? Share your experiences in the comments, or bookmark this guide for future reference.

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