National park · Uganda
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Enter Queen Elizabeth National Park for a day: pay the 15,000 UGX entry fee, drive to Mweya for the Kazinga Channel boat (30 min) or Ishisha lion walk (2 h); best months are Jun–Sep and Dec–Feb; avoid the rainy season (Apr–May).
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
2,005 km² (774 sq mi)774 sq mi (2,005 km²)
approximate
Established
1954
Best months
Jun–Sep, Dec
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 12Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a mult…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- East Africa ↗Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a multi-country trip: Uganda and Burundi check it for all arrivals, and a stop in Kenya or Ethiopia makes the next border ask for it.
- East Africa ↗Advice for Ethiopia, Somaliland, Eritrea, Somalia, South Sudan and the Congo border areas can change within days; read your government's page the week you fly and before every regional flight.
- East Africa ↗Price park, reserve and permit fees before comparing lodges: they are charged per person per day, often with VAT, and are fixed whatever bed you choose.
- Uganda ↗Get the Uganda e-visa or East Africa Tourist Visa on the official immigration portal before flying, and carry a yellow fever certificate: Uganda asks all arriving travellers for one.
- Uganda ↗Book a travel-clinic visit several weeks ahead for malaria prevention, and check current outbreak notices: Ebola and Marburg outbreaks have occurred in the region, most recently in 2026.
- Uganda ↗Book gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permits before you fix dates; the lodge booking follows the permit, not the other way round.
- Uganda ↗Domestic light aircraft to the parks have strict baggage limits, usually soft-sided bags only and a low total weight (often around 15 kg); confirm the limit with your operator.
- Western Uganda ↗Gorilla permits are sold per person per trek and must be booked through a licensed operator; carry the printed permit and your passport to the trailhead.
- Western Uganda ↗Uganda checks a yellow fever certificate on arrival for all travellers.
- Western Uganda ↗Carry cash in Ugandan shillings for park gates, fuel and village stops; card machines fail outside the bigger towns.
At a glance
- Country
- Uganda
- Area
- 2,005 km² (774 sq mi)774 sq mi (2,005 km²)
- Park covers about 2,005 km² (≈774 mi²) across savanna, forest and crater lakes; figures vary slightly between sources.
- Established
- 1954
- Best months
- Jun–Sep, Dec
- Permits
- For some areas
Queen Elizabeth National Park spans volcanic craters, grassy plains and wetlands between Lake Edward and Lake George, offering dense hippo populations on the Kazinga Channel, lions lounging in Ishasha fig trees, and diverse wildlife across savanna and forest habitats.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1954.
Size and age
2,005 km² (774 sq mi)774 sq mi (2,005 km²) · national park since 1954
Park covers about 2,005 km² (≈774 mi²) across savanna, forest and crater lakes; figures vary slightly between sources.
Why go
- Kazinga Channel hosts the world’s largest hippo concentration.
- Ishasha sector offers lion sightings in fig trees.
- Volcanic crater lakes and savanna provide varied landscapes.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecBest
- JanDry, good game viewing
- FebDry, good game viewing
- MarTransition, still dry
- AprStart of rains, some roads muddy
- MayRainy, tracks slippery
- JunDry, excellent wildlife
- JulDry, excellent wildlife
- AugDry, excellent wildlife
- SepDry, excellent wildlife
- OctShort rains, still good
- NovShort rains, still good
- DecDry, excellent wildlife
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hippos (Kazinga Channel)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Lions (Ishasha sector)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Elephants (Mweya peninsula)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Birds (wetland and forest)Mar–Sep | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Kampala
Morning bus from Kampala bus park to Katunguru gate (≈5 h).
5–6 h
Open the page →
From Entebbe
Domestic flight to Mweya or Kasese airstrip; or bus‑train combo via Kampala.
1 h flight / 5 h ground
Open the page →
From Kasese
Taxi or hired vehicle to Mweya peninsula (≈30 km (19 mi)).Taxi or hired vehicle to Mweya peninsula (≈19 mi (30 km)).
45 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Mweya Peninsula | Kazinga Channel boat trips, lodges, wildlife viewing. | Open with entry ticket; boat tours at fee. |
| Ishasha Sector | Lion and elephant habitats, river camp. | Open with entry ticket; guided walks recommended. |
| Crater Lake Area | Volcanic crater lakes, savanna drives. | Open with entry ticket; self‑drive possible. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates based on park centre; points are approximate.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | UGX 15,000 | person | Paid at Katunguru gate |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- Guides required for lion walks and off‑road drives.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use camp stoves only.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; bins are scarce.
- Off‑road vehicles
- Permits needed for self‑drive beyond main roads.
Where to stay
Near the park
Mweya Lodge
Double rooms from US$210 per night; close to boat launch.
Near the park
Albertine Lodge
Twin rooms USh 60 000; basic amenities.
Near the park
Ishasha River Camp
Camping sites beside the river; basic facilities.
Safety
Hippo encounters high
Road accidents medium
Malaria medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main roads to Mweya and Katunguru gate are paved and reachable by 4×4.
- Walking trails vary; lion walk has uneven ground, not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Choose lodges that employ local staff and source food locally.
- Avoid single‑use plastics; bring reusable bottles.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Queen Elizabeth National Park?
The entry fee is 15,000 UGX per person, paid at Katunguru gate.
What are the best hikes in Queen Elizabeth National Park?
Top options are the Kazinga Channel boat cruise (hippos), the guided Ishasha lion walk (≈2 h), and the crater‑lake drive for scenery.
When is the best time to visit Queen Elizabeth National Park?
Dry months June–September and December–February give the best wildlife viewing and road conditions.
Do I need a guide for a game drive?
Guides are required for off‑road drives and the Ishasha lion walk; self‑drive on main roads is allowed with a park entry ticket.
Are there accommodation options inside the park?
Yes – Mweya Lodge, Albertine Lodge and the Ishasha River Camp provide rooms and camping within the park boundaries.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Queen Elizabeth National Park
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