Planning a Queen Elizabeth National Park Safari in 2027-2028? Uganda's second-largest and most popular savannah park delivers the best value wildlife experience in East Africa. Located in western Uganda, the park spans 1,978 km² of volcanic craters, open savannah, and the famous Kazinga Channel connecting Lake Edward and Lake George.
On a single Queen Elizabeth safari, you can spot the Big 4 — lions, elephants, buffaloes, and leopards — enjoy a 2-hour Kazinga Channel boat cruise with over 600 hippos, and drive to the remote Ishasha sector for tree-climbing lions. Unlike Murchison Falls which needs 3 days, Queen Elizabeth is perfect for a quick 2 Day safari from $480 or a complete 3 Day safari with Ishasha from $750 pp.
Quick Answer: Queen Elizabeth National Park Safari Cost 2027-2028 starts from $480 per person for 2 Days and $750 per person for 3 Days with Ishasha. This includes $40 UWA park entrance fee, $30 Kazinga boat cruise, private 4x4 Land Cruiser, and full-board mid-range lodge. See our full Queen Elizabeth National Park Safari Guide for detailed itineraries. No gorilla permit needed - making it 60% cheaper than Bwindi.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda's most visited savannah park for a reason - it offers the highest concentration of wildlife per square kilometer, the famous Kazinga Channel boat cruise with over 1,400 hippos and 600 bird species, and the rare chance to see tree-climbing lions in Ishasha. Below is the full cost breakdown for 2027-2028 from our team at Semu Gorilla Safaris, based on private 4x4 Land Cruiser tours departing daily from Kampala, Entebbe, and Kigali.
Quick escape from Kampala - Kasenyi + Kazinga
$480 /person (2 pax)
$380 pp for 4 pax | $620 solo
Day 1: Depart Kampala 6am, drive 7-8 hours via Equator stop. Afternoon game drive in Kasenyi plains - home to 100+ lions, elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs. Check-in at Bush Lodge / Pumba Cottages.
Day 2: Morning game drive, then 2-hour Kazinga Channel boat cruise - see 600+ hippos, Nile crocodiles, elephants drinking. Drive back to Kampala, arrival 8pm.
Complete experience - Kasenyi, Kazinga, Ishasha
$750 /person (2 pax)
$590 pp for 4 pax | $890 solo | $1,100 Luxury
This is our best-selling itinerary for 2027-2028 because it covers both northern and southern sectors of the park. You get two extensive game drives in Kasenyi, one dedicated morning tracking tree-climbing lions in Ishasha fig trees, and the Kazinga Channel boat cruise. Ishasha has only 50 lions left that climb trees daily - a behavior seen only here and in Lake Manyara Tanzania.
Day 1: Kampala to Queen Elizabeth, evening game drive.
Day 2: Morning Kasenyi game drive + afternoon Kazinga boat cruise (2 hours, 25km channel).
Day 3: Sunrise drive to Ishasha (2.5 hrs), search for tree-climbing lions, lunch, return via Mbarara.
WHY THIS PACKAGE WINS:
- 95% chance of seeing lions (Kasenyi + Ishasha double chance)
- No rushing - 2 nights inside park, not on highway
- Perfect add-on from Bwindi gorilla trek - only 3 hours from Ishasha to Bwindi
For photographers & honeymooners
$1,450 /person luxury
$980 mid-range | $2,200 super luxury Mweya
Add Kyambura Gorge chimpanzee trekking ($50 permit) and stay at premium lodges like Mweya Safari Lodge on the peninsula, Katara Lodge overlooking Kazinga, or Elephant Hab Lodge. This itinerary includes crater lakes exploration, Katwe salt mines visit, and night game drive opportunity for leopards and hyenas.
Many travelers ask why prices vary. Here is the exact government and operational breakdown for 2027-2028. Our packages at Semu Gorilla Safaris have no hidden fees - this is what you pay for:
Money Saving Tip from our local team:
Book as group of 4 to drop price from $750 to $590 for 3 Day safari. Or combine Queen Elizabeth with Bwindi gorilla trek - Ishasha is only 2.5 hours from Bwindi southern sector, saving one full day drive and $200 fuel cost. Contact Semu Gorilla Safaris for combined discount.
Queen Elizabeth National Park safari cost starts from $480 per person for 2 Days for a group of 2 in mid-range lodge, $750 for 3 Days with Ishasha tree-climbing lions, and $1,450 for 4 Day luxury safari with Mweya Safari Lodge. Budget camping options start from $320 for 2 Days.
For 4 people sharing one Land Cruiser, costs drop to $380 (2 Day) and $590 (3 Day). All our prices at Semu Gorilla Safaris include $40 UWA park entry, $30 Kazinga boat cruise, private 4x4, driver guide, full-board accommodation and bottled water. No hidden costs. Contact us for exact quote.
Yes, especially if you have only 2-3 days and want variety. Queen Elizabeth is the only park in Uganda where you get savannah game drives, 2-hour boat cruise with 600+ hippos, chimp trekking in Kyambura Gorge, crater lakes, and tree-climbing lions in Ishasha in one park. Murchison Falls is larger and better for giraffes and stronger elephant herds, but needs 3-4 days minimum. Compared to Kruger South Africa, Queen is 40% cheaper, less crowded, and you can combine with gorillas in Bwindi in same trip - impossible from Kruger. Our team at Semu Gorilla Safaris can help you choose.
Absolutely - this is our most booked combo. Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth is only 2.5 hours from Bwindi southern sector (Rushaga/Nkuringo). You can do 3 Days Queen Elizabeth + 2 Days gorilla trekking in Bwindi Forest for $1,650 per person (2 pax) including $800 gorilla permit. Saves $200 in fuel and 1 day driving vs doing them separately from Kampala. Contact us for 5 Day Gorillas + Queen package.
Our Uganda-based team at Semu Gorilla Safaris is a locally owned and licensed tour operator specializing in Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi gorilla trekking and Murchison Falls safaris. We own our 4x4 Land Cruisers with no middlemen, offering fair local prices and authentic Ugandan hospitality. Tell us your dates, group size and lodge style - we send detailed itinerary today. Private tours daily from Kampala, Entebbe and Kigali.
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Need help choosing between Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls and Gorilla trek? Our team at Semu Gorilla Safaris will advise the best combo for your dates & budget.
Contact Us WhatsApp: +256 771 026 496Planning a full trip? Visit our complete guide on Queen Elizabeth National Park Safari – packages, best time, tree-climbing lions, and Kazinga Channel boat cruise.
