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Queen Elizabeth NP Budget Safari Tours
Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda's most popular safari destination. This is partly due to its proximity to the country’s gorilla trekking hubs, but also reflects its status as one of East Africa’s most biodiverse protected areas. Here you will find expansive freshwater lakes, swathes of equatorial rainforest, tracts of rolling savannah and brackish crater lakes nestled below the snowcapped peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains. Four of the Big Five are present (no rhino), with elephant and buffalo easily seen and lion reasonably common too. The bird checklist of more than 610 species is the most of any national park in East Africa. Overall, Queen Elizabeth NP is a great addition to a budget holiday in Uganda.
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6-Day Gorillas, Primates & Wildlife Budget Tour
$2,497 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetCamping & Guest House
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Queen Elizabeth NP, Kyambura Gorge (Chimps), Ishasha Sector (Queen Elizabeth NP), Bwindi Impenetrable NP (Gorillas), Lake Mburo NP, Entebbe (End)
Green Zones Safaris
5.0/5 – 13 Reviews
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4-Day Rwanda Golden Monkey, Bwindi Gorilla, Chimp Trek
$2,002 pp (USD)
Rwanda & Uganda: Private tourBudgetLodge & Tented Camp
You Visit: Kigali (Start), Bwindi Impenetrable NP (Gorillas), Lake Bunyonyi, Queen Elizabeth NP, Kigali Airport (End)
Frena Adventures
5.0/5 – 113 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
10-Day Tailor-Made Holiday & Tour in Uganda –Big 5 Safari
$3,040 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetLodge & Guest House
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Entebbe Airport (Entebbe), Murchison Falls NP, Kibale NP (Chimps), Queen Elizabeth NP, Bwindi Impenetrable NP (Gorillas), Lake Mburo NP, Entebbe (End)
Home To Africa Tours and Travel
5.0/5 – 294 Reviews
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5-Day Gorillas Chimpanzees and Wildlife Safari in Uganda
$2,046 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetLodge & Guest House
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Queen Elizabeth NP, Ishasha Sector (Queen Elizabeth NP), Bwindi Impenetrable NP (Gorillas), Lake Mburo NP, Equator point Uganda (Highlight), Entebbe (End)
Dav Safaris
5.0/5 – 101 Reviews
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5-Day Gorillas, Chimps, Wildlife, Unique Overland Style
$3,094 to $3,249 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetCamping & Banda
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Lake Mburo NP, Bwindi Impenetrable NP (Gorillas), Ishasha Sector (Queen Elizabeth NP), Queen Elizabeth NP, Kyambura Gorge (Chimps), Entebbe (End)
Meanda Uganda
5.0/5 – 21 Reviews
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![3-Day Queen Elizabeth National Park and Chimp-Tracking]()
3-Day Queen Elizabeth National Park and Chimp-Tracking
$795 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetLodge
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Queen Elizabeth NP, Entebbe Airport (End)
Primate Safaris
4.7/5 – 14 Reviews
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![3-Day Budget Safari to Queen Elizabeth National Park]()
3-Day Budget Safari to Queen Elizabeth National Park
$660 pp (USD)
Uganda: Shared tour (max 8 people per vehicle)BudgetLodge
You Visit: Kampala (Start), Queen Elizabeth NP, Kampala (End)
Expedition Rwindi Voyage
5.0/5 – 52 Reviews
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![7-Day Best of Uganda Gorilla, Chimp Tracking & Wildlife]()
7-Day Best of Uganda Gorilla, Chimp Tracking & Wildlife
$3,025 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetLodge & Hotel
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Murchison Falls NP, Hoima (Town), Queen Elizabeth NP, Bwindi Impenetrable NP (Gorillas), Lake Mburo NP, Entebbe (End)
Lulu Safaris Uganda
4.9/5 – 119 Reviews
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![7-Day Wildlife, Lake Bunyonyi, Chimps & Gorilla Safari]()
7-Day Wildlife, Lake Bunyonyi, Chimps & Gorilla Safari
$3,078 to $3,113 pp (USD)
Rwanda & Uganda: Private tourBudgetLodge & Resort
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Murchison Falls NP, Kibale NP (Chimps), Queen Elizabeth NP, Ishasha Sector (Queen Elizabeth NP), Bwindi Impenetrable NP (Gorillas), Lake Bunyonyi, Kigali (End)
Abunda Discoveries Uganda
5.0/5 – 5 Reviews
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![3-Day Wildlife Safari Tour Uganda Queen Elizabeth NP]()
3-Day Wildlife Safari Tour Uganda Queen Elizabeth NP
$1,045 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetCamping
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Queen Elizabeth NP, Entebbe (End)
Iconic Travels
4.8/5 – 4 Reviews
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![20-Day Primates and Wildlife Uganda Safari]()
20-Day Primates and Wildlife Uganda Safari
$9,878 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetMountain Hut & Camping
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Ziwa Rhino Ranch, Murchison Falls NP, Budongo Forest (Chimps), Kibale NP (Chimps), Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range), Queen Elizabeth NP, Bwindi Impenetrable NP (Gorillas), Lake Bunyonyi, Lake Mburo NP, Entebbe Airport (End)
Pamoja Tours and Travel (Entebbe, UG)
4.8/5 – 54 Reviews
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![13-Day Wildlife Adventure Trip to the Pearl of Africa]()
13-Day Wildlife Adventure Trip to the Pearl of Africa
$4,045 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetLodge & Tented Camp
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Kampala (City), Ziwa Rhino Ranch, Murchison Falls NP, Kibale NP (Chimps), Queen Elizabeth NP, Ishasha Sector (Queen Elizabeth NP), Bwindi Impenetrable NP (Gorillas), Lake Mutanda, Lake Mburo NP, Entebbe Airport (End)
Tubale Safaris
5.0/5 – 55 Reviews
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![7-Day Tree Climbing Lion, Queen Elizabeth National Park]()
7-Day Tree Climbing Lion, Queen Elizabeth National Park
$1,538 to $1,678 pp (USD)
Uganda: Shared tour (max 4 people per vehicle)BudgetLodge & Hotel
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Kampala (City), Kazinga Channel (Queen Elizabeth NP), Queen Elizabeth NP, Kasese (Town), Lake Mburo NP, Entebbe Airport (End)
Free Spirit Safari
4.8/5 – 6 Reviews
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![5-Day Gorillas -Chimpanzee and Wildlife Uganda]()
5-Day Gorillas -Chimpanzee and Wildlife Uganda
$2,057 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetLodge & Tented Camp
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Queen Elizabeth NP, Bwindi Impenetrable NP (Gorillas), Lake Bunyonyi, Entebbe (End)
Northern Fox Adventure Tours
4.7/5 – 18 Reviews
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![12-Day Tailor-Made Gorilla & Big Five Sightseeing Safari]()
12-Day Tailor-Made Gorilla & Big Five Sightseeing Safari
$3,289 to $3,509 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetCamping & Lodge
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Murchison Falls NP, Kibale NP (Chimps), Queen Elizabeth NP, Ishasha Sector (Queen Elizabeth NP), Bwindi Impenetrable NP (Gorillas), Lake Bunyonyi, Lake Mburo NP, Kampala (City), Entebbe (End)
Trots & Safari Uganda
4.8/5 – 24 Reviews
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![12-Day Uganda Rwanda Rwenzori Mountain Hiking Trip]()
12-Day Uganda Rwanda Rwenzori Mountain Hiking Trip
$5,060 pp (USD)
Uganda & Rwanda: Shared tour (max 6 people per vehicle)BudgetMountain Hut & Guest House
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Kibale NP (Chimps), Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range), Queen Elizabeth NP, Mgahinga Gorilla NP (Gorillas), Kigali, Kigali Airport (End)
Safari 2 Gorilla Tours
4.8/5 – 61 Reviews
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![10-Day Mgahinga-Queen-Murchison-Jinja]()
10-Day Mgahinga-Queen-Murchison-Jinja
$4,175 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetLodge & Hotel
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Kisoro (Town), Mgahinga Gorilla NP (Gorillas), Lake Mutanda, Queen Elizabeth NP, Kalinzu FR (Chimps), Murchison Falls NP, Jinja (Town), Lake Victoria, Entebbe (End)
Santaviva
5.0/5 – 20 Reviews
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![12-Day Best Primate and Big Five Tour in Uganda]()
12-Day Best Primate and Big Five Tour in Uganda
$5,445 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetLodge & Tented Camp
You Visit: Kampala (Start), Jinja (Town), Murchison Falls NP, Kibale NP (Chimps), Queen Elizabeth NP, Bwindi Impenetrable NP (Gorillas), Lake Bunyonyi, Lake Mburo NP, Kampala (End)
Bright Safaris Uganda
5.0/5 – 50 Reviews
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![9-Day Gorilla Trekking, Chimps & Wildlife Budget Safari]()
9-Day Gorilla Trekking, Chimps & Wildlife Budget Safari
$2,904 pp (USD)
Uganda: Shared tour (max 4 people per vehicle)BudgetCamping & Tented Camp
You Visit: Kampala (Start), Murchison Falls NP, Kibale NP (Chimps), Queen Elizabeth NP, Bwindi Impenetrable NP (Gorillas), Lake Bunyonyi, Entebbe Airport (End)
Safaris By Jon
5.0/5 – 29 Reviews
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![8-Day Gorilla and Safari Experience Uganda]()
8-Day Gorilla and Safari Experience Uganda
$2,860 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetLodge & Guest House
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Kibale NP (Chimps), Bigodi Wetland (Kibale NP), Queen Elizabeth NP, Ishasha Sector (Queen Elizabeth NP), Bwindi Impenetrable NP (Gorillas), Lake Bunyonyi, Lake Mburo NP, Entebbe Airport (End)
Philo Global Tours And Travel
5.0/5 – 4 Reviews
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6 Questions About Queen Elizabeth NP Budget Safaris
Answered by
Philip Briggs
Philip is an Africa-specialized travel writer who first visited Uganda in 1988. He has returned on numerous occasions to research his Bradt Guide to Uganda (first published in 1993 and now in its 10th edition) and to lead wildlife tours and bird-watching safaris.› More about Philip
6 Questions About Queen Elizabeth NP Budget Safaris
Philip Briggs
Is Queen Elizabeth National Park recommended as a budget safari destination?
“Queen Elizabeth National Park is justifiably one of the most popular destinations for an affordable budget safari out of the Ugandan capital Kampala or nearby Entebbe International Airport. It is particularly recommended to travelers who also want to see gorillas, as it lies very close to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda's main gorilla trekking destination. Queen Elizabeth NP’s Ishasha sector is also one of the most reliable places in Africa for tree-climbing lions. For those who want to do a stand-alone budget safari that doesn't include gorilla trekking, we would regard Murchison Falls National Park as preferable to Queen Elizabeth NP. There are two main reasons for this. The first is that Murchison Falls is more than 100km/60mi closer to Kampala, which cuts about 2 hours off the driving time in either direction. The second is that Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch stands alongside the main road to Murchison Falls and is easily visited en route there.”
1Is 2 days enough for a Queen Elizabeth NP trip?
“Two days is theoretically enough for a stand-alone Queen Elizabeth National Park budget safari, and several operators offer this option. However, given that the driving time from Kampala or Entebbe is at least 7 hours in either direction, 2 days makes for a very rushed trip and will limit how much you can fit into your itinerary. For this reason, we would recommend a minimum of 3 days, preferably 4, for a stand-alone Queen Elizabeth NP safari. If you are also planning to track gorillas, we would recommend 4 days as the realistic minimum for your safari, and 5 days or longer as ideal.”
2What animals might I see on a Queen Elizabeth NP budget safari?
“Queen Elizabeth NP offers good general wildlife viewing. It is the easiest place in Uganda to see lions, which quite often climb trees in the Ishasha sector but are more common on the Kasenyi Plains, where they feed on large herds of Uganda kob. Elephant, buffalo, hippo, waterbuck and crocodile are generally numerous along the Kazinga Channel, which can be explored on boat trips that also offer great bird watching and occasional sightings of leopard and giant forest hog. The forested Maramagambo sector is a good place to look for monkeys and other forest wildlife.”
3Can I combine a Queen Elizabeth NP budget trip with gorilla or chimp trekking?
“A budget safari in Queen Elizabeth NP is often combined with gorilla and/or chimp trekking. The most convenient gorilla trekking destination coming from Queen Elizabeth NP is Buhoma, on the northern boundary of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Depending on which lodge or camp you stay at in Queen Elizabeth NP, it is only a 2- to 4-hour drive between there and Buhoma. It is also possible to drive between Queen Elizabeth NP and other trekking sites in Bwindi Impenetrable or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, but you'll be looking at more like 5 to 7 hours on the road. Queen Elizabeth NP is even more convenient for seeing chimps. Two popular trekking sites, Kyambura Gorge and Kalinzu Forest Reserve, border the park and can be visited as a day trip from any lodge or camp in the area. Of these, Kalinzu has a slightly higher success rate but Kyambura is much cheaper than any other chimp trekking site in Uganda. It is also straightforward to add neighboring Kibale National Park, Uganda’s premier chimp trekking destination, onto a budget Queen Elizabeth NP safari. But Kibale is costlier than Kyambura or Kalinzu, and much busier with tourists.”
4What type of accommodations can I expect on cheap Queen Elizabeth NP packages?
“Most cheap tours incorporating Queen Elizabeth NP will use budget camps and lodges. These typically offer rustic but clean accommodations in en suite rooms (though some may have ablution blocks) on full-board packages that include meals but not drinks. Some budget tours will use campsites but this is the exception rather than the rule. Before you book a tour, it is advisable to ask where you will be staying and look at the establishment’s website, assuming that it has one.”
5How much does a Queen Elizabeth NP budget safari cost?
“More affordable safari packages that focus solely on Queen Elizabeth NP typically cost around US$220 to US$300 per person per day. You can expect to pay slightly more for a package that includes chimp trekking, and significantly more for one that incorporates a costly gorilla trekking permit. In all cases, the price should be inclusive of accommodations, meals, transport, park fees and activity costs, but it will exclude tips, unscheduled activities, drinks and other personal purchases.”
6Queen Elizabeth NP Reviews
Mark is a travel writer who grew up in Africa and has written over 700 titles for Condé Nast Traveller, Travel Africa, BBC Wildlife and others.
Greatest Collection of Mammal Species in Uganda
The best way to get an early feel for Queen Elizabeth National Park is to join a two-hour boat cruise up the Kazinga Channel, which runs between Lake George and Lake Edward. Birdlife is fantastic but the whole journey, especially if you go...
Lizzie is a reputed guidebook writer and author of the Footprint guides to South Africa, Namibia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
Uganda’s Offering of a Typical East African Reserve Supporting Herds of Game
My favourite activity at Queen Elizabeth is the boat ride on the Kazinga Channel. It’s said to contain the world’s largest concentration of hippo, and you can watch thousands of them practically piled on top of each other in the...
An African adventure I will never forget
Safari of a lifetime on an affordable budget Accommodation had everything you needed set in stunning waterside location that literally had hypo’s antelope and wart hogs roaming about outside your door Denis is knowledgeable...
Bale Mountains Brilliant Tours
Abdisa was our trek leader when me and three friends went for a 4 day trek through Bale. It was my first time in Ethiopia and he made us feel welcome and was really helpful in getting us what we needed, preparing for our trek, pacing us in...
PT
Amazing Experience
My expections were pretty high, since I have always heard amazing things about QENP. And I must say I was not disappointed. The day started in the best possible way: Reaching the main road of the park, we spotted a Hyena. As we were...
HU
Kyambura Gorge is amazing!
If you assess the park purely on the game drives, then it was very disappointing. There are only a few species that we saw: elephants, hippos, warthogs, buffalos, waterbucks and Ugandan kobs. However there are some activities which are...