Queen Elizabeth National Park Lodges & Camps
Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s most visited savannah park, covering 1,978 km² of western Uganda between Lake Edward and Lake George. Established in 1952 and named after Queen Elizabeth II following her 1954 visit, it supports 95 mammal species and over 612 bird species — one of the highest concentrations of bird species of any protected area in Africa.
The park divides into two distinct areas: the northern sector, centred on the Kasenyi plains, Mweya Peninsula, Kazinga Channel boat cruise, and Kyambura Gorge chimpanzee trekking; and the southern Ishasha sector, known for its tree-climbing lions — a behaviour extremely rare among African lion populations. The Nkuringo portfolio of eight properties spans both sectors and all price points, from classic eco-luxury lodges overlooking the gorge to simple bush camps in Ishasha.
In Queen Elizabeth National Park
The single most important accommodation decision at Queen Elizabeth National Park is whether to base in the northern sector (Kasenyi/Mweya/Kyambura) or the southern Ishasha sector — and whether you need to be in both. The two areas are approximately 100 km apart by road, and activities in each sector require staying nearby. Most guests on a 3–4 night itinerary spend two nights in the north for the Kazinga Channel cruise, game drives, and Kyambura chimpanzee trekking, then transfer to Ishasha for one to two nights with the tree-climbing lions.
Northern Sector — Kasenyi, Mweya & Kyambura Gorge
Kyambura Gorge Lodge is the most distinctive property in the northern portfolio — an eco-luxury lodge positioned on the rim of Kyambura Gorge, a 100-metre-deep forested gorge that cuts through the savannah and is home to chimpanzees, colobus monkeys, and blue monkeys. The lodge is solar-powered and built to minimise environmental impact; it is the only property in the portfolio where guests can walk directly from the lodge to the gorge entrance for chimpanzee trekking. Mid-range price positioning.
Kasenyi Safari Camp is set on the Kasenyi plains in the northeast of the park — the most productive area for lion, leopard, and Uganda kob game drives, where Uganda’s national antelope grazes in large herds and attracts predators. The camp’s position within easy reach of the Kasenyi game circuits makes it the most practical base for guests prioritising morning and evening game drives. Mid-range price positioning.
Elephant Plains Lodge offers cottage-style mid-range accommodation in the northern sector, suited to guests wanting comfortable facilities with access to both game drives and the Kazinga Channel boat cruise. Mid-range price positioning.
Katara Lodge is a simpler mid-range property in the northern sector, offering straightforward accommodation with good access to the park’s main northern activities. Well suited to guests who prioritise time in the field over lodge amenities. Mid-range price positioning.
Marafiki Safari Lodge is a small safari camp with mid-range and budget pricing — a good option for independent travellers and those seeking a more basic experience without sacrificing location.
Bush Lodge is the budget option in the northern portfolio, offering classic safari camp accommodation at the lowest price point in the Nkuringo Queen Elizabeth range.
Southern Sector — Ishasha
Ishasha Wilderness Camp is the Nkuringo portfolio’s anchor for the southern Ishasha sector — a classic luxury camp beside the Ishasha River in the heart of tree-climbing lion territory. The camp sits in remote, undeveloped bush close to the fig trees where Ishasha’s lion prides rest during the day. Game drives in Ishasha target the tree-climbing lions specifically, alongside Congo buffalo, topi, elephants, and leopard. High-end price positioning; the most upmarket property in the Queen Elizabeth portfolio.
Enjojo Lodge is the simple, affordable alternative in the Ishasha sector — lower price positioning than Ishasha Wilderness Camp, suited to guests who want to experience the tree-climbing lions without the luxury camp cost. Budget-to-low-end price positioning.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The four signature activities are the Kazinga Channel boat cruise, game drives on the Kasenyi plains, chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge, and game drives in Ishasha to see the tree-climbing lions.
The Kazinga Channel cruise is the most popular single activity: a two-hour boat trip along a 40 km waterway connecting Lakes Edward and George, passing one of Africa’s highest concentrations of hippos (approximately 2,000), alongside buffalo, elephant, Nile crocodile, and over 100 waterbird species. The Kasenyi plains are the main game drive circuit for lions, elephants, Uganda kob, and leopard.
Kyambura Gorge offers chimpanzee trekking in a forested gorge surrounded by savannah — a dramatically different setting from Kibale. Night drives, lion tracking with the Uganda Carnivore Program, crater lake walks, and cultural visits to Katwe and Kikorongo communities are also available.
Not necessarily — it depends on your priorities. The northern sector (Kasenyi, Mweya, Kyambura) covers the Kazinga Channel cruise, game drives, chimpanzee trekking, and the majority of the park’s wildlife. A 3–4 night stay in the north covers the main highlights well. Ishasha in the south is specifically for the tree-climbing lions — if seeing lions in fig trees is a priority, add one to two nights at Ishasha Wilderness Camp or Enjojo Lodge.
The drive between north and south is approximately 100 km (about 2 hours) on the main road, so combining both sectors works well on a 5+ night Queen Elizabeth itinerary or as a transit route between QENP and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which is approximately 135 km south.
Kyambura Gorge is a 100-metre-deep forested gorge — known locally as the “Valley of Apes” — that cuts through Queen Elizabeth’s open savannah for approximately 11 km. The gorge is home to six primate species including chimpanzees, black-and-white colobus, and blue monkeys.
Chimpanzee trekking here is a different experience from Kibale National Park: the groups are smaller, the gorge setting is dramatic, and sightings involve descending into the forest rather than trekking through a continuous rainforest. Success rates are lower than in Kibale and the groups are less habituated — guests sometimes encounter chimps but do not always get prolonged viewing time. For the most reliable chimpanzee experience, Kibale remains the recommended choice; Kyambura suits guests combining chimp trekking with a broader QENP itinerary.
The park supports four of the Big Five: elephant, lion, leopard, and buffalo. Rhino are not present. Key species include Uganda kob (the national antelope, present in large herds on the Kasenyi plains), hippo (approximately 2,000 in the Kazinga Channel — among the highest concentrations in East Africa), Nile crocodile, warthog, topi, and waterbuck.
The Ishasha sector also has Congo buffalo and topi in higher numbers than the north. The park’s 612 bird species make it Uganda’s top birding destination — notable species include the shoebill stork (Kazinga Channel and Maramagambo Forest), African fish eagle, carmine bee-eater, and the Martial eagle. Chimpanzees inhabit Kyambura Gorge; colobus and blue monkeys are found in Maramagambo Forest.
By road: approximately 388–420 km from Kampala — around 5–7 hours depending on route and stops. The most direct route is via Mbarara and Bushenyi. A scenic alternative runs through Fort Portal and Kasese (approximately 410 km).
By air: domestic flights from Entebbe International Airport to Kasese Airstrip (48 km from the park’s northern sector, approximately 30 minutes by road) or Mweya Airstrip (inside the park); a direct flight from Kihihi Airstrip (near Bwindi) to Kasese also operates, making it easy to combine a gorilla trekking itinerary with QENP. The full Queen Elizabeth National Park destination guide covers access and activities in detail.
Queen Elizabeth sits at the centre of Uganda’s western safari circuit and pairs naturally with several other parks. Kibale National Park for chimpanzee trekking is approximately 100 km north (about 2 hours). Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for gorilla trekking is approximately 135 km south of Ishasha (about 3 hours) — the Ishasha sector is the natural staging point for this transfer. Lake Mburo National Park is approximately 3 hours east, on the road back towards Kampala and Entebbe. A classic 8–10 day Uganda safari combines Murchison Falls, Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, and Bwindi in a single overland circuit.
