Safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park
The open plains of Kasenyi and Ishasha are the game-drive areas of the park. Kyambura is the chimpanzee area and the Kazinga Channel is where the boat cruises run. A typical safari day is a morning or late afternoon drive, a boat cruise at midday and, if you have time, a second drive in the cooler hours.
Elephants, buffalo, Uganda kob, waterbuck and hippos live in the park, and so do lions, leopards and hyenas. No drive can promise a sighting, and animals move. Fees below are for foreign non-residents under the UWA tariff for July 2024 to December 2026, in US dollars. Check the current amount before you book. With a tour, the listing says whether the permit and the park fees are included.
Our picks: Queen Elizabeth safaris
The private 4-hour game drive is the short option, the day safari from Fort Portal adds the boat, and the 3-day trip suits you if you want lodging included.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
3-day Queen Elizabeth safari with Kalinzu chimp trek
- Game drive and Kazinga boat ride
- Lodging with full board
- Driver-guide in a 4WD
The chimp walk is on day three in Kalinzu Forest, not Kyambura, and the chimpanzee permit is extra.
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Queen Elizabeth day safari from Fort Portal
- Game drive and Kazinga boat safari
- Safari guide
- Breakfast and lunch
A day covering the Kasenyi plains and the Kazinga Channel, with the return to Fort Portal after the boat safari. Ask whether park entry is included before you book.
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Private 4-hour game drive with optional boat ride
- Park entry
- 4-hour game drive
- Boat cruise as an option
Park entry and a private four-hour game drive are included. Add the boat option if you also want the Kazinga Channel.
Check availability →Queen Elizabeth safari tours
Game drives, boat cruises and multi-day safaris in the park, with live prices and availability.
Game drive types and 2026 fees
Foreign non-resident rates in US dollars. Park entry is a separate line.
| Option | What it is | Fee per person |
|---|---|---|
| Day drive, UWA vehicle | UWA vehicle and guide, charged per person | $30 |
| Night drive, UWA vehicle | Evening drive with a UWA guide | $40 |
| Private vehicle with guide | Your own or hired vehicle plus a guide | $25 per guide per day |
| Night drive, private vehicle | UWA guide and a night in the park are required | $30 |
| Self-drive without a guide | Extra line per vehicle | $10 per vehicle |
| Nature walk | On foot inside the park | $25 |
| Lion research drive | Ride with carnivore researchers, book ahead | $200, plus a $10 community contribution |
For most visitors, a day drive in a UWA vehicle or with a booked guide on the Kasenyi plains, followed by the Kazinga Channel cruise, is the simplest plan. The lion research drive suits visitors who want a long, focused morning with researchers and accept that there is no guarantee.
Kasenyi and Ishasha
Two open areas, two different days.
Kasenyi plains
Open grassland used for game drives. Uganda kob, buffalo, elephants and hyenas live in the park.
Wildlife →Ishasha sector
The southern sector, known for lions resting in fig trees. It lies on the way toward Bwindi, so many travelers combine the two. Not all lions climb, and a sighting is never certain.
Ishasha →Kyambura Gorge
A forested gorge for chimpanzee tracking. It is a different activity from a game drive, with its own permit.
Kyambura →Vehicles, self-drive and park rules
Fees and rules for vehicles.
Vehicle fees are charged per 24 hours. For foreign registrations the fee is $40 for a car, $50 for a minibus or pick-up and $150 for a tour vehicle or 4WD. For Ugandan registrations the fees are UGX 20,000, UGX 30,000 and UGX 30,000. The tariff includes a self-drive fee, but that does not mean every track is open to unaccompanied drivers. Ask at the gate about current routes.
Park gates are open from 07:00 to 19:00, the speed limit is 40 km/h and you must stay on the tracks. Camping and fires are allowed only at marked places, and pets are not allowed. Camping and the lion research drive need advance booking. For payment options, see park fees.
Safety on the road
Daylight driving and current advice.
The German Foreign Office advises special caution for Queen Elizabeth and the Rwenzori area, and names Ishasha as potentially at risk because of its border location. Plan for daylight driving, avoid night trips outside larger towns, and read your own government's current advice before you go.
Queen Elizabeth safari: frequently asked questions
How much is a game drive?
In a UWA vehicle it is $30 per person by day and $40 by night for a foreign non-resident under the UWA tariff for July 2024 to December 2026. Park entry of $40 per 24 hours is separate. Check the current amount before you book.
Can I drive myself?
The tariff has a self-drive line of $10 per vehicle on top of the vehicle fee. Rules for individual tracks can change, so ask at the gate. A guide costs $25 per day for a private vehicle.
Is a night drive possible?
Yes, with a UWA guide. In a private vehicle you also need a night in the park. The fee is $30 per person in a private vehicle and $40 in a UWA vehicle.
Do children pay?
Park entry for children from 5 to 15 is $20 for foreign non-residents, and children under 5 are free. Extra lines such as the boat or tracking have their own rules, so ask when booking.
Can I see a lion for sure?
No. Lions, leopards and hyenas live in the park, but they are wild animals. A carnivore research drive improves your focus, not your guarantee. Read the wildlife page for what the park holds.