Tours to Queen Elizabeth from Kampala
The road distance from Kampala to the park is about 410 km, and the drive takes at least 7 to 8 hours. That is why a round trip in a single day makes little sense. Most tours are multi-day safaris with an overnight stay in or near the park, or part of a longer route through western Uganda.
Entebbe is the international airport. It is about 42 km from Kampala, roughly 40 minutes without heavy traffic, and an airport taxi to Kampala costs about $40 or UGX 100,000. A transfer from the airport to the park activities comes on top of that. Park fees are in US dollars and follow the UWA tariff for July 2024 to December 2026, so check the current amount before you book.
Our picks: Queen Elizabeth tours from Kampala
Most of these start in Kampala or Entebbe and run two to six days. Check which ones include the chimp or gorilla permit, because that is the biggest single cost.
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.
4-day wildlife safari with crater lake walk
- Park entry fees
- Kazinga and Lake Mburo boat rides
- Crater lake walk
Meals, drinks, a community visit and a guide are included. Accommodation is not part of the price.
Check availability →
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.
Check availability →
6-day gorilla trek and wildlife safari from Entebbe
- Gorilla tracking permits
- Lodging with full board
- Airport transfers
A small-group road trip via Queen Elizabeth to Bwindi and Lake Bunyonyi and back. Gorilla sightings cannot be promised.
Check availability →
3-day Queen Elizabeth and Kalinzu chimp tour
- Game drives and Kazinga cruise
- Chimp tracking permit
- Entry fees and guide
Hotel pick-up and return are included. The chimp walk is in Kalinzu Forest, not Kyambura, and sightings are never guaranteed.
Check availability →
2-day Queen Elizabeth and Kalinzu chimp trek
- Trekking permits
- Meals and drinks
- Hotel pick-up and return
Day one is in Queen Elizabeth, day two is chimp trekking in Kalinzu Forest, not Kyambura. Depending on timing you get either the boat ride or a game drive.
Check availability →
3-day Bwindi gorilla trek via Queen Elizabeth
- Queen Elizabeth entry
- Kazinga boat ride
- Lodging with half board
A road trip with a guide through Bwindi and Queen Elizabeth. The gorilla permit is extra, and a gorilla sighting is never guaranteed.
Check availability →Queen Elizabeth National Park tours from Kampala
Multi-day safaris, boat cruises and combination trips, with live prices and availability.
Road or flight
Two ways to reach the park from the capital region.
| Option | Time | Things to know |
|---|---|---|
| Road via Fort Portal | 7 to 8 hours or more | About 410 km to Mweya |
| Road via Mbarara and Bushenyi | 7 to 8 hours or more | About 420 km to Mweya |
| Scheduled flight to Kasese | About 75 minutes planned | 2026 departure at 07:00 with arrival at 08:15 at the first stop; at least 2 passengers; seasonal exceptions |
| Charter flight | Varies | Charter options exist to Mweya, Kasese and Kihihi |
A flight saves the long drive, but you still need a transfer from the Kasese airstrip to the park. Times relate to the first stop and vary with the routing. Check in 60 minutes before departure at Entebbe and 30 minutes at bush airstrips. For most visitors with limited days, the flight plus a booked transfer is the better use of time. For travelers who want to see the country, the road works well when you plan a stop on the way. More detail is on the getting there page.
Combine Queen Elizabeth with Bwindi and Kibale
Two common additions to a western Uganda trip.
Ishasha is the usual link toward Buhoma in Bwindi, about 62 km from Ishasha to Buhoma. The guide to gorilla trekking in Bwindi covers permits, sectors and rules, which are different from anything on this site. Gorilla tracking costs $800 for a foreign non-resident, so budget it separately.
Kibale is a different national park with its own chimpanzee permit, at $250 for foreign non-residents. The two permits are separate products, so do not count on one permit for both parks. See chimpanzee trekking in Kibale for that park. If you only have one forest morning, Kyambura is the option that stays inside Queen Elizabeth.
What to check before you book a tour
Offers differ more than their titles suggest.
Park entry and permits
See whether the price includes the $40 entry per 24 hours, the boat fare and any Kyambura permit, or whether you pay them in addition.
Park fees →Pick-up point
Kampala, Entebbe, Kasese or inside the park are all possible. The pick-up decides how much driving you do.
Getting there →Group size and child rules
Check the minimum number of guests and whether children can join. Kyambura chimpanzee tracking has its own age rules.
Kyambura Gorge →Activities included
A game drive, the boat cruise and a visit to Ishasha are three different items. Look for each one in the listing.
Safari →Before you travel: visa and health
Short facts for 2026.
Many visitors need an eVisa. The single-entry tourist visa costs $50, and the East Africa Tourist Visa for Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda costs $100 for 90 days, entered first through the issuing country and not extendable. Bank fees come on top. Some nationalities are exempt, so check the immigration authority's current list. Since October 2026 Uganda's immigration authority no longer requires a yellow fever certificate for entry. Check the current rule before you go, and the rules of any country you travel on to.
Queen Elizabeth tours: frequently asked questions
Can I visit Queen Elizabeth as a day trip from Kampala?
It is not a relaxed day trip. The drive is about 410 km and takes at least 7 to 8 hours each way. A flight or an overnight stay in the park area makes better use of the visit.
How long should I stay?
Two nights allow one game drive, the boat cruise and a short extra such as Ishasha or Kyambura. Add days if you combine the park with other forests or mountains.
Can I fly from Entebbe?
Scheduled flights in 2026 go to Kasese. There is no daily scheduled flight to Mweya, so plan a transfer from the airstrip and check the current timetable.
What do fees cost on top of a tour?
That depends on the listing. Entry is $40 per 24 hours for a foreign non-resident, the UWA boat cruise is $30 and Kyambura tracking is $100 plus entry. Ask what the price covers.
Are tours safe?
Western Uganda has regional travel advice. The German Foreign Office advises special caution for Queen Elizabeth and Rwenzori. Check your own government's current advice and ask the organizer about the route.