Where to Sleep, Eat, and Drink in Queen Elizabeth National Park
wildlifeJun 25, 2026

Where to Sleep, Eat, and Drink in Queen Elizabeth National Park

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Zoophilist TeamContributor
Find where to sleep, eat, and drink in Queen Elizabeth Park. Lodges, camps, and restaurants for your Uganda safari. Book your stay now.

Mweya Safari Lodge

Mweya Safari Lodge is a premium stay located right on a peninsula inside the park, offering wide views of the Kazinga Channel and the Rwenzori Mountains . The lodge has an outdoor pool, a restaurant serving both local and international dishes, and a bar where you can relax with a drink while watching the sunset over the water . Its location puts you close to the starting points for game drives and boat cruises, so you save travel time. The rooms are comfortable and well-kept, and the staff can arrange packed lunches for your full-day excursions . It is a good option if you want convenience and good facilities without needing to leave the park for meals.


Buffalo Safari Lodge

Buffalo Safari Lodge sits on a ridge with a good view of the Kazinga Channel, where you can watch elephants, buffalo, and antelope from the lodge . The on-site restaurant serves a mix of local Ugandan food and European dishes, made with fresh ingredients . There is also a bar where you can get a cold drink and watch the sun go down over the savannah . The lodge offers riverside cottages and a pool, making it a solid mid-range choice for families or couples . You can eat meals with a view of the plains below, and the staff can help you plan your game drives and boat trips.


Engiri Game Lodge & Camp Site

Engiri Game Lodge is found on 22 acres of land about 300 meters off the main road, close to the Katunguru trading center . It has five self-contained cottages and a large camping ground where you can either rent tents or bring your own . The main building has a restaurant and bar upstairs, and a lounge area . This is an interesting place because wild animals like lions and warthogs sometimes come right into the compound, so you see wildlife without leaving the lodge . Rates start at around $100 per person for full board in a cottage, making it a reasonably priced option for travelers .


Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge

This lodge is located within the park, on high ground with views over the Kazinga Channel . Guests stay in standalone cottages, some with outdoor showers that let you shower while looking at the stars . Meals are served in a tented restaurant area around a central fireplace, giving you a good view of birds and wildlife while you eat . At night, staff escort you to and from your room because hippos and other animals roam the camp . The lodge has a bar and provides a set menu for dinner. This place gives you a real bush feel with a good level of comfort and attentive service.


Ishasha Wilderness Camp

Ishasha Wilderness Camp is set in the southern Ishasha sector, close to the area known for tree-climbing lions . The camp has tented rooms along the Ntungwe River, giving you a quiet and remote bush experience . Meals are served al fresco, so you eat outdoors with the sounds of the river in the background . This is a camp for people who want to be away from the busier parts of the park and who have tree-climbing lions as a main goal. The camp provides guided safaris from the lodge. It is a good base for exploring this quieter part of the park.


Simba Safari Camp

Simba Safari Camp is a budget-friendly option located on a hill in the northern sector, with views of the park and the Rwenzori Mountains . It offers tented units with private bathrooms, as well as dormitory rooms for groups or solo travelers . There is an on-site restaurant that serves local dishes, and a bar for socializing after game drives . The camp organizes game drives and boat safaris from the property . The communal dining area is a good place to meet other travelers and share stories from the day . It is a simple, affordable base for people on a tighter budget.


Nyamix Restaurant

Nyamix Restaurant is located inside Queen Elizabeth National Park, offering a convenient place to stop for meals during your game drives . The restaurant serves both local and international dishes, with breakfast, lunch, and dinner available . They can also pack lunches for you to take on full-day excursions into the park . Reviews mention good rolex (a local snack) and affordable prices . The restaurant has Wi-Fi available, and diners can sit with views of the savannah plains . This is a simple, no-fuss spot for a meal if you are not staying at a lodge that provides full board or want a change of setting.


Elephant Plains Lodge

Elephant Plains Lodge sits on a hill with good views over Lake Kikorongo and the open plains where elephants often come to graze . The lodge has six cottages and two family cottages, each spaced for privacy with comfortable beds and large bathrooms. You can sit on your veranda and watch wildlife roam in the distance. The lodge provides access to game drives in the northern sector and birdwatching around the lake. It is a solid option for travelers who want comfort without paying for top-end luxury .


Katara Lodge

Katara Lodge is a luxury property on the Great Rift Valley escarpment, offering wide views of the savannah, Lake Edward, and the Rwenzori Mountains . The lodge has eight thatched cottages built using local materials. Each cottage has a private deck and an open-air shower where you can wash while looking at the plains below. The lodge is about 16 kilometers from the Katunguru Gate . This place works well for couples or honeymooners who want a quiet, high-end stay with good views.


Kyambura Gorge Lodge

This eco-luxury lodge is set on the edge of Kyambura Gorge, close to the chimpanzee tracking starting point . The lodge has spacious bandas with private decks, an infinity pool, and farm-to-table dining. It is built using sustainable materials and gives you views of both the savannah and the gorge below . This lodge is a good choice for travelers who want chimpanzee tracking to be a central part of their visit. The lodge also offers guided nature walks in the gorge area.


Ishasha Jungle Lodge

Ishasha Jungle Lodge is located a short distance from the Katokye Gate in the southern Ishasha sector . It is surrounded by acacia savannah and riparian forests, putting you close to the area where tree-climbing lions live. The lodge has eco-friendly accommodations made from local materials, with rooms that blend into the natural setting . Guests can go on game drives to find the climbing lions or take nature walks from the lodge. This is a good base for exploring the quieter southern part of the park.


Enganzi Game Lodge

Enganzi Game Lodge is a four-star hotel on the Kichwamba Escarpment with wide views over the park and the Rwenzori Mountains . The lodge has spacious thatched cottages made from local materials, each with modern amenities. There is a restaurant serving local and international food, and a bar where you can relax after a day of game driving. The lodge provides guided game drives, birdwatching trips, and nature walks . It is a good choice if you want a comfortable stay with good service.


Enjojo Lodge

Enjojo Lodge is situated near the Ishasha gate, close to the area known for tree-climbing lions . The name means "elephant" in the local language, and it is common to see elephants on the property. The lodge has luxury thatched cottages and a safari house that can fit up to eight guests, making it a good choice for families or small groups . The lodge serves local dishes in its restaurant and can organize game drives to see lions .


Bush Lodge

Bush Lodge sits along the Kazinga Channel on the Mweya Peninsula . It has safari tents on raised wooden platforms with en-suite bathrooms and solar-heated showers, as well as bandas and camping spaces. Animals like elephants, buffalo, and warthogs often wander near the rooms . The lodge has a central restaurant and bar where guests eat with views of the savannah. Meals are a mix of Ugandan and international food . This is a good pick for travelers wanting a real bush experience at a reasonable price.


Marafiki Safari Lodge

Marafiki Safari Lodge is located near Lake George, offering views of the lake and the Rwenzori Mountains . The lodge has timber cabins and safari tents, built with an eco-friendly design that uses local materials. There is a restaurant serving both local and international dishes, and the area is good for birdwatching . The lodge is convenient for accessing game drives and boat safaris. It works well for travelers who want a mid-range stay with a focus on sustainability.


Kasenyi Safari Camp

Kasenyi Safari Camp is in the northern part of the park, close to the Kasenyi Plains where you can see lions, elephants, and large herds of Uganda kob . The camp has eight tents overlooking Lake Bunyampaka, each with a bathroom and a private deck. This location gives you quick access to good game viewing areas. The main area has a lounge and dining space. This camp is a solid choice for travelers who want to focus on wildlife in the northern sector without paying for a high-end property.


Pumba Safari Cottages

Pumba Safari Cottages is set in the Kyambura Gorge area with views over the Rift Valley . The cottages use traditional African architectural styles and have private verandas where you can sit and watch animals come to drink at a nearby waterhole. The lodge serves meals made from locally sourced ingredients and provides access to game drives and chimp tracking in the gorge . This is a reasonable option for travelers who want a simple, clean place to stay with good wildlife viewing from the property.


Best time to book Lodges in Queen Elizabeth National park

The best time to book lodges in Queen Elizabeth National Park is well ahead of the peak dry seasons, which run from June to September and December to February . During these months, the park is busiest, and popular accommodation options like Mweya Safari Lodge, Kyambura Gorge Lodge, and Ishasha Wilderness Camp are known to fill up quickly . To avoid missing out, it is strongly recommended to make your reservations several months in advance for travel during these high-demand periods . If you are flexible with your travel dates, consider visiting during the rainy seasons from March to May and October to November. During this "green season," the park is quieter, and many lodges offer significant discounts, sometimes up to 30-50%, with lower rates available even up to 30-45 days before your stay

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