Queen Elizabeth National Park in Kasese, Kasese: Hours, Facilities and Family Guide
Animals and wildlife in Kasese, Kasese
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Uganda's most visited park, about 400 km from Kampala, with tree-climbing lions, elephants and the Kazinga Channel boat safari.
What is Queen Elizabeth National Park?
Queen Elizabeth National Park stretches across about 1,978 sq km in Kasese, Rubirizi and Kamwenge districts, roughly 400 km from Kampala. It takes in the plains around Lake Edward and Lake George, the Kazinga Channel that links them, and the Maramagambo Forest. Wildlife includes elephants, buffalo, Uganda kob, waterbuck, warthogs, hippos, crocodiles and the famous tree-climbing lions of the Ishasha sector.
The Kazinga Channel boat safari is the centrepiece for families: a two-hour launch trip past hundreds of hippos, buffalo and elephants coming down to drink, with fish eagles and kingfishers overhead. Game drives on the Kasenyi plains are short and productive, and the park is usually combined with a stay at Mweya or in Ishasha.
The park protects the Kazinga Channel wetlands and the Ishasha lion population, and runs community conservation programmes around the park boundary.
💡 Money-saving tips for families
- Book the boat early Departures sell out in peak season
- Take the afternoon boat Light is better for photographs
- Combine with Ishasha The tree-climbing lions are a two-hour drive south
Is it right for your child's age?
| Age group | Verdict | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| 0-2 years | Okay | Drives and boat with an adult; bring a carrier |
| 3-5 years | Good | Hippos and elephants from the boat |
| 6-9 years | Great | Game drives and the boat safari |
| 10-12 years | Great | Full game drive and Kyambura options |
| 13+ years | Great | Drives, boat and chimpanzee trekking |
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Key details
- Price
- Entry from UGX 402,051,530
- Address
- Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kasese District, about 400 km from Kampala, Kasese
- Opening hours
- Daily 6am to 6pm; boat safaris run on a fixed schedule through the day Closed now
- How long to plan
- Full day or two days
- Suitable ages
- All ages
- Setting
- Outdoor
- Booking
- Book the boat safari and park entry in advance through UWA or a lodge
- Payment accepted
- Card or mobile money through UWA
What to expect when you visit
Enter at the Kabatoro or Kyambura gate, then drive the Kasenyi plains for lions, kob and elephants before heading to Mweya for the boat safari.
The Kazinga Channel launch runs for about two hours and is the highlight for children - hippos line the banks in numbers, with buffalo, elephants and waterbirds. Allow a full day for the drive and the boat, or two days if you want the Ishasha tree-climbing lions as well.
What if...?
The questions every parent asks before booking. Tap to expand.
Is the boat suitable for young children?
Yes, but hold them on your lap and keep them away from the rail.
Do children pay full price on the boat?
Most UWA departures charge per seat, with no child rate.
How far is it from Kampala?
About 400 km, five to six hours by road.
Family essentials
- Suitable age bands
- 0–2 years
- 3–5 years
- 6–9 years
- 10–12 years
- 13+ years
- Safety notes
Stay in the vehicle on game drives, keep away from the channel edge, and hold children's hands on the boat.
Tickets and costs
- Adult entry: non-resident
- UGX 40
- Child entry: non-resident
- UGX 20
- Toddler entry (0 if free)
- Free
- Ages that pay the child rate
- 5-15
- Ticket notes
Park entry USD 40 adult and USD 20 child 5-15 for foreign non-residents, with under-5s free. The Kazinga Channel boat costs about USD 30 per person, with no separate child rate on most UWA departures.
- Free entry rules
- No
- Extra costs (activities, rentals, food)
Kazinga Channel boat safari, game drives, chimpanzee tracking at Kyambura, crater lakes
- Food and drink per person (estimate)
- Free
- Return transport (estimate, flat)
- Free
- Transport estimate note
- Bus to Kasese, then a taxi to the park gate
Plan your visit
- Combine with
- Lake Mburo National Park
- Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Lake Bunyonyi
- What to bring
- Binoculars
- sun hat
- insect repellent
- light jacket for the boat
- water
Accessibility deep dive
Here is what to expect on the ground.
What to pack
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Family day bag checklist
What visitors say
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Frequently asked questions
- What are the Queen Elizabeth National Park opening hours?
- Daily 6am to 6pm; boat safaris run on a fixed schedule through the day.
- How long do you need at Queen Elizabeth National Park?
- Plan for Full day or two days.
- What payment methods does Queen Elizabeth National Park accept?
- Queen Elizabeth National Park accepts Card or mobile money through UWA. It does not accept cash.
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