How To Get to Queen Elizabeth National Park

How To Get to Queen Elizabeth National Park : Queen Elizabeth National Park – the most popular and most visited savannah national park in Uganda is located in the western Uganda, the park is also famously known as the home of tree climbing lions found in the Ishasha Sector in the south region.

Queen Elizabeth National Park covering an area of 1987 square kilometers is bounded by the Ishasha River and Lake Edward in the west, the Kyambura Gorge and Kalinzu Forest Reserve in the East, the Rwenzori Mountains in the North and Kigezi Wildlife Reserve in the south. The park also forms part of an extensive system of contiguous protected areas namely The Kigezi Wildlife Reserve and Kyambura Wildlife Reserve, Kalinzu Forest Reserve, Kibale National Park and Virunga National Park in the neighboring DR.Congo

How To Get to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park is on top of the bucket list of most travelers visiting Uganda, the park is home to five different ecosystems namely grasslands, savannah, forest, wetland and volcanic lakes. The park supports an impressive 59 mammal species including four of the Big Five and over 600 species of birds.

Queen Elizabeth National Park located around 400 kilometers from Uganda’s Capital Kampala and it can be reached by road and air means of transport. Because of the park’s strategic location, it can be reached from Kibale National Park, Lake Mburo National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

By Road

Accessing Queen Elizabeth National Park by road from Kampala is either on tarmac through Mbarara (420 kilometers) or Fort Portal via Kasese (410 kilometers). Queen Elizabeth National Park is 5-6 hours from Kampala.

From Entebbe via A109

Presently this the fastest route to use to get to Queen Elizabeth National Park, this route has tolls and therefore less traffic.  On this route it will take about 6 hours and 35 minutes to arrive to the park, your longest journey will mostly be from Kampala to Kasese which takes 6 hours.

From Kampala, you will head South East toward Gowers Road to Kasese taking approximately 6 hours covering a distance of 390 kilometers, when you reach Kasese you will then arrive at the park in few minutes.

From Entebbe Via Mbarara – Masaka Road and Mbarara Kasese Road

This route involves

Getting to Queen Elizabeth National Park from Kigali – Rwanda

From Kigali City – the capital of Rwanda, there are three ways to get to Queen Elizabeth National Park.

  • From Kigali to Kabale – Mbarara Road – this is one of the easiest routes to Queen Elizabeth National Park and the most recommended for travelers starting their journey in Kigali – the capital of Rwanda. This route takes approximately 6 hours of drive.
  • Kigali – Kabale via Mbarara Road – this route takes about 6 hours and 20 minutes of drive
  • Alternatively, you can also drive from Kibale Northwards into Queen Elizabeth National Park, this route takes about 4 hours at a driving distance of 277.3 kilometers.

Distances Between Queen Elizabeth National Park and other Destinations

How To Get to Queen Elizabeth National Park from Neighboring National Parks

Destination Estimated Distance in Kilometers Estimated hours of drive
Rwenzori Mountains National Park 30 2 hours
Kibale National Park 63 kilometers through Fort Portal – Mpondwe road / A109 1 hour and 20 minutes
Murchison Falls National Park 264 kilometers 4-5 hours
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park 159.4 kilometers via Kabale – Kisoro Road 5 hours and 22 minutes
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park 155.3 kilometers via Kabale – Kisoro Road 4 hours and 57 minutes
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary Kyenjojo – Hoima Road 6 hours and 27 minutes
Fort Portal Town 77.3 Kilometers via Fort Portal – Mpondwe Road/ A109 1 hour and 34 minutes

By Air

There are domestic and chartered flights from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip to one of the three airstrips serving the park, the flight takes approximately 1 hour and30 minutes. Upon landing, you will be picked up by our guide or your lodge pick – up service.  

 Frequently Asked Questions About How to Get to Queen Elizabeth National Park

  1. What is the cheapest way to get to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Using the bus is the cheapest way to get to Queen Elizabeth National Park, a bus from Kampala to Kasese is the cheapest way most especially for budget travelers. Also, if you are traveling in a group, hiring a vehicle is the cheapest way.

What is the fastest way to get to Queen Elizabeth National Park?

The fastest way to get to Queen Elizbeth National Park for a Uganda safari is by a domestic flight, it takekes approximately one hour Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip to one of the airstrips serving the park.

Which flight companies flying to Queen Elizabeth National Park?

Currently, there are three flight companies operating daily flights from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip to Mweya, Ishasha and Kasese Airstrip.

What are the different airstrips in Queen Elizabeth National Park?

The are three airstrips serving Queen Elizabeth National Park that is

  • Kasese Airstrip in the North of the Park
  • Mweya Airstrip in the North of the Park
  • Ishasha Airstrip in the North of the Park
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