Uganda Queen Elizabeth National Park fees for self-drive visitors in 2027/2028 are set by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and are significantly lower than Kenya’s KWS park entry rates — making Queen Elizabeth National Park one of East Africa’s best-value safari destinations for independent hire vehicle visitors. The Uganda Queen Elizabeth Park fees structure includes adult daily entry, vehicle entry, activity fees (Kazinga Channel boat launch, Kyambura Gorge chimp trek, Ishasha sector game drive), and campsite fees — understanding the full fee breakdown before planning the park budget prevents unexpected charges at the Katunguru gate. This guide provides the complete 2027/2028 Uganda Queen Elizabeth Park fees breakdown for a self-drive visitor spending 2 nights in the park.
Uganda Queen Elizabeth Park Fees 2027/2028: Complete Breakdown
Park Entry Fees (Per Day)
Planning your East Africa self-drive circuit? Car Hire 4×4 Drive provides fully-equipped 4×4 vehicles for Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda with COMESA insurance and cross-border documentation included. See how the booking process works or send a circuit enquiry for a quote within 24 hours.
- Adult (non-EAC foreign visitor): USD 40 per person per 24 hours
- EAC resident adult (Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan residents): USD 15 per person per day
- Child (5 to 15 years, non-EAC): USD 20 per day
- Vehicle entry fee: USD 15 per vehicle per day
Activity Fees
- Kazinga Channel boat launch (2-hour UWA launch, Mweya): USD 30 per person. Launches at 9am and 2pm daily — book at Mweya UWA desk on arrival or in advance through UWA.
- Kyambura Gorge chimpanzee tracking: USD 60 per person (ranger-led trek into the gorge, separate from the main park game drive)
- Ishasha sector game drive: included in the park entry fee (no additional sector fee) — but the 80km murram drive from Mweya is a full half-day commitment
- Lion research campfire talk (evening at Mweya, when offered by UWA research): USD 10 per person
Accommodation Fees (Public Campsite)
- Mweya public campsite: USD 25 per person per night. Basic ablution (cold water), no electricity. The most affordable accommodation option in the park — adjacent to the Mweya peninsula game drive and Kazinga Channel launch point.
- Ishasha campsite (UWA): USD 25 per person per night
Total Uganda Queen Elizabeth Park Fees: 2-Night Self-Drive (2 Adults)
- Park entry: USD 40 x 2 adults x 2 days = USD 160
- Vehicle entry: USD 15 x 2 days = USD 30
- Kazinga Channel boat launch: USD 30 x 2 adults = USD 60
- Kyambura Gorge chimp trek: USD 60 x 2 adults = USD 120
- Campsite: USD 25 x 2 adults x 2 nights = USD 100
- Total Uganda Queen Elizabeth Park fees (2 adults, 2 nights): USD 470
- Per person: USD 235
Queen Elizabeth Park Fees Payment Method
Uganda Queen Elizabeth Park fees are paid at the Katunguru gate (main southern entry) or at the Mweya UWA headquarters. Payment methods accepted: Uganda shillings cash, US dollars cash, and Visa/Mastercard by mobile POS terminal (card acceptance is improving at UWA gates but cash backup is recommended). UWA does not have a pre-payment eCitizen portal equivalent to Tanzania’s TANAPA system as of 2025 — payment is made at the gate. Confirm current payment options with the hire company before departure, as UWA payment systems are updated periodically.
A 4×4 is essential for circuits that include the Ngorongoro Crater descent (which requires centre differential lock), the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest approach road in wet season, or Kidepo Valley National Park. For circuits that stay on sealed national highways and well-maintained murram roads in dry season a capable 2WD can manage — but the Toyota Land Cruiser V8 GX with full 4WD and diff lock is always the safest and most reliable choice for any East Africa self-drive circuit.
You need a valid driving licence (plus an International Driving Permit if your licence is not in English), the COMESA Yellow Card insurance certificate, a cross-border authority letter from the vehicle owner for each transit country, and the vehicle registration document. Car Hire 4×4 Drive prepares all cross-border documentation for the specific countries on your circuit as part of the standard hire process — no separate arrangement needed.
Yes. Most East Africa self-drive circuits do not require technical off-road skills — the majority of driving is on sealed national highways or well-maintained murram park roads. The vehicle handover at collection includes a full demonstration of the 4WD system. If your circuit includes genuinely technical sections such as the Ngorongoro Crater descent or Bwindi wet-season approach, a car with driver can be arranged for those sections if you have no prior 4WD experience.
Book 4 to 8 weeks in advance for standard circuits. For July to August peak season and December to January, book 3 to 4 months ahead. If your circuit includes gorilla trekking, Uganda permits via UWA should be booked 2 to 6 months ahead and Rwanda permits via the RDB 3 to 9 months ahead — the vehicle booking should align with confirmed permit dates. See the How It Works page for the complete booking process and deposit schedule.
The Toyota Land Cruiser V8 GX is the standard recommendation for any circuit covering two or more countries, or any circuit including Tanzania (Ngorongoro requires mandatory 4WD with diff lock) or Uganda’s challenging approach roads. For Kenya-only or Rwanda-only dry-season circuits the Land Cruiser Prado is a cost-effective alternative. For groups of 6 or more passengers, the Toyota Hiace 9-seater safari van with pop-up roof is the most cost-effective per-person option.
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