Luxury to Budget: 8 Incredible Places to Stay in Queen Elizabeth National Park

At the upper end of the spectrum sits Kyambura Gorge Lodge, perched dramatically on the edge of the gorge itself. During our second family trip, we splurged on three nights here, and it remains one of our most treasured travel memories. The eight bandas (cottages) blend contemporary design with local materials—think exposed brick, minimalist furniture, and floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the savanna and distant Rwenzori Mountains.

The real magic happens at dusk when staff prepare your private veranda with lanterns and sundowners. My son Leo spent hours here with the stargazing binoculars his mother had given him before she passed, mapping constellations in the pollution-free sky.

Mweya Safari Lodge offers a different but equally impressive luxury experience. Situated on a peninsula overlooking the Kazinga Channel, it provides front-row seats to one of Africa's densest concentrations of hippos and elephants. The premium rooms and suites feature colonial-style furnishings with modern amenities, but it's the location that justifies the price tag. My detective's tip: request rooms 14-18 for the best channel views and relative privacy from the main lodge areas.

For travelers seeking excellent value without compromising the safari experience, Marafiki Safari Lodge has become my go-to recommendation. The canvas-sided tents sit on permanent wooden platforms with proper bathrooms, striking that perfect balance between authentic bush experience and comfortable accommodation.

What elevates Marafiki beyond other mid-range options is its hillside location offering sweeping views across the plains. During our stay last year, the kids and I watched a pride of lions stalk and hunt from the comfort of the infinity pool—a wildlife documentary playing out in real-time.

Bush Lodge offers a different mid-range experience with its more rustic approach. The bandas are constructed from local materials with thatched roofs and simple but comfortable interiors. What you trade in luxury amenities, you gain in proximity to wildlife—the unfenced property means elephants and warthogs regularly wander through camp.

As a detective who's seen his share of tourist traps, I appreciate Bush Lodge's transparency about what they do and don't offer. There's no pretense of luxury, just authentic accommodation in a prime location. Their community-focused approach means a portion of proceeds supports local conservation efforts—something my wife always prioritized in our family travels.

Both properties offer excellent guided activities, though I recommend bringing your own binoculars as the ones provided often don't match the quality needed for serious wildlife viewing.

For travelers prioritizing location and authentic experience over amenities, Simba Safari Camp offers tremendous value. The accommodations are simple—think comfortable beds, clean bathrooms, and basic furnishings—but the camp's position near the Kasenyi Plains puts you in prime lion territory.

During our first Uganda trip when funds were tighter, we stayed in Simba's family cottage, which comfortably accommodated all four of us. While the furnishings won't win design awards, the veranda became our favorite spot for evening games and wildlife spotting. The camp's communal dining setup also facilitated connections with other travelers, including a Finnish astronomer who took the kids on an impromptu stargazing session that became one of the trip highlights.

Pumba Safari Cottages offers a similar no-frills experience but with more privacy. The individual cottages are scattered throughout well-maintained gardens, and while the decor might be dated, everything is spotlessly clean. The real selling point is the staff—particularly the guides, who rival those at lodges charging triple the price.

My detective's observation: what these mid-range properties lack in luxury, they make up for in authenticity and value. Both employ primarily local staff who bring invaluable knowledge and genuine Ugandan hospitality to the experience.

A practical note: neither property has reliable Wi-Fi, so I recommend bringing a portable router if staying connected is important. This proved invaluable for uploading our daily wildlife photos to share with family back home.

Budget accommodation in Queen Elizabeth doesn't mean sacrificing the safari experience, as I discovered when I returned alone last year to research new family-friendly itineraries.

Hippo Hill Camp offers simple dome tents on platforms and basic bandas that won't win any luxury awards but provide clean, safe accommodation at a fraction of upscale lodge prices. What impressed my detective's eye for detail was their immaculate maintenance of shared bathrooms—often the downfall of budget properties.

The camp's communal areas create a convivial atmosphere where solo travelers and families naturally connect. Their community dinner—a traditional Ugandan feast cooked over open flames—became an unexpected highlight of my research trip. I found myself sharing stories with travelers from six different countries while jackals called in the distance.

For the truly budget-conscious, Elephant Plains Backpackers offers dormitory accommodation and basic private rooms with shared facilities. While decidedly no-frills, the property's location just outside the park's eastern boundary means wildlife regularly passes through the unfenced grounds.

During my stay, I woke to find vervet monkeys peering through my window and warthogs grazing outside the dining area. The staff—all from nearby villages—provide valuable local context that enhances the wildlife experience.

Both properties cater to self-drivers and those arranging activities independently, though they can organize game drives at prices substantially below what lodges charge. If camping, I highly recommend bringing a quality headlamp as lighting in common areas is minimal after generator hours.

As a single dad traveling with three kids, finding accommodations that balance adventure with practicality has always been my priority. Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge (not to be confused with the similarly named Bush Lodge mentioned earlier) stands out for its family-focused approach without sacrificing the authentic safari experience.

Their family units—essentially two connected safari tents with a shared bathroom—solved the perennial problem of where everyone sleeps. The kids appreciated having their own space while still being close enough for me to hear if anything went bump in the night (which, given the unfenced property and regular wildlife visitors, was a legitimate concern the first time we stayed).

What truly distinguishes this property is their Junior Ranger program. My youngest son, who was initially apprehensive about the trip, transformed into an enthusiastic wildlife spotter after a day with the guides learning to identify tracks and droppings. The staff's genuine interest in educating children about conservation—something my wife would have deeply appreciated—created meaningful learning opportunities disguised as adventures.

The swimming pool provides welcome relief from afternoon heat, while the elevated common areas offer safe wildlife viewing for all ages. I've watched parents relax with sundowners while their children excitedly count hippos in the nearby water hole—a rare moment of harmony in family travel.

The property strikes an ideal balance between adventure and comfort. Beds are equipped with proper mattresses and quality linens, bathrooms feature reliable hot water, and the restaurant accommodates picky eaters while still offering authentic Ugandan dishes for more adventurous palates.

For families visiting during school holidays, I recommend packing a portable star projector for nighttime entertainment in your tent. This became our evening ritual, recreating our stargazing sessions with my late wife while discussing the day's wildlife sightings.