Accommodation In Queen Elizabeth National Park : While there is a good selection of properties in Queen Elizabeth National Park, one can still find solitude or an amazing view due to the park’s varied topography. Focus East Africa Tours doesn’t use all of the properties available; instead, we use those that have a track record of returning satisfied customers.
THE 5 REGIONS OF QUEENS
Within Queen Elizabeth National Park, there are five main areas which Includes:
- Northeast Escarpment
- Kyambura Gorge
- Ishasha
- Mweya Peninsula
- Rift Valley Escarpment.
While each of these regions offers a number of accommodation alternatives, Focus East Africa Tours has chosen the best ones to incorporate into our trips to ensure tourists have a terrific experience time and time again.
Northeast Escarpment
The park’s northeastern Escarpment offers easy access to the Kasenyi Plains as well as expansive views of the grassland stretching to Lake George. Elephant Plains Lodge, one of the park’s newest establishments, is located there.
Mweya Peninsula
The Kazinga Channel is joined by the Mweya Peninsula. From this vantage point, the far-off grasslands appear to melt into the far lakes in the distance. Here, Mweya Safari Lodge holds a prominent position. It’s a big hotel, a heritage property that was once owned by the government more than 30 years ago. Although this property is not as intimate as some smaller ones, its central location is unbeatable. Perfect for access to Kazinga Channel boat trips.
Rift Valley Escarpment
The park’s southeast is bordered by the Rift Valley Escarpment. Several additional modest lodges are located there, 16km from the Katunguru Gate of the Park, on a ridge that rises significantly above the lowlands, offering stunning sunset views. One of our favorites is Katara Lodge.
Kyambura Gorge
The ridge circles around Kyambura Gorge, a naturally occurring rift in the otherwise level plains that is heavily wooded and bisected by water. Being the closest hotel to the Gorge, the sophisticated Kyambura Gorge Lodge is ideally situated to offer a sumptuous starting point for chimpanzee trekking, in addition to wildlife drives and boat safaris right in the middle of the park.
Ishasha Sector
Lastly, for those who appreciate a wilderness experience, there is the Ishasha sector in the southwest of the park. Even with the construction of additional lodges, this is still the most tranquil location with the least amount of human disturbance. Ishasha Wilderness Camp is a well-known favorite located on the banks of the Ishasha River, which serves as the natural boundary between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is incredibly cozy and tastefully designed.
THE BEST PLACES TO STAY IN QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK
Elephant Plains Lodge
One of Queen Elizabeth National Park’s newest establishments, Elephant Plains Lodge, is situated in the Northeast Escarpment. With views that go on for kilometers, it is perched high on the cliff. Right next to the lodge lies Lake Kikorongo, frequently visited by herds of elephants (hence the name!).
The main property of the lodge is surrounded by a group of individual cottages. It features a bar and lounge above a swimming pool with views of the surrounding cliff. With vistas of the grasslands that reach to Lake George and the easily accessible Kasenyi Plains, where you may frequently spot wildlife meandering around, this section of the park is especially breathtaking.
Six double or twin cottages and a family cottage with two separate bedrooms that may accommodate five people are available for guests to select from. Each cottage boasts huge windows, a private veranda with stunning views of the surroundings, and an en suite bathroom with a bathtub and shower. Local brown savannah grass, which serves as both an efficient cooling system and a blend into the surroundings, is used to build the roofs of this lodge.
The lodge also has a great restaurant with an international menu inspired by regional flavors, a well-stocked bar with bistro seating, and a large lounge with cozy seating sections. The enormous swimming pool at Elephant Plains Lodge is another feature that guests may enjoy. It’s the ideal place to cool off after a day of park exploration.
Kyambura Gorge Lodge
Located in the eastern section of the park, adjacent to the Kyambura Gorge, Kyambura Gorge Lodge is fast rising to the top of Uganda’s lodging alternatives. Its location makes it the ideal starting point for boat safaris, game drives, and chimpanzee trekking.
Originally a coffee plantation shop, the structure has been transformed into the main lodge, around which eight opulent rooms have been constructed. An intimate atmosphere is produced by the buildings’ casual architectural design, which mostly consists of wood, stone, and thatched roofs.
Every room features a spacious four-poster bed, a separate balcony, an en suite bathroom, and a lounge area furnished with tasteful yet basic furniture. The look is modern, but it retains the essence of a traditional safari lodge. A personal butler service is also advantageous to each and every visitor.
The expansive salon, dining area, and bar of the main lodge are equipped with huge windows, a combination of wooden and tiled floors, and wall-mounted artwork. High-quality food is served in the dining room by attentive and amiable staff. Additionally, guests can enjoy the recently opened spa and swimming pool.
Ishasha Wilderness Camp
One of the park’s quietest sections is the southwest Ishasha region. Without sacrificing luxury or style, the Ishasha Wilderness Camp provides a genuine tented camp experience here. The camp is situated on the border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the banks of the Ishasha River, and it blends in perfectly with the surrounding landscape.
Ishasha Wilderness Camp, which overlooks the Ntungwe River, is constructed with thatched roofs, wood, and canvas to blend in with the surrounding forest. The camp’s main area has a cozy lounge, bar, eating area, large veranda, and a peaceful library. Visitors have three options for where to eat: in their own tents, on the veranda, or within the dining area. The cuisine is of extraordinarily high quality, with both European-style and traditional Ugandan dishes that are prepared, if possible, using local products. Furthermore, the lounge offers complimentary Wi-Fi access, allowing guests to unwind on the cozy sofas while taking in the stunning local artwork that adorns the area.
Each of the 10 individual canvas tents is deliberately positioned to offer a wonderful view of the local hippos and herds of elephants from their verandas. They are roomy and comfortable, with an East African Meru-inspired pattern. To reduce the camp’s environmental impact, each tent features an en suite bathroom with eco-friendly showers and toilets, in addition to solar panels that power the tents.
Mweya Safari Lodge
The Kazinga Channel, a lengthy natural canal that connects Lake Edward and Lake George, is where the Mweya Peninsula ends. The Mweya Safari Lodge is a government property that was transformed into a sizable hotel more than 30 years ago. The central location is great for getting on Kazinga Channel boat cruises, and the views of the distant meadows flowing into the lakes are stunning.
Mweya Safari Lodge offers a variety of lodging options for its visitors. The easiest choice is to stay in one of the 32 standard rooms, all of which include a private balcony and an en-suite bathroom. There are 12 deluxe rooms with air conditioning as an extra bonus. There are luxury tents available that create a tranquil, romantic ambiance, as well as the Honeymoon Suite, which is located in a quiet area of the property and has a lovely four-poster bed. Private cottages with two or three bedrooms, living rooms, and roomy verandas are available for larger groups.
The lodge features a business center, a gift shop filled with handcrafted goods from the area, an informational center about the national park run by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, and a bar with big windows and a welcoming porch. With its own bar, the infinity pool lets you enjoy your favorite beverage while taking in the breathtaking views of the Kazinga Channel.
Guests can enjoy local and foreign cuisine cooked by skilled chefs by sitting inside the lodge’s formal dining room or outside on the balcony. As an extra bonus, the resort provides unique barbecues every Saturday night, complete with traditional dance performances.
Katara Lodge
Situated in the southeast of the park, the Rift Valley Escarpment rises over the expansive savannah. Katara Lodge is perched on the brink of this spectacular precipice. Here, the thatched roofs, wooden beams, and bamboo-based furniture create a laid-back, organic ambiance that seamlessly melds with the surroundings.
Eight separate thatched huts with canvas sides and wooden flooring make up the resort. Each bungalow has a spacious double bed (or twin beds) and an attached bathroom with a bathtub and shower. If you would rather, the staff will arrange your bed on the large balcony of your bungalow so you can sleep outside among the stars. Only eight bungalows are available, so Katara Lodge offers individualized, personalized service.
The main area of the lodge, which houses the restaurant and cozy lounge, is positioned higher on the hill and offers stunning views of the plains and the distant Rwenzori Mountains to the west. Additionally, there is a library where you can choose a book to read while lounging in a hammock outside.
At Katara Lodge, environmental sustainability is a top priority. They have eco-friendly restrooms, solar-powered water heaters and lighting to save energy, and a rainwater collection system to supply water for the lodge. Additionally, a saltwater pool reduces the need for chemicals.
