Are you searching for budget lodges in Queen Elizabeth National Park? Re you traveling on a Budget and wondering where to spend a night? No worries, this article guides you on a list of budget/standard lodges in and around Queen Elizabeth National Park. Ranked as Uganda’s second-largest and popular tourism destination, Queen Elizabeth National Park is a must-visit destination in Uganda. Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the best safari destinations for budget travelers, and it is easy to see why. If you are planning a wildlife safari there, you have many wonderful options for staying near the Protected Area, depending on your preferences for lodging type (Campsite or Lodge). If you are wondering where to stay when exploring this stunning safari destination on a budget, we have you covered.

Simba Safari Camp

Popular for its wonderful hospitality and closeness to one of the country’s most beautiful and wildlife-rich National Parks, Lake George, and the Kazinga Channel, Simba Safari Camp is one of the unmissable budget Lodges in Queen Elizabeth National Park. It is the closest to Kasenyi Plains (a wildlife-rich area) on the edge of Lake George known as a mating ground for antelopes, especially Uganda Kobs. It is also only about 10 minutes from the Katunguru/Queen Pavilion Park gate and only 25 kilometers from Kasese airstrip.

The accommodation opened its doors in 2008 and has since been providing comfortable and low-budget stays right on the border of the Park and only 2 kilometers from the Equator crossing. It has 16 en-suite rooms (including 15 in twin/double configurations, and 1 Family standard Cottage with two bedrooms, I shared bathroom, and a living area). There’s also a spacious private Campsite for visitors interested in getting up close and personal with nature and having to bring their camping gear).

Other amenities enjoyed by Simba Safari Camp guests include the airy restaurant and adjacent bar, a large lounge area with a satellite Television, a swimming pool, and complimentary Wi-Fi in a public area.

Twin Lakes Safari Lodge

Twin Lakes Safari Lodge is a small, rustic, and intimate accommodation facility nestled in the stunning surroundings of the beautiful Bunyaruguru Crater area. It is nestled on the edge of the escarpment adjacent to the Park and sits about 270 meters above the savannah plains and commands magnificent views of the sprawling Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lakes George, and Edward, as well as the far-flung Rwenzori Mountain ranges.

Guests (maximum of 22 people) are accommodated in 9 airy cottages that include a family cottage. Each of these Cottages is specially designed with a touch of modern African culture with a blend of comfort and design and features an en-suite bathroom (with a hot shower, tub, and a flush toilet), as well as a private shaded veranda with jaw-dropping views.

Also provided at Twin Lakes Safari Lodge is a restaurant with an option of dining with an Al -a-carte menu, a fully-stocked bar, complimentary bottled water in each cottage, hot/cold running water, a safety deposit box, and free Wi-Fi.

Bulbul Safari Lodge

Staying at Bulbul Safari Lodge is about immersing in the natural beauty and tranquility of the surroundings, with an opportunity to enjoy an unmatched blend of comfort, eco-consciousness, and adventure.

Bulbul Safari Lodge’s Cottages provide the perfect escape, spiced by a mouth-watering dining experience and remarkable service. The Cottages come with a spacious veranda with chairs, cozy bed/s with mosquito net/s, a writing desk and chair, bottled water, and a private bathroom.

Staying at this budget Lodge means having an opportunity to experience the blends of flavors with uniquely prepared cuisines that include meals prepared with the finest ingredients. These are served from the spacious restaurant. There’s also a stocked bar.                                                                   

Pumba Safari Cottages

Set in Kyambura on the escarpment that overlooks Queen Elizabeth National Park is the cozy Pumba Safari Cottages. Here, guests are treated to breathtaking views of the Park, stunning sunsets over the savannah, and sometimes an option of sighting elephants in the Park below.

Pumba Safari Cottages’ en-suite rooms provide a cozy safari-style feeling and are set up in single, twin, double, or triple room configurations. They also have comfortable beds with mosquito nets, charging, and private bathrooms (with warm/cold showers).

Some of the other amenities/facilities provided at Pumba Safari Cottages include free Wi-Fi access within the restaurant area. Talking of a restaurant, it is spacious and serves a touch of Ugandan traditional food.

Engiri Game Lodge and Campsite

Located in tranquility amidst the sprawling savannah grassland of Queen Elizabeth National Park is the beautiful Engiri Game Lodge and Campsite, a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of your daily routines.

Accommodation here is in the form of 7 cottages, 10 standard rooms, and 9 Camping Tents. Each of the en-suite grass-thatched Cottages is open plan with single/twin/double/triple beds and varnished wooden floor. The Cottages and rooms are also adorned in swirling patterns to reflect the shapes and colors of the wilderness, and private bathrooms (with walk-in showers and flushing toilets).

Camping Tents provide an exceptional and comfortable outdoor experience amongst the shrubs and bushes. They have a shared toilet block that comes with running hot/cold water, showers, flushing toilets, and sinks, and there is no bathroom in the Tents (except for the family safari Tent with an en-suite open-air bathroom with sinks, showers, and flushing toilet).

The Bush Lodge

This beautiful accommodation forms a perfect base for adventures in Queen Elizabeth National Park and sits along ecological principles to provide an unforgettable stay. With Bandas and Safari Tents designed and secluded to provide privacy, guests are guaranteed to enjoy the sights and sounds of animals roaming in and around the Lodge including Hippos and Hyenas.

The Bush Lodge has 12 Bandas, 11 non-self-contained Safari Tents, and 2 self-contained Safari Tents that are spaciously placed between the raw wildernesses. Each of the Bandas sits on a raised wooden platform with local and canvas materials, featuring mosquito-netted windows that provide breathtaking views and a dose of nature experience. The rooms also come with a private terrace overlooking the seasonal River Kamera, and a private bathroom (with flush toilet and outside shower).

The non-self-contained Tents provide a more budget-friendly option with a grass-thatched roof and private terrace, comfortable beds, a bedside table, and a power outlet for charging. These Tents also share a communal ablution block with flushing toilets and showers.

The self-contained Tents provide privacy and a real wilderness experience. They are secluded from the main Lodge area and perfect for families with an extra Tent sitting on an adjacent platform. Away from the rooms, the Bush Lodge also has a restaurant and bar.

Tembo Safari Lodge

Tembo Safari Lodge is one of the strategically located Lodges in Queen Elizabeth National Park, overseeing the stunning Kazinga Channel and providing breathtaking views. Featuring 10 rooms- two self-contained rooms (with properly tiled bathrooms, private balconies, a working desk, and a wooden vanished floor), standard rooms with comfortable beds, tiled floors, and clean bathrooms.

Besides the rooms, there’s a spacious restaurant and bar that serves delicious meals and well-stocked drinks.

Kazinga Channel View Resort

Set at Katunguru, along the Kazinga Channel and 1 kilometer inside off the Kasese-Mbarara main road, Kazinga Channel View Resort is another budget Lodge that provides quality services and comfort to guests. Guests are accommodated in Standard rooms, Bandas, and Campsites (with an option of bring own Tents).

The restaurant is comfortable and serves delicious meals prepared by seasoned chefs. Guests enjoy meals while relishing the beautiful surrounding mountain scenery and surprise animal visits (monkeys, warthogs, and elephants).

Enjojo Lodge

Bordering the Ishasha sector and hidden in a spectacular African wilderness of 40 acres, Enjojo Lodge is another incredible budget accommodation in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The Lodge has seven (7) cottages which come with their unique charm and character.

Four of these Cottages are hidden in verdant vegetation with swaying palm trees and accessible by wooden elevated walkways that lead to/from the restaurant. The rest of them overlook open grassland where animals, especially elephants are regular visitors.

Each of these Cottages features an en-suite bathroom (with hot/cold running water and an outdoor shower) and, a spacious veranda with chairs for relaxing and enjoying the surrounding wilderness. Guests can also stay in the Enjojo Safari House which is hidden at the edge of the acacia forest and is perfect for group/family travelers (up to 8 guests per night). This house has two spacious bedrooms, each with an en-suite bathroom and outdoor shower, a King-size bed and three single beds, a superb thatched veranda, a large sitting area opening out into the savannah grassland with a private fire pit.

There are also self-contained safari tents, each with an en-suite bathroom and private terrace. You can also choose accommodation at the Campsite set away from the main Lodge.

Other budget Lodges in Queen Elizabeth National Park include the spectacular Eshama Game Lodge and Campsite.