Simba Safari Camp, renowned for excellent hospitality, is located close to Uganda’s most popular Queen Elizabeth National Park (QE), as well as Lakes George and the famed Kazinga Channel. It is the closest accommodation to QE’s Kasenyi plains on the edge of Lake George, the famed mating grounds for the Uganda Kobs and thus the most preferred area for game viewing drives. It is also closest to the other areas of northern Queen Elizabeth National Park, including the Mweya Peninsula and the Kazinga Channel; well known for wildlife boat cruises, close range game-viewing as well as bird-viewing. There is also an opportunity to go for guided chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge
In December 2008 Simba Safari Camp opened her doors in one of the most frequently visited parks in Uganda. The comfortable and low budget safari accommodation is located right on the border of Queen Elizabeth National Park and only two kilometers from the Equator.
More and more travellers are discovering this amazing safari camp with competitive prices and a fantastic location.
ACTIVITIES
The northern sector of the national park is called Kasenyi, or better known as the “Kobs Mating Ground”. In this open savannah area you will find hundreds of Uganda kobs. The kob is an elegant antelope, similar to the impala, which lives in harems up to twenty females, leaded by one dominant male. Consequently, it is not exceptional to encounter a hungry lion in this area, waiting for his chance to pounce on one of the unsuspecting animals. Big herds of buffaloes, giant forest hog, warthogs, monitor lizards and sometimes a lonely elephant can be seen during a game drive in Kasenyi as well.
The Mweya Peninsula is one of the best places to startNyamunuka Crater Lake your game drive from. The forested area offers a great variety of game tracks and at the same time it hides many narrow natural trails, created by the inhabitants. A game drive in this area will give you a fair chance of finding the elusive leopard and watching herds of elephant. Also waterbucks, warthogs, hyenas and the giant forest hog are regularly seen around the Mweya Peninsula. As it is located closely to the shores of the Kazinga Channel do not be surprised when you encounter a hippo grazing peacefully between the bushes, in the early morning or evening. Many bird species like the Black Bee-eater, Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl and Malachite Kingfisher inhabit this isolated peninsula as well.
This famous 32 kilometers long channel is a natural link between Lake Edward and Lake George and is said to contain the world’s largest concentration of hippos. A boat trip will offer you the opportunity to view hundreds of hippos laying lazy in the water or plunge timidly when you pass. Crocodiles will be found motionless at the shores and also buffaloes and waterbucks come to the water to cool off. Occasionally you may see an elephant coming to quench his thirst. Moreover, the Kazinga Channel is a true birders paradise as it is home to hundreds of (water) bird species. You may spot Pelicans, Fish Eagles, Kingfishers, Cormorants and the bright coloured Saddle-billed Stork.
One of the most scenic parts is the impressive crater area in the northwest region of the park. Formed by volcanic activity thousands of years ago, you can now explore a series of dramatic craters and dry calderas in the hilly landscape, offering stunning views of the park and its surroundings. The birdlife is spectacular, with large flocks of flamingos, but also buffaloes and other wild animals come to drink here
A real Tarzan territory can be found in the northeast of the national park. This is where the savannah grassland suddenly ends into an impressive gorge of 100 meters deep and 16 kilometers long. The steep slopes are formed by the water of the Kyambura River and make a beautiful contrast with the valley that is covered by lush riverine forest. A walking safari takes you along the river, deep down into the heart of the gorge. Follow the sounds of the chTree climbing lion in Ishashaattering chimpanzees, red-tailed monkeys and other primates. Or try to catch a glimpse of the colourful forest birds, while you find your way through the thick bushes, with a blanked of dense forest canopy raising high above you.
A part of Queen Elizabeth National Park consists of tropical rain forest including the legendary Maramagambo Forest. It is one of the largest forests in Uganda, with different walking trails traced out. A guided nature walk will lead you through the lush primary forest, home to a large number of primates, butterflies and bird species. Baboons, vervet monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys and even chimpanzees can be hiding in the trees or down in the bushes. Deeper into the forest you will find the Bat Cave, a large cave which serves as a shelter for thousands on Egyptian Fruit Bats and several pythons that prey on these bats. Nearby is also the tranquil, picturesque Blue Lake. As the name implicates, it is famous for the intense blue colour of the water.
Follow the road to the southwest of Queen Elizabeth National Park and you will enter the remote plains of Ishasha. The landscape slowly changes as you pass large herds of Uganda kobs, topis and buffaloes, grazing peacefully in the savannah highlands. In the far end, the winding Ishasha River forms the natural border between Uganda and DR Congo. Here you will find hippos at the shores, lazy drifting with the stream. The birdlife enriches the trees along the river, while curious colobus monkeys and baboons often come to take a look at the visitors. The highlight of this area, however, is the tree climbing lion, who likes to take a nap in the upper branches of huge fig trees. So keep your eyes open when your guide takes you for a search along one of the circuits in the southern sector!
A popular photo stop is the Equator. The spot where this imaginary line crosses the national park is marked by two large circles. Not far from the Equator is the Queen’s Pavilion. This was a temporary shelter to host Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh during their visit in 1954. Five years later a permanent pavilion was built for the visit by Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. A new information centre on the site includes internet facilities and a coffee shop.
The rooms in Simba’s Safari Camp are SO cute. I don’t normally start off my reviews like this, but I can’t think of any way around it. The zebra curtains are adorable, and even though they’re mosquito protection, the way the nets are tied around the beds definitely offer an air of elegance — my friend and I felt like princesses! The cabin names are all fun too; we stayed in “Shoebill” (which just so happens to be my favourite bird!) and it’s right across from the pool.
Emily
Canada
Amazing Elephant Plains
We recently stayed two nights at the lodge as part of a longer holiday travelling around Uganda. The lodge is situated a stones throw from the national park so any excursions are under a 10 minute drive to being fully immersed in safari and you really feel like you are on the edge of something really wild and vivid, it feels like you are really in the country and its a great ambience to relax to in the evenings.
T.
Romantic place
I want fully recommend this camp and bungalows on the top of the hill. Rooms are clean and stylish, restaurant is big with really tasty dishes. Staff is very friendly and every time prepared to help you. Breakfast is richu bufet with variety of food.
Svejk
Czech Republic
Best value in Queen Elizabeth!
Our stay at Simba Safari Camp was amazing. The rooms were clean and well outfitted with nets, soft towels, and bottled water. It is in a great location in the park as well surrounded by lovely gardens and savannah views. We spend our evenings sitting in their beautiful dining room enjoying the warm breeze and good company. You will not find a better stay at this price point in the whole park. It’s luxury service at the budget price.
I wasn’t expecting much from this place, but I was blown away! 3 course dinner every night; clean rooms; full breakfast daily; free laundry service. Hot showers!!!!!!! The open-air lounge and dining area is perfect, breezy, comfy couches and dining tables, a full bar and more.
I.
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Simba Safari Camp Rates
Rack rates - validity period 1st January 2023 - 31th December 2023 ALL PRICES ARE PER PERSON, PER NIGHT
Superior Rooms
Bed and Breakfast
Private & En-Suite
High Season
Low Season
Double occupancy
USD 70
USD 63
Single occupancy
USD 115
USD 100
Triple occupancy
USD 58
USD 50
Standard Rooms
Bed and Breakfast
Private & En-Suite
High Season
Low Season
Double occupancy
USD 58
USD 50
Single occupancy
USD 85
USD 70
Triple occupancy
USD 50
USD 42
Family Cottage (4 pax)
USD 200 *
USD 185 *
* price per cottage
INCLUSIONS / EXCLUSIONS
Price are inclusive of VAT
Prices excludes transfers, entrance and activity fees for Queen Elizabeth National Park
HOLIDAY SUPPLEMENT
A Christmas supplement of USD 15 (per person, per night) valid for 1st January and 24th - 25th , 31st December
SEASONS
Low seasons: 1st March– 31st May and 1st October – 30th November High seasons: 1st January – 28th February, 1st June – 30th September and 1st December – 31st December
DISCOUNTS
Stay at any two of our lodges in one circuit and receive a special discount on the total invoice.
Stay at Primate Lodge and Elephant Plains Lodge in one circuit and receive 5% discount on the total invoice for each lodge
TERMS & CONDITIONS
CHILD POLICY
Children aged 3-12 years pay 50% of the adult rate when sharing room with either 1 or 2 adults
Minimum age children at Budongo Eco Lodge and Simba Safari Camp is 3 years
Age limit of 8 years for Primate Lodge Kibale and Elephant Plains Lodge
GENERAL INFORMATION
Prices are in United States Dollars (USD)
Prices are PER PERSON PER NIGHT
Prices are subject to change without notice.
BOOKING TERMS & CONDITIONS
A deposit payment of 25% of invoice amount is required to confirm a booking
Balance is required at least 35 days before the date of accommodation.
The booking office reserves the right to cancel bookings not paid for within this period.
The management reserves the right to release the rooms on non-arrival of guests after 06.00 pm unless prior notification is received of planned late arrival.
No bookings may be re-assigned except with written acceptance of the booking office.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Bookings are considered cancelled only when received in writing by the Central Reservations Officer. The following cancellation charges apply to reservations at our lodges:
35-25 days prior to arrival: 10% charge
24-10 days prior to arrival: 25% charge
09-03 days prior to arrival: 50% charge
48 hours or less prior to arrival: 100% cancellation fees/no show/full charge
