3 Days – Queen Elizabeth National Park Safari
3 Days / 2 Nights Days
Kampala, Uganda → Kampala, Uganda
Why Choose This Safari?
This three-day safari takes you from Kampala to western Uganda, to one of the country’s most varied parks. Queen Elizabeth National Park covers about 1,978 square kilometres and was established in 1952 as Kazinga National Park, combining the Lake George and Lake Edward game reserves. It is home to more than 600 bird species, and its wildlife includes lions, elephants, hippos and chimpanzees. You can take a guided chimpanzee walk at Kyambura Gorge and a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, a 32-kilometre waterway that links Lake George and Lake Edward and is known for its hippos and Nile crocodiles. Dinner overlooking Lake Edward and early game drives add to the variety of the trip.
Safari Highlights
- We may have to re-route the itinerary or accommodation in similar Lodges/TentedCamps in case of non – availability
- Upgrades are available eg To Luxury Accommodation Safari
- Tour above can be customized based on your needs or requirements
Destinations to Travel
Kampala · Mbarara · Equator (Uganda) · Queen Elizabeth National Park · Mweya Peninsula · Kyambura Gorge · Kazinga Channel · Lake Edward and Lake George
Itinerary
Day 1 — Kampala to Queen Elizabeth National Park
At 7:00 am your driver collects you from your Kampala hotel and you head west to Queen Elizabeth National Park. On the way you stop at the Mpambire drum makers, a coffee plantation and the equator. You have lunch in Mbarara, then continue west past tea and banana plantations, with craters and the western Rift Valley escarpment along the road. The park is home to lions, buffaloes, kobs, elephants, bushbucks and, occasionally, leopards. You have dinner and an overnight stay at a lodge on the peninsula overlooking Lake Edward and the Kazinga Channel.
Day 2 — Kyambura Gorge and the Kazinga Channel
After an early breakfast, you drive at 7:00 am to Kyambura Gorge for a guided chimpanzee walk, which may last three to five hours. Along the trail you may also see colobus monkeys, baboons, red-tailed and vervet monkeys and other primates. The walk depends on permit availability and good weather, as occasional flooding can make the trails impassable. After lunch you take a launch cruise on the Kazinga Channel, which joins Lakes Edward and George. The channel is known for hippos, buffaloes, kobs and Nile crocodiles, and the banks are good for birdwatching. You return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 3 — Morning Game Drive and Return to Kampala
You rise very early for a morning game drive, when the early risers are out and predators return to their hideouts. You may see grazing hippos, elephants, lions, spotted hyenas, leopards, bushbucks, waterbuck, side-striped jackals and warthogs, though sightings can’t be guaranteed. At 8:30 am you return to the lodge for breakfast, then check out and travel back to Kampala, with lunch on the way. There is an optional stop at the Uganda Equator or at curio shops along the road if you would like to buy souvenirs.
What's Included
Rate Includes
- Arrival and departure Airport Transfers
- Flying Doctors - Emergence air rescue from any point of the safari circuit
- All entrance fees.
- Full board accommodation on tour
- Service of an English speaking driver guide
- Transport based on an excellent Vehicle rebuilt for safari for a nice game viewing
- Driver's Salary and allowances and park fees for vehicle and driver
- Game drives as per the Itinerary
- Complementary bottle of water daily
- Government taxes
Rate Excludes
- Extras at the lodges i.e. drinks, telephone, laundry, Internet etc.
- International flight
- Departure tax
- Tips to drivers (highly recommended)
- Visa, Travel Insurance
- Easter, Christmas & New Year’s supplements may apply
Best Time to Go
This safari can be taken all year round. In general, the drier months from June to August and from December to February are often the most comfortable for game drives, because animals gather around water and the tracks are easier to drive. The wetter months, from March to May and from September to November, bring greener landscapes and plenty of birdlife, though heavy rain can flood the trails at Kyambura Gorge and make the chimpanzee walk impassable. Our team can advise on the best dates for your trip.
Pricing
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the safari start and end, and how long does it last?
It starts with a 7:00 am pickup from your hotel in Kampala and ends back in Kampala on Day 3. The safari lasts three days and two nights, with overnight stays in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Is the chimpanzee walk guaranteed?
No. The walk at Kyambura Gorge depends on permit availability and good weather, as flooding can make the trails impassable. Chimpanzees are not guaranteed, but other primates such as colobus monkeys and baboons may also be seen.
Is the Kazinga Channel cruise included?
The Kazinga Channel cruise on Day 2 is part of the itinerary. Please check with our team what is included in your rate.
Are the crater lake, bat cave and shoebill visits included?
They are not part of this itinerary. Please ask our team whether any of them can be arranged.
Do we need a visa for Uganda?
Most visitors need a visa for Uganda, and the fee is not included in the rate. Please check the current requirements for your nationality before you travel.