Tour overview
The safari takes you to Queen Elizabeth National Park for 2 nights and 3 days. This national park is located in the Western part of the country in the Mweya penninsula and is the most visited national park in Uganda.
It was named after the Queen of England; Elizabeth the third. It approximately 1,978 km2, and is 376 kilometers away from the capital city and it is a 5 to 6 hours’ drive from Kampala. The park was founded in 1952 and was named Kazinga National park. It changed its name to Queen Elizabeth National Park in 1954 after the visit of the Queen of England.
More so, the safari to Queen Elizabeth National Park offers a variety of wildlife species including; over 600 recorded bird species among the common siting’s are hamerkop bird with the biggest nest, Guinea fowl, crested francolin, marabou stock, hadada ibis, African fish eagle just to mention a few. 95 mammal species including the big four, “tree climbing “Lions, Elephants, leopards, Buffalos, others mammals include; Jacksons hertbeest, water bucks, hippos, warthogs, etc. In Kyambura Gorge and Maramagambo forest are primate species such as the chimpanzees, vervet monkey, olive baboon, blue monkey, black and white colobus, coppery tailed monkey, and many more.
The park has two lakes Edward and George; the two lakes are connected by the Kazinga channel which is commonly used for the boat cruise. A variety of wild life is seen along the banks. It is such a spectacle to watch, the crocodiles, buffalos, hippos, elephants, water bucks, warthogs, antelopes and a variety of birds along the channel. The park has got some crater lakes most noticeable of all is lake Katwe, the park lies on the bed of the great rift valley with flat plateaus stretching for long distances thus making it a great habitant for the herbivores because they can spot the predators quite easily. The park is also quite unique because of its tree climbing lions found in the northern part of park called Ishasha Visitors travel far and wide to see these unique big cats up the fig trees. The park also has the Kyambura gorge which is quite fascinating to watch, the gorge has a number of primates including the illusive chimpanzee and other monkeys and baboons. The maramagambo forest is another unique habitat in this park as it has quite a number of primates including the chimpanzee, elephants, leopard, baboons and so many more.
All in all Queen Elizabeth national park is has a variety to offer as it has all the eco systems and landscapes that keeps you captivated with the various wonders of nature.
Safari highlights
Day 1: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National park and boat cruise
Day 2: Game drive and chimp tracking safari
Day 3: Departure
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National park
Your driver guide will pick you at your preferred accommodation or Entebbe airport and straight away start your journey to Queen Elizabeth National park. A long the way you will come across road side markets, plantations, papyrus swamps, forests, dairy farms, homesteads, schools and health centers and people carrying out different economic activities like brick laying, craft making mention but a few. The park is located in south western Uganda. You will arrive in time for lunch then straight away head for the boat cruise. . You will see hippos, buffaloes, crocodiles, elephants, water bucks, warthogs and many other wildlife along the banks as well as plenty of bird species. Queen Elizabeth has the highest number of bird species in Uganda’s national game parks. Retire to back to your lodge and enjoy the beautiful sunset as you wait for your dinner.
Day 2: Chimp tracking and afternoon game drive
Have breakfast at 7:30 and head to kyambura for the chimp tracking, the chimp tracking takes about 3 hours. After the tracking transfer back to the lodge to re fresh and have lunch as you wait for the afternoon game drive at kasenyi.
Day 3: Departure
Have breakfast early enough and prepare for the last days moments of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Check out of the lodge, and prepare to have your last morning game drive. With a lasting memory of Queen Elizabeth National park, leave for Kampala with an en route lunch, arriving to the hotel/ Airport in the Evening. End of the 3 days Safari!
Accommodation Options (full board)
Luxury: Mweya safari Lodge, Elephant plains safari lodge, Mazike Valley lodge, Katara Lodge
Midrange: Kyambura game lodge, Ihamba Lake Side, Twin Lakes, Bush Lodge, Ishasha jungle lodge, Ishasha wilderness camp
Budget: Simba safari camp, Twin lakes safari lodge, Bush lodge-tents
Safari inclusions
- Full board accommodation,
- Full time English speaking professional driver/guide,
- All tour activities as detailed in the itinerary,
- Bottled water while on safari,
- Park entry fees
- Chimpanzee permit
- Transport (4*4 open roof safari vehicle)
- Boat cruise
Safari Exclusions
-
- Kampala hotel fees (the eve of the safari and the night after the safari),
- Tips,
- Laundry services,
- Beverages/ drinks,
- International flights,
- Visas,
- Items of a personal nature
- Optional activities and any other extras not detailed in the above itinerary
