3-Day Queen Elizabeth National Park Safari in Uganda

Your adventure begins with an early breakfast at your hotel in Kampala. At approximately 7:30 am, your driver-guide will pick you up, brief you about the safari, and begin the journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Along the way, enjoy views of Uganda’s rolling hills, rural communities, and beautiful countryside. Make your first stop at the Equator crossing, where you can take photographs, explore the site, and learn about this geographical landmark.

Continue to Mbarara town for lunch before proceeding towards the park. The journey offers scenic views of traditional homesteads, Ankole long-horned cattle, tea plantations, woodlands, and the dramatic landscapes of the Western Rift Valley.

Arrive in the Queen Elizabeth area in the afternoon. Depending on your arrival time, enjoy a short game drive as you make your way towards the lodge. Keep your eyes open for elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, and various bird species.

Later, check in at your lodge, relax, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the following day's wildlife adventure.

Wake up early and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee before heading out for a morning game drive across the park’s open savannah plains. Your guide will take you along the Kasenyi Plains and other suitable game-drive tracks, where wildlife sightings are often rewarding during the cooler morning hours.

Look out for elephants, buffaloes, lions, Uganda kob, waterbucks, warthogs, and other wildlife roaming across the grasslands. The Kasenyi Plains are particularly known for Uganda kob, which attract predators such as lions. You will also have opportunities to spot a variety of birds in their natural habitats.

After the game drive, return to your lodge for breakfast and some relaxation. Enjoy lunch before preparing for the afternoon boat cruise.

In the afternoon, head to the Kazinga Channel for a memorable boat safari lasting approximately two hours. The channel is one of the park’s major wildlife attractions, offering excellent opportunities to observe animals at close range from the water.

As you cruise along the channel, you may see large groups of hippos resting in the water, Nile crocodiles along the banks, and elephants, buffaloes, and antelopes coming to drink. The channel is also an excellent place for birdwatching, with possible sightings of pink-backed pelicans, malachite kingfishers, African fish eagles, and numerous other waterbirds.

Enjoy the beautiful scenery as your guide shares insights into the park’s wildlife and ecosystems. After the boat cruise, return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Enjoy breakfast at your lodge while reflecting on the wonderful wildlife experiences of the previous two days. Depending on your interests, schedule, and availability, you may arrange an optional guided nature walk or chimpanzee-tracking experience in the surrounding area, subject to the relevant permits and activity arrangements.

Afterward, check out of the lodge and begin your journey back to Kampala. Travel through the scenic countryside of western Uganda, enjoying views of local villages, rolling hills, and traditional farmlands.

Along the way, stop for lunch before continuing towards Mpambire Drum Centre, where you can learn about traditional drum-making techniques and observe local artisans at work. You may also purchase handmade drums and other souvenirs to remember your Ugandan adventure.

Proceed to Kampala, where your driver-guide will drop you off at your hotel in the evening.

This marks the end of your memorable 3-day Queen Elizabeth National Park safari, filled with wildlife encounters, beautiful scenery, and unforgettable experiences in Uganda.

Meal plan: Breakfast and lunch.

End of safari.