3 Days Queen Elizabeth National Park Safari

Tour details

Duration: 3 days

Best for: Solo travellers, couples, families, volunteers, photographers and nature enthusiasts

Travel style: Chimpanzee tracking, wildlife safari, boat cruise, crater lakes, cultural experience

Introduction

Three days through Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda's most popular and diverse wildlife destination. From the forests of Kyambura Gorge to the savannah plains and the wildlife-rich waters of the Kazinga Channel, this safari balances excitement, relaxation and authentic cultural experiences.

Encounter elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, crocodiles basking along the riverbanks, enormous pods of hippos, colourful birdlife and, if you are lucky, the famous tree-climbing lions. Trek through tropical forest in search of wild chimpanzees, then discover the traditions of salt mining at Lake Katwe.

Whether you are a solo traveller, couple, family, volunteer, photographer or nature enthusiast, this safari offers breathtaking scenery and wildlife encounters you will remember.

On this journey, you will explore the following highlights:

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Kyambura Gorge (Queen Elizabeth National Park)

Chimpanzee Tracking

Kazinga Channel (Queen Elizabeth National Park)

Boat Trips on the Nile and Kazinga Channel – Wildlife from the Water

Cultural Encounters – Meet Uganda’s Communities

Day to day programme

Day 1: Scenic Journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park & Kazinga Channel Boat Safari

Your adventure begins with an early departure at 5:00 AM from the El Cambio Volunteer House. As you set off, enjoy a scenic drive through Uganda's countryside, passing rolling hills, traditional villages, tea plantations and local markets.

After about three hours, stop at a local restaurant for a freshly prepared breakfast before continuing towards Queen Elizabeth National Park.

On arrival, prepare for one of the highlights of the safari: the Kazinga Channel boat cruise. Connecting Lake George and Lake Edward, the channel is known for one of the highest concentrations of hippos in Africa. As the boat cruises quietly along, you will see enormous hippo pods, Nile crocodiles basking on the shores, elephants drinking at the water's edge, buffaloes cooling off in the shallows, and birds including African fish eagles, kingfishers, pelicans, cormorants and colourful bee-eaters. The cruise is often regarded as one of the finest safari boat experiences in East Africa.

After the cruise, check in at your safari lodge and enjoy lunch prepared with fresh local ingredients. Later in the afternoon, relax at a nearby swimming spot before returning to the lodge. Dinner is served to the sounds of the African wilderness.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner. Accommodation: Kazinga Wilderness Lodge.

Day 2: Chimpanzee Tracking, Lake Katwe Salt Mining & Evening Game Drive

Wake up to the sounds of nature and enjoy an early breakfast before heading to Kyambura Gorge, often called the "Valley of Apes".

Accompanied by experienced Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers, venture deep into the tropical forest in search of wild chimpanzees. Follow their calls through the canopy, and learn about their behaviour, social structure and feeding habits, and the conservation work that protects this endangered species. Watching chimpanzees feed, play and communicate in their natural environment is an experience few travellers forget.

After your chimpanzee adventure, return for lunch before continuing to Lake Katwe, a salt lake that has supported local communities for centuries. Meet the miners, discover traditional salt extraction techniques passed down through generations, and learn how the lake still shapes the livelihoods of the surrounding communities.

In the late afternoon, set off on a game drive across the Kasenyi Plains as temperatures cool and wildlife becomes more active. Keep your eyes open for elephants, lions, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, bushbucks, warthogs, hyenas, giant forest hogs and, with luck, the elusive leopard. Your guide shares information about the park's ecosystem, and the golden light of sunset makes for spectacular photography.

Return to the lodge for dinner and reflect on the day.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner. Accommodation: Kazinga Wilderness Lodge.

Day 3: Morning Game Drive, Crater Lakes & Return to the El Cambio Volunteer House

After breakfast, check out of the lodge and enjoy one last game drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park, your final chance to see the park's wildlife in the cool morning hours.

Leaving the park, continue to Uganda's crater lakes, a landscape formed by ancient volcanic activity. Stop at scenic viewpoints overlooking the sparkling lakes, surrounded by lush vegetation and rolling hills, some of the most spectacular scenery in western Uganda.

After lunch, begin the comfortable drive back to the El Cambio Volunteer House, arriving in the evening.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch.

Starting and ending point

The El Cambio Volunteer House.

Why choose this safari?

Track wild chimpanzees in their natural rainforest habitat. Enjoy game drives in one of Africa's richest wildlife ecosystems, a boat safari on the Kazinga Channel, and the volcanic crater lakes of western Uganda. Discover the traditions of the Lake Katwe salt-mining community, and travel with local guides who are passionate about Uganda's wildlife, culture and conservation stories.

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What's included

Includes

• Return transportation in a safari vehicle
• English-speaking safari driver/guide
• Queen Elizabeth National Park entrance fees
• Chimpanzee tracking permit and guided trekking experience
• Kazinga Channel boat cruise
• Guided morning and evening game drives
• Lake Katwe salt mining experience
• Crater lakes sightseeing
• Two nights' accommodation
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary
• Bottled drinking water throughout the safari

Excludes

• International and domestic flights
• Uganda visa (where applicable)
• Travel insurance
• Alcoholic and soft drinks
• Laundry services
• Tips and gratuities
• Personal shopping and souvenirs
• Any activities not mentioned in the itinerary

Accommodations

During the trip, you will stay at:

Queen Elizabeth National Park: Kazinga Wilderness Lodge, two nights, full board.

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