The 3 days Queen Elizabeth national park safari is what you don’t need to miss, offering you with an opportunity to spot the rare tree climbing lions in Ishasha sector. This tour will be short but exiting, accompanied with a game drive and a boat cruise on Kazinga channel that connects two lakes – Lake Edward and Lake George.
While on the way, you will have several stopovers to take photos with the major ones to have your lunch en routes, encounter the Uganda equator in Kayabwe and also encounter the Banyankole culture at Igongo cultural centre with a traditional lunch buffet and visiting the museum.
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Travel to Queen Elizabeth NP in western Uganda via Masaka-Mbarara highway
On arrival, you will be picked from the airport in Entebbe or in the morning from your hotel, and travel to Queen Elizabeth national park in western Uganda via Masaka and have a chance to see the Uganda equator in Kayabwe and purchase some souvenirs and later proceed to Mbarara as you view the beautiful savannah hills in Lyantonde covered with the Bahima cattle farms. Arrive in Mbarara at Igongo cultural center for enroute lunch and a short Banyankole traditional experience.
After, proceed to Queen Elizabeth national park. This is the second largest national park in the country covering an area of 1,978sq.km, and the most visited national park. It has the largest number of antelopes including the Uganda kobs, while other attractions are the crater lakes, the big cats, big four mammals like the elephants, buffalos, lions and leopards.
Other animals include the spotted hyenas, oribis, warthogs, chimpanzees in Kyambura gorge and also bird species like African mourning dove, swamp nightjar, grey-headed kingfisher among others. Check in the accommodation facility on arrival for your dinner and overnight as you prepare for the following day.
Day 2: Game drive in the morning and boat cruise
Early in the morning, wake up and head for a game drive in the Kasenyi sector to spot the rare prides of lions and other early risers like the spotted hyenas, jackals, leopards, cheetahs among others. Other animals that can be sighted include Uganda kobs, African buffalos, common warthogs, waterbuck, oribis, topis, giant forest hog among others.
Return to the lodge for mid breakfast and transfer to Mweya sector to catch up with a boat cruise in the afternoon that will take 2-3 hours. The cruise will be on Kazinga channel where you will spot crocodiles, hippos, and different birds like the African fish eagle, swamp nightjar, grey-headed kingfisher and African elephants, buffalos among others. This will be an impressive and rewarding day.
Day 3: Game drive and transfer back to Kampala
Have a short game drive in Mweya peninsular and proceed with a drive heading back to Kampala using Kasese-Fort Portal-Kampala highway. The transient is rewarding because you will be able to see the Rwenzori ranges and if lucky enough, you will see the glaciers on top of the mountain.
Pass through Uganda’s only town with an English name – Fort portal that was named after the British Commissioner Sir. Gerald portal and also view the tea plantations that are typically undulating. Proceed and have your lunch enroute in the central town of Mubende town and a drop off in Kampala or Entebbe international airport and this will be the end of 3 days Queen Elizabeth national park safari.
