In Uganda, a 3 days Queen Elizabeth wildlife safari presents the best game drives and boat cruises to visitors. Queen Elizabeth National Park offers you an opportunity to spot the rare tree climbing lions in Ishasha sector. While on the way, you will have several stopovers to take photos and also have your lunch These are in places like the Uganda equator in Kayabwe and the Igongo Cultural Centre to encounter the Banyankole culture. In the latter, you will have a traditional lunch buffet before you visit 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. Travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park in western Uganda via Masaka and have a chance to see the Uganda equator in Kayabwe. Here is where you can purchase some beautiful-looking souvenirs. 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. Moreover, it also holds the record as the most visited national park in Uganda. It has the largest number of antelopes including the Uganda kobs, topis and bushbucks. 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 and leopards among others. Other animals that can be sighted include Uganda kobs, African buffalos, common warthogs, waterbuck, oribis, topis, giant forest hogs among others.
Return to the lodge for midmorning breakfast and transfer to Mweya sector to catch up with a boat cruise in the afternoon. This relaxing way of exploring the park takes 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, African elephants, buffalos and 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. It 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. Finally, after 3 days of exploration, this will be the end of the 3 days Queen Elizabeth wildlife safari.
