3 Days Queen Elizabeth National Park Wildlife Safari – Uganda Safari

3 Days Queen Elizabeth Wildlife Tour introduces you to Uganda’s second largest and most explored National Park. Queen Elizabeth National Park was established in 1952 as Kazinga National Park but got its current name in 1954 to honor Queen Elizabeth II’s visit to the country and is now a haven to more than 95 species of mammals including the magical tree-climbing lions, elephants, buffaloes, Hyenas, leopards, Hippos, warthogs, waterbucks, Uganda Kobs and Topis among others.

There are also more than 600 species of avifauna (more than half the country’s total bird species) including the shoebill storks, pelicans and flamingos among others hence making it one of the biodiversity hotspots in Uganda. The 3 days Queen Elizabeth Wildlife Tour also offers chances of exploring the different Crater Lakes, Kazinga Channel that connects Lakes George and Edward as well as several bird species that call the Park home.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is found on the western side of Uganda, east of Lake Edward and against the backdrop of the Mountains of the Moon (Rwenzori Mountains) and presently covers an area of 1978 square kilometers, making it the second largest National Park in the country.

Interesting things to expect during the 3 Days Queen Elizabeth National Park Wildlife Tour

Game drives through different game tracks in Queen Elizabeth Park.
Boat cruise along the beautiful Kazinga Channel.
Two days full-board accommodation in selected lodges.
Finger-licking meals at the Lodge and en-route.
A smooth and interesting journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park and back with several stopovers.
Stopover at the Equator.

Highlights of the 3 days Queen Elizabeth Wildlife Tour itinerary

Day 1: Travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Day 2: Morning game drive and an afternoon boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel.
Day 3: A brief game drive through the Park and departure.

Detailed itinerary of the 3 Days Queen Elizabeth National Park Wildlife Tour

Day 1: Travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park for Wildlife Viewing

Breakfast for day one will be provided at the Hotel or your place of residence, followed by a meet, greet and briefing on the 3 days Queen Elizabeth Tour by our driver at 7:00 am. You will then begin the 5-6 hours’ journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park through the Towns of Masaka, Lyantonde, Mbarara, Bushenyi and Kasese. There will be a number of stopovers including at the Uganda Equator along Masaka road where you will be able to stand in both the northern and southern hemispheres and also experiment how water swirls in different directions when placed in the northern and southern hemispheres, take photos and even buy some of the beautiful souvenirs.

Continue with the journey until Igongo Cultural Center and Country Hotel (few kilometers before Mbarara Town) for lunch and while here, you can try out some of the country’s local delicious dishes.

After your meals, proceed with the journey and as you approach Bushenyi, you will be welcomed by the coolest air ever experienced in Uganda as well as the lush tea plantations on the hilly slopes of Igara and Ishaka, through the Kalinzu Forest Reserve until Queen Elizabeth National Park. Head straight to the Lodge to freshen-up and relax as you wait for the evening game drive.

The evening game drive will be conducted within Mweya Peninsula and as far as Katunguru entrance where if lucky will be able to spot the lions, leopards, spotted hyenas and jackals as well as Uganda Kobs and Hippos moving freely. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Meal Plan is lunch and dinner

Accommodation options

Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge or Katara Lodge.
Midrange: Ihamba Safari Lodge or Kasenyi Safari Camp.
Budget: Simba Safari Lodge.

Travel time from Kampala to Queen Elizabeth National Park is 5-6 hours.

Day 2: Morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park and an afternoon boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel

Wake up early for breakfast and go for the game drive that will introduce you to the richness of Queen Elizabeth National Park including the big cats as they return from their hunt, the elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, waterbucks and warthogs. The drive will also lead you to the southern sector of the Park where you will spot the breathtaking tree-climbing lions.

Return to the Lodge at 11:00 am to rest and have lunch before continuing for the afternoon boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel. The 2 hours’ boat cruise will reward you with the views of the Nile crocodiles and large hippos relaxing on the banks of the Channel as well as Elephants, buffaloes, and antelopes cooling themselves from the scorching sunshine and drinking water. Also expect aquatic bird species such as the Marabou storks, great-white pelicans, pink-backed pelicans, saddle-billed storks, and white-winged terns among others.

Go back to the Lodge for dinner and overnight.

The meal plan is full-board

The Accommodation options

Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge or Katara Lodge.
Midrange: Ihamba Safari Lodge or Kasenyi Safari Camp.
Budget: Simba Safari Lodge.

Day 3: Brief game drive through the Park and departure

Enjoy early morning breakfast and have another game drive to increase chances of seeing more than the Park offers and also explore the Crater Lakes where you are likely to see the migratory bird species (if you visit in the wet season). Later head back to the Lodge and check-out so as to continue with the journey back to Kampala. There will be a lunch break in Agip Motel Mbarara and Mpambire Drum makers to see how drums are locally made and even buy a piece (souvenir). Arrive Kampala or Entebbe in the evening.

End of your 3 Days Queen Elizabeth National Park Wildlife Tour

Bottled water throughout the safari.
Full-board accommodation for two days.
All activities on the itinerary.
Transport with our 4 WD vehicle.
Airport transfer as long as your flight is on the same day the safari ends.
Relevant Government taxes.
Full-time professional English-speaking driver.

Your 3 days Queen Elizabeth Wildlife Tour Excludes

International flights.
Visa fees.
Personal expenses like tips, laundry fees, and beverages.
Personal insurance.
Extra activities not included in the itinerary.

What to carry for the 3 Days Queen Elizabeth National Park Wildlife Tour

Don’t forget to carry the following during the 3 days Queen Elizabeth Tour;

Passport and travel insurance documents
E-ticket
Short and long sleeved shirts.
Camera
Toiletries such as toothpaste, toothbrush, lotions, and combs.
Pair of binoculars.
Pre-medications medicines.
Flip-flops.
Wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses to protect the head and eyes from the scorching sunshine.
Closed shoes.
Safari trousers.

Best Time for the 3 Days Queen Elizabeth National Park Wildlife Tour

The 3 days Queen Elizabeth Tour can be enjoyed all year round although the drier months (December, January, February, June, July, August, and September) are recommended because, during this time, numerous animals converge at water points.

How to get to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park is about 420 kilometers from Kampala City and can be reached through air transport (charter flights to Ishasha, Mweya, and Kasese) and road transport. For the 3 days Queen Elizabeth Tour, you will use the Kampala-Masaka-Mbarara-Bushenyi-Kasese route although another alternative route is Kampala-Mubende-Fort portal-Kasese-to the Park.