3 Day Queen Elizabeth Safari
3 Day Queen Elizabeth National Park Safari
Safari Overview
3 Day Queen Elizabeth National Park Safari
This 3 Day Queen Elizabeth National Park safari takes you deep into one of Uganda’s most scenic and wildlife-rich parks, located approximately 7 hours southwest of Kampala. Covering nearly 2,000 km², Queen Elizabeth National Park lies within the western arm of the Great Rift Valley, bordered by the Rwenzori Mountains to the north and Lake Edward to the west. The park is home to an extraordinary variety of wildlife, including elephants, buffalos, lions, leopards, hyenas, jackals, hippos, crocodiles, Uganda kobs, giant forest hogs, and more than 600 species of birds.
One of the highlights of this Queen Elizabeth National Park safari is a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a 32-kilometer natural waterway that connects Lake George and Lake Edward. This boat safari gives you a great chance to see hippos, elephants, crocodiles, and many colorful water birds up close.
Another exciting part of this 3-day safari is a visit to the Kalinzu Forest, a peaceful and less crowded rainforest near the park. The forest is 141 square kilometers in size and is home to over 300 wild chimpanzees. Two groups of these chimps have been trained to be comfortable around peopl. Kalinzu is not as famous as other chimp trekking places in Uganda, but it is becoming more popular because it is easy to reach, affordable, and offers a high chance of seeing chimps. Watching these amazing apes in the wild—so similar to us that we share nearly 99% of the same DNA—is a magical and unforgettable experience.
Gallery
Special about this trip
- Boat cruise along the hippo-filled Kazinga Channel
- Morning game drive spotting elephants, lions, and more
- Evening game drive with views of Rift Valley escarpment
- Chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu Forest
- Visit to the Kikorongo Equator monument
What's included
- Park entrance fees
- All mentioned activities (unless marked optional)
- Accommodation (as listed in the itinerary)
- Professional English-speaking guide/driver
- Ground transport in a 4x4 safari vehicle
- Meals as specified in the day-by-day itinerary
Detailed Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Pick Up and Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Your 3-day Queen Elizabeth National Park safari begins early in the morning. At 7:00 AM, our professional driver-guide will pick you up from your preferred location in either Entebbe or Kampala. After a brief safari briefing, you will embark on the approximately 7-hour, 400-kilometer drive southwest towards Queen Elizabeth National Park. The journey takes you through Uganda’s scenic countryside, rolling hills, farms, and lively towns, offering a glimpse of everyday rural life.
Along the way, you will stop in the bustling town of Mbarara for a relaxing lunch break. After lunch, you will continue the drive to the park and make a memorable stop at the Kikorongo Equator monument, located near the entrance to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Here, you can stand on the equator line, experiencing the unique feeling of being in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres at once. It’s also a fantastic spot for photos and to witness the fascinating equator water swirling demonstration, along with learning fun facts about this global landmark.
Later, you will continue to your lodge in the Kyambura area of Queen Elizabeth National Park. You can choose to relax and enjoy spectacular views of the Rift Valley escarpment or take a community walk to meet local villagers. Alternatively, you may go on an evening game drive, where you will get your first chance to see wildlife such as elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, and possibly lions or leopards as the sun sets. Your day ends with a delicious dinner at the lodge.
Accommodation Options:
Simple: Bush Lodge – Banda
Middle class: Elephant Hab Lodge
Semi-luxury: Katara Lodge
Luxury: Kyambura Gorge Lodge
Exclusive: The River Station
Meal Plan: Lunch en route & Dinner at the lodge
Day 2: Queen Elizabeth National Park Safari Activities
Today is dedicated to fully exploring the breathtaking wildlife and natural beauty of Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Morning: Game Drive on the Savannah Plains
After an early breakfast, set off on a morning game drive through the open savannah, where the cool morning air and golden sunrise offer ideal conditions for wildlife viewing. As the mist slowly lifts over the plains, this is one of the best times to observe animals in their most active state. During the drive, expect to encounter iconic African wildlife, including members of the Big Five—elephants, buffaloes, and, with some luck, lions—as well as other fascinating species such as hyenas, Uganda kobs, bushbucks, giant forest hogs, and waterbucks. Your expert guide will help you track and identify these animals while sharing insights into their behaviors and the park’s rich ecosystem.
Optional: Predator Tracking Experience
For a deeper wildlife experience, consider upgrading to a predator tracking excursion. Accompanied by experienced park rangers and researchers, you’ll use radio tracking equipment to locate lions and leopards in real time—an exciting and educational addition for those interested in conservation and predator behavior.
Midday: Relax and Lunch at the Lodge
After the morning safari, return to your lodge for lunch and a bit of rest. You’ll have time to unwind, enjoy the peaceful surroundings, or take a short walk around the property before your afternoon adventure begins.
Afternoon: Boat Safari on the Kazinga Channel
In the afternoon, you will head to the Kazinga Channel, a 32-kilometer natural waterway that connects Lake Edward and Lake George. A boat safari along this channel is one of the most unforgettable experiences Queen Elizabeth National Park has to offer. The Kazinga Channel boasts one of the highest concentrations of hippos in Africa and is also home to Nile crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes, and an incredible variety of water birds. You may spot pelicans, cormorants, African fish eagles, and—if you’re lucky—the elusive shoebill stork.
Optional: Private Boat Safari Upgrade
For a more exclusive experience, you can opt for a private boat safari. This allows you to explore the Kazinga Channel at your own pace, get much closer to the wildlife, and enjoy a quieter setting—ideal for photographers, birders, or travelers seeking a more personalized adventure.
Accommodation Options:
Simple: Bush Lodge – Banda
Middle class: Elephant Hab Lodge
Semi-luxury: Katara Lodge
Luxury: Kyambura Gorge Lodge
Exclusive: The River Station
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Diner
Day 3: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kalinzu & Transfer Back to Kampala
After an early breakfast, check out of your lodge and head to the nearby Kalinzu Forest Reserve for a chimpanzee trekking experience. Kalinzu Forest is one of Uganda’s top destinations for observing wild chimpanzees in their natural habitat, with a success rate of over 90%. While this is slightly lower than Kibale Forest, Kalinzu offers several distinct advantages: it is less crowded and more affordable.
The forest is part of a community-based ecotourism project managed alongside the National Forestry Authority, which means your visit supports local conservation and development efforts. The trek can be moderately challenging, as locating the chimpanzees often requires a longer hike through dense forest. However, for most reasonably fit travelers, the reward is well worth the effort. Hearing the distant calls of the chimps and then seeing them swing through the treetops or interact on the forest floor is a truly magical and humbling experience.
Chimpanzees share nearly 99% of human DNA, making these encounters both emotional and educational. After the trek, you’ll begin your scenic drive back to Kampala or Entebbe. The return journey takes approximately 7 hours (about 400 km), with lunch and refreshment stops along the way. You’ll be dropped off at your hotel, residence, or the airport, marking the end of your 3-day Queen Elizabeth National Park safari.
Accommodation: Not Included
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch
Trip Information
Difficulty
Going on safari is not physically hard, but it can be tiring. You will spend many hours sitting in a safari vehicle, and the weather will often be hot. To see the most wildlife, you’ll need to wake up very early in the morning. You don’t need to be very fit, but be ready for long, hot days of travel. You will also go on a forest walk in Kalinzu Forest to look for chimpanzees. This walk is not too difficult, but having a basic level of fitness will help you enjoy it more.
Food And Drink
All safari lodges include breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You can try local Ugandan dishes like matoke (cooked bananas), cassava, chicken and beef stews, fresh fish, and millet bread. Most lodges also offer western-style meals. Premium drinks are often not included, so you may need to pay for them when you check out of the lodge. If you are out on a long drive during the day, your driver will bring a packed lunch. If you told us about any dietary needs or allergies when booking, we will inform the safari team. Please also remind your guide if you have any special food needs. If your trip include accommodation in Entebbe and Kampala, your hotel stay includes breakfast only. You can buy lunch and dinner at the hotel or visit nearby restaurants that offer both Ugandan and western food.
Water
You will be given bottled mineral water to drink while in a safari vehicle.
Accommodation
Your safari itinerary will show where you will stay and which meals are included. Before and after the safari, you will stay in a hotel in Entebbe or Kampala. If your hotel stay includes only breakfast, you can still buy other meals or snacks there. You can pay in Ugandan Shillings or US Dollars. Please note that Uganda is still developing, so short power or water cuts may happen. The hotel staff will do their best to help, but these problems are outside their control. During the safari, you will stay in comfortable lodges located in beautiful natural settings. Each room will have a private bathroom, and you will sleep in either a double bed or two single beds. All meals are included during your lodge stay.
Your guide
A guide from Choose Uganda Safaris will meet you on the first day of your trip and give you a welcome briefing. Your guide will stay with you throughout your safari and take care of you until you are dropped off at the airport or your hotel on the last day.
Transport
During your safari, you will travel in a comfortable 4×4 safari vehicle. These vehicles are strong and made for rough roads. They also have large windows and pop-up roofs, so you can enjoy great views of the animals and scenery.
How do I get there?
Most safaris start and end in Entebbe, a town just south of Kampala, the capital of Uganda. You will need to fly into Entebbe International Airport (EBB). Many airlines fly to Entebbe. KLM and Brussels Airlines offer flights from many countries, usually stopping in Amsterdam or Brussels, and Kigali (Rwanda), before arriving late in the evening. Emirates flies via Dubai, Qatar Airways via Doha, and Delta offers similar flights from the USA, usually arriving the next day. Uganda Airlines offers direct flights from London to Entebbe. We will arrange a car to pick you up from the airport and take you to your hotel, even if your flight arrives very late or early. The drive takes about 30 minutes. Because most flights arrive around 10:00 PM, we recommend adding an extra rest day before your safari begins. This will help you recover from the long journey and get ready for your adventure. If you are changing airlines or need to re-check your luggage, leave at least three hours between flights. This allows enough time for any delays, walking between terminals, and re-checking your bags.
Budget and Money
You cannot get Ugandan Shillings before you arrive, as this currency is not available outside Uganda. It is best to bring US Dollars with you. US Dollars are accepted in many places and can be easily exchanged for Ugandan Shillings. Make sure your US Dollar notes are clean, not torn, and less than 10 years old, or they may not be accepted. If you need more local money while in Entebbe, we can help you go to a bank or ATM. If you plan to use a credit or debit card, tell your bank before you travel. Otherwise, your card might not work in Uganda. Also, some hotels do not accept card payments, so you may need to use an ATM to get cash.
Tips
Tipping is not mandatory in Uganda, but it is always appreciated. It is completely your choice. Tips are a way to thank people for good service, but they do not replace fair pay. All our guides and staff are paid fairly. If you are happy with the service, we suggest giving about five US dollars per person per day to your Choose Uganda Safaris guide and driver, and two to five US dollars per person per day to the chimpanzee and gorilla tracking guides or park rangers. We recommend planning to bring around eighty to one hundred US dollars in total for tips during your trip.
Our Trusted Partners
