Exploring Queen Elizabeth National Park – 3 Days
Experience the 3 Day Queen Elizabeth Tour with Iconic Africa Safaris to explore Uganda’s second largest National Park. Queen Elizabeth National Park is found in western Uganda, covering an area of 1,978 square kilometers filled with swamps, forests, savannas, and shrubs. Established in 1952, the park was named after Queen Elizabeth of England, who visited it. It’s located near the districts of Kamwenge, Rubirizi, Rukungiri, and Kasese.
The park is home to a wide variety of animals, including lions, elephants, hippos, Uganda kobs, impalas, topis, crocodiles, warthogs, waterbucks, mongooses, and bushbucks. A major attraction is the Kazinga Channel, a 40-kilometer stretch linking Lake Edward and Lake George. Game viewing is the most popular activity, attracting many visitors. In the Ishasha sector, you can spot the famous tree-climbing lions, a unique sight in Uganda. The park also houses the Kyambura Gorge, where endangered chimpanzees reside.
You’ll have the opportunity to visit local communities for a cultural experience. With 600 bird species, Queen Elizabeth National Park is an important birding area in Uganda. Some notable birds include the shoebill, swamp flycatcher, collared pratincole, African finfoot, African jacana, yellow-billed stork, ibises, hammerkop, papyrus gonolek, African skimmer, African hobby, spotted redshank, white-winged tern, and great blue turaco.
The park features several crater lakes, such as Lake Katwe for salt mining, Lake Munyanyange, known for greater and lesser flamingos, and Lake Nyamunuka and Lake Bunyampaka, among others. The Kalinzu forest section of Queen Elizabeth also hosts endangered chimpanzees.
Popular activities in Queen Elizabeth National Park include game viewing, lion tracking, chimpanzee trekking, boat cruises, bird watching, nature walks, forest walks, and community tours. The tour begins and ends in Kampala/Entebbe, providing easy access for travelers.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park & Launch Cruise
On the first day, after you’ve had your morning meal, our tour guide will come to pick you up. Then, we’ll start our journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park. It’s about a 3 to 4 hours’ drive going west on the Masaka – Mbarara Highway. Along the way, you’ll see beautiful countryside views. We’ll also make a stop at the Equator. After that, we’ll continue driving to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Once we arrive, we’ll have lunch and get ready for an incredible 2-hour boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel. During the cruise, you’ll get to see hippos, crocodiles, many kinds of birds, and elephants enjoying their time in the water. For dinner and overnight stay, we’ll check in at Enganzi Safari Lodge / Simba Safari Lodge (Budget), Elephant Safari Lodge (Midrange), or Mweya Safari Lodge (Luxury).
Day 2: Kalinzu Chimps Tracking and Visit to Katwe Salt Mine
After breakfast, we’ll start our day with an exciting chimpanzee tracking adventure in Kalinzu Forest Reserve. Later, after lunch, we’ll go on a guided nature walk to explore the Katwe Salt Mine. For the night, we’ll stay at Mweya Safari Lodge (Luxury), Park View Lodge (Midrange), or Simba Safari Camp (Budget).
Day 3: Morning Game Drive and Transfer to Kampala
Early in the morning, before the sun rises, we’ll head out for a thrilling game drive. This is the best time to see animals like hyenas, lions, buffaloes, and elephants as they start their day. After the game drive, we’ll start our journey back to Kampala. If we arrive early, you can enjoy a city tour, visiting places like Buganda Kingdom Palace, Kasubi Tombs, Namugongo Martyrs Shrine, and other interesting spots before we drop you off at your hotel or the airport for your departure flight.
End of the Tour
Tour Price Inclusions
- Full-Time English Speaking Guide: You’ll have a guide with you throughout the tour who speaks English.
- Accommodation & Meals: Your stay and meals are included in the tour package.
- Ground Transport: We’ll provide transportation for all the activities mentioned in the itinerary.
- Bottled Drinking Water: You’ll have access to bottled water during the tour.
- Miscellaneous: Any other small things needed during the tour are covered.
- Park Entrance Fees: Entrance fees to the national park are included.
- Launch Cruise: Enjoy a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel.
- All Activities Included in the Itinerary: All the activities mentioned in the itinerary are included in the tour package.
Tour Price Exclusions
- Alcoholic Beverages: Alcoholic drinks are not included in the tour package.
- Extra Activities Not Included in the Itinerary: Any additional activities not mentioned in the itinerary are not included.
- Tips: Tips for guides, drivers, or any other service providers are not included.
