2 days Queen Elizabeth safari takes you to the second largest game park in Uganda. Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s most popular and visited wildlife conservation area because of its amazing scenery, primates, wildlife and birds. It stands out from Murchison falls National Park because of its spectacular scenery and landscape consisting of green rolling hills, crater lakes, forests, wetlands, Savannah, woodlands, the kazinga channel and great sight of the Rwenzori ranges of mountains.
Queen Elizabeth National was established in 1952 and covers an area of 1,978 square kilometers. The Park benefits from its location along Uganda’s rain corridor which keep its relatively green for much of the year. Its initial name was Kazinga National Park but was changed to Queen Elizabeth national park in 1954 in memory of the Queens visit to the park. Queen Elizabeth is home to over 600 species of birds, 95 of mammals and 10 primates. Chimpanzees are the most popular primates in the park and can be spotted in Maramagambo forest or the Kyambura Gorge. The chimps in Maramagambo are not habituated but those in Kyambura gorge are.
Queen Elizabeth national park is arguably the best place to spot tree climbing lions in the world. It is also hope to one of the largest collection of hippos on earth. The Kazinga channel in Queen Elizabeth national park has been described as one of the best places to view wildlife in Africa. While on a boat cruise at the Kazinga channel, one can spot lions, the Uganda Kob, Elephants, buffaloes, hyenas and leopards among many other creatures. Queen Elizabeth is the closest safari park to the mountain gorillas. By safari park, I mean one offering the possibility of going for a game drive to view most of the big five mammals. It is possible to combine gorilla trekking in Bwindi or Rwanda with a visit to spot 4 of the big 5 in Queen Elizabeth National park. Moreover, while on the park one can visit the Katwe Crater lake and observe the local people mining salt using their hands. Queen Elizabeth National park also provides opportunities for a cultural encounter with one of the local tribes or families living close to the park. During these cultural encounters, you can learn how the national park has impacted on the lives of the local communities as they showcase their cultural heritage through traditional dances, music and drama. For a longer safari and see more of the park, you can check our 4 Days Queen Elizabeth safari Package. We also have the 5 days Queen Elizabeth tour package.
Highlight of the Tour
- A Game drive at Kasenyi plains
- Boat cruise at the Kazinga channel
- Stopping at the equator crossing
Full Itinerary
Day 1: Pickup – Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park –Boat cruise at the Kazinga channel
Our Guide will pick you up very early (6am) from either Entebbe or Kampala before starting the long journey to Queen Elizabeth national park. This journey takes between 5 to 6 hours and goes through amazing countryside with beautiful landscape and landmarks. You will stop at the equator crossing in Kayabwe (near Masaka) for photographs and a chance to count yourself among the few who have stood in two hemispheres at the same time. The equator is the planets main latitude that separates the planet earth into two sections – southern and northern hemispheres. As you continue your journey towards western Uganda, watch out for the amazing landscape consisting of endless savanna, large farms of the long-horned Ankole cattle and local people going about their daily business. Lunch will be in Mbarara town or another location depending on how the trip goes.
You will reach the park around early in the afternoon. Check into your hotel if time allows or go straight for the afternoon boat cruise at the Kazinga channel. The Kazinga channel has one of the largest collection of hippos in Africa. It is a birders paradise with countless water, resident and migratory birds. Prepare for a treat as you spot buffaloes, crocodiles, elephants and hippos bathing by the water channel. Watch out for birds like pelicans, the Knob-billed Duck, African Jacana, yellow wagtail, common squacco Herons, flamingos, kingfishers, saddle-billed stork and the famous Shoebill Stork. You will also catch sights of primates like red tailed monkeys, white and black colobus monkey, olive baboons and vervet monkey.
Dinner and overnight will be at either Simba Safari Camp, Bush Lodge or Kazinga Channel View Lodge for budget travelers. Moderate or Mid-range travelers will sleep in either Enganzi Lodge, Buffalo Safari Resort or Ihamba Safari Lodge. The luxury traveler will go for either Jacana Lodge, Katara Lodge or Mweya Safari Lodge.
Day 2: Game drive at the Kasenyi Sector – Transfer back to Kampala
Wake up very early, shower and take breakfast as wait for the Guide/Driver to pick you up and take you for the morning game drive at the Mweya peninsula or Kasenyi plains. The Mweya peninsula is one of 
the best places to go for a game drive while on a Uganda safari. The peninsula is raised hence allowing you to have good views of the vast savanna, the animals, lake Katwe, Lake Edward and George. Expect to see hyenas, leopards, buffaloes, mongooses, elephants, the Uganda Kob, lions, warthogs, waterbucks and other types of antelopes. As you enjoy the game drive, watch out for the African skimmer, black-rumped buttonquails, black bee eater, the Chapins flycatcher, fish eagles, martial eagles, verreaux’s eagle owls, the white tailed lark and Pink-backed pelicans.
After completing the activity, you will go and have lunch in your hotel before starting your journey back to Kampala or Entebbe. You will have stops at the Igongo Cultural Centre for souvenir if you didn’t get any at the park offices. Arrival time in Kampala is in the evening. Book your flight to depart in at 9:00pm in case you plan to leave Uganda on this day.
End of Tour
Tour Inclusions and Exclusions
The Package Includes:
- Full board accommodation with meals (1 night).
- A Guide/Driver with excellent English speaking skills
- Transport in a standard tour van with a pop up roof for clear views of the park animals
- Fuel for the entire trip
- Boat cruise at the Kazinga Channel
- A game drive
- Guide and ranger fees
- Lunch and drinking water while traveling to and from the park
- Park Entrance fees
- Airport transfer
- Government taxes
Package Excludes:
The package excludes expenses of a personal nature like alcoholic drinks, cigars, laundry, personal insurance, Visas, air tickets, porter fees and tips for the Guides/Rangers.
What you need to know
- It’s a private tour and will only be for you or with your family/spouse
- This tour can start on any day of the year
- The tour can be tailored to your suggestions. Meaning that you can opt for other activities or ask for more days in the park. Queen Elizabeth is a large park with a lot of activities that cannot be concluded in one day. For example, we have chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge, nature walks in Maramagambo forest, spotting tree climbing lions of Ishasha and mongoose/lion tracking with researchers.
- For the best wildlife safari in Queen Elizabeth, you need to consider coming with a binocular, a hat, light and casual clothes (shorts, jeans, T-shirts, and simple blouses), hiking shoes, insect repellents, sandals, Sun lotion, Sunglasses and a Torch.
Hotels and Lodges
Jacana Safari Lodge: This luxury lodge is found in Maramagambo forest and close to a crater lake. The lodge and its 10 chalets were built with local materials like timbers, rocks to come up with tree-house designs. All rooms are of high quality and self-contained with a safe, wardrobes and verandah overlooking lake Nyamusingire The furniture blends well with the natural surrounding with a lounge that overlooks the beautiful crater lake. If you are traveling as a family, you can request for the large family cottage for a great experience. Residents can expect to spot amazing birds and tree climbing lions when booked with this lodge. Jacana Safari Lodge also offers opportunities for nature walks to the great forest. Other facilities in the lodge include a restaurant, swimming pool, bar and Wi-Fi
Kazinga Channel View Resort: This is one of the best budget to mid-range accommodation facilities in Queen Elizabeth National Park. It consists of bandas and cottages with rooms that are self-contained, 
comfortable, spacious and beautifully furnished. All rooms have cold and hot water and you can choose to stay in a twin or double bed. Kazinga Channel View Resort allows independent travelers to set up tents at its large camping site as long as they buy meals from the lodge. Other facilities in the resort include parking space, laundry, a restaurant and a bar. The restaurant serves international, continental and local meals. If you want to taste some local beer and vodka, then you should visit the bar. Guest should expect free breakfast every morning. The staff are experienced and well trained while security is as tight as can be.
Simba Safari Camp: This budget lodge was opened to visitors in 2008 to offer quality rooms at competitive prices. The lodge has 70 beds which are found in dormitories, twin rooms, dormitories and family cottages. The rooms are comfortable, spacious and furnished with flushing toilets, mosquito nets and a verandah. Simba Safari is located just 2 km away from the equator crossing and is the closest lodge to the Kasenyi plains. One side of the camp overlooks the Rwenzori mountains while the other to the savanna plains and crater lakes of Queen Elizabeth. If you have any special dietary requirements, you need to inform the camp in advance.
The restaurant serves local and international dishes while the adjacent bar is stocked with drinks of every kind. Simba Safari camp promotes the conservation of nature by offering guests an opportunity to plant a tree within the vicinity. After planting the tree, the lodge will take care of and ensure the planters name is on it throughout its lifespan. Other services in the camp include a campsite for budget travelers and free Wi-Fi.
Buffalo Safari Lodge: Buffalo safari lodge is a mid-range built close to the Kazinga Channel of Queen Elizabeth National Park. It is located 1 kilometer off the Mbarara to Kasese road. The lodge has 17 self-contained rooms. The serene environment around the lodge and amazing views of the park and its 
animals are what sets the lodge apart from others. While at the lodge, you can see the resident park animals like buffaloes, elephants, warthogs, antelopes, monkeys and countless birds. Buffalo Safari Lodge hires some of the most experienced and friendly staff you will find during your safari. Expect special treatment in your rooms, at the restaurant or while drinking at the bar. The lounge is a favorite relaxation area that offers opportunities to interact with other residents as you share your experiences in Uganda. All in all, choose Buffalo safari lodge if you want a place close to the where most of the park activities take place. Also consider that there is free Wi-Fi, a private lake, parking space, tasty meals, nice staff, large rooms and a platform for viewing the vast savanna. Did I mention that park animals come to the hotel premises every day?
