3 Days Queen Elizabeth National Park Wildlife Safari

3 Days Queen Elizabeth National Park Safari

3 Days Queen Elizabeth Safari will give you an opportunity to spot Africa’s top mammals, beautiful forests, sprawling savannah and stunning landscapes. Queen Elizabeth national park is found in the western part of the country and was named after Queen Elizabeth II in 1954. The park is found in an area covering over 1,900 square kilometers and has two Lake Craters Edward and George which are connected by the Kazinga channel.

Queen Elizabeth is Uganda’s second largest and most visited park. The park lost many animals during the liberation war that toppled Uganda’s famous dictator Idi Amin Dada in 1979. However the population of animals is back to where it was with 95 species of mammals which include buffaloes, hippos, Elephants, warthogs, African lions, hyenas, cave bats, leopard, crocodiles, bush pigs and antelopes like the Uganda Kob. Queen Elizabeth National Park is famous for the Tree Climbing Lions of Ishasha, boat cruising along the kazinga channel and chimpanzee trekking in the Kyambura gorge and Maramagambo forest. The park has over 550 species of birds and butterflies.

During a Uganda wildlife safari to the park, you can see the Rwenzori maintains which has snow-capped peaks and glaciers on the horizon. The best time to visit Queen Elizabeth national park like most parks in Uganda is just after the rains have stopped and the vegetation is still perfect green. If you are interested in more time with the tree climbing lions, you might want to check our our 4 Days safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park package. We have a longer 5 days Queen Elizabeth wildlife safari package.

Safari Highlights

Safari highlight

Head to Queen Elizabeth National park
Visit the equator
See Lake Katwe’s Salt mining industry
Go on a Game drive
Afternoon boat cruise at the Kazinga channel
Chimpanzee trekking at Kyambura gorge
Head back to Kampala

Full Itinerary

Day 1: Head to Queen Elizabeth National Park

An English speaking guide from Mission Africa Safaris will pick you up from an agreed point (usually your hotel) at around 6am. The journey to the park takes about 6 hours but you will be treated to great views of the beautiful countryside. You will stop along the way to take photos at the equator. As you approach and leave Mbarara, get ready to see great physical landscapes, valleys and terrain that are dotted with tea plantations and grazing longhorned Ankole cattle. Lunch will be in Mbarara town after which you will head to the park and lodge. In the evening hours, you will be taken to tour the Crater Lake Katwe and the salt mining activities therein. Dinner and overnight will be at either Mweya safari lodge (Luxury) or Bush Lodge (Budget) which is strategically built with good views of the Kazinga Channel.

Day 2: Game drive and Launch cruise at the Kazinga channel

You will wake up very early to take tea/coffee then go for the early morning game drive at the Mweya peninsular around the Kazinga Channel. The safari is for about 3 hour and you will follow different trails to spot Jackals, buffaloes, forest hogs, warthogs, the Uganda Kob, Elephants, lions and the elusive leopard. You will be taken back to the lodge to have late breakfast then relax or stay at the poolside as you wait for lunch. The two hour afternoon launch cruise at the Kazinga channel will give you opportunities to spot several bird (Kingfishers, pelicans etc) species, elephants, buffaloes, hippos, crocodile and other water animals. Dinner and overnight will be at either Mweya safari lodge (Luxury) or Bush Lodge (Budget).

Day 3: Chimpanzee tracking and Departure

You will wake up to heavy breakfast and then head for the Kyambura gorge. The underground forest in the Kyambura gorge is home to Chimpanzee, Baboons and many other primates. The forest also has many plant, tree and bird species. After visiting the Kyambura gorge, the guide will take you back for lunch as you also checkout from the lodge. You will then start the journey back to Kampala passing through Maramagambo forest to spot more mammals and primates. Expect to reach Kampala in the evening for your departure flight or to your hotel.

End of Safari

Tour Inclusions and Exclusions

Safari Includes:

Full time English speaking driver/guide
Park fees, launch cruise, park guide/Ranger
Bottled water
Transport in 4X4 vehicle
All meals in between journeys
Full board accommodation while on safari

Safari Excludes: International flights, Visas, Kampala accommodation, Personal expenses like laundry, crafts, drinks, cigars, souvenirs and tips.

Where to Sleep

Jacana Safari Lodge: Jacana Safari Lodge is one of the top Luxury Lodges in Queen Elizabeth National Park. It is owned by GeoLodges which also owns Silverback Lodge in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Nile Safari Lodge at Murchison Falls National Park and Rainforest Lodge at Mabira Forest. These are all luxury lodges and it should be enough to inform you of the quality of this particular facility. Jacana Safari Lodge is located close to the Maramagambo forest overlooking Nyamasingire Lake. Nyamasingire is the largest crater lake in Uganda. Although a luxury lodge in every sense, Jacana is more affordable than the older luxury hotels in the Queen Elizabeth National Park area. The lodge has ten luxury chalets and a cottage designed specifically for families. Each chalet is independent and private with a unique design and setting. Though designed with local material, they look good, modern and innovative. The chalets are spacious with en-suite bathrooms, warm water, a veranda and great views of the Lake Nyamasingire. Other amenities at the Lodge include an evening fireplace, sauna, massage, a swimming pool, restaurant and bar. The food served is excellent and prepared with high standards. If you wish to explore the lake, a boat is available hire. Staff are on call 24 hours a day and will attend to your requests once you ring a bell.

Marafiki Safari Lodge: Marafiki is a mid-range lodge built facing Lake George in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The lodge offers safari tents that are sited on raised platforms to allow guests marvel at the savannah and the Rwenzori ranges of mountains. There are four self-contained tent that are built with high quality local materials. Each tent is self-contained with an open-air shower, a work desk and a verandah. The lodge also built 4 spacious dormitory rooms that can accommodate more people. Marafiki lodge has a campfire set for residents in the evening where everyone gathers to party and discuss what they experienced in the park. The Lodge has a restaurant which is noted for offering heavy breakfast with tasty local coffee and tropical fruits. If you want to experience true African wilderness or wake up to beautiful views of the Savannah, then you should consider Marafiki Lodge. You will see birds, elephants in the plains and hippos at the nearby lake among many other things even before going inside the park itself. The lodge gives guests an opportunity to visit the local communities and experience like in rural Africa. While with the community, you will also get a chance to attend local dances and listen to folk tale from the elder people.

Pumba Safari Lodge: This is one of the best Budget Safari Lodges in Queen Elizabeth national park. The lodge is located at the famous Kyambura Gorge area with beautiful views of the park. The scenery around the lodge is amazing with beautiful sights of the Savannah and animals in the area. Pumba Safari Lodge offers 5 spacious cottages which can be set up as single, double or twin rooms depending on the number of occupants. Each cottage has a mosquito net for each bed, working desks, showers, large comfortable beds and a balcony among other amenities. You can charge your cameras and phones throughout the day and night. The lode arranges community walks for residents to see the nearby village and crater lakes.