This 3 Days Best Queen Elizabeth Safari for Elephants and Lions is one of the shortest and most rewarding wildlife safaris in Uganda. It takes you to Queen Elizabeth National Park, the country’s most visited and popular wildlife destination.
The park is home to over 70 mammal species, ranging from large to small animals, and about 610 bird species, making it the best birding spot in Uganda.
During your visit, you will enjoy game drives to see elephants, lions, buffaloes, Topis, Uganda kobs, and hyenas. You will also trek chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge, meet local communities near Lake George, and take a relaxing boat cruise along the hippo-filled Kazinga Channel.
3-Day Queen Elizabeth Safari Highlights
- Visit Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda’s most visited wildlife destination
- Spot elephants, lions, buffaloes, antelopes, hyenas, and many other animals on game drives
- Enjoy a scenic boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel to see hippos, crocodiles, and water birds
- Trek chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge and observe their playful behavior in the forest
- Visit local communities near Lake George for a cultural interaction and traditional experience
- Stop at the Uganda Equator in Kayabwe for photos and a water experiment
- Have lunch and a short cultural tour at Igongo Country Hotel and Museum in Mbarara
- Admire views of the Rwenzori Mountains, crater lakes, and western Uganda’s rolling plains
- Take beautiful photos of wildlife, birds, and scenic landscapes throughout the trip
- Experience 3-day of classic game viewing, boat cruising, and cultural discovery in Uganda
Brief 3-Day Queen Elizabeth Safari Itinerary
- Day 1: Kampala or Entebbe to Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Day 2: Morning Game Drive and Afternoon Boat Cruise on Kazinga Channel
- Day 3: Return to Kampala or Entebbe
Detailed 3-Day Queen Elizabeth Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Kampala or Entebbe to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Your journey begins early in the morning as you set off for Queen Elizabeth National Park. The first stop will be at the Uganda Equator in Kayabwe.
Here, you will take part in a short experiment showing how water swirls differently in the northern and southern hemispheres, proving that you are standing at the center of the world.
Continue to Mbarara for lunch at Igongo Country Hotel, which also has a cultural museum that showcases the history and traditions of western Uganda.
After lunch, proceed to Queen Elizabeth National Park, check in at your lodge, and relax. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Day 2: Morning Game Drive and Afternoon Boat Cruise on Kazinga Channel
Wake up early for a pre-breakfast game drive through the park. You will have a chance to spot early risers such as lions, hyenas, and elephants, as well as buffaloes, Uganda kobs, bushbucks, waterbucks, and warthogs.
The savanna plains, crater lakes, and gentle hills create a beautiful backdrop for photography and wildlife viewing.
In the afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, which connects Lake Edward and Lake George. This 40 km waterway is one of Africa’s richest wildlife areas.
You will see large groups of hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and buffaloes along the shores, as well as a variety of bird species including pelicans, cormorants, kingfishers, and fish eagles.
Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Return to Kampala or Entebbe
After breakfast, check out and start your journey back to Kampala. You can choose to drive through Mbarara or take the scenic Fort Portal route.
Along the way, enjoy views of the Rwenzori Mountains, tea plantations, and the clean and quiet town of Fort Portal. You may also stop at the historic Nakayima Tree in Mubende before continuing to Kampala.
Arrive in the afternoon or evening and either transfer to your hotel or head straight to Entebbe Airport for your departure flight.
End of 3 Days Queen Elizabeth Wildlife Safari.