Day 1 – Kampala to Queen Elizabeth National Park: Journey to the Wild West

Your safari begins early in the morning as you leave Kampala or Entebbe and head westward through Uganda’s lush countryside. The 6–7-hour journey passes through small towns, tea plantations, and rolling hills of the Great Rift Valley. You’ll make a stop at the Equator for memorable photos and a quick coffee before continuing to Mbarara for lunch.

As you approach Queen Elizabeth National Park, the landscape unfolds into broad savannahs with acacia trees and crater lakes glimmering in the afternoon sun. You’ll check into your lodge and relax before heading out for an evening game drive through the Kasenyi plains. This area is known for its concentration of lions, Uganda kobs, elephants, and warthogs. The setting sun paints the plains golden, making it a perfect scene for photography. Return to the lodge for dinner and an evening under the star-filled African sky.

Recommended Lodges:

• Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge or Kyambura Gorge Lodge

• Mid-range: Elephant Plains Lodge or Enganzi Game Lodge

• Budget: Pumba Safari Cottages or Irungu Forest Safari Lodge

Day 2 – Morning Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

Rise early for a morning game drive through Kasenyi or the northern plains of Queen Elizabeth. The crisp dawn light brings the park to life as herds of buffaloes graze alongside elephants and antelopes. Lions are often spotted on the hunt, while leopards may be seen resting in the fig trees. The abundance of wildlife here makes for some of the best game viewing in Uganda.

After breakfast, you’ll return to your lodge to relax and later transfer to the Mweya Peninsula for the famous Kazinga Channel boat cruise — the highlight of this safari. This two-hour journey along the natural waterway connecting Lake Edward and Lake George offers one of the highest concentrations of hippos in the world. Crocodiles bask lazily on the banks, buffaloes wade in the shallows, and elephants come down to drink. The birdlife is astonishing, with kingfishers, fish eagles, and pelicans in constant motion.

As you glide along the channel, the vastness of the park surrounds you — a living theater of nature that makes Queen Elizabeth National Park truly unique. After the cruise, you may enjoy a short game drive on your way back to the lodge to catch sight of more wildlife in the evening light.

Day 3 – Return to Kampala or Optional Visit to Ishasha Sector

After breakfast, you can choose to begin your return journey to Kampala or opt for an early drive through the Ishasha sector in the park’s southern region, famous for its tree-climbing lions. Spotting one of these rare cats lounging in a fig tree is a sight to remember. You’ll then continue your drive back to Kampala or Entebbe, stopping for lunch en route and arriving in the evening.