5 Day Queen Elizabeth National Park Safari

A 5-day Queen Elizabeth National Park safari offers a complete wildlife experience in one of Uganda’s most diverse savannah parks. This itinerary gives you enough time to explore different sectors of the park, including Kasenyi plains, the Kazinga Channel, Kyambura Gorge and the remote Ishasha sector. The safari starts from Kampala or Entebbe, with an option of a domestic flight to reduce travel time. Over five days, you will enjoy game drives, a boat cruise, optional chimpanzee tracking and scenic views across crater lakes and the Rift Valley landscape. Queen Elizabeth National Park is known for its variety of habitats, including savannah, wetlands, forests and lakes, which support a wide range of wildlife. You may see lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards, hippos, crocodiles and many bird species. The park is also famous for tree-climbing lions found in the Ishasha sector. This safari is suitable for first-time visitors, photographers, birders and travellers who want a more relaxed Uganda wildlife experience without rushing between activities.

Safari Highlights

• 5-day safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Kasenyi sunrise game drives for predators and plains wildlife
• Kazinga Channel boat cruise with close wildlife viewing
• Optional chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge
• Visit to Lake Katwe salt mining area, if selected
• Full day in Ishasha searching for tree-climbing lions
• Scenic Mweya Peninsula views between Lake Edward and Kazinga Channel
• Road transfer or optional domestic flight to Kasese or Mweya
• Suitable for wildlife, photography and birding safaris

Detailed 5-Day Itinerary

Day 1, Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park and Mweya Peninsula

Your journey begins with a transfer from Kampala or Entebbe to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The drive takes about 6 to 7 hours, passing through rural towns, farmland and western Uganda landscapes. Lunch is arranged along the way. Travellers who prefer a shorter journey can opt for a domestic flight to Mweya or Kasese airstrip. On arrival, check in at your lodge located around the Mweya Peninsula, a scenic area between Lake Edward and the Kazinga Channel. If time allows, take a short evening game drive to introduce you to the park’s wildlife, including warthogs, buffaloes and antelopes. Dinner and overnight stay at your lodge for Luxury Mweya Safari Lodge, Mid-Range Ihamba Safari Lodge, Elephant Plains Lodge or Buffalo Safari Lodge

Day 2, Kasenyi Sunrise Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

Start early with a sunrise game drive in the Kasenyi plains, one of the best wildlife viewing areas in the park. This area has open grasslands and a high concentration of Uganda kob, which attracts predators such as lions and leopards. You may also see elephants, buffalo, hyenas and a variety of antelope species. Return to the lodge for lunch and a short rest. In the afternoon, head out for a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, which connects Lake George and Lake Edward. During the cruise, you can expect to see hippos, crocodiles, elephants and buffalo along the shores. The channel is also known for birdlife, with over 600 recorded species in the wider park area. Return to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 3, Kyambura Chimpanzee Tracking or Lake Katwe Salt Mines

After breakfast, choose between two activities based on your interests. Option A, Chimpanzee Tracking in Kyambura Gorge. Kyambura Gorge is a forested valley within the park, often called the Valley of Apes. You will join a ranger guide for a briefing before descending into the gorge to track chimpanzees. The trek can be physically demanding due to steep terrain, but it offers a unique forest experience within a savannah park. Option B, Lake Katwe Salt Mines. Visit Lake Katwe, where local communities have practised traditional salt extraction for many years. This experience adds cultural value and gives insight into local livelihoods, along with views of crater lakes and surrounding landscapes. Return to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 4, Ishasha Tree Climbing Lions Safari

After breakfast, drive to the Ishasha sector in the southern part of the park. This area is known for tree-climbing lions, which are often seen resting in fig trees during the heat of the day. Your guide will search for lions as well as other wildlife such as elephants, buffalo, and topi. Ishasha offers a quieter and more remote safari experience compared to the northern sector. Dinner and overnight stay in or near Ishasha.

Day 5, Final Game Drive and Return to Kampala or Entebbe

After breakfast, you may take a short morning game drive in Ishasha before starting the return journey. The drive back to Kampala or Entebbe takes about 6 to 7 hours, depending on road conditions. Travellers using domestic flights can be transferred to Kasese or Mweya airstrip. Arrival is expected in the late afternoon or evening. For international departures, late evening flights are recommended.

Inclusions and Exclusions

Included

• Pickup and drop-off in Kampala or Entebbe
• 4×4 safari vehicle and fuel
• English-speaking driver guide
• 4 nights accommodation
• Meals as stated in the itinerary
• Queen Elizabeth National Park entrance fees
• Kasenyi game drives
• Kazinga Channel boat cruise ticket
• Ishasha game drives
• Bottled drinking water during transfers

Excluded

• International flights
• Uganda visa fees
• Travel insurance
• Tips for driver guides, rangers and lodge staff
• Optional domestic flights to Mweya or Kasese
• Optional Kyambura chimpanzee tracking permit
• Optional Lake Katwe community fees
• Personal drinks, laundry and calls
• Extra accommodation before or after the safari

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