Track tree-climbing lions, cruise the hippo-lined Kazinga Channel, and witness Uganda's most famous wildlife in one of Africa's most diverse national parks.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda's most visited wildlife reserve and one of the most biodiverse parks in Africa, home to over 95 mammal species and more than 600 bird species. The park's varied landscape — from open savannah and crater lakes to the Kazinga Channel wetlands and the remote Ishasha sector — delivers a full spectrum of wildlife encounters within a single destination. The park is famous for its tree-climbing lions, a unique behaviour most commonly observed in the Ishasha sector where lions drape themselves across fig-tree branches. Other highlights include large herds of Uganda kob, elephants, hippos, Nile crocodiles, buffaloes, leopards, hyenas, chimpanzees, and an extraordinary array of water birds along the Kazinga Channel. The Kazinga Channel connects Lake Edward and Lake George, forming one of the best boat safari routes in Africa. Afternoon cruises drift past hippo pools and crocodile banks while elephants bathe on the shoreline. The safari starts and ends in Kampala or Entebbe, with pickup at Entebbe International Airport.
Day-by-Day
Kampala / Entebbe → Queen Elizabeth National Park · Queen Elizabeth National Park
Pick up from your Kampala hotel or Entebbe Airport and begin the 6–7 hour drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Stop at the equator for photos and a browse of the craft shops, then enjoy lunch at Igongo Cultural Center — featuring striking animal and human sculptures, a museum, and a bookshop. Continue through Mbarara, Bushenyi, and Fort Portal and arrive at the park in the late afternoon. Head straight into the Ishasha sector for a night game drive in search of the famous tree-climbing lions, which often rest draped across fig-tree branches at dusk. Check in, refresh, and dine at your lodge: Mweya Safari Lodge (luxury), Park View Safari Lodge (mid-range), or Pumba Safari Lodge (budget). Meal plan: Half Board.
Tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector — a uniquely Ugandan spectacle
Lion Tracking Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise · Queen Elizabeth National Park
Rise early for breakfast, then head to the Kasenyi Plains for a morning lion-tracking game drive. The open grasslands are prime habitat for lions, elephants, buffaloes, hyenas, Uganda kob, and a diverse array of savannah birds. Return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, board a boat for a cruise along the Kazinga Channel — one of Africa's finest boat safaris — drifting past hippo pods, basking Nile crocodiles, water buffaloes, elephants bathing at the water's edge, and hundreds of bird species including African skimmers, pink-backed pelicans, and pied kingfishers. Stop to visit Lake Katwe Salt Works and observe traditional rock salt extraction methods that have been used for centuries. Optionally, continue to Lake Munyanyange for dedicated bird watching. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight. Meal plan: Full Board.
Kazinga Channel boat safari — hippos, crocodiles, and 600+ bird species
Final Game Drive → Return to Kampala · Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast, check out of the lodge and enjoy a final 3-hour morning game drive to pick up any animals missed on previous drives. Depart the park and drive northeast toward Kampala, passing through rolling tea plantations and stopping for lunch in Fort Portal. Continue via Mubende, arriving in Kampala in the early evening. Drop-off at Entebbe International Airport, your Kampala hotel, or any chosen lodge.
What's Included
Included
- All park entrance fees
- Full board accommodation
- Vehicle and fuel
- Lion tracking fees
- Boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel
- Crater lake tour (optional)
Not Included
- Air flight tickets
- Ugandan visas
- Optional activities not listed in the itinerary
- Porter fees when tracking
- Personal insurance and shopping
- Any other item not mentioned above
Complimentaries
- Bottle of water
- T-Shirt
Departure & Return
Entebbe International Airport (EBB)
Meeting Point
Airport or Hotel
Frequently Asked Questions
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