The Ultimate 5-Day Queen Elizabeth National Park Wildlife & Primate Safari

Key Safari Highlights

This safari is meticulously designed to deliver a diverse and complete Ugandan wildlife experience:

1. The Big Game of Kasenyi: Exciting game drives on the plains to search for Elephants, Cape Buffaloes, various Antelopes (especially the Uganda Kob), and major predators like Lions and Leopards.
2. Kazinga Channel Boat Safari: A world-renowned experience offering the highest concentration of Hippos, Nile Crocodiles, and spectacular water-edge birdlife and mammal viewing.
3. Chimpanzee Trekking in Kyambura: An intimate and exhilarating primate encounter while navigating the unique, sunken riverine forest of the "Valley of Apes."
4. The Tree-Climbing Lions: The unique spectacle of spotting the Ishasha Lions lounging high in the fig trees, a behavior rare in other parts of Africa.
5. Equator Experience: A fun, mandatory stop to stand in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres simultaneously.

 Safari Itinerary: A Journey of Wildlife and Wonders

Day 1: The Grand Overture – Road Journey to the West and Savannah Arrival

The adventure commences bright and early after a hearty breakfast in Entebbe.  Clients will be met by their dedicated, professional driver-guide—the expert who will be their companion and interpreter of the wild for the next five days. The safari vehicle, a specially adapted land cruiser with a pop-up roof for optimal game viewing, will swiftly depart, embarking on the scenic six-to-seven-hour drive toward Uganda's magnificent Western Rift Valley.

The first essential stop is the Uganda Equator Line Crossing near Kayabwe. This is more than just a photo opportunity; it’s a moment to literally stand with one foot in the Northern Hemisphere and the other in the Southern, complete with a captivating water experiment demonstrating the Coriolis Effect. The drive continues through Uganda’s green, agricultural heartland, pausing for a delicious en-route lunch in a major town like Mbarara. As they near the park, the scenery dramatically shifts to the iconic long-horned Ankole cattle grazing on rolling hills and eventually, the sweeping plains that characterize the rift valley floor. Arrival at the selected safari lodge in the Queen Elizabeth area in the late afternoon will allow time to check in, relax, and savor a sumptuous dinner, preparing them for the wildlife spectacle to come.

Day 2: The Theatre of the Wild – Game Drives and the Kazinga Channel Cruise

A quintessential safari morning begins before sunrise. Following an early tea or coffee, your clients will head out to the renowned Kasenyi Plains for the Morning Game Drive. This open savannah, framed by the backdrop of the Rwenzori Mountains, is a natural theatre, known as the prime hunting ground for the park's predators. The cool morning air offers the best chance to spot Lions, solitary Leopards, and Hyenas before they retreat from the heat. They will marvel at massive herds of Uganda Kob, stately Cape Buffaloes, Elephants, and various Antelope species, all bathed in the stunning golden light of the African dawn.

Returning to the lodge for a well-deserved full lunch and a period of relaxation, the afternoon brings the park’s signature experience: the two-hour Boat Safari on the Kazinga Channel. This 32-kilometre natural lifeline connecting Lake Edward and Lake George is legendary for hosting one of the world's highest concentrations of hippos. The cruise offers a completely different perspective of the wildlife; huge Nile Crocodiles bask lazily, while hundreds of bird species—including the majestic African Fish Eagle—flock the banks. Elephant and Buffalo herds come down to the water’s edge to drink and cool off, providing incredible, intimate viewing opportunities. The day concludes with dinner, recounting the day’s extraordinary sightings.

Day 3: Primate Encounters and Volcanic Views – Kyambura Gorge and Crater Lakes

The third day is dedicated to a thrilling encounter with our closest relatives. After an early breakfast, the drive leads to the spectacular Kyambura Gorge, often poetically named the "Valley of Apes." This deeply sunken, 100-metre-deep riverine forest canyon is an oasis of life hidden within the surrounding savannah. Following a detailed briefing, your clients will descend into the gorge to track a habituated community of Chimpanzees. The hike itself is a rewarding experience, navigating the dense forest floor with its unique microclimate. Spending an allocated hour observing the chimpanzees as they feed, groom, and play provides a fascinating and intimate glimpse into their complex social lives.

After returning to the surface and enjoying a late lunch, the afternoon transitions to a geological marvel. The Crater Lakes Drive offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Bunyaruguru volcanic field, where dozens of explosion craters—some dry and grassy, others filled with saline or freshwater—dot the landscape. This scenic drive provides a stunning contrast to the savannah plains. A stop at Lake Katwe will introduce your clients to the centuries-old, traditional practice of salt mining, a fascinating insight into local community life and resilience.

Day 4: Searching for the Arboreal Kings – The Tree-Climbing Lions of Ishasha

Today, the focus shifts to the park's remote southern boundary. After an early breakfast and check-out, your clients will embark on a scenic drive south to the renowned Ishasha Sector. This area is internationally famous for one unique phenomenon: it’s Tree-Climbing Lions. Unlike their counterparts elsewhere, the lions of Ishasha have an unusual habit of spending their afternoons draped lazily across the broad, low-hanging branches of the immense sycamore fig and acacia trees.

The entire morning and early afternoon will be spent on a dedicated Game Drive in Ishasha, with the tracker guide meticulously searching the canopies. The sight of a massive male lion, with his dark mane, calmly surveying his territory from an elevated branch is a moment of profound, photographic magic and a true safari rarity. Theories suggest they climb to escape biting tsetse flies, avoid the ground heat, or gain a better vantage point for hunting. After a rewarding day of searching, they will settle into an accommodation in or near the Ishasha area for their final night in the tranquil African bush.

Day 5: Farewell Drive and The Return Journey to Entebbe

The final morning begins with a leisurely Farewell Breakfast, followed by one last, brief Game Drive as the vehicle makes its final exit from the park. This is a final opportunity to soak in the atmosphere of the savannah and spot any wildlife that may have evaded them earlier.

The long, but comfortable, journey back to Entebbe begins, taking the same scenic route that brought them to the park. A final en-route lunch will be provided, allowing for a moment of reflection on the incredible diversity witnessed over the past four days: from the crater lakes and dense gorges to the open plains and the legendary Kazinga Channel. The driver-guide will aim for a late afternoon/early evening arrival in Entebbe, facilitating a drop-off at their pre-booked hotel or directly at Entebbe International Airport (EBB) for their onward international flight, marking the conclusion of their unforgettable Ugandan safari.

💰 Safari Inclusions (What is Covered)

The price of the safari typically covers all essential services required for a seamless and comfortable journey:

• Transportation: Exclusive use of a customized 4x4 safari vehicle (Land Cruiser or similar) with a pop-up roof for optimal game viewing.
• Professional Driver-Guide: The services of a full-time, experienced, English-speaking driver-guide.
• Accommodation: Full-board accommodation (Dinner, Bed, and Breakfast) for 4 nights as specified in the booking.
• Meals: All meals specified in the itinerary (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) starting with lunch on Day 1 and ending with lunch on Day 5.
• Park Fees: All required Queen Elizabeth National Park entrance and conservation fees.
• Activity Permits: The mandatory Chimpanzee Trekking Permit for Kyambura Gorge.
• Activities: The full itinerary of activities, including all game drives, the Kazinga Channel Boat Safari, the Crater Lakes Drive, and the Ishasha Tree-Climbing Lion sector drive.
• Water: Complimentary bottled drinking water provided in the safari vehicle throughout the journey.
• Ranger Fees: Fees for UWA (Uganda Wildlife Authority) ranger/guide services during the chimpanzee trek and certain game drives.

🚫 Safari Exclusions (What is Not Covered)

For clarity and transparency, the following items are generally not included in the standard safari cost:

• International Flights: Airfare to and from Entebbe International Airport (EBB).
• Visas: Cost of the Uganda Tourist Visa (currently obtained online or upon arrival).
• Travel and Health Insurance: Comprehensive insurance covering medical, evacuation, and cancellation is mandatory and must be obtained independently.
• Optional Activities: Any activities not explicitly mentioned in the itinerary (e.g., night game drives, hot air balloon safari, cultural village visits, Lion Tracking Research activity).
• Personal Expenses: Items of a personal nature such as laundry service, telephone calls, souvenirs, and internet usage at the lodges.
• Drinks: Alcoholic beverages, premium drinks, and bottled soda/juices unless specifically offered by the lodge as part of the full board rate.
• Gratuities: Tipping for the driver-guide, lodge staff, and park rangers (highly encouraged as a reward for excellent service).
• Pre/Post-Safari Accommodation: Any hotel stays in Entebbe or Kampala before the Day 1 pick-up or after the Day 5 drop-off.

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