Uganda · Safari

3-Day Queen Elizabeth National Park Safari with Volunteering in Uganda

3 Days Round trip from Mukono Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Spot wildlife on game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park
02 Cruise the 32-km Kazinga Channel between Lakes Edward and George
03 Stop at the Equator in Kayabwe for photos and the famous experiment
04 Support the Ssamba Foundation through a meaningful volunteer project
05 Drive through spectacular Ugandan landscapes with tea plantations and rift valley escarpments

Embark on a 3-day wildlife safari to Uganda's Queen Elizabeth National Park, where you can spot a vast range of wildlife and birdlife on game drives and a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel. This experience also includes the opportunity to support the Ssamba Foundation through at least one volunteer project. Along the journey, stop at the Equator in Kayabwe for photos and the famous experiment, and travel through some of Uganda's most spectacular landscapes. The tour ends with a scenic drive back through Kibale Forest National Park, known as the "Primate Capital of the World."

Embark on a 3-day wildlife safari to Uganda's Queen Elizabeth National Park, where you can spot a vast range of wildlife and birdlife on game drives and a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 3 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Kampala, Entebbe, Kasese, Mbarara, Fort Portal, Kibale National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Mukono Town

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Mukono to Queen Elizabeth National Park via the Equator

Wake up early in the morning and have breakfast, after which you will be picked up by our driver-guide from Kyampisi Backpackers Home at around 6:30 am. They will brief you about the journey and what to expect before embarking on the 7-hour journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Along the way, a few stopovers will be made at the Equator in Kayabwe for photos and the experiment, and also in Mbarara for lunch.
Thereafter, you will proceed to the park through Katunguru as you drive through spectacular landscapes covering this part of the country, comprised of open grasslands, tea and banana plantations, terraced hills, Ankole long-horned cattle, the Rift Valley escarpments, and various woodlands.
You will reach the park in the late afternoon and have a game drive as you continue to your lodge.

Have dinner and spend the night there.

Day 02

Game Drive, Kazinga Channel Boat Safari, and Transfer to Fort Portal

Begin your day with a delicious cup of coffee or tea before setting out on a game drive along different trails in the park, including the famous Kasenyi Trail.
Along the Kasenyi Trail, there are high chances of seeing various animals like waterbucks, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, elephants, lions, warthogs, hippos, as well as different birds. After the game drive, you will go back and have breakfast.
During the mid-morning break, you will take pleasure in a 2-hour boat safari along the Kazinga Channel. This natural channel connects Lakes Edward and George; while on the boat, you will see a good number of animals, including hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes, warthogs, elephants, and others, as well as birds like the malachite kingfisher, the Jesus bird, and pink-backed pelicans on the banks and in the trees.
Later in the afternoon, after lunch, the guide-driver will drive you to Fort Portal, "the Tourism City of Uganda," via Kasese. You will see spectacular landscapes along the way, and the night will be spent in Fort Portal.

Have dinner and stay overnight.

Day 03

Fort Portal to Kampala and Mukono via Kibale Forest

Enjoy a tasty breakfast, then check out from the hotel.
Drive back to Kampala through Kibale Forest National Park, "the Primate Capital of the World," located along the Kampala-Fort Portal road.
Reach Kampala/Mukono to end the tour.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Mukono 8 cities · 3 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Park entry fees
English-speaking Ugandan tour guide-driver
Comfortable safari vehicles
Bottle of water
Room and board at the park
Equator experience and photo opportunity
Memorable game drives
Launch/boat cruises

What's Not Included

Visas and flights
Personal expense money
Beers and extra drinks
Insurance
Tips and donations

What to bring

Comfortable clothes
Camera
Layered, versatile clothing
Sun protection
Medical kit
Toiletries
Day bag
Gadgets
Binoculars

Know before you go

Traveling to Uganda is a top African tour experience, with primates and wildlife to be seen by tourists. Explore Uganda, the Pearl of Africa, and enjoy the tropical jungles. Safaris to Uganda are definitely a favorite for many world travelers; however, there is a lot of relevant travel advice that can be of great help to any first-time traveler to the country. Here are some important things to know before you travel to Uganda.
3 Days Queen Elizabeth National Park Safari and Volunteering Uganda! Wanderlust Adventures offers a 3-day Queen Elizabeth National Park safari combined with a memorable and meaningful volunteering experience in Uganda.
The 3-day Queen Elizabeth wildlife safari can be combined with a stay on at least one volunteer project that we support through Ssamba Foundation, giving you an opportunity to make a difference.
The 3-day Queen Elizabeth Safari takes you to Uganda's most visited national park, covering approximately 1,978 square kilometers and located in the western side of the country, approximately 389 kilometers away from Kampala, the capital city. It features a variety of wildlife and diverse ecosystems composed of sprawling savannah, sparkling lakes, lush wetlands, and shady humid forests. This is why it is also called "A Medley of Wonders" - there is much more than what meets the eye.
The park is home to about 100 mammal species and around 606 bird species. You will be amazed by its vast number of antelopes, buffaloes, hippopotamuses, elephants, warthogs, and others, as well as tree-climbing lions and leopards from the cat family.
The major highlight of the trip is a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, a wide 32-km-long natural channel that links Lakes Edward and George. The channel is a dominant feature and attracts a varied range of animals and birds, and has one of the world's largest concentrations of hippos and numerous crocodiles.
The park is also home to chimpanzees in the Kyambura Gorge, tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha Sector, crater lakes, and various birds and monkeys in the Maramagambo Forest.
Tourist e-visa to travel to Uganda: Before you enter Uganda, you will be required to purchase a tourist e-visa. A tourist e-visa to Uganda can be purchased in advance via the official website. A single-entry visa will allow you to stay in Uganda for up to 90 days.
However, if you intend to take a combined East African trip including Rwanda tours, Kenya safaris, and Tanzania wildlife safaris along with a Uganda tour, then it is recommended to request an East African tourist visa. This visa allows multiple entries into Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya for 90 days. This helps tourists have hassle-free entry into the countries during their combined trip.
Is Uganda safe for tourists?
- Uganda is safe and stable for tours in Africa as long as you follow the guidelines and make sure you take good care of your personal security. Uganda's capital, Kampala, is one of the safest cities in Africa, and tourists who have visited this city before have left with almost no safety problems.
Petty theft, credit card scamming, and overcharging can be avoided if any traveler is well prepared and has taken note of all the precautions before going out in the city.
To ensure each tourist on Uganda safaris is safe, hotels and all forms of accommodation facilities have security personnel to ensure all residents and visitors are safe.
Banks, shopping places like supermarkets, bars, offices, and stores around the country also ensure these areas are safe and tourists are protected. In case you would like to visit your country's embassy in Uganda, you can easily do so and inquire about any questions you may have.