4 day wildlife safari and chimpanzee tracking is the best safari and wildlife adventure for getting the best exploration out of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Queen Elizabeth National Park, located in southwestern Uganda in the Albertine Rift region offers breathtaking landscape and rich wildlife. It is one of Uganda's most diverse park, hosting diverse habitats, landscapes and wildlife, arguably making it one of the most beautiful parks and distinctive ecosystems in Africa! Queen Elizabeth is Uganda's second largest park, covering  1978 square kilometres and is popular for amazing scenery filled with sparkling crater lakes, lush forests, savannah grasslands, woodland, acacia  and plenty of big game which include attractions like the famous Tree Climbing Lions of Ishasha. The park also hosts a small population of Chimps in the Kyambura Gorge Forest and is well known for “the Big four” i.e. the elephants, buffaloes, lions and leopards. Queen Elizabeth National Park is divided into two sections, that is North and South. The park’s northern section is particularly scenic with lion prides and herds of elephants and cape buffalo while the south, aslo known as Ishasha is famous for tree climbing lions.

This 4 day wildlife safari and chimpanzee tracking gives you an opportunity to enjoy game drives, spectacular views of nature, boat cruises on the kazinga channel as well as chimpanzee tracking. You will also have an opportunity to have amazing sights at the fabled tree climbing lions. The  44km long Kazinga channel connects Lake Edward and Lake Georgea and is home to a variety of animal species. For bird enthusiasts, the park is home to over of 600 bird species, making it a birder’s haven and ideal for those who derive pleasure in bird viewing.

We give you a range of accommodations to choose from, ranging from budget, moderate to luxury.

Activities

  1. Queen Elizabeth National Park

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1

Crater Drive

Drive from Kampala/Entebbe to Queen Elizabeth National Park & Scenic Drive through the Crater Landscape of Queen Elizabeth

  • Journey Time: 7 - 8 hours
  • Accommodation: Kyambura Gorge Lodge or Katara Lodge (Luxury), Kasenyi Safari Camp or Marafiki Safari Lodge (Midrange), Marafiki Safari Lodge (Budget)
  • Meal Plan: Lunch, Dinner

  • Have early breakfast, and leave for Queen Elizabeth National Park located in southwestern Uganda. You shall make a stopover in Mbarara town to have lunch, thereafter continue and reach the park in the late afternoon. Transfer to your accommodation located in the park, and as you drive you get to enjoy the wonderful scenery of crater lakes and grassy hills, plus sighting some big game. Check into the lodge, and spend the day relaxing and observing the beautiful wilderness.

Day 2

Morning Game Drive

Afternoon Boat Cruise

Morning Game Drive through Kasenyi Savannah Plains & Afternoon Boat Safari on Kazinga Channel

  • Accommodation: Kyambura Gorge Lodge or Katara Lodge (Luxury), Kasenyi Safari Camp or Marafiki Sagari Lodge (Midrange), Marafiki Safari Lodge (Budget)
  • Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Have an early cup of tea with snack and set off for a morning game drive in the park for wildlife sightings. Explore the main game tracks of the Kasenyi Plains which are the main mating grounds of many antelopes and thus a favorite hunting ground for cats such as the Lions and Hyenas. Kasenyi plains boost of several wild animals  and offers opportunities for you to witness big cats as well as other animals like elephants, buffaloes and others. Enjoy the magical sunrise over scenic landscape of crater lakes and grassy hills. From lunch transfer to the Mweya penisula for a two hours boat cruise on  the Kazinga Channel which is filled with plenty of wildlife. You shall observe at a very close distance animals such as hippos, buffaloes, elephants, crocodiles, kobs, monitor lizards. Over 100 species of birds flock the channel such as Harmerkops, Ibis, Fish Eagles, Skimmers, Egrets, Pelicans, and Herons among others. You will return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 3

Chimpanzee Tracking

Game drive

Chimpanzee Tracking at Kyambura Gorge in the Morning and Afternoon Game Drive in Ishasha for Tree Climbing Lions

  • Accommodation: Ishasha Wilderness Camp (Luxury), Enjojo Lodge or Ishasha Jungle Lodge (Midrange), Enjojo Lodge (Budget)
  • Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Have an early breakfast by 6.00am and transfer to Kyambura Gorge for the Chimpanzee tracking experience. A small community of Chimps inhabits the forest in the gorge. Enjoy the spectacular views across the gorge plus spotting plenty of wildlife such as birds, moneys, and the sparkling Kyambura River which harbors some hippos and other animals occasionally visit to drink water such as elephants and lions. You will also spot black and white colobus monkeys as well as olive baboons during the challenging hike on the gorge's steep slopes. Return from the trek and transfer to the lodge for a delicious lunch. After lunch you shall check out of the lodge and drive to Ishasha for an afternoon game drive. Ishasha is a remote area in the south of Queen Elizabeth National Park, near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. This area is famous for the Tree-climbing Lions which are usually sighted during the afternoon napping high up into the fig trees after their early morning hunt. Plenty of other big game can be spotted in Ishasha such as the Topis which are found only in this part of the park, Elephants, Buffaloes, Uganda Kob, Hippos, Waterbuck, and Bushbuck among others. Savanna birds are in plenty! Later transfer to your lodge in Ishasha for the overnight.

Day 4

Game Drive

Uganda Equator

Morning Game Drive in Ishasha on the Look-Out for the Tree-Climbing Lions & Transfer Back to Kampala with a Stopover at the Equator Line

  • Journey Time: 7 - 8 hours
  • Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch

  • Have an early cup of tea with snack and set for a morning game drive in Ishasha, south of the park to observe plenty of wildlife, and another look out for the tree-lions. This are is home to a very high percentge of lions, which are usually seen relaxing within branches of old figs. You will also view other species of animals like elephants and kobs. Elusive predators such as Hyenas are easy to come by during the early morning. Later return to the lodge for breakfast, thereafter check out and depart for Kampala. You shall stopover in Mbarara for lunch at the Agip Motel. Another and last stopover before Kampala will at the Uganda Equator for some picture moments and probably purchase some crafts and souvenirs at the shop. Arrive in Kampala in the evening and transfer to hotel.

General Tips: 

  • Please note the age limit of 15 years and above for chimpanzee tracking.
  • Book your permits well in advance as permits are limited.
  • You should be free from infectious diseases such as Flue which can be passed to the gorillas since humans share 99% DNA with gorillas. If you are found to carry an infectious disease you will not be allowed to track.
  • OPTIONAL: HOT AIR BALLOON SAFARIS are offered at Queen Elizabeth NP and can be booked in addition!
  • OPTIONAL: Are you interested in getting a close-up experience with the Lions? Then book the LION EXPERIENTIAL at Queen Elizabeth National Park and get closer to the big cats than anyone else, as you will leave the main tracks and drive on unbeaten tracks through the park accompanied by the Cat Doctor.

Top Tip.

  • You will be assigned a ranger and a guide so make certain to ask as many questions as possible to enjoy all the attractions in Queen Elizabeth National Park, as the responsible will be ready to provide all the facts about Queen Elizabeth National park.

What to bring: 

  • Walking boots, long trousers as you will be hiking through the forest in the gorge.
  • Sun screen is recommended.
  • Mosquito repellant is advisable.
  • Binoculars are always useful, especially when booking the Hot Air Balloon Safari.
Tree climbing lions Taken by Ellington Safaris
Topi at ishasha sector Taken by Ellington Safaris
Hippos at ishasha river Taken by Ellington Safaris
Chimpanzee at queen elizabeth np Taken by Ellington Safaris