2 Day Wildlife Safari to Queen Elizabeth National Park

per person

2 Day Wildlife Safari to Queen Elizabeth National Park takes you to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda’s second-largest game park and most popular wildlife destination. The park is famous for its beautiful landscapes, wide number of wildlife, primates, and bird species.

Its landscape scenery includes rolling green hills, crater lakes, forests, wetlands, savannah plains, woodlands, the Kazinga Channel, and the Rwenzori Mountains ranges.

Established in 1952, Queen Elizabeth parks covers 1,978 square kilometers. Originally named Kazinga National Park, it was renamed in 1954 after Queen Elizabeth’s visit. The National Park is strategically located along Uganda’s rain corridor, which keeps it lush and green for much of the year.

It is home to over 600 bird species, 95 mammal species, and 10 types of primates, including chimpanzees. While the chimpanzees in Maramagambo Forest are not habituated, those in the Kyambura Gorge are, making it a great place to observe them in their natural Habitants.

Hippopotamus spotted on the Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park during an afternoon boat cruise

Queen Elizabeth National Park is widely renowned for its tree climbing lions in ishasha northern sector of the park and one of the largest populations of hippos globally.

The Kazinga Channel, which runs through the park connecting lake Edward and Lake George, is considered one of the best spots in Africa to view wildlife. A boat cruise along the channel offers the chance to see lions, elephants, buffaloes, hyenas, leopards, Uganda Kobs, birds, hippos and many other animals.

This park is also the closest safari destination to the mountain gorillas. You can combine a visit to Queen Elizabeth with gorilla trekking safaris in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or Rwanda. This allows you to see four of the “African Big Five” mammals and also experience gorilla Trekking Safaris in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or Rwanda.

Elephant spotted on the Kazinga Channel bank in Queen Elizabeth National Park during an afternoon boat cruise

Additional activities include visiting Katwe Crater Lake, where you observe locals mining salt by hand. You can also engage in cultural experiences with nearby communities and learn about their traditional dances, music, and how the park, tourism has influenced their way of life.

For those with more time, consider extending your adventure with our 4-day or 5-day Queen Elizabeth safari packages. These

2 Day Wildlife Safari Highlights

A Game drive at Queen Elizabeth National Park
Boat cruise at the Kazinga channel Queen Elizabeth park
Stopping at the Equator for Equator Experience

View Full Travel Itinerary Day By Day

Day 1: Pickup and Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park – Boat Cruise on the Kazinga Channe

Your guide will pick you up early in the morning from your hotel (around 6:00 AM) from Kampala or Entebbe to begin the journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The drive, lasting 5 to 6 hours, takes you through the scenic Ugandan countryside, offering breathtaking landscapes and landmarks along the way. A highlight of the journey is a stop at the equator crossing in Kayabwe, where you can take photos, witness the water experiment, and experience standing in both the northern and southern hemispheres at the same time. The equator marks the Earth’s main latitude, dividing it into two halves. As you continue toward western Uganda, you will enjoy views of savannas grasslands, Plantation farms of Ankole cattle with their striking long horns, and local communities going about their daily lives. Lunch will be in Igongo cultural Cantre Mbarara or another suitable stop, depending on the pace of your journey. Upon reaching Queen Elizabeth National Park in the early afternoon, you’ll either check into your lodge or head straight for the afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel. The Kazinga Channel boasts one of Africa’s largest hippo populations and it is a bird lover’s paradise, with both resident and migratory bird species. You’ll also spot animals like buffaloes, crocodiles, elephants, and hippos cooling off in the water. Look out for bird species such as pelicans, kingfishers, flamingos, saddle-billed storks, and the rare Shoebill Stork. Keep an eye out see primates like olive baboons, vervet monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and black-and-white colobus monkeys. Dinner and overnight accommodations will depend on your budget:

Budget: Bush Lodge or Kazinga Channel View Lodge
Mid-range: Buffalo Safari Lodge or Elephant Hab Lodge
Luxury: Katara Lodge, or Mweya Safari Lodge

Day 2: Morning Game Drive at the Kasenyi Sector – Return to Kampala

Start the day early with breakfast before heading out for a morning game drive in the Kasenyi Plains or Mweya Peninsula, known for their rich wildlife. The Mweya Peninsula, with its elevated position, offers the best views of the savanna grassland in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lakes Edward and George, and the surrounding wildlife can be clearly seen. During the game drive, you can expect to see animals like lions, leopards, hyenas, buffaloes, elephants, warthogs, waterbucks, and the Uganda Kob, along with various antelope species. Birdwatchers can spot unique species such as the African skimmer, black bee-eater, Chapin’s flycatcher, martial eagle, Verreaux’s eagle owl, and pink-backed pelicans. After the game drive, return to your lodge for lunch and prepare for the journey back to Kampala or Entebbe. Along the way, you may stop at the Igongo Cultural Centre to purchase souvenirs if you didn’t already do so at the park. You’ll arrive in Kampala or Entebbe by evening. If you’re departing Uganda on the same day, plan your flight for 9:00 PM or later to allow ample travel time.

This is a private tour designed exclusively for you or for you and your family/spouse. The tour can begin on any day of the year, and it can be customized based on your preferences. For example, you can choose additional activities or extend your time in the park. Queen Elizabeth National Park is big enough, Can offer numerous activities that are hard to complete in just one day. These include chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge, nature walks in Maramagambo Forest, spotting the tree-climbing lions in Ishasha, and participating in mongoose or lion tracking with researchers.

To fully enjoy your wildlife safari in Queen Elizabeth, it’s recommended to bring essentials like binoculars, a hat, lightweight casual clothing (shorts, jeans, T-shirts, and simple blouses), hiking shoes, insect repellents, sandals, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a flashlight.

The 2 Days Queen Elizabeth National Park Safari in Uganda includes;

Return airport transfers (pick up and drop off)
All park entrance fees
Transportation for 4 days in an air-conditioned, 4WD, and with a pop up roof safari vehicle (Land-cruiser / Safari Van)
English speaking driver guide for 4 days (other languages on request and at an extra fee of $100 USD per day)
Accommodation for 3 nights on full board meal plan
All en-route meals
Mineral water throughout your tour
3 game drives (Morning + Evening game drives)
2 hours afternoon boat cruise

The 2 Days Queen Elizabeth National Park Safari in Uganda excludes;

Air ticket and visa fees
Soft sodas and alcoholic drinks
Extra activities out of itinerary
Laundry expenses
And other personal items/expenses

African Wildlife Safaris

2 Day Wildlife Safari to Queen Elizabeth National Park