4-Day Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Safari – Queen Elizabeth National Park is a renowned wildlife conservation area located in southwestern Uganda, spanning the districts of Kasese and Bushenyi.
Covering approximately 1,978 square kilometers, it is Uganda’s largest national park, known for its diverse ecosystems, including savanna, forests, wetlands, and lakes.
The park hosts over 600 bird species, making it a prime destination for bird watchers, along with chimpanzee trekking opportunities in the Kyambura Gorge.
Key features of the park include the famous Kazinga Channel, which connects Lake George and Lake Edward, home to a variety of aquatic life and bird species.
The park is also home to a wide array of wildlife, such as hippos, lions, elephants, leopards, and buffaloes.
This 4-Day Uganda Safari offers you the chance to enjoy boat cruises, game drives, and the unique experience of observing endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
The itinerary is as follows:
4-Day Uganda Safari Highlights
- Day 1: Travel from Kampala to Queen Elizabeth National Park and Afternoon Boat Cruise
- Day 2: Game Drive and Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Day 3: Gorilla Trekking and Batwa Cultural Tour
- Day 4: Return to Kampala
Detailed 4-Day Uganda Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Travel from Kampala to Queen Elizabeth National Park and Afternoon Boat Cruise
After an early morning breakfast on this first day of your 4-Day Uganda Safari, your driver will pick you up and embark on the journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park. This journey is about 376 kilometers from Kampala, taking approximately 6 to 7 hours.
You may stop at the Equator, Mbarara, Ishaka, or Fort Portal for lunch, depending on your chosen route.
Upon arrival, you’ll check into your booked hotel and prepare for an exciting afternoon boat cruise. The boat cruise is a popular activity that allows tourists to explore the park’s unique waterways and observe wildlife from a new perspective.
The cruise takes place along the Kazinga Channel, a waterway connecting Lake Edward and Lake George, where you can see hippos, crocodiles, and buffaloes, along with a variety of wildlife that gather at the riverbanks.
The channel is also a paradise for birdwatchers, offering excellent opportunities to see a wide range of birds, including the African fish eagle, kingfisher, pelican, African skimmer, heron, egret, and African jacana.
After the boat cruise, your driver will take you back to your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 2: Game Drive and Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After an early breakfast, your driver will take you to the starting point for a thrilling game drive. This experience allows you to explore the park’s diverse landscapes and encounter its remarkable wildlife, including elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes, antelopes, and hippos.
In the Ishasha sector, you may have the chance to see the famous tree-climbing lions.
Game drives are conducted under the guidance of experienced guides who help you identify different animals. Morning game drives are especially rewarding, as animals are most active at this time.
Queen Elizabeth is also a fantastic location for birdwatchers, where you can spot species such as the African fish eagle, secretary bird, marabou stork, crowned crane, hornbill, weaver bird, and raptors.
After the game drive, your driver will pick you up and embark on the journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, located in southwestern Uganda, covering the districts of Kabale and Kisoro.
The distance between these two parks is approximately 200 kilometers, which takes about 5 to 6 hours.
Upon arrival, you’ll check into your booked hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 3: Gorilla Trekking and Batwa Cultural Tour
After an early breakfast, your driver will take you to the park headquarters for a briefing on the dos and don’ts of gorilla trekking. Gorilla trekking is an extraordinary experience that allows you to connect with the world’s most magnificent and endangered primates, the mountain gorillas.
The trek typically lasts about 3 to 4 hours, depending on the gorillas’ location. It’s recommended to carry a packed lunch, water, and refreshments to keep you energized.
Experienced guides will accompany you through Bwindi’s dense forest, guiding you to the specific gorilla family assigned to your group.
During the trek, you may encounter other animals and enjoy the beautiful forest landscape.
Once you reach your assigned gorilla family, you will have one hour to observe and interact with them in their natural habitat.
During this hour, you’ll learn about their behaviors, feeding habits, and social interactions within the group.
After the trek, you’ll return to the starting point and receive a certificate of participation.
Following the trek, you’ll embark on the fascinating Batwa cultural tour. This experience offers an opportunity to learn about the culture, traditions, and lifestyle of the Batwa people, known as great hunters and gatherers in the Great Lakes region of Africa.
Batwa guides will lead you through the dense forests of Bwindi, sharing their knowledge of the forest and explaining how they once lived in harmony with nature. You’ll learn about their traditional medicinal plants and how they used them to treat illnesses.
Batwa elders may share stories and legends, giving you a deeper understanding of their history and spiritual beliefs.
After the cultural tour, your driver will take you back to the hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 4: Return to Kampala
This day marks the end of your 4-Day Uganda Safari. Your driver will pick you up from your hotel and begin the journey back to Kampala, with a stopover in Ntungamo or at the Equator for lunch.
