4-Day Queen Elizabeth National Park with Lion and Chimpanzee Trekking Tour – This 4-Day Queen Elizabeth National Park safari combines lion tracking, chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge, and exploring crater lakes within the area. Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of Uganda’s largest and most diverse national parks, is renowned for wildlife viewing, stunning landscapes, and a variety of ecosystems.
Located in western Uganda, the park spans the districts of Kasese and Bushenyi, about 420 kilometers (approximately a 6-hour drive) from Kampala.
Covering over 1,978 square kilometers, it is part of the Albertine Rift Valley and is known for its abundant wildlife, over 600 bird species, varied terrains of wetlands, savannah, forests, lakes, and the Kazinga Channel, which connects Lake Edward to Lake George.
Your 4-Day Queen Elizabeth National Park safari with chimpanzee and lion trekking can be spent as follows:
4-Day Queen Elizabeth Safari Highlights
- Day 1: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park & Evening Game Drive
- Day 2: Lion Tracking Experience and Afternoon Boat Cruise
- Day 3: Chimpanzee Trekking in Kyambura Gorge and Crater Lakes Tour in the Evening
- Day 4: Transfer to Kampala & Departure
Detailed 4-Day Queen Elizabeth Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park & Evening Game Drive
Your driver will pick you up in the morning after breakfast from your hotel and transfer you to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The journey, covering about 420 kilometers along the Masaka-Mbarara road, includes optional stops at the Equator or in Mbarara, depending on your preference.
Upon arrival, you will be taken to your booked hotel to rest, have an evening game drive, dinner, and stay overnight.
Day 2: Lion Tracking Experience and Afternoon Boat Safari
After an early breakfast, your driver will take you to the Kasenyi Plains within the park for the lion tracking experience. Lion tracking offers an up-close, unrestricted experience of observing these majestic animals in the wild. This activity begins with a short briefing by experienced game rangers who will then accompany you to the lions’ location.
Once there, you’ll learn fascinating details about these lions, including their names, history, pride dynamics, and behaviors. You’ll spend around three hours observing the lions under the guidance of the rangers.
After tracking, return to the lodge for lunch and prepare for the afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel. This natural 32-kilometer waterway, connecting Lake Edward to Lake George, offers an excellent opportunity to observe wildlife, such as hippos, crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes, and a rich variety of water birds, all from the comfort of the boat.
The cruise provides a relaxing way to enjoy the park’s natural beauty and get close to remarkable wildlife species. Afterward, you will return to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 3: Chimpanzee Trekking in Kyambura Gorge and Crater Lakes Tour in the Evening
Following an early breakfast, your driver will take you to the starting point for your chimpanzee trekking adventure. You’ll receive a briefing on guidelines for the experience, which offers an exciting opportunity to observe playful chimpanzees in their natural habitat.
Accompanied by an experienced ranger, you’ll navigate the jungle and dense forests in search of the chimps, which offers an adventure through challenging terrain. Upon encountering the chimps, you’ll spend an hour observing them up close, learning about their behavior and social interactions.
After the trek, your driver will be waiting to take you back to the lodge for lunch, followed by an evening tour of the crater lakes around Queen Elizabeth National Park. These crater lakes, formed by volcanic activity, offer scenic beauty with their calm waters and lush vegetation, each lake differing in shape and setting.
The area provides excellent bird-watching opportunities and the chance to explore the surrounding flora and fauna. During your visit, you’ll also gain insights into the local culture and traditions of the communities living nearby.
After this scenic crater lakes tour, return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 4: Transfer to Kampala & Departure
After breakfast, have your last early morning game drive in the park and transfer to Kampala after to mark the end of your 4-Day Queen Elizabeth National Park safari.
