Tour Description
This 5-day Uganda safari combines the wildlife of Queen Elizabeth National Park with chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge.
The safari takes you through the scenic landscapes of western Uganda, with opportunities to see elephants, lions, buffaloes, Uganda kobs and other wildlife during game drives. You will also enjoy a boat cruise along the famous Kazinga Channel, one of the best ways to see hippos, crocodiles, elephants and water birds.
The highlight of the primate experience is chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge. Kyambura is one of the designated chimpanzee-tracking locations in Queen Elizabeth Conservation Area.
This is a good short safari for travellers who want to combine Uganda wildlife, chimpanzees, scenic landscapes and the Kazinga Channel without travelling as far as Kibale.
Tour Highlights
- Wildlife safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge
- Morning and afternoon game drives
- Search for elephants, lions, buffaloes and Uganda kobs
- Boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel
- See hippos, crocodiles and numerous water birds
- Scenic views of the Rwenzori Mountains
- Visit the crater-lake region
- Optional community or nature experience
- Private 4×4 safari vehicle with professional driver-guide
Summarised Program
| Day | Destination | Main Activities | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Kampala/Entebbe – Queen Elizabeth | Travel to Queen Elizabeth, evening game drive | Queen Elizabeth |
| Day 2 | Queen Elizabeth | Morning game drive, Kazinga Channel boat cruise | Queen Elizabeth |
| Day 3 | Queen Elizabeth | Chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge, nature experience | Queen Elizabeth |
| Day 4 | Queen Elizabeth | Morning game drive, optional crater-lake experience | Queen Elizabeth |
| Day 5 | Queen Elizabeth – Kampala/Entebbe | Return journey | End of safari |
Accommodation Options
For this particular itinerary, I recommend staying around Mweya or Kyambura, rather than placing the client too far from the chimpanzee-tracking area. Queen Elizabeth is a large park, and accommodation location makes a significant difference to access to the different activities.
Budget
- Queen Elizabeth Safari Camp
- Hippo Hill Camp
- Simba Safari Camp
- Mweya Hostel
Queen Elizabeth Safari Camp is particularly useful for a lower-budget itinerary near Kyambura.
Mid-Range
- Kyambura Game Lodge
- Buffalo Safari Lodge
- Enganzi Game Lodge
- Ihamba Lakeside Safari Lodge
- Irungu Forest Safari Lodge
Recommended: Kyambura Game Lodge or Irungu Forest Safari Lodge, particularly when chimpanzee tracking is an important part of the trip. Current lodge guides list Irungu as a mid-range option near Kyambura Gorge.
High-End
- Kyambura Gorge Lodge
- Mweya Safari Lodge
- Katara Lodge
- Ishasha Wilderness Camp
Recommended: Kyambura Gorge Lodge. It is positioned close to Kyambura Gorge and offers a more exclusive experience, with direct access to the gorge via a private footpath.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Kampala/Entebbe to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Your safari begins with an early morning pick-up from your hotel in Kampala or Entebbe.
Drive westwards through Uganda’s beautiful countryside towards Queen Elizabeth National Park. Along the way, enjoy views of local communities, plantations, farms and the changing landscape of western Uganda.
After lunch, continue towards Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Depending on your arrival time, enjoy an evening game drive in the Kasenyi Plains, where you may encounter elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, warthogs and other wildlife.
Proceed to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Main activities: Scenic drive, optional evening game drive
Accommodation: Selected lodge in Queen Elizabeth
Meal plan: Lunch and dinner
Day 2: Queen Elizabeth Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
Wake up early for breakfast before heading out for a morning game drive.
Explore the Kasenyi Plains in search of lions, elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, warthogs and other wildlife. The early morning is an excellent time to explore the savannah while wildlife is active.
Return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation.
In the afternoon, take a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, which connects Lake George and Lake Edward.
The cruise offers excellent opportunities to see large concentrations of hippos, Nile crocodiles, buffaloes, elephants and water birds along the shoreline.
Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Main activities: Game drive, Kazinga Channel boat cruise
Accommodation: Selected lodge in Queen Elizabeth
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 3: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kyambura Gorge
After an early breakfast, proceed to the Kyambura Gorge tracking area for your chimpanzee experience.
After a briefing by the park guides, begin your walk into the spectacular Kyambura Gorge in search of habituated chimpanzees.
The trek takes you through a beautiful forest environment where you may also encounter other primates, birds and forest wildlife.
Once you locate the chimpanzees, you can observe their behaviour as they move through the forest, feed, climb and interact with each other.
Normal chimpanzee tracking starts at 8:00 AM or 2:00 PM, with a maximum viewing time of one hour once the chimpanzees are located, according to current UWA guidelines.
Return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation.
The afternoon can be used for a nature walk, community experience or simply relaxing at the lodge.
Main activity: Chimpanzee tracking
Accommodation: Selected lodge in Queen Elizabeth
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 4: Queen Elizabeth Wildlife Safari
After breakfast, head out for another game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
This provides another opportunity to explore areas of the park that you may not have visited during the earlier game drive. Your guide will select the best area based on recent wildlife sightings and your interests.
You may encounter elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, lions and other savannah wildlife.
You can also enjoy the scenery around the crater lakes and viewpoints overlooking the park and surrounding landscapes.
Return to the lodge for lunch and spend the afternoon at leisure.
Main activities: Game drive, crater-lake scenery
Accommodation: Selected lodge in Queen Elizabeth
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 5: Queen Elizabeth National Park to Kampala/Entebbe
After breakfast, check out and begin your journey back to Kampala or Entebbe.
Enjoy the scenic drive through western Uganda, with a lunch stop along the way.
Continue to Kampala or Entebbe for drop-off at your hotel or Entebbe International Airport.
Your 5 Days Queen Elizabeth Wildlife & Chimpanzee Tour ends with wonderful memories of Uganda’s wildlife and rainforest.
Main activity: Return journey
Meal plan: Breakfast and lunch
Accommodation Summary
| Category | Recommended Lodge |
|---|---|
| Budget | Queen Elizabeth Safari Camp |
| Mid-Range | Kyambura Game Lodge / Irungu Forest Safari Lodge |
| High-End | Kyambura Gorge Lodge / Mweya Safari Lodge |
Important: Chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura is a separate experience from Kibale chimpanzee tracking. For this itinerary, I would market it specifically as “Queen Elizabeth Wildlife & Kyambura Chimpanzee Tour” because that makes the destination and chimpanzee location clear to the customer.