3 Day Alluring Queen Elizabeth National Park
This short safari is an introduction to one of Uganda’s most famous national parks. The extensive 1,978 square mile park is an ideal safari park with a diversity of ecosystems. Characterized by expansive savanna vegetation, this is ideal habitat for the big safari animals. You can view elephants, buffaloes, a variety of antelopes, and hyenas among others. In the south, you can view the famous Tree Climbing lions, which you can witness lazily napping up on fig trees all day. The park also has tropical rainforests like the mysterious Kyambura Gorge, where you can track chimpanzees and view other primates, and the sprawling Maramagambo forest which spills into DRC Congo. The highlight of the park are the lakes with tens of crater lakes located within the park, Lake Edward and Lake George attract hundreds of thirsty animals. The gem of the park is the boat rides conducted on the Kazinga channel where you can view animals up close as they come to the shore to drink. Also, the channel is a birdwatchers haven and you will get a chance to view some of the 610 species recorded in the park.
Itinerary
Day 1: Birding from Kampala to Queen Elizabeth National Park
We shall start with an early breakfast and later transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park while birding on the way. Birding on the way may produce species such as Grey Capped Warbler, African Long Crested Eagle, Augur Buzzard, Mackinnon’s Fiscal, Black headed waxbill, Black and white Manikin, Senegal Coucal, Red Chested Cuckoo, and others.
The Park which is named after the Queen of England who visited it in 1954 is the second-largest national park in Uganda. In terms of diversity this park ranks among the best birding destinations in Uganda with over 610 species recorded, and a one-day record of 296 species. Hard-core birders will be treated to special birds of this park that include Harlequin Quail, Blue Quail, Small (Common) Buttonquail, African Crake, White winged Warbler, Martial Eagle, African Skimmer, Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl, Papyrus Gonolek, Amur Falcon, Ovambo Sparrow hawk, Lowland Akalat, Greater and Lesser Flamingo, Shoebill, Black Bee-eater, Caruthers’s Cisticola, Terek Sandpiper, Secretary Bird, and Temminck’s Courser. Mammals include African Elephant, Spotted Hyena, Leopard, Lion, Ugandan Kobs, Side-striped Jackal, Baboons, Chimpanzees, Bush and Water Bucks, Warthogs, Giant Forest Hogs to mention but a few.
Day 2: Birding and game drive within the park, boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel.
After breakfast, we set off for a morning day game and birdwatching drive in the park. Morning drives are an extremely successful time to view some of the large predators as they are more active at night like lions and hyenas. Enjoy the game viewing as we also look for interesting bird species.
Later in the afternoon, we have the exciting boat cruise on the Kazinga channel. The launch is one of the most exciting water activities in Uganda. The channel is a narrow neck of water that connects Lakes George and Edward, with excellent photographic opportunities for Elephants, buffaloes, crocodiles, waterside birds, and abundant Hippopotamus. Amongst the birds you are likely to encounter include; African Skimmer, Striated Heron, African Spoonbill, Water Thick-knee, Three-banded Plover, Marsh, Green, Wood and Common Sandpiper, Gray-headed Gull, Plain Martin Lesser Swamp-Warbler and Yellow-billed Oxpecker.
Return to the park for dinner and overnight
Day 3: Travel back to Kampala.
You will have a leisurely breakfast with some birding around the lodge vicinity at your pleasure. We return back to Kampala as we bird along the way.
You will be dropped off at your hotel.
End of safari