2-Day Queen Elizabeth Uganda Wildlife Safari
This 2-Day Queen Elizabeth National Park Wildlife Safari is a short yet immersive journey into one of Uganda‘s most iconic and scenic national parks. Designed for travelers with limited time but an insatiable passion for African wildlife and natural beauty, this experience offers the perfect introduction to Uganda’s safari culture. Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda’s most visited conservation area, spans over 1,978 square kilometers and is home to an astonishing array of biodiversity, including over 95 mammal species, more than 600 bird species, and 10 different primate species. Set against the backdrop of the Rwenzori Mountains, the park showcases an exceptional tapestry of ecosystems – ranging from open savannah grasslands, crater lakes, forests, to papyrus swamps and the Kazinga Channel that links Lake Edward and Lake George.
Established in 1952 and formerly known as Kazinga National Park, the park was renamed in 1954 to commemorate a visit by Queen Elizabeth II. Since then, it has remained a symbol of Uganda’s rich wildlife heritage and a flagship of eco-tourism.
This 2-Day Queen Elizabeth Uganda Wildlife Safari offers you the chance to enjoy two of Queen Elizabeth‘s signature experiences. First, the Kazinga Channel boat cruise, arguably one of the best wildlife viewing experiences in East Africa, where hippos, elephants, buffaloes, and a plethora of water birds congregate in massive numbers. Second, a morning game drive through the Kasenyi plains, which offers opportunities to spot lions, leopards, elephants, warthogs, hyenas, waterbucks, bushbucks, buffaloes, and Uganda Kobs, among many others. These iconic game-viewing experiences are framed by Queen Elizabeth’s enchanting scenery – the majestic Rwenzori Mountain ranges, rolling crater-dotted landscapes, and lush green vegetation.
If you’re seeking an authentic safari experience within a short timeframe, this 2-Day Queen Elizabeth Uganda Wildlife Safari is your ideal adventure.
Detailed 2-Day Queen Elizabeth Uganda Wildlife Safari
Queen Elizabeth National Park – Boat Cruise at the Kazinga Channel
Your 2-Day Queen Elizabeth Uganda Wildlife Safari journey starts early at 6:00 AM, with a pick-up from your hotel in Kampala or Entebbe. After a warm welcome from your Terenga Safaris driver-guide, you’ll embark on a scenic 5 to 6-hour drive heading west toward Queen Elizabeth National Park. Along the way, enjoy picturesque landscapes and glimpses of rural Ugandan life, including the lush green tea plantations, traditional homesteads, and roadside markets bustling with fresh produce.
Your first major stop will be at the Equator crossing in Kayabwe, where you’ll take photos standing in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. This spot offers an excellent opportunity to grab souvenirs, enjoy a cup of Ugandan coffee, and witness a fun demonstration showing how water swirls in opposite directions depending on the hemisphere.
Continue the drive through Mbarara, stopping for lunch at a high-quality restaurant such as the Igongo Cultural Centre, where you can savor local Ugandan cuisine and also explore a cultural museum that gives insight into the Ankole Kingdom.
After lunch, proceed to Queen Elizabeth National Park, arriving in the early afternoon. Depending on time and preferences, you may check into your lodge or head straight to the Kazinga Channel for the highly anticipated boat cruise.
The Kazinga Channel is a natural waterway that connects Lake Edward and Lake George, and it’s a haven for wildlife. You’ll board a comfortable, motorized boat for a 2 to 3-hour cruise along the banks of this famous channel. Be ready to witness Africa’s densest concentration of hippos, large herds of buffaloes, elephants cooling off, Nile crocodiles, and a spectacular array of water birds including African fish eagles, cormorants, kingfishers, saddle-billed storks, and even the rare shoebill stork, if you’re lucky.
The channel’s wildlife activity is non-stop, offering endless photography opportunities and interpretive commentary from your knowledgeable guide. As the sun begins to set over the Rwenzori Mountains, the golden light casts a magical glow over the water, making this cruise a memorable highlight of your safari.
After the cruise, your 2-Day Queen Elizabeth Uganda Wildlife Safari guide will transfer you to your preferred lodge for dinner and an overnight stay. Choose from budget, midrange, or luxury accommodation, all offering excellent comfort, security, and hospitality.
- Main Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Accommodation Options: Aardvark Safari Lodge
- Meals & Drinks: Lunch and dinner included; drinking water provided
Morning Game Drive in Kasenyi Sector – Return to Kampala or Entebbe
Rise early to the sounds of nature and prepare for a thrilling morning game drive in the Kasenyi Plains, one of the park’s best wildlife viewing areas. This sector lies in the north-eastern part of the park, where open savannahs dotted with acacia trees and antelope grazing lands attract some of the park’s biggest predators.
The Kasenyi sector is known for its large herds of Uganda Kobs, which are natural prey for predators such as lions and leopards. Early morning is the best time to catch predators before they retreat into the bush for the day. Keep your eyes peeled for sightings of African elephants, buffaloes, spotted hyenas, giant forest hogs, warthogs, and a variety of antelope species. If luck is on your side, you may even spot a lioness on a hunt, or a leopard lounging in a fig tree.
As you drive through the plains, your 2-Day Queen Elizabeth Uganda Wildlife Safari guide will also help you identify the rich birdlife for which Queen Elizabeth National Park is renowned. Look out for martial eagles, grey crowned cranes, African skimmers, pink-backed pelicans, verreaux’s eagle owls, and chapin’s flycatchers.
After the game drive, return to your lodge for a hearty breakfast and time to freshen up. You’ll then begin the journey back to Kampala or Entebbe, with a lunch stop en route. A visit to the Igongo Cultural Centre is possible on the return journey if you missed it on Day 1.
Expect to arrive in Kampala or Entebbe by late afternoon or early evening, in time for your onward flight or transfer to your next destination. Please plan your return flight for after 9:00 PM to accommodate any delays during travel.
- Main Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Accommodation: None (End of tour)
- Meals & Drinks: Breakfast and lunch included; drinking water provided
2-Day Queevn Elizabeth Uganda Wildlife Safari Inclusions & Exclusions
Safari Inclusions:
- Full board accommodation with meals (1 night)
- Professional English-speaking guide/driver
- Private 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof for game viewing
- Fuel for the entire trip
- Boat cruise at Kazinga Channel
- Morning game drive in Kasenyi Plains
- Guide and ranger fees
- Drinking water during transfers and activities
- Park entrance fees
- Airport or hotel pickup and drop-off
- All government taxes and service charges
Safari Exclusions:
- International flights to and from Uganda
- Visa fees and travel insurance
- Personal expenses (e.g., souvenirs, laundry, alcoholic beverages)
- Tips for guides and lodge staff (Recommended: $10 per person per day)
- Optional activities not included in itinerary (e.g., chimp tracking)
- Extra nights’ accommodation before or after the safari (can be arranged on request)
2-Day Queen Elizabeth Uganda Wildlife Safari
End of 2-Day Queen Elizabeth Uganda Wildlife Safari
Trip Cost: from US$450pp
Contact Terenga Safaris today to customize your trip, upgrade your accommodation, or add a chimpanzee tracking experience in Kyambura Gorge or Kalinzu Forest for an even more comprehensive wildlife adventure.
For more itineraries or to create a custom safari, visit TerengaSafaris.com or email us at info@terengasafaris.com
Terenga Safaris – Your Gateway to Authentic Ugandan Wildlife Experiences.