This 3 day Queen Elizabeth safari is the easiest way to see Uganda's most popular national park on a short trip. In three days you drive from Kampala or Entebbe to Queen Elizabeth National Park, search for lions, elephants and buffalo on the Kasenyi Plains, cruise the hippo-filled Kazinga Channel and return to the city, all with a private vehicle and an experienced driver-guide.
It suits first-time visitors, families, weekend travellers and Uganda residents looking for a quick but rewarding wildlife break. Below is the full day-by-day itinerary, lodge options for every budget and tips for getting the most from your 3 day Queen Elizabeth safari.
Your 3 Day Queen Elizabeth Safari at a Glance
| Day | Activities | Meals |
| Day 1 | Kampala or Entebbe to Queen Elizabeth National Park, equator stop, evening relaxation or short game drive | Lunch, dinner |
| Day 2 | Morning game drive on the Kasenyi Plains, afternoon Kazinga Channel boat cruise | Breakfast, lunch, dinner |
| Day 3 | Optional early game drive or crater drive, return to Kampala or Entebbe | Breakfast, lunch |
3 Day Queen Elizabeth National Park Safari in Uganda: Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Kampala or Entebbe to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Your 3 day Queen Elizabeth safari begins with an early pick-up from your hotel in Kampala or Entebbe at about 7:00 am. Head southwest through the green hills of central Uganda, stopping at the equator at Kayabwe for photos and coffee. After lunch in Mbarara, continue through farmland and tea country to Queen Elizabeth National Park, arriving in the late afternoon. The drive takes about 6 to 8 hours with stops.
Check in to your lodge and relax with a drink as the sun sets over the savannah. If time allows, you can take a short evening game drive on the way in. Queen Elizabeth National Park covers 1,978 square kilometres between Lake George and Lake Edward and is home to about 95 mammal species and more than 600 bird species, so even the drive to your lodge can bring sightings of elephants, buffalo and kob.
Overnight: lodge of your choice (see options below). Meals: lunch and dinner.
Day 2: Kasenyi Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
Wake early for coffee and set out at sunrise for a game drive on the Kasenyi Plains, the best area of the park for lions. Thousands of Uganda kob gather here, and lions, hyenas and leopards follow them. Look out for elephants, buffalo, warthogs, waterbuck, bushbuck and, in the crater area, giant forest hogs. Birders can spot bateleurs, grey crowned cranes and many birds of prey.
Return to the lodge for lunch and a rest. In the afternoon, transfer to the Mweya jetty for the two-hour launch cruise on the Kazinga Channel. The boat glides just metres from hundreds of hippos, with elephants and buffalo drinking at the water's edge, crocodiles basking on the banks and pelicans, African skimmers and fish eagles all around. It is the highlight of any 3 day Queen Elizabeth safari.
After the cruise, enjoy a short game drive along the channel track back to your lodge for dinner. Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 3: Optional Morning Game Drive and Return to Kampala
Rise early for a final game drive, or take the scenic Explosion Crater Drive in the north of the park for views over crater lakes, Lake George and, on clear days, the Rwenzori Mountains. Then return to the lodge for breakfast and check out.
Drive back to Kampala or Entebbe via Mbarara, with a lunch stop on the way, arriving in the early evening. Your 3 day Queen Elizabeth safari ends with a drop-off at your hotel or at Entebbe International Airport for an evening flight. Meals: breakfast and lunch.
Where to Stay on Your 3 Day Queen Elizabeth Safari
- Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge on the Mweya Peninsula, Kyambura Gorge Lodge overlooking the chimp gorge, or Elephant Plains Lodge.
- Mid-range: Enganzi Game Lodge, Katara Lodge or Bush Lodge on the Kazinga Channel.
- Budget: Pumba Safari Cottages or the Uganda Wildlife Authority bandas at Mweya.
See photos and reviews in our guide to lodges in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Best Time for a 3 Day Queen Elizabeth Safari
You can enjoy this safari all year. The dry months from June to September and December to February give the easiest game viewing, while March to May and October to November are greener, quieter and excellent for birds. Read more about the best time to visit Uganda.
Extend Your 3 Day Queen Elizabeth Safari
- Add tree-climbing lions: spend an extra day in Ishasha with our 4 Days Queen Elizabeth Safari or 4-Day Queen Elizabeth Safari with Lion Tracking.
- Add gorillas: continue to Bwindi on the 5-Day Bwindi Gorilla and Queen Elizabeth Safari.
- Add chimps: track chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge or nearby Kibale Forest.
- Short on time? Try the 2 Day Queen Elizabeth Safari Package.
Book Your 3 Day Queen Elizabeth Safari
Call or WhatsApp +256 782 915 447 or email info@tulambule.com with your dates and number of travellers. We will send a tailor-made quote for your 3 day Queen Elizabeth safari, with private transport, park fees, the boat cruise and the lodge of your choice. For more trips, browse our Uganda safaris and tours or check entry rules on the Uganda Wildlife Authority website.
