5-Day Queen Elizabeth National Park Safari | Tree-Climbing Lions & Kazinga Channel

Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s most visited safari destination—and for good reason.
Spread across 1,978 square kilometers, this park is a mosaic of savannah plains, dense forests, crater lakes, and wetlands .
Picture yourself scanning the Kasenyi Plains for lions and leopards, watching elephants stride across golden grasslands, and cruising past hundreds of hippos along the Kazinga Channel.
The park is home to four of the Big Five—elephant, buffalo, lion, and leopard—and over 600 bird species, making it a wildlife lover’s paradise .
This is safari country at its most authentic and accessible.

This 5-day safari is designed to showcase the very best of Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Your journey begins with a scenic drive from Kampala, taking you through Uganda’s stunning countryside.
You’ll experience morning game drives in the Kasenyi Plains, a spectacular boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge, and a full day in the Ishasha sector searching for the famous tree-climbing lions .
Our private 4×4 safari vehicle, expert driver-guide, and comfortable lodge accommodation ensure a seamless, stress-free experience.
All park fees, activities, and meals are included, so you can focus entirely on the wildlife.

Trip Highlights

1: Kampala to Queen Elizabeth National Park
2: Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
3: Kyambura Gorge Chimpanzee Trekking & Crater Lakes
4: Full-Day Ishasha Sector – Tree-Climbing Lions
5: Return to Kampala

Day 01 :

Kampala to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Your adventure begins with a morning pickup from your hotel in Kampala or Entebbe International Airport. After a briefing from your driver-guide, you'll set off on the scenic 6-7 hour drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park . En route, you'll stop at the Equator at Kayabwe for the famous water experiment and photo opportunity. Continue through rolling hills, tea plantations, and local villages, with a lunch stop at the Igongo Cultural Centre in Mbarara. Arrive at the park in the late afternoon, check into your lodge, and enjoy dinner with views of the savannah. Overnight at your lodge in the park.

Day 02 :

Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

Rise early for a morning game drive in the Kasenyi Plains—the park's prime game-viewing area. Here, you'll search for lions, elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, and spotted hyenas . Over 600 bird species call the park home, so keep your camera ready for the African fish eagle, martial eagle, and grey crowned crane . Return to the lodge for lunch and some relaxation. In the afternoon, embark on a 2-hour boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel—a 32-kilometer waterway connecting Lake George and Lake Edward . This is one of Africa's most wildlife-rich water bodies, with over 1,600 hippos, massive Nile crocodiles, elephants drinking at the shore, and abundant waterbirds . Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 03 :

Kyambura Gorge Chimpanzee Trekking & Crater Lakes

After breakfast, head to Kyambura Gorge—often called the "Valley of Apes"—for an unforgettable chimpanzee trekking experience. Descend into the lush forest gorge with a park ranger and track a habituated chimpanzee community . Trekking can take 30 minutes to 4 hours depending on chimp movements, but the reward is a magical one-hour encounter with these incredible primates. You'll also spot black-and-white colobus monkeys and other primates. After lunch, visit the crater lakes region—including Katwe and Nyamunuka Crater Lakes. Lake Katwe is famous for its salt-harvesting community, while Nyamunuka is known as an animal "hospital" where wildlife comes to drink the mineral-rich waters . Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 04 :

Full-Day Ishasha Sector – Tree-Climbing Lions

Today is the highlight for many—a full day in the Ishasha sector, the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park famous for its tree-climbing lions . This rare behavior is only seen in a few places worldwide, and Ishasha is one of the best. Lions here rest in the branches of large fig and acacia trees to escape the heat and biting flies . With a packed lunch, you'll explore the floodplains and riverine woodlands, searching for these majestic cats. You'll also spot elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks, and Uganda kobs along the way. The experience of seeing a lion pride lounging in a tree is unforgettable. Return to your lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight.

Day 05 :

Return to Kampala

After a final breakfast, check out and begin your scenic journey back to Kampala. En route, stop at the Igongo Cultural Centre for lunch and a cultural experience . Visit the Equator again for any last photos and souvenir shopping. Arrive in Kampala in the early evening and receive drop-off at your hotel or Entebbe International Airport. Your unforgettable Queen Elizabeth National Park safari comes to a close.