3-Day Queen Elizabeth National Park Safari from Kampala

Track wildlife along hidden savannah paths and waterways for three days straight.

A 3-day private safari from Kampala into Queen Elizabeth National Park with an English or French-speaking guide, game drives through the savannah, and boat rides along the Kazinga channel. You'll watch buffaloes, hippos and elephants at the water's edge, stop at the Uganda Equator, and visit Lake Katwe to see how local women extract salt using traditional methods. Accommodation at Pumba Safari Cottages is included, along with all meals and transport.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Travel and Kazinga channel boat ride

• Breakfast at the lodge
• Travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Stop at Uganda Equator for experience
• Lunch at the lodge
• Boat ride along Kazinga channel
• Candle light dinner at the lodge

Day 2: Game drive and Kazinga channel boat ride

• Breakfast at the lodge
• Game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Afternoon Kazinga channel boat ride
• Lunch and dinner at the lodge

Day 3: Morning game drive and return

• Breakfast at the lodge
• Morning game drive
• Travel back to Kampala or Entebbe Airport

The experience

The Kazinga channel cuts through the park between Lake George and Lake Edward, and a boat ride there is where most of the wildlife congregates. Buffaloes and elephants wade into the water, hippos surface nearby, and pied kingfishers hunt overhead. The channel forms the backbone of your three days: you'll ride it on day one after arriving, again on day two in the afternoon, and the game drives fill the gaps between. A professional guide handles the navigation and spots the animals. You sit in an air-conditioned vehicle or on the boat and watch.

Lake Katwe sits on the park's edge, and the local fishing communities there have worked the salt ponds for generations. Women rake the mineral-rich water into shallow beds and let the sun do the work, then scrape the salt crust by hand. It's not a performance, it's how they live, and the visit shows you a side of the region most safaris skip. On day three, a final game drive at dawn precedes your return to Kampala or Entebbe Airport, so the whole journey fits into one trip without backtracking.

The Uganda Equator crossing on day one is a practical stop: the guide explains how water drains clockwise and counterclockwise on either side of the line, and there's time for coffee or tea. Pumba Safari Cottages provide the overnight base, and meals are included throughout. Children from age two can join. The vehicle is wheelchair accessible, as are all park areas and surfaces.

What’s included

• Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• accommodation at Pumba Safari Cottages for two nights.
• all meals.
• bottled water.
• professional guide in English or French.
• hotel pickup and drop-off in Kampala or Entebbe Airport.
• all park fees and taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (35 to 40 years) · Senior (41 to 80 years) · Youth (18 to 34 years) · Child (7 to 16 years) · Infant (2 to 6 years)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 11 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by African Adventure Travellers

Is this one for you?You travel as a private group with your own guide and vehicle, so the pace and stops are yours to shape within the three-day structure. This works best if you want wildlife viewing without the logistics of driving yourself, and if you're traveling with family or friends who want to stay together.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (18 to 34 years); Child (7 to 16 years); Infant (2 to 6 years).

What animals will I actually see on the Kazinga channel boat ride?

Buffaloes, hippos, and elephants regularly wade or wallow in the channel waters between Lake George and Lake Edward. Pied kingfishers and other water birds are common sightings. The afternoon boat ride on day two tends to offer the most concentrated wildlife viewing.

How does the salt extraction at Lake Katwe work?

Local women at Lake Katwe rake mineral-rich water into shallow ponds and allow the sun to evaporate it, leaving behind salt crusts that they scrape by hand using traditional tools. The visit lets you watch the process and learn how the communities sustain themselves through this labor.

What happens on each of the three days?

Day one includes the boat ride along Kazinga channel and a stop at the Uganda Equator. Day two combines a game drive and an afternoon Kazinga channel boat ride. Day three starts with a final game drive before transport back to Kampala or Entebbe Airport.

What's included in the price?

Private transportation, meals, bottled water, accommodation at Pumba Safari Cottages, and all fees and taxes are included. The vehicle is air-conditioned, and hotel pickup in Kampala is part of the service.