Queen Elizabeth Safari 3-Day: Game Drives & Kazinga Boat

Track elephants and lions across the savanna, then watch them drink at the channel

A 3-day safari from Kampala to Queen Elizabeth National Park with game drives along the Queen's Mile and Kasenyi trail, plus a 2-hour boat cruise on Kazinga Channel. You'll see elephants, lions, buffalo, hippos, Uganda kobs and warthogs, with an English-speaking guide, breakfast daily and two nights at Pumba Safari Lodge.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park

• Breakfast in Kampala
• Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Stop at the Equator for photos
• Lunch at Agip Motel in Mbarara
• Continue drive through scenic landscapes
• Evening game drive
• Dinner and overnight at lodge

Day 2: Game drive and Kazinga boat ride

• Early tea or coffee
• Game drive on Queen’s Mile and Kasenyi trail
• Breakfast and lunch at lodge
• Afternoon 2-hour boat ride on Kazinga Channel
• Dinner and overnight at lodge

Day 3: Return to Kampala or Entebbe

• Hearty breakfast at lodge
• Depart for Kampala or Entebbe

The experience

The drive from Kampala takes most of the first day, with stops at the Equator for photos and lunch at Mbarara before you reach the park. Once there, you'll have an evening game drive to settle in, then two full days of wildlife viewing: early-morning drives along the Queen's Mile and Kasenyi trail where the animals gather, and an afternoon boat ride on Kazinga Channel where buffalo, elephants and hippos come to the water's edge. The channel crossing also gives you sightings of birds the savanna drives might miss.

The 2-hour boat ride on Kazinga Channel is the day's second viewing window: animals behave differently at water than they do on land, and the channel concentrates them. You return to Pumba Safari Lodge for breakfast and lunch between activities, then depart for Kampala or Entebbe on the morning of day three.

What’s included

• Breakfast daily.
• transportation from Kampala with hotel pickup and return.
• English-speaking guide.
• two nights at Pumba Safari Lodge.
• all game drives and the 2-hour Kazinga Channel boat cruise.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (16 to 70 years) · Under 16: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 6 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 18 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Forever Africa Safari

Is this one for you?Book this if you're joining other travelers on set departure times and can commit to full days in a vehicle with early starts. You'll see the main wildlife across game drives and boat cruises.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

2 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What animals will I actually see on a Queen Elizabeth safari?

Elephants, lions, buffalo, hippos, Uganda kobs and warthogs are the main species. The park also holds a wide range of birds. The game drives and boat ride both offer sightings, since animals gather at different times and places.

How much time do I spend actually watching wildlife versus driving?

Day two is built around two viewing periods: an early game drive before breakfast, then a 2-hour boat ride in the afternoon. Day one includes an evening game drive after arrival. The drives cover the Queen's Mile and Kasenyi trail, where the operator says sightings are concentrated.

What's included in the 3-day package?

Breakfast each morning, transportation from Kampala, an English-speaking guide, two nights at Pumba Safari Lodge, all game drives and the Kazinga Channel boat ride are included. Lunch is provided at the lodge on day two.

Do I need to arrange my own transport from Kampala, or is pickup included?

Hotel pickup from Kampala at 8:00am on day one is included. Your guide collects you from your accommodation. The return to Kampala or Entebbe on day three is also part of the package.

Is this safari suitable if I'm not in peak fitness?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. Game drives involve sitting in a vehicle. The boat ride on Kazinga Channel is also seated. The minimum age is 16, and the tour is wheelchair accessible.