Park at a Glance
Size: 1,978km².
Queen Elizabeth spans the equator line; monuments on either side of the road mark the exact spot where it crosses latitude 00.
The park was founded in 1952 as Kazinga National Park, and renamed two years later to commemorate a visit by Queen Elizabeth II.
The park is home to over 95 mammal species and over 600 bird species.
The Katwe explosion craters mark the park's highest point at 1,350m above sea level, while the lowest point is at 910m, at Lake Edward.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is understandably Uganda’s most popular tourist destination. The park’s diverse ecosystems, which include sprawling savanna, shady, humid forests, sparkling lakes and fertile wetlands, make it the ideal habitat for classic big game, ten primate species including chimpanzees and over 600 species of birds.
Set against the backdrop of the jagged Rwenzori Mountains, the park’s magnificent vistas include dozens of enormous craters carved dramatically into rolling green hills, panoramic views of the Kazinga Channel with its banks lined with hippos, buffalo and elephants, and the endless Ishasha plains, whose fig trees hide lions ready to pounce on herds of unsuspecting Uganda kob.
As well as its outstanding wildlife attractions, Queen Elizabeth National Park has a fascinating cultural history. There are many opportunities for visitors to meet the local communities and enjoy storytelling, dance, music and more. The gazetting of the park has ensured the conservation of its ecosystems, which in turn benefits the surrounding communities.
Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park is truly a Medley of Wonders!
Suggested Itineraries for Queen Elizabeth National Park
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Queen’s Tour Open or Close
5 Night/6 Day Itinerary
DAY 1:
Arrive at one of the many lodges or campsites in or near Queen Elizabeth National Park in the afternoon, check in and relax before leaving for an evening game drive on the Kasenyi plains (1).
DAY 2:
Choose between chimp tracking in Kyambura Gorge (2a), or a walk in Maramagambo Forest (2b), with birds, antelope and monkeys. In the afternoon visit the Kikorongo Cultural Center (3) to meet the women of the community and learn how to make traditional baskets and paper bead necklaces. Enjoy cultural dances and drama performed by the group. Take an evening game drive on the Kasenyi plains (1) before returning to your accommodation.
DAY 3:
See a different face of the park with a research team at Mweya (4). Venture off road to track lions or monitor mongoose behavior and contribute to valuable research project. After a leisurely lunch on the Mweya Peninsula (4), take a two hour boat ride along the Kazinga Channel (6). To top off a wildlife packed day, there is an optional sunset Crater Lake Drive (7) to the Baboon Cliffs (8) for an evening drink as the sun sets over the park’s rolling hills.
DAY 4:
Choose between a nature walk on the Mweya Peninsula (4) or a guided walk around Lake Kikorongo (9) to see the bird species that inhabit this lake and the surrounding forest. In the afternoon visit Katwe Salt Lake (10) to learn about traditional salt mining, followed by a short walk to Lake Munyenyange to spot lesser flamingos (August-November) and other bird life.
Be sure to stop at Katwe Tourism Information Center (KATIC) to pick up your guide. End the day with an evening game drive on the Channel track and looping trails (11).DAY 5:
Take an Agro-Tour Walk (12) through community farmland to learn about farming methods, medicinal plants and bee keeping, then drive to the Ishasha Sector (13) for a picnic lunch on the plains. Explore the Edward Flats (14) and spot the region’s famous tree climbing lions. You can also take a nature walk with an UWA guide along the Ishasha River.
DAY 6:
Take a final game drive through the Ishasha plains before heading out of the park on your way home or to Bwindi for more adventures.
NOTE: All itineraries subject to change, depending on weather, availability and location of chosen lodging. -
Game Galore Open or Close
2 Night/3 Day Itinerary
DAY 1:
Arrive at one of the many lodges or camp sites in or around Queen Elizabeth National Park in the afternoon, check in and relax before leaving for a 2-3 hour evening game drive on the Kasenyi plains (1). Return to your lodge or camp for the night.
DAY 2:
Rise early and take a packed breakfast with you on your morning game drive along the Katunguru Channel Tracks and looping trails (1-2 hours) (2); pass through Kabatoro Gate to ‘Crater Lake Drive’ (3), Stop at the Baboon Cliffs lookout (4) for breakfast and to admire the views.
End your morning drive at Queen’s Pavilion (5) for a cup of coffee or tea and look back on the rolling hills you have just traversed and the steep slopes of the Rwenzori Mountains.
Enjoy a picnic lunch here, return to your camp or lodge or choose a restaurant near Kikorongo (6) or on the Mweya Peninsula (7) where you can relax and enjoy the wild scenery. After lunch head to the Visitor Information Center on Mweya Peninsula (7) to purchase your tickets for a 3pm boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel (8).
After returning from the boat cruise at around 5pm, take a leisurely game drive along the channel track (2) and looping trails, before returning to your lodge or camp for dinner.DAY 3:
This is your last chance to see game before heading on your way! Have an early breakfast and head to Kasenyi Plains (1) for a morning game drive.
If you are not rushing off to your next destination, visit Katwe Salt Lake and village (9) to learn about traditional salt mining in Lake Katwe that has persisted since the 16th Century. From here there is also the option of taking a short walk to the neighboring Lake Munyenyange where you might glimpse lesser flamingos (August-November) and other bird life. Be sure to stop at Katwe Tourism Information Center (KATIC) to pick up your guide.
NOTE: All itineraries subject to change, depending on weather, availability and location of chosen lodging. -
Park & People Open or Close
3 Night/4 Day Itinerary
DAY 1:
Arrive at one of the many lodges or camp sites in or near Queen Elizabeth National Park in the afternoon, check in and relax before leaving for a 2-3 hour evening game drive on the Kasenyi plains (1).
DAY 2:
Meet your guide in the morning for the Agro-Tour Walk (2). This tour takes you through community farmland where you will learn about farming, local medicinal plants and bee keeping - which provides them with honey while keeping the elephants away from their crops.
After your agrarian experience drive the short distance to The Cave (3) for lunch. Try the famous mamba fish and check out the cave that holds cultural significance to the local community as well as the restaurant’s organic garden.
After lunch, head to the Mweya Peninsula Visitor Information Center (4) to purchase tickets for the late afternoon Kazinga Channel boat ride (5), to see the wildlife lining the banks as dusk falls.DAY 3:
Early morning game drive on the Kasenyi plains (1) followed by a visit to Katwe Salt Lake (6) to learn about traditional salt mining that has taken place here since the 16th Century. You can also take a short walk to the neighboring Lake Munyenyange where you might glimpse lesser flamingos (August-November) and other bird life. Be sure to stop at Katwe Tourism Information Center (KATIC) to pick up your guide.
Have a picnic lunch at the KATIC banda or find food in Katwe (6), Mweya (4) or Kikorongo (8). After lunch, visit the Kikorongo Cultural Center (8) to meet the women of the community and learn how to weave traditional baskets and make recycled paper bead necklaces.
Return to your lodge or camp to relax - read a book, lounge by the pool or brush up your wildlife knowledge with the Snapshot Safari board game. Once you are rested, you can set off for an evening game drive.DAY 4:
Enjoy a final game drive along the spectacular Crater Lake Drive (9) before heading home with your memories and pictures.
NOTE: All itineraries subject to change, depending on weather, availability and location of chosen lodging. -
Duke’s Tour Open or Close
4 Night/5 Day Itinerary
DAY 1:
Arrive at one of the many lodges or camp sites in or near Queen Elizabeth National Park in the afternoon, check in and relax before leaving for an evening game drive on the Kasenyi Plains (1).
DAY 2:
Start your day by heading to Crater Lake Drive (2), with a stop at the Baboon Cliffs lookout point (3) for breakfast. End your drive at the Queen’s Pavilion (4) for a tea or coffee enjoy views of the rolling hills against the Rwenzori Mountains. Continue to the Kikorongo Cultural Center (5) for a traditional craft workshop.
After lunch choose between chimp tracking in Kyambura Gorge (6a), or a walk in the Maramagambo Forest (6b), where you can find a variety of birds, forest antelope, monkeys and the ‘cormorant house’ - a large tree in the forest that has been turned white by the birds that roost in it at night.DAY 3:
Visit the fascinating Katwe Salt Lake (7) to learn about traditional salt mining. Take a short walk to the neighboring Lake Munyenyange where you might glimpse lesser flamingos (August-November) and other bird life. Be sure to stop at Katwe Tourism Information Center (KATIC) to pick up your guide.
After lunch, enjoy the relaxing Kazinga Channel boat ride (8) followed by an evening game drive on your way home for sundowners at your lodge or camp.DAY 4:
Take the Agro-Tour Walk (9) through community farm land and learn about farming techniques, medicinal plants and bee keeping that provides honey while also keeping the elephants away from crops.
Then drive to the south of the park for a leisurely picnic lunch on the Ishasha plains (10). In the afternoon and evening explore the Edward Flats (11) and the plains to find the region’s famous tree climbing lions as well as abundant kob, topi, buffalo and elephant. In the afternoon you could also take a nature walk with an UWA guide along the Ishasha river to see hippo, crocodiles and many birds.DAY 5:
Take a morning game drive through the Ishasha plains (10) for a final glimpse of the wildlife before heading on to Bwindi or elsewhere.
NOTE: All itineraries subject to change, depending on weather, availability and location of chosen lodging. -
Royal Tour Open or Close
6 Night/7 Day Itinerary
DAY 1:
At Ruboni Community, beside Rwenzori Mountains National Park (1), enjoy the delights of storytellers telling tales of the Royal Kingdom and local folklore.
DAY 2:
Explore the mountains in a variety of ways, including a community walk, a nature walk or a four-hour hike, depending on your interests and fitness levels.
DAY 3:
After breakfast depart for Queen Elizabeth National Park, stopping at Kikorongo Cultural Center (2) for a craft workshop and cultural performance. Have lunch in Kikorongo or have a picnic at the Queen’s Pavilion. At 2pm arrive at Kyambura Gorge (3) for Chimp Tracking. Explore the gorge’s ‘underground forest’ before returning to your lodge.
DAY 4:
See a different face of the park! Meet the park’s research team at Mweya (4) for a morning of tracking and monitoring either lions or mongooses and contribute to a valuable research project. After lunch on the Mweya Peninsula (4), enjoy a boat ride along the Kazinga Channel (5). To top off a wildlife packed day, take a sunset Crater Lake Drive (6) with an optional stop at the Baboon Cliffs (7) for sundowners.
DAY 5:
You’re on holiday – relax! If you do wish to venture out, take a nature walk on the Mweya Peninsula (4); or a guided bird walk around Lake Kikorongo (8). In the afternoon visit the Katwe Salt Lake (9) to learn about traditional salt mining, and view birds on the nearby Lake Munyenyange. Be sure to stop at KATIC to pick up your guide.
End the day with an evening game drive on the Channel track (10).DAY 6:
Meet your guide for an Agro-Tour Walk through community farmland (11). Learn about farming practices, medicinal plants and bee keeping.
Drive to the south of the park for a picnic lunch on the Ishasha plains (12). Explore the Edward flats (13) and search for Ishasha’s famous tree climbing lions. You can also take a nature walk with an UWA guide.DAY 7:
Take a morning game drive through the plains for a final visit with the wildlife before heading out of the park to Bwindi or elsewhere.
NOTE: All itineraries subject to change, depending on weather, availability and location of chosen lodging. -
4-Day Birding Tour Open or Close
3 Night/4 Day Itinerary - see map on following page
DAY 1:
After breakfast, bird your way towards Queen Elizabeth National Park, crossing the equator on the road to Masaka with a lunch stop in Mbarara. Game drive en-route to your accommodation. Look out for species such as the Snake Eagle, Barbet, Cinnamon Chested Bee-eater, Kingfisher, Lesser Striped Swallow, Zitting Cisiticola, Grey-backed Shrike, Common Fiscal, Starling and Widowbird, among others.
DAY 2:
Have a cup of tea or coffee and a muffin at 6:15am before setting off for an early game drive or birding experience on the Kasenyi Plains (1) with a packed breakfast. Return to your lodge for lunch.
In the afternoon, enjoy the relaxing two-hour boat trip on the Kazinga Channel (2), and spot a variety of wildlife including hundreds of hippos, crocodile and birds. Look out for birds like Pelicans, Green-backed Heron, Storks, African Spoonbill, African White-backed Vulture, Bateleur, Martial Eagle, Common Button Quail, African Crake, African Jacana, Black-bellied Bustard, Black-winged Stilt, Water Thick-knee, Temminck’s Courser, Spur-winged Lapwing, African Wattled Lapwing, Senegal Lapwing, Kittlitz’s Plover, Black Coucal, Pied Kingfisher, Grey-headed Kingfisher, Rufous-naped Lark, Flappet Lark, Grassland Pipit, Plain-backed Pipit, Yellow-throated Longclaw, White-browed Robin-chat, Sooty Chat, Zitting Cisticola, Croacking Cisticola, Babblers, Copper Sunbird, Scarlet-chested Sunbird, Red-chested Sunbird, Grey-backed Fiscal, Black-headed Gonolek, Starlings, Weavers, Widowbirds, Bishops, Finches and Waxbills among others.DAY 3:
Have a cup of tea or coffee and a muffin at 6:15am and take your packed breakfast with you to watch birds in Maramagambo Forest (3).
After a late lunch back at your lodge, proceed to the Katwe area (4), looking out for birds like little Grebe; African Finfoot; Greater and Lesser Flamingos; Augur Buzzard; Crested Guineafowl; Pied Avocet; Black-winged Stilt; Diederick Cuckoo; Yellowbill; Narina Trogon; Shining-blue Kingfisher; Black Bee-eater; Black-and-White-Casqued Hornbill; Yellow-rumped, and Speckled Tinkerbirds; Grey-throated and Yellow-Spotted Barbets; Brown-eared Woodpecker, Rufous-naped, Flappet and Red-capped Larks; Grassland and Plain-backed Pipits; Western Nicator, Yellow-whiskered, Little and Slender-billed Greenbuls; Snowy-headed and Red-capped Robin-chats; Brown-backed Scrub-robin; Grey-capped Warbler; Grey and Buff-throated Apalis; Brown-thoated Wattle-eye; African Paradise Flycatcher; Olive-bellied, Green, Olive, Variable and Collared Sunbirds; Starlings; Weavers; Widowbirds; Bishops; Finches; and Waxbills among others.DAY 4:
After breakfast, pack your luggage and proceed back to Kampala or Entebbe, birding en-route and arriving in the late afternoon. Look out for birds like the Nubian Woodpecker, Bateleur, Crested Francolin, Blue-spotted Wood Dove, Brown Parrot, Bare-faced Go-away-bird, Lilac-breasted Roller, Broad-billed Roller, Striped Kingfisher, Blue-napped Mousebird, African Grey Hornbill, Spot-flanked Barbet, Fork tailed Drongo, Cisiticolas, Weavers, Widowbirds, Finches and Waxbills among others.
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6-Day Birding Tour Open or Close
5 Night/6 Day Itinerary
DAYS 1-3:
Same as days 1-3 of 4-day itinerary on previous page.
DAY 4:
After breakfast, bird your way to Ishasha sector (5) with your packed lunch. Look out for species like the Black-headed Heron, African White-backed Vulture, African Harrier-hawk, African Crowned eagle, Helmeted Guineafowl, Black bee eater, Blue–breasted Kingfisher, White-headed Barbet, Double-toothed Barbet, Tinkerbirds, Nubian Woodpecker, Apalises, Greater Honeyguide, White-browed Robin-chat, Sooty Chat, African Moustached Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, CroackingCisticola, Babblers, Copper Sunbird, Grey-backed Shrike, Common Fiscal, Sulphur-breasted Bush-shrike, Black-headed Gonolek, Black-crowned Tchagra, Brown-crowned Tchagra, Fork-tailed Drongo, Starlings, Widowbirds, Finches, Waxbills and many more. Spend the night at a lodge or campsite in Ishasha.
DAY 5:
After breakfast, head south to view birds at the Edward Flats (6) coming back to your lodge in time for lunch.
Proceed to Ntungwe (7) and nearby tracks, coming back in time for a shower and dinner. Look out for birds like the Cattle egret, Hamerkop, Storks, Shoebill, Ibises, Raptors, Red-necked Spurfowl, Black-bellied Bustard, Temminck’s Courser, Senegal Lapwing, African Wattled Lapwing, Brown Parrot, Diederick Cuckoo, White-browed Coucal, Blue-naped Mousebird, Striped Kingfisher, Little Bee-eater, Broad-billed Roller, Common Scimitarbill, White-headed Barbet, Larks, Yellow-throated Longclaw, Pipits, Sooty Chat, Cisticolas, Northern Black Flycatcher, Babblers, Sunbirds, Shrikes, Black-headed Gonolek, Black-crowned Tchagra, Brown-crowned Tchagra, Fork-tailed Drongo, Starlings, Weavers, Widowbirds, Finches and Waxbills among others.
Look out for mammals like Uganda kobs, bushbucks, defassa waterbucks, buffaloes, elephants, warthogs… and if lucky a tree climbing lion or a leopard!DAY 6:
After breakfast, pack your luggage and proceed back to Kampala or Entebbe, birding en-route and arriving in the late afternoon.
Look out for birds like the Nubian Woodpecker, Bateleur, Crested Francolin, Blue-spotted Wood Dove, Brown Parrot, Bare-faced Go-away-bird, Lilac-breasted Roller, Broad-billed Roller, Striped Kingfisher, Blue-napped Mousebird, African Grey Hornbill, Spot-flanked Barbet, Fork-tailed Drongo, Cisiticolas, Weavers, Widowbirds, Finches and Waxbills among others. -
Wilderness Adventure Open or Close
4 Night/5 Day Itinerary
DAY 1:
Arrive at one of the many lodges or campsites in or near Queen Elizabeth National Park in the afternoon, check in and relax before an evening game drive on the Kasenyi plains (1).
DAY 2:
Wake early to experience a different face of the park. Meet with the park’s lion research team at Mweya and venture off road to track and monitor lions (2).
Have a leisurely lunch on the Mweya Peninsula (2), Katwe (3a), Kikorongo (3b) or one of the lodges near the Maramagambo Forest (3c). After lunch take a long walk in the Maramagambo Forest (3c), where you can find a variety of birds, forest antelope, monkeys, a bat cave and the ‘cormorant house’ a large tree in the forest that has been turned white by the birds that roost there at night.DAY 3:
Spend the morning tracking chimps in Kyambura Gorge (4). Explore this ‘underground forest’ before a picnic lunch overlooking the gorge, or at one of the nearby lodges.
In the afternoon take the Agro-Tour Walk through community farmland (5) and learn about farming techniques, medicinal plants and bee keeping. To top off an action-packed day, there is the option of taking the Crater Lake Drive (6) to the Baboon Cliffs (7) for sundowners.DAY 4:
Drive to the south of the park to explore the Edward Flats (8) and the Ishasha Plains (9) to find the region’s famous tree climbing lions as well as abundant kob, topi, buffalo and elephant. Take a picnic lunch either under the shade of a fig tree or in one of the UWA bandas.
In the afternoon take a nature walk with an UWA guide along the river (10) to see hippo, crocodiles, and many birds. The river forms the border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Find a remote location for your bush-camp and enjoy an evening game drive before returning to your camp for a night in the wilderness.DAY 5:
Pack up camp and take a morning game drive through the Ishasha plains (9) for a final visit with the lions and other wildlife before heading out of the park and onto Bwindi or elsewhere.
NOTE: All itineraries subject to change, depending on weather, availability and location of chosen lodging. -
Family Adventure Open or Close
4 Night/5 Day Itinerary
DAY 1:
If arriving by early afternoon, visit “The Cave” (1), south of Kichwamba. Kids can explore the community campsite and cultural museum, learn about the Bakiga and Banyankole tribes and discover the cave. Those arriving later can check in to their accommodation and play the Queen Elizabeth Snapshot Safari Game.
DAY 2:
Rise early (taking a packed breakfast) for a morning game drive in Kasenyi Plains (2).
Eat breakfast at Lake Bwenyanpaka (3) overlooking the salt pans and Lake George before heading over to Kikorongo (4) to visit the local women’s group. They offer several child-friendly workshops. During the African Craft Workshop, children learn how to roll paper beads and make toy cars from recycled materials, and older participants can learn how to weave baskets. The Percussion Workshop teaches kids (or kids at heart!) how to play traditional Bakonzo instruments.
After lunch, you can choose a different workshop, an hour-long cultural performance or relax back at your accommodation. In the evening, have a drink at the Queen’s Pavilion (5) before setting off for an evening safari through the explosion craters (6).DAY 3:
Begin the day with a game drive along the Katunguru Channel Tracks (7) and looping trails, and continue through Crater Lake Drive (6) to the baboon lookout (7) where you can eat a packed breakfast and admire the views.
Continue on to Katwe (8) to take part in their Salt Lake Tour for kids. Learn about the only existing traditional salt mine in all of Africa, as well as the native birds and vegetation.
After lunch in your place of choice, relax in the pool at your accommodation or at a lodge in Mweya (9). Once you have cooled off, join the 5pm boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel (10).
During dinner, challenge your kids to another round of the Queen Elizabeth Snapshot Safari GameDAY 4:
Drive to the Maramagambo Forest (11) for a pleasant nature walk. You will see the Bat Cave, inhabited by bats and pythons, and the Great White Cormorant Tree. Return home or continue onto your next destination.
NOTE: All itineraries subject to change, depending on weather, availability and location of chosen lodging.
Park at a Glance
- Size: 996km2
- The park was gazetted in 1991 and was recognized as a World Heritage site in 1994 and Ramsar site in 2008.
- Highest point: 5,109m above sea level on Mt Stanley's Margherita Peak. Mt. Stanley is bisected by the border with the DR Congo.
- The Rwenzori is not volcanic like East Africa’s other major mountains but is a block of rock upfaulted through the floor of the Western Rift Valley.
- The Rwenzoris were christened the "Mountains of the Moon" by the Alexandrine geographer Ptolemy in AD 150.
- The explorer Henry Stanley placed the Rwenzori on the map on 24th May 1888. He labeled it ‘Ruwenzori’, a local name which he recorded as meaning “Rain-Maker” or “Cloud-King.”
- The oldest recorded person to reach Margherita Peak was Ms Beryl Park aged 78 in 2010.
The Rwenzoris – the fabled Mountains of the Moon – lie in western Uganda along the Uganda-Congo border. The equatorial snow peaks include the third highest point in Africa, while the lower slopes are blanketed in moorland, bamboo and rich, moist montane forest. Huge tree-heathers and colorful mosses are draped across the mountainside with giant lobelias and “everlasting flowers”, creating an enchanting, fairytale scene.
Rwenzori Mountains National Park protects the highest parts of the 120km-long and 65km-wide Rwenzori mountain range. The national park hosts 70 mammals and 217 bird species including 19 Albertine Rift endemics, as well as some of the world’s rarest vegetation.
The Rwenzoris are a world-class hiking and mountaineering destination. A nine- to twelve-day trek will get skilled climbers to the summit of Margherita – the highest peak – though shorter, non-technical treks are possible to scale the surrounding peaks.
For those who prefer something a little less strenuous, neighboring Bakonzo villages offer nature walks, homestead visits home cultural performances and accommodation, including home-cooked local cuisine.
Suggested Itineraries for Queen Elizabeth National Park
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Queen’s Tour Open or Close
5 Night/6 Day Itinerary
DAY 1:
Arrive at one of the many lodges or campsites in or near Queen Elizabeth National Park in the afternoon, check in and relax before leaving for an evening game drive on the Kasenyi plains (1).
DAY 2:
Choose between chimp tracking in Kyambura Gorge (2a), or a walk in Maramagambo Forest (2b), with birds, antelope and monkeys. In the afternoon visit the Kikorongo Cultural Center (3) to meet the women of the community and learn how to make traditional baskets and paper bead necklaces. Enjoy cultural dances and drama performed by the group. Take an evening game drive on the Kasenyi plains (1) before returning to your accommodation.
DAY 3:
See a different face of the park with a research team at Mweya (4). Venture off road to track lions or monitor mongoose behavior and contribute to valuable research project. After a leisurely lunch on the Mweya Peninsula (4), take a two hour boat ride along the Kazinga Channel (6). To top off a wildlife packed day, there is an optional sunset Crater Lake Drive (7) to the Baboon Cliffs (8) for an evening drink as the sun sets over the park’s rolling hills.
DAY 4:
Choose between a nature walk on the Mweya Peninsula (4) or a guided walk around Lake Kikorongo (9) to see the bird species that inhabit this lake and the surrounding forest. In the afternoon visit Katwe Salt Lake (10) to learn about traditional salt mining, followed by a short walk to Lake Munyenyange to spot lesser flamingos (August-November) and other bird life.
Be sure to stop at Katwe Tourism Information Center (KATIC) to pick up your guide. End the day with an evening game drive on the Channel track and looping trails (11).DAY 5:
Take an Agro-Tour Walk (12) through community farmland to learn about farming methods, medicinal plants and bee keeping, then drive to the Ishasha Sector (13) for a picnic lunch on the plains. Explore the Edward Flats (14) and spot the region’s famous tree climbing lions. You can also take a nature walk with an UWA guide along the Ishasha River.
DAY 6:
Take a final game drive through the Ishasha plains before heading out of the park on your way home or to Bwindi for more adventures.
NOTE: All itineraries subject to change, depending on weather, availability and location of chosen lodging. -
Game Galore Open or Close
2 Night/3 Day Itinerary
DAY 1:
Arrive at one of the many lodges or camp sites in or around Queen Elizabeth National Park in the afternoon, check in and relax before leaving for a 2-3 hour evening game drive on the Kasenyi plains (1). Return to your lodge or camp for the night.
DAY 2:
Rise early and take a packed breakfast with you on your morning game drive along the Katunguru Channel Tracks and looping trails (1-2 hours) (2); pass through Kabatoro Gate to ‘Crater Lake Drive’ (3), Stop at the Baboon Cliffs lookout (4) for breakfast and to admire the views.
End your morning drive at Queen’s Pavilion (5) for a cup of coffee or tea and look back on the rolling hills you have just traversed and the steep slopes of the Rwenzori Mountains.
Enjoy a picnic lunch here, return to your camp or lodge or choose a restaurant near Kikorongo (6) or on the Mweya Peninsula (7) where you can relax and enjoy the wild scenery. After lunch head to the Visitor Information Center on Mweya Peninsula (7) to purchase your tickets for a 3pm boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel (8).
After returning from the boat cruise at around 5pm, take a leisurely game drive along the channel track (2) and looping trails, before returning to your lodge or camp for dinner.DAY 3:
This is your last chance to see game before heading on your way! Have an early breakfast and head to Kasenyi Plains (1) for a morning game drive.
If you are not rushing off to your next destination, visit Katwe Salt Lake and village (9) to learn about traditional salt mining in Lake Katwe that has persisted since the 16th Century. From here there is also the option of taking a short walk to the neighboring Lake Munyenyange where you might glimpse lesser flamingos (August-November) and other bird life. Be sure to stop at Katwe Tourism Information Center (KATIC) to pick up your guide.
NOTE: All itineraries subject to change, depending on weather, availability and location of chosen lodging. -
Park & People Open or Close
3 Night/4 Day Itinerary
DAY 1:
Arrive at one of the many lodges or camp sites in or near Queen Elizabeth National Park in the afternoon, check in and relax before leaving for a 2-3 hour evening game drive on the Kasenyi plains (1).
DAY 2:
Meet your guide in the morning for the Agro-Tour Walk (2). This tour takes you through community farmland where you will learn about farming, local medicinal plants and bee keeping - which provides them with honey while keeping the elephants away from their crops.
After your agrarian experience drive the short distance to The Cave (3) for lunch. Try the famous mamba fish and check out the cave that holds cultural significance to the local community as well as the restaurant’s organic garden.
After lunch, head to the Mweya Peninsula Visitor Information Center (4) to purchase tickets for the late afternoon Kazinga Channel boat ride (5), to see the wildlife lining the banks as dusk falls.DAY 3:
Early morning game drive on the Kasenyi plains (1) followed by a visit to Katwe Salt Lake (6) to learn about traditional salt mining that has taken place here since the 16th Century. You can also take a short walk to the neighboring Lake Munyenyange where you might glimpse lesser flamingos (August-November) and other bird life. Be sure to stop at Katwe Tourism Information Center (KATIC) to pick up your guide.
Have a picnic lunch at the KATIC banda or find food in Katwe (6), Mweya (4) or Kikorongo (8). After lunch, visit the Kikorongo Cultural Center (8) to meet the women of the community and learn how to weave traditional baskets and make recycled paper bead necklaces.
Return to your lodge or camp to relax - read a book, lounge by the pool or brush up your wildlife knowledge with the Snapshot Safari board game. Once you are rested, you can set off for an evening game drive.DAY 4:
Enjoy a final game drive along the spectacular Crater Lake Drive (9) before heading home with your memories and pictures.
NOTE: All itineraries subject to change, depending on weather, availability and location of chosen lodging. -
Duke’s Tour Open or Close
4 Night/5 Day Itinerary
DAY 1:
Arrive at one of the many lodges or camp sites in or near Queen Elizabeth National Park in the afternoon, check in and relax before leaving for an evening game drive on the Kasenyi Plains (1).
DAY 2:
Start your day by heading to Crater Lake Drive (2), with a stop at the Baboon Cliffs lookout point (3) for breakfast. End your drive at the Queen’s Pavilion (4) for a tea or coffee enjoy views of the rolling hills against the Rwenzori Mountains. Continue to the Kikorongo Cultural Center (5) for a traditional craft workshop.
After lunch choose between chimp tracking in Kyambura Gorge (6a), or a walk in the Maramagambo Forest (6b), where you can find a variety of birds, forest antelope, monkeys and the ‘cormorant house’ - a large tree in the forest that has been turned white by the birds that roost in it at night.DAY 3:
Visit the fascinating Katwe Salt Lake (7) to learn about traditional salt mining. Take a short walk to the neighboring Lake Munyenyange where you might glimpse lesser flamingos (August-November) and other bird life. Be sure to stop at Katwe Tourism Information Center (KATIC) to pick up your guide.
After lunch, enjoy the relaxing Kazinga Channel boat ride (8) followed by an evening game drive on your way home for sundowners at your lodge or camp.DAY 4:
Take the Agro-Tour Walk (9) through community farm land and learn about farming techniques, medicinal plants and bee keeping that provides honey while also keeping the elephants away from crops.
Then drive to the south of the park for a leisurely picnic lunch on the Ishasha plains (10). In the afternoon and evening explore the Edward Flats (11) and the plains to find the region’s famous tree climbing lions as well as abundant kob, topi, buffalo and elephant. In the afternoon you could also take a nature walk with an UWA guide along the Ishasha river to see hippo, crocodiles and many birds.DAY 5:
Take a morning game drive through the Ishasha plains (10) for a final glimpse of the wildlife before heading on to Bwindi or elsewhere.
NOTE: All itineraries subject to change, depending on weather, availability and location of chosen lodging. -
Royal Tour Open or Close
6 Night/7 Day Itinerary
DAY 1:
At Ruboni Community, beside Rwenzori Mountains National Park (1), enjoy the delights of storytellers telling tales of the Royal Kingdom and local folklore.
DAY 2:
Explore the mountains in a variety of ways, including a community walk, a nature walk or a four-hour hike, depending on your interests and fitness levels.
DAY 3:
After breakfast depart for Queen Elizabeth National Park, stopping at Kikorongo Cultural Center (2) for a craft workshop and cultural performance. Have lunch in Kikorongo or have a picnic at the Queen’s Pavilion. At 2pm arrive at Kyambura Gorge (3) for Chimp Tracking. Explore the gorge’s ‘underground forest’ before returning to your lodge.
DAY 4:
See a different face of the park! Meet the park’s research team at Mweya (4) for a morning of tracking and monitoring either lions or mongooses and contribute to a valuable research project. After lunch on the Mweya Peninsula (4), enjoy a boat ride along the Kazinga Channel (5). To top off a wildlife packed day, take a sunset Crater Lake Drive (6) with an optional stop at the Baboon Cliffs (7) for sundowners.
DAY 5:
You’re on holiday – relax! If you do wish to venture out, take a nature walk on the Mweya Peninsula (4); or a guided bird walk around Lake Kikorongo (8). In the afternoon visit the Katwe Salt Lake (9) to learn about traditional salt mining, and view birds on the nearby Lake Munyenyange. Be sure to stop at KATIC to pick up your guide.
End the day with an evening game drive on the Channel track (10).DAY 6:
Meet your guide for an Agro-Tour Walk through community farmland (11). Learn about farming practices, medicinal plants and bee keeping.
Drive to the south of the park for a picnic lunch on the Ishasha plains (12). Explore the Edward flats (13) and search for Ishasha’s famous tree climbing lions. You can also take a nature walk with an UWA guide.DAY 7:
Take a morning game drive through the plains for a final visit with the wildlife before heading out of the park to Bwindi or elsewhere.
NOTE: All itineraries subject to change, depending on weather, availability and location of chosen lodging. -
4-Day Birding Tour Open or Close
3 Night/4 Day Itinerary - see map on following page
DAY 1:
After breakfast, bird your way towards Queen Elizabeth National Park, crossing the equator on the road to Masaka with a lunch stop in Mbarara. Game drive en-route to your accommodation. Look out for species such as the Snake Eagle, Barbet, Cinnamon Chested Bee-eater, Kingfisher, Lesser Striped Swallow, Zitting Cisiticola, Grey-backed Shrike, Common Fiscal, Starling and Widowbird, among others.
DAY 2:
Have a cup of tea or coffee and a muffin at 6:15am before setting off for an early game drive or birding experience on the Kasenyi Plains (1) with a packed breakfast. Return to your lodge for lunch.
In the afternoon, enjoy the relaxing two-hour boat trip on the Kazinga Channel (2), and spot a variety of wildlife including hundreds of hippos, crocodile and birds. Look out for birds like Pelicans, Green-backed Heron, Storks, African Spoonbill, African White-backed Vulture, Bateleur, Martial Eagle, Common Button Quail, African Crake, African Jacana, Black-bellied Bustard, Black-winged Stilt, Water Thick-knee, Temminck’s Courser, Spur-winged Lapwing, African Wattled Lapwing, Senegal Lapwing, Kittlitz’s Plover, Black Coucal, Pied Kingfisher, Grey-headed Kingfisher, Rufous-naped Lark, Flappet Lark, Grassland Pipit, Plain-backed Pipit, Yellow-throated Longclaw, White-browed Robin-chat, Sooty Chat, Zitting Cisticola, Croacking Cisticola, Babblers, Copper Sunbird, Scarlet-chested Sunbird, Red-chested Sunbird, Grey-backed Fiscal, Black-headed Gonolek, Starlings, Weavers, Widowbirds, Bishops, Finches and Waxbills among others.DAY 3:
Have a cup of tea or coffee and a muffin at 6:15am and take your packed breakfast with you to watch birds in Maramagambo Forest (3).
After a late lunch back at your lodge, proceed to the Katwe area (4), looking out for birds like little Grebe; African Finfoot; Greater and Lesser Flamingos; Augur Buzzard; Crested Guineafowl; Pied Avocet; Black-winged Stilt; Diederick Cuckoo; Yellowbill; Narina Trogon; Shining-blue Kingfisher; Black Bee-eater; Black-and-White-Casqued Hornbill; Yellow-rumped, and Speckled Tinkerbirds; Grey-throated and Yellow-Spotted Barbets; Brown-eared Woodpecker, Rufous-naped, Flappet and Red-capped Larks; Grassland and Plain-backed Pipits; Western Nicator, Yellow-whiskered, Little and Slender-billed Greenbuls; Snowy-headed and Red-capped Robin-chats; Brown-backed Scrub-robin; Grey-capped Warbler; Grey and Buff-throated Apalis; Brown-thoated Wattle-eye; African Paradise Flycatcher; Olive-bellied, Green, Olive, Variable and Collared Sunbirds; Starlings; Weavers; Widowbirds; Bishops; Finches; and Waxbills among others.DAY 4:
After breakfast, pack your luggage and proceed back to Kampala or Entebbe, birding en-route and arriving in the late afternoon. Look out for birds like the Nubian Woodpecker, Bateleur, Crested Francolin, Blue-spotted Wood Dove, Brown Parrot, Bare-faced Go-away-bird, Lilac-breasted Roller, Broad-billed Roller, Striped Kingfisher, Blue-napped Mousebird, African Grey Hornbill, Spot-flanked Barbet, Fork tailed Drongo, Cisiticolas, Weavers, Widowbirds, Finches and Waxbills among others.
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6-Day Birding Tour Open or Close
5 Night/6 Day Itinerary
DAYS 1-3:
Same as days 1-3 of 4-day itinerary on previous page.
DAY 4:
After breakfast, bird your way to Ishasha sector (5) with your packed lunch. Look out for species like the Black-headed Heron, African White-backed Vulture, African Harrier-hawk, African Crowned eagle, Helmeted Guineafowl, Black bee eater, Blue–breasted Kingfisher, White-headed Barbet, Double-toothed Barbet, Tinkerbirds, Nubian Woodpecker, Apalises, Greater Honeyguide, White-browed Robin-chat, Sooty Chat, African Moustached Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, CroackingCisticola, Babblers, Copper Sunbird, Grey-backed Shrike, Common Fiscal, Sulphur-breasted Bush-shrike, Black-headed Gonolek, Black-crowned Tchagra, Brown-crowned Tchagra, Fork-tailed Drongo, Starlings, Widowbirds, Finches, Waxbills and many more. Spend the night at a lodge or campsite in Ishasha.
DAY 5:
After breakfast, head south to view birds at the Edward Flats (6) coming back to your lodge in time for lunch.
Proceed to Ntungwe (7) and nearby tracks, coming back in time for a shower and dinner. Look out for birds like the Cattle egret, Hamerkop, Storks, Shoebill, Ibises, Raptors, Red-necked Spurfowl, Black-bellied Bustard, Temminck’s Courser, Senegal Lapwing, African Wattled Lapwing, Brown Parrot, Diederick Cuckoo, White-browed Coucal, Blue-naped Mousebird, Striped Kingfisher, Little Bee-eater, Broad-billed Roller, Common Scimitarbill, White-headed Barbet, Larks, Yellow-throated Longclaw, Pipits, Sooty Chat, Cisticolas, Northern Black Flycatcher, Babblers, Sunbirds, Shrikes, Black-headed Gonolek, Black-crowned Tchagra, Brown-crowned Tchagra, Fork-tailed Drongo, Starlings, Weavers, Widowbirds, Finches and Waxbills among others.
Look out for mammals like Uganda kobs, bushbucks, defassa waterbucks, buffaloes, elephants, warthogs… and if lucky a tree climbing lion or a leopard!DAY 6:
After breakfast, pack your luggage and proceed back to Kampala or Entebbe, birding en-route and arriving in the late afternoon.
Look out for birds like the Nubian Woodpecker, Bateleur, Crested Francolin, Blue-spotted Wood Dove, Brown Parrot, Bare-faced Go-away-bird, Lilac-breasted Roller, Broad-billed Roller, Striped Kingfisher, Blue-napped Mousebird, African Grey Hornbill, Spot-flanked Barbet, Fork-tailed Drongo, Cisiticolas, Weavers, Widowbirds, Finches and Waxbills among others. -
Wilderness Adventure Open or Close
4 Night/5 Day Itinerary
DAY 1:
Arrive at one of the many lodges or campsites in or near Queen Elizabeth National Park in the afternoon, check in and relax before an evening game drive on the Kasenyi plains (1).
DAY 2:
Wake early to experience a different face of the park. Meet with the park’s lion research team at Mweya and venture off road to track and monitor lions (2).
Have a leisurely lunch on the Mweya Peninsula (2), Katwe (3a), Kikorongo (3b) or one of the lodges near the Maramagambo Forest (3c). After lunch take a long walk in the Maramagambo Forest (3c), where you can find a variety of birds, forest antelope, monkeys, a bat cave and the ‘cormorant house’ a large tree in the forest that has been turned white by the birds that roost there at night.DAY 3:
Spend the morning tracking chimps in Kyambura Gorge (4). Explore this ‘underground forest’ before a picnic lunch overlooking the gorge, or at one of the nearby lodges.
In the afternoon take the Agro-Tour Walk through community farmland (5) and learn about farming techniques, medicinal plants and bee keeping. To top off an action-packed day, there is the option of taking the Crater Lake Drive (6) to the Baboon Cliffs (7) for sundowners.DAY 4:
Drive to the south of the park to explore the Edward Flats (8) and the Ishasha Plains (9) to find the region’s famous tree climbing lions as well as abundant kob, topi, buffalo and elephant. Take a picnic lunch either under the shade of a fig tree or in one of the UWA bandas.
In the afternoon take a nature walk with an UWA guide along the river (10) to see hippo, crocodiles, and many birds. The river forms the border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Find a remote location for your bush-camp and enjoy an evening game drive before returning to your camp for a night in the wilderness.DAY 5:
Pack up camp and take a morning game drive through the Ishasha plains (9) for a final visit with the lions and other wildlife before heading out of the park and onto Bwindi or elsewhere.
NOTE: All itineraries subject to change, depending on weather, availability and location of chosen lodging. -
Family Adventure Open or Close
4 Night/5 Day Itinerary
DAY 1:
If arriving by early afternoon, visit “The Cave” (1), south of Kichwamba. Kids can explore the community campsite and cultural museum, learn about the Bakiga and Banyankole tribes and discover the cave. Those arriving later can check in to their accommodation and play the Queen Elizabeth Snapshot Safari Game.
DAY 2:
Rise early (taking a packed breakfast) for a morning game drive in Kasenyi Plains (2).
Eat breakfast at Lake Bwenyanpaka (3) overlooking the salt pans and Lake George before heading over to Kikorongo (4) to visit the local women’s group. They offer several child-friendly workshops. During the African Craft Workshop, children learn how to roll paper beads and make toy cars from recycled materials, and older participants can learn how to weave baskets. The Percussion Workshop teaches kids (or kids at heart!) how to play traditional Bakonzo instruments.
After lunch, you can choose a different workshop, an hour-long cultural performance or relax back at your accommodation. In the evening, have a drink at the Queen’s Pavilion (5) before setting off for an evening safari through the explosion craters (6).DAY 3:
Begin the day with a game drive along the Katunguru Channel Tracks (7) and looping trails, and continue through Crater Lake Drive (6) to the baboon lookout (7) where you can eat a packed breakfast and admire the views.
Continue on to Katwe (8) to take part in their Salt Lake Tour for kids. Learn about the only existing traditional salt mine in all of Africa, as well as the native birds and vegetation.
After lunch in your place of choice, relax in the pool at your accommodation or at a lodge in Mweya (9). Once you have cooled off, join the 5pm boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel (10).
During dinner, challenge your kids to another round of the Queen Elizabeth Snapshot Safari GameDAY 4:
Drive to the Maramagambo Forest (11) for a pleasant nature walk. You will see the Bat Cave, inhabited by bats and pythons, and the Great White Cormorant Tree. Return home or continue onto your next destination.
NOTE: All itineraries subject to change, depending on weather, availability and location of chosen lodging.
Park at a Glance
Size: 795km2
Kibale is highest at the park’s northern tip, which stands 1,590m above sea level. The lowest point is 1,100m on the floor of the Albertine Rift Valley to the south.
351 tree species have been recorded in the park, some rise to over 55m and are over 200 years old.
Kibale’s varied altitude supports different types of habitat, ranging from wet tropical forest on the Fort Portal plateau to woodland and savanna on the rift valley floor.
Kibale is one of Africa’s foremost research sites. While many researchers focus on the chimpanzees and other primates found in the park, others are investigating Kibale’s ecosystems, wild pigs and fish species, among other topics.
Kibale National Park contains one of the loveliest and most varied tracts of tropical forest in Uganda. Forest cover, interspersed with patches of grassland and swamp, dominates the northern and central parts of the park on an elevated plateau.
The park is home to a total of 70 mammal species, most famously 13 species of primate including the chimpanzee.
It also contains over 375 species of birds. Kibale adjoins Queen Elizabeth National Park to the south to create a 180km-long corridor for wildlife between Ishasha, the remote southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Sebitoli in the north of Kibale National Park.
Suggested Itineraries for Queen Elizabeth National Park
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Queen’s Tour Open or Close
5 Night/6 Day Itinerary
DAY 1:
Arrive at one of the many lodges or campsites in or near Queen Elizabeth National Park in the afternoon, check in and relax before leaving for an evening game drive on the Kasenyi plains (1).
DAY 2:
Choose between chimp tracking in Kyambura Gorge (2a), or a walk in Maramagambo Forest (2b), with birds, antelope and monkeys. In the afternoon visit the Kikorongo Cultural Center (3) to meet the women of the community and learn how to make traditional baskets and paper bead necklaces. Enjoy cultural dances and drama performed by the group. Take an evening game drive on the Kasenyi plains (1) before returning to your accommodation.
DAY 3:
See a different face of the park with a research team at Mweya (4). Venture off road to track lions or monitor mongoose behavior and contribute to valuable research project. After a leisurely lunch on the Mweya Peninsula (4), take a two hour boat ride along the Kazinga Channel (6). To top off a wildlife packed day, there is an optional sunset Crater Lake Drive (7) to the Baboon Cliffs (8) for an evening drink as the sun sets over the park’s rolling hills.
DAY 4:
Choose between a nature walk on the Mweya Peninsula (4) or a guided walk around Lake Kikorongo (9) to see the bird species that inhabit this lake and the surrounding forest. In the afternoon visit Katwe Salt Lake (10) to learn about traditional salt mining, followed by a short walk to Lake Munyenyange to spot lesser flamingos (August-November) and other bird life.
Be sure to stop at Katwe Tourism Information Center (KATIC) to pick up your guide. End the day with an evening game drive on the Channel track and looping trails (11).DAY 5:
Take an Agro-Tour Walk (12) through community farmland to learn about farming methods, medicinal plants and bee keeping, then drive to the Ishasha Sector (13) for a picnic lunch on the plains. Explore the Edward Flats (14) and spot the region’s famous tree climbing lions. You can also take a nature walk with an UWA guide along the Ishasha River.
DAY 6:
Take a final game drive through the Ishasha plains before heading out of the park on your way home or to Bwindi for more adventures.
NOTE: All itineraries subject to change, depending on weather, availability and location of chosen lodging. -
Game Galore Open or Close
2 Night/3 Day Itinerary
DAY 1:
Arrive at one of the many lodges or camp sites in or around Queen Elizabeth National Park in the afternoon, check in and relax before leaving for a 2-3 hour evening game drive on the Kasenyi plains (1). Return to your lodge or camp for the night.
DAY 2:
Rise early and take a packed breakfast with you on your morning game drive along the Katunguru Channel Tracks and looping trails (1-2 hours) (2); pass through Kabatoro Gate to ‘Crater Lake Drive’ (3), Stop at the Baboon Cliffs lookout (4) for breakfast and to admire the views.
End your morning drive at Queen’s Pavilion (5) for a cup of coffee or tea and look back on the rolling hills you have just traversed and the steep slopes of the Rwenzori Mountains.
Enjoy a picnic lunch here, return to your camp or lodge or choose a restaurant near Kikorongo (6) or on the Mweya Peninsula (7) where you can relax and enjoy the wild scenery. After lunch head to the Visitor Information Center on Mweya Peninsula (7) to purchase your tickets for a 3pm boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel (8).
After returning from the boat cruise at around 5pm, take a leisurely game drive along the channel track (2) and looping trails, before returning to your lodge or camp for dinner.DAY 3:
This is your last chance to see game before heading on your way! Have an early breakfast and head to Kasenyi Plains (1) for a morning game drive.
If you are not rushing off to your next destination, visit Katwe Salt Lake and village (9) to learn about traditional salt mining in Lake Katwe that has persisted since the 16th Century. From here there is also the option of taking a short walk to the neighboring Lake Munyenyange where you might glimpse lesser flamingos (August-November) and other bird life. Be sure to stop at Katwe Tourism Information Center (KATIC) to pick up your guide.
NOTE: All itineraries subject to change, depending on weather, availability and location of chosen lodging. -
Park & People Open or Close
3 Night/4 Day Itinerary
DAY 1:
Arrive at one of the many lodges or camp sites in or near Queen Elizabeth National Park in the afternoon, check in and relax before leaving for a 2-3 hour evening game drive on the Kasenyi plains (1).
DAY 2:
Meet your guide in the morning for the Agro-Tour Walk (2). This tour takes you through community farmland where you will learn about farming, local medicinal plants and bee keeping - which provides them with honey while keeping the elephants away from their crops.
After your agrarian experience drive the short distance to The Cave (3) for lunch. Try the famous mamba fish and check out the cave that holds cultural significance to the local community as well as the restaurant’s organic garden.
After lunch, head to the Mweya Peninsula Visitor Information Center (4) to purchase tickets for the late afternoon Kazinga Channel boat ride (5), to see the wildlife lining the banks as dusk falls.DAY 3:
Early morning game drive on the Kasenyi plains (1) followed by a visit to Katwe Salt Lake (6) to learn about traditional salt mining that has taken place here since the 16th Century. You can also take a short walk to the neighboring Lake Munyenyange where you might glimpse lesser flamingos (August-November) and other bird life. Be sure to stop at Katwe Tourism Information Center (KATIC) to pick up your guide.
Have a picnic lunch at the KATIC banda or find food in Katwe (6), Mweya (4) or Kikorongo (8). After lunch, visit the Kikorongo Cultural Center (8) to meet the women of the community and learn how to weave traditional baskets and make recycled paper bead necklaces.
Return to your lodge or camp to relax - read a book, lounge by the pool or brush up your wildlife knowledge with the Snapshot Safari board game. Once you are rested, you can set off for an evening game drive.DAY 4:
Enjoy a final game drive along the spectacular Crater Lake Drive (9) before heading home with your memories and pictures.
NOTE: All itineraries subject to change, depending on weather, availability and location of chosen lodging. -
Duke’s Tour Open or Close
4 Night/5 Day Itinerary
DAY 1:
Arrive at one of the many lodges or camp sites in or near Queen Elizabeth National Park in the afternoon, check in and relax before leaving for an evening game drive on the Kasenyi Plains (1).
DAY 2:
Start your day by heading to Crater Lake Drive (2), with a stop at the Baboon Cliffs lookout point (3) for breakfast. End your drive at the Queen’s Pavilion (4) for a tea or coffee enjoy views of the rolling hills against the Rwenzori Mountains. Continue to the Kikorongo Cultural Center (5) for a traditional craft workshop.
After lunch choose between chimp tracking in Kyambura Gorge (6a), or a walk in the Maramagambo Forest (6b), where you can find a variety of birds, forest antelope, monkeys and the ‘cormorant house’ - a large tree in the forest that has been turned white by the birds that roost in it at night.DAY 3:
Visit the fascinating Katwe Salt Lake (7) to learn about traditional salt mining. Take a short walk to the neighboring Lake Munyenyange where you might glimpse lesser flamingos (August-November) and other bird life. Be sure to stop at Katwe Tourism Information Center (KATIC) to pick up your guide.
After lunch, enjoy the relaxing Kazinga Channel boat ride (8) followed by an evening game drive on your way home for sundowners at your lodge or camp.DAY 4:
Take the Agro-Tour Walk (9) through community farm land and learn about farming techniques, medicinal plants and bee keeping that provides honey while also keeping the elephants away from crops.
Then drive to the south of the park for a leisurely picnic lunch on the Ishasha plains (10). In the afternoon and evening explore the Edward Flats (11) and the plains to find the region’s famous tree climbing lions as well as abundant kob, topi, buffalo and elephant. In the afternoon you could also take a nature walk with an UWA guide along the Ishasha river to see hippo, crocodiles and many birds.DAY 5:
Take a morning game drive through the Ishasha plains (10) for a final glimpse of the wildlife before heading on to Bwindi or elsewhere.
NOTE: All itineraries subject to change, depending on weather, availability and location of chosen lodging. -
Royal Tour Open or Close
6 Night/7 Day Itinerary
DAY 1:
At Ruboni Community, beside Rwenzori Mountains National Park (1), enjoy the delights of storytellers telling tales of the Royal Kingdom and local folklore.
DAY 2:
Explore the mountains in a variety of ways, including a community walk, a nature walk or a four-hour hike, depending on your interests and fitness levels.
DAY 3:
After breakfast depart for Queen Elizabeth National Park, stopping at Kikorongo Cultural Center (2) for a craft workshop and cultural performance. Have lunch in Kikorongo or have a picnic at the Queen’s Pavilion. At 2pm arrive at Kyambura Gorge (3) for Chimp Tracking. Explore the gorge’s ‘underground forest’ before returning to your lodge.
DAY 4:
See a different face of the park! Meet the park’s research team at Mweya (4) for a morning of tracking and monitoring either lions or mongooses and contribute to a valuable research project. After lunch on the Mweya Peninsula (4), enjoy a boat ride along the Kazinga Channel (5). To top off a wildlife packed day, take a sunset Crater Lake Drive (6) with an optional stop at the Baboon Cliffs (7) for sundowners.
DAY 5:
You’re on holiday – relax! If you do wish to venture out, take a nature walk on the Mweya Peninsula (4); or a guided bird walk around Lake Kikorongo (8). In the afternoon visit the Katwe Salt Lake (9) to learn about traditional salt mining, and view birds on the nearby Lake Munyenyange. Be sure to stop at KATIC to pick up your guide.
End the day with an evening game drive on the Channel track (10).DAY 6:
Meet your guide for an Agro-Tour Walk through community farmland (11). Learn about farming practices, medicinal plants and bee keeping.
Drive to the south of the park for a picnic lunch on the Ishasha plains (12). Explore the Edward flats (13) and search for Ishasha’s famous tree climbing lions. You can also take a nature walk with an UWA guide.DAY 7:
Take a morning game drive through the plains for a final visit with the wildlife before heading out of the park to Bwindi or elsewhere.
NOTE: All itineraries subject to change, depending on weather, availability and location of chosen lodging. -
4-Day Birding Tour Open or Close
3 Night/4 Day Itinerary - see map on following page
DAY 1:
After breakfast, bird your way towards Queen Elizabeth National Park, crossing the equator on the road to Masaka with a lunch stop in Mbarara. Game drive en-route to your accommodation. Look out for species such as the Snake Eagle, Barbet, Cinnamon Chested Bee-eater, Kingfisher, Lesser Striped Swallow, Zitting Cisiticola, Grey-backed Shrike, Common Fiscal, Starling and Widowbird, among others.
DAY 2:
Have a cup of tea or coffee and a muffin at 6:15am before setting off for an early game drive or birding experience on the Kasenyi Plains (1) with a packed breakfast. Return to your lodge for lunch.
In the afternoon, enjoy the relaxing two-hour boat trip on the Kazinga Channel (2), and spot a variety of wildlife including hundreds of hippos, crocodile and birds. Look out for birds like Pelicans, Green-backed Heron, Storks, African Spoonbill, African White-backed Vulture, Bateleur, Martial Eagle, Common Button Quail, African Crake, African Jacana, Black-bellied Bustard, Black-winged Stilt, Water Thick-knee, Temminck’s Courser, Spur-winged Lapwing, African Wattled Lapwing, Senegal Lapwing, Kittlitz’s Plover, Black Coucal, Pied Kingfisher, Grey-headed Kingfisher, Rufous-naped Lark, Flappet Lark, Grassland Pipit, Plain-backed Pipit, Yellow-throated Longclaw, White-browed Robin-chat, Sooty Chat, Zitting Cisticola, Croacking Cisticola, Babblers, Copper Sunbird, Scarlet-chested Sunbird, Red-chested Sunbird, Grey-backed Fiscal, Black-headed Gonolek, Starlings, Weavers, Widowbirds, Bishops, Finches and Waxbills among others.DAY 3:
Have a cup of tea or coffee and a muffin at 6:15am and take your packed breakfast with you to watch birds in Maramagambo Forest (3).
After a late lunch back at your lodge, proceed to the Katwe area (4), looking out for birds like little Grebe; African Finfoot; Greater and Lesser Flamingos; Augur Buzzard; Crested Guineafowl; Pied Avocet; Black-winged Stilt; Diederick Cuckoo; Yellowbill; Narina Trogon; Shining-blue Kingfisher; Black Bee-eater; Black-and-White-Casqued Hornbill; Yellow-rumped, and Speckled Tinkerbirds; Grey-throated and Yellow-Spotted Barbets; Brown-eared Woodpecker, Rufous-naped, Flappet and Red-capped Larks; Grassland and Plain-backed Pipits; Western Nicator, Yellow-whiskered, Little and Slender-billed Greenbuls; Snowy-headed and Red-capped Robin-chats; Brown-backed Scrub-robin; Grey-capped Warbler; Grey and Buff-throated Apalis; Brown-thoated Wattle-eye; African Paradise Flycatcher; Olive-bellied, Green, Olive, Variable and Collared Sunbirds; Starlings; Weavers; Widowbirds; Bishops; Finches; and Waxbills among others.DAY 4:
After breakfast, pack your luggage and proceed back to Kampala or Entebbe, birding en-route and arriving in the late afternoon. Look out for birds like the Nubian Woodpecker, Bateleur, Crested Francolin, Blue-spotted Wood Dove, Brown Parrot, Bare-faced Go-away-bird, Lilac-breasted Roller, Broad-billed Roller, Striped Kingfisher, Blue-napped Mousebird, African Grey Hornbill, Spot-flanked Barbet, Fork tailed Drongo, Cisiticolas, Weavers, Widowbirds, Finches and Waxbills among others.
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6-Day Birding Tour Open or Close
5 Night/6 Day Itinerary
DAYS 1-3:
Same as days 1-3 of 4-day itinerary on previous page.
DAY 4:
After breakfast, bird your way to Ishasha sector (5) with your packed lunch. Look out for species like the Black-headed Heron, African White-backed Vulture, African Harrier-hawk, African Crowned eagle, Helmeted Guineafowl, Black bee eater, Blue–breasted Kingfisher, White-headed Barbet, Double-toothed Barbet, Tinkerbirds, Nubian Woodpecker, Apalises, Greater Honeyguide, White-browed Robin-chat, Sooty Chat, African Moustached Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, CroackingCisticola, Babblers, Copper Sunbird, Grey-backed Shrike, Common Fiscal, Sulphur-breasted Bush-shrike, Black-headed Gonolek, Black-crowned Tchagra, Brown-crowned Tchagra, Fork-tailed Drongo, Starlings, Widowbirds, Finches, Waxbills and many more. Spend the night at a lodge or campsite in Ishasha.
DAY 5:
After breakfast, head south to view birds at the Edward Flats (6) coming back to your lodge in time for lunch.
Proceed to Ntungwe (7) and nearby tracks, coming back in time for a shower and dinner. Look out for birds like the Cattle egret, Hamerkop, Storks, Shoebill, Ibises, Raptors, Red-necked Spurfowl, Black-bellied Bustard, Temminck’s Courser, Senegal Lapwing, African Wattled Lapwing, Brown Parrot, Diederick Cuckoo, White-browed Coucal, Blue-naped Mousebird, Striped Kingfisher, Little Bee-eater, Broad-billed Roller, Common Scimitarbill, White-headed Barbet, Larks, Yellow-throated Longclaw, Pipits, Sooty Chat, Cisticolas, Northern Black Flycatcher, Babblers, Sunbirds, Shrikes, Black-headed Gonolek, Black-crowned Tchagra, Brown-crowned Tchagra, Fork-tailed Drongo, Starlings, Weavers, Widowbirds, Finches and Waxbills among others.
Look out for mammals like Uganda kobs, bushbucks, defassa waterbucks, buffaloes, elephants, warthogs… and if lucky a tree climbing lion or a leopard!DAY 6:
After breakfast, pack your luggage and proceed back to Kampala or Entebbe, birding en-route and arriving in the late afternoon.
Look out for birds like the Nubian Woodpecker, Bateleur, Crested Francolin, Blue-spotted Wood Dove, Brown Parrot, Bare-faced Go-away-bird, Lilac-breasted Roller, Broad-billed Roller, Striped Kingfisher, Blue-napped Mousebird, African Grey Hornbill, Spot-flanked Barbet, Fork-tailed Drongo, Cisiticolas, Weavers, Widowbirds, Finches and Waxbills among others. -
Wilderness Adventure Open or Close
4 Night/5 Day Itinerary
DAY 1:
Arrive at one of the many lodges or campsites in or near Queen Elizabeth National Park in the afternoon, check in and relax before an evening game drive on the Kasenyi plains (1).
DAY 2:
Wake early to experience a different face of the park. Meet with the park’s lion research team at Mweya and venture off road to track and monitor lions (2).
Have a leisurely lunch on the Mweya Peninsula (2), Katwe (3a), Kikorongo (3b) or one of the lodges near the Maramagambo Forest (3c). After lunch take a long walk in the Maramagambo Forest (3c), where you can find a variety of birds, forest antelope, monkeys, a bat cave and the ‘cormorant house’ a large tree in the forest that has been turned white by the birds that roost there at night.DAY 3:
Spend the morning tracking chimps in Kyambura Gorge (4). Explore this ‘underground forest’ before a picnic lunch overlooking the gorge, or at one of the nearby lodges.
In the afternoon take the Agro-Tour Walk through community farmland (5) and learn about farming techniques, medicinal plants and bee keeping. To top off an action-packed day, there is the option of taking the Crater Lake Drive (6) to the Baboon Cliffs (7) for sundowners.DAY 4:
Drive to the south of the park to explore the Edward Flats (8) and the Ishasha Plains (9) to find the region’s famous tree climbing lions as well as abundant kob, topi, buffalo and elephant. Take a picnic lunch either under the shade of a fig tree or in one of the UWA bandas.
In the afternoon take a nature walk with an UWA guide along the river (10) to see hippo, crocodiles, and many birds. The river forms the border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Find a remote location for your bush-camp and enjoy an evening game drive before returning to your camp for a night in the wilderness.DAY 5:
Pack up camp and take a morning game drive through the Ishasha plains (9) for a final visit with the lions and other wildlife before heading out of the park and onto Bwindi or elsewhere.
NOTE: All itineraries subject to change, depending on weather, availability and location of chosen lodging. -
Family Adventure Open or Close
4 Night/5 Day Itinerary
DAY 1:
If arriving by early afternoon, visit “The Cave” (1), south of Kichwamba. Kids can explore the community campsite and cultural museum, learn about the Bakiga and Banyankole tribes and discover the cave. Those arriving later can check in to their accommodation and play the Queen Elizabeth Snapshot Safari Game.
DAY 2:
Rise early (taking a packed breakfast) for a morning game drive in Kasenyi Plains (2).
Eat breakfast at Lake Bwenyanpaka (3) overlooking the salt pans and Lake George before heading over to Kikorongo (4) to visit the local women’s group. They offer several child-friendly workshops. During the African Craft Workshop, children learn how to roll paper beads and make toy cars from recycled materials, and older participants can learn how to weave baskets. The Percussion Workshop teaches kids (or kids at heart!) how to play traditional Bakonzo instruments.
After lunch, you can choose a different workshop, an hour-long cultural performance or relax back at your accommodation. In the evening, have a drink at the Queen’s Pavilion (5) before setting off for an evening safari through the explosion craters (6).DAY 3:
Begin the day with a game drive along the Katunguru Channel Tracks (7) and looping trails, and continue through Crater Lake Drive (6) to the baboon lookout (7) where you can eat a packed breakfast and admire the views.
Continue on to Katwe (8) to take part in their Salt Lake Tour for kids. Learn about the only existing traditional salt mine in all of Africa, as well as the native birds and vegetation.
After lunch in your place of choice, relax in the pool at your accommodation or at a lodge in Mweya (9). Once you have cooled off, join the 5pm boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel (10).
During dinner, challenge your kids to another round of the Queen Elizabeth Snapshot Safari GameDAY 4:
Drive to the Maramagambo Forest (11) for a pleasant nature walk. You will see the Bat Cave, inhabited by bats and pythons, and the Great White Cormorant Tree. Return home or continue onto your next destination.
NOTE: All itineraries subject to change, depending on weather, availability and location of chosen lodging.
Park at a Glance
Size: 220km² with an altitude of 670-760m above sea level
Semuliki Forest Reserve was created in 1932 and upgraded to national park status in 1993.
It is the only tract of true lowland tropical forest in East Africa, hosting 441 recorded bird species and 53 mammals.
Large areas of this low-lying park may flood during the wet season,a brief reminder of the time when the entire valley lay at the bottom of a lake for seven million years.
Four distinct ethnic groups live near the park – Bwamba farmers live along the base of the Rwenzori while the Bakonjo cultivate the mountain slopes. Batuku cattle keepers inhabit on the open plains and Batwa pygmies, traditionally hunter gathers, live on the edge of the forest.
Semuliki National Park sprawls across the floor of the Semliki Valley on the remote, western side of the Rwenzori. The park is dominated by the easternmost extension of the great Ituri Forest of the Congo Basin. This is one of Africa’s most ancient and bio-diverse forests; one of the few to survive the last ice age, 12-18,000 years ago.
The Semliki Valley contains numerous features associated with central rather than eastern Africa. Thatched huts are shaded by West African oil palms; the Semliki River (which forms the international boundary) is a miniature version of the Congo River, the forest is home to numerous Central African wildlife species, and the local population includes a Batwa pygmy community that originated from the Ituri. As a result, this park provides a taste of Central Africa without having to leave Uganda.
While Semuliki’s species have been accumulating for over 25,000 years, the park contains evidence of even older processes. Hot springs bubble up from the depths to demonstrate the powerful subterranean forces that have been shaping the rift valley during the last 14 million years.
Suggested Itineraries for Queen Elizabeth National Park
-
Queen’s Tour Open or Close
5 Night/6 Day Itinerary
DAY 1:
Arrive at one of the many lodges or campsites in or near Queen Elizabeth National Park in the afternoon, check in and relax before leaving for an evening game drive on the Kasenyi plains (1).
DAY 2:
Choose between chimp tracking in Kyambura Gorge (2a), or a walk in Maramagambo Forest (2b), with birds, antelope and monkeys. In the afternoon visit the Kikorongo Cultural Center (3) to meet the women of the community and learn how to make traditional baskets and paper bead necklaces. Enjoy cultural dances and drama performed by the group. Take an evening game drive on the Kasenyi plains (1) before returning to your accommodation.
DAY 3:
See a different face of the park with a research team at Mweya (4). Venture off road to track lions or monitor mongoose behavior and contribute to valuable research project. After a leisurely lunch on the Mweya Peninsula (4), take a two hour boat ride along the Kazinga Channel (6). To top off a wildlife packed day, there is an optional sunset Crater Lake Drive (7) to the Baboon Cliffs (8) for an evening drink as the sun sets over the park’s rolling hills.
DAY 4:
Choose between a nature walk on the Mweya Peninsula (4) or a guided walk around Lake Kikorongo (9) to see the bird species that inhabit this lake and the surrounding forest. In the afternoon visit Katwe Salt Lake (10) to learn about traditional salt mining, followed by a short walk to Lake Munyenyange to spot lesser flamingos (August-November) and other bird life.
Be sure to stop at Katwe Tourism Information Center (KATIC) to pick up your guide. End the day with an evening game drive on the Channel track and looping trails (11).DAY 5:
Take an Agro-Tour Walk (12) through community farmland to learn about farming methods, medicinal plants and bee keeping, then drive to the Ishasha Sector (13) for a picnic lunch on the plains. Explore the Edward Flats (14) and spot the region’s famous tree climbing lions. You can also take a nature walk with an UWA guide along the Ishasha River.
DAY 6:
Take a final game drive through the Ishasha plains before heading out of the park on your way home or to Bwindi for more adventures.
NOTE: All itineraries subject to change, depending on weather, availability and location of chosen lodging. -
Game Galore Open or Close
2 Night/3 Day Itinerary
DAY 1:
Arrive at one of the many lodges or camp sites in or around Queen Elizabeth National Park in the afternoon, check in and relax before leaving for a 2-3 hour evening game drive on the Kasenyi plains (1). Return to your lodge or camp for the night.
DAY 2:
Rise early and take a packed breakfast with you on your morning game drive along the Katunguru Channel Tracks and looping trails (1-2 hours) (2); pass through Kabatoro Gate to ‘Crater Lake Drive’ (3), Stop at the Baboon Cliffs lookout (4) for breakfast and to admire the views.
End your morning drive at Queen’s Pavilion (5) for a cup of coffee or tea and look back on the rolling hills you have just traversed and the steep slopes of the Rwenzori Mountains.
Enjoy a picnic lunch here, return to your camp or lodge or choose a restaurant near Kikorongo (6) or on the Mweya Peninsula (7) where you can relax and enjoy the wild scenery. After lunch head to the Visitor Information Center on Mweya Peninsula (7) to purchase your tickets for a 3pm boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel (8).
After returning from the boat cruise at around 5pm, take a leisurely game drive along the channel track (2) and looping trails, before returning to your lodge or camp for dinner.DAY 3:
This is your last chance to see game before heading on your way! Have an early breakfast and head to Kasenyi Plains (1) for a morning game drive.
If you are not rushing off to your next destination, visit Katwe Salt Lake and village (9) to learn about traditional salt mining in Lake Katwe that has persisted since the 16th Century. From here there is also the option of taking a short walk to the neighboring Lake Munyenyange where you might glimpse lesser flamingos (August-November) and other bird life. Be sure to stop at Katwe Tourism Information Center (KATIC) to pick up your guide.
NOTE: All itineraries subject to change, depending on weather, availability and location of chosen lodging. -
Park & People Open or Close
3 Night/4 Day Itinerary
DAY 1:
Arrive at one of the many lodges or camp sites in or near Queen Elizabeth National Park in the afternoon, check in and relax before leaving for a 2-3 hour evening game drive on the Kasenyi plains (1).
DAY 2:
Meet your guide in the morning for the Agro-Tour Walk (2). This tour takes you through community farmland where you will learn about farming, local medicinal plants and bee keeping - which provides them with honey while keeping the elephants away from their crops.
After your agrarian experience drive the short distance to The Cave (3) for lunch. Try the famous mamba fish and check out the cave that holds cultural significance to the local community as well as the restaurant’s organic garden.
After lunch, head to the Mweya Peninsula Visitor Information Center (4) to purchase tickets for the late afternoon Kazinga Channel boat ride (5), to see the wildlife lining the banks as dusk falls.DAY 3:
Early morning game drive on the Kasenyi plains (1) followed by a visit to Katwe Salt Lake (6) to learn about traditional salt mining that has taken place here since the 16th Century. You can also take a short walk to the neighboring Lake Munyenyange where you might glimpse lesser flamingos (August-November) and other bird life. Be sure to stop at Katwe Tourism Information Center (KATIC) to pick up your guide.
Have a picnic lunch at the KATIC banda or find food in Katwe (6), Mweya (4) or Kikorongo (8). After lunch, visit the Kikorongo Cultural Center (8) to meet the women of the community and learn how to weave traditional baskets and make recycled paper bead necklaces.
Return to your lodge or camp to relax - read a book, lounge by the pool or brush up your wildlife knowledge with the Snapshot Safari board game. Once you are rested, you can set off for an evening game drive.DAY 4:
Enjoy a final game drive along the spectacular Crater Lake Drive (9) before heading home with your memories and pictures.
NOTE: All itineraries subject to change, depending on weather, availability and location of chosen lodging. -
Duke’s Tour Open or Close
4 Night/5 Day Itinerary
DAY 1:
Arrive at one of the many lodges or camp sites in or near Queen Elizabeth National Park in the afternoon, check in and relax before leaving for an evening game drive on the Kasenyi Plains (1).
DAY 2:
Start your day by heading to Crater Lake Drive (2), with a stop at the Baboon Cliffs lookout point (3) for breakfast. End your drive at the Queen’s Pavilion (4) for a tea or coffee enjoy views of the rolling hills against the Rwenzori Mountains. Continue to the Kikorongo Cultural Center (5) for a traditional craft workshop.
After lunch choose between chimp tracking in Kyambura Gorge (6a), or a walk in the Maramagambo Forest (6b), where you can find a variety of birds, forest antelope, monkeys and the ‘cormorant house’ - a large tree in the forest that has been turned white by the birds that roost in it at night.DAY 3:
Visit the fascinating Katwe Salt Lake (7) to learn about traditional salt mining. Take a short walk to the neighboring Lake Munyenyange where you might glimpse lesser flamingos (August-November) and other bird life. Be sure to stop at Katwe Tourism Information Center (KATIC) to pick up your guide.
After lunch, enjoy the relaxing Kazinga Channel boat ride (8) followed by an evening game drive on your way home for sundowners at your lodge or camp.DAY 4:
Take the Agro-Tour Walk (9) through community farm land and learn about farming techniques, medicinal plants and bee keeping that provides honey while also keeping the elephants away from crops.
Then drive to the south of the park for a leisurely picnic lunch on the Ishasha plains (10). In the afternoon and evening explore the Edward Flats (11) and the plains to find the region’s famous tree climbing lions as well as abundant kob, topi, buffalo and elephant. In the afternoon you could also take a nature walk with an UWA guide along the Ishasha river to see hippo, crocodiles and many birds.DAY 5:
Take a morning game drive through the Ishasha plains (10) for a final glimpse of the wildlife before heading on to Bwindi or elsewhere.
NOTE: All itineraries subject to change, depending on weather, availability and location of chosen lodging. -
Royal Tour Open or Close
6 Night/7 Day Itinerary
DAY 1:
At Ruboni Community, beside Rwenzori Mountains National Park (1), enjoy the delights of storytellers telling tales of the Royal Kingdom and local folklore.
DAY 2:
Explore the mountains in a variety of ways, including a community walk, a nature walk or a four-hour hike, depending on your interests and fitness levels.
DAY 3:
After breakfast depart for Queen Elizabeth National Park, stopping at Kikorongo Cultural Center (2) for a craft workshop and cultural performance. Have lunch in Kikorongo or have a picnic at the Queen’s Pavilion. At 2pm arrive at Kyambura Gorge (3) for Chimp Tracking. Explore the gorge’s ‘underground forest’ before returning to your lodge.
DAY 4:
See a different face of the park! Meet the park’s research team at Mweya (4) for a morning of tracking and monitoring either lions or mongooses and contribute to a valuable research project. After lunch on the Mweya Peninsula (4), enjoy a boat ride along the Kazinga Channel (5). To top off a wildlife packed day, take a sunset Crater Lake Drive (6) with an optional stop at the Baboon Cliffs (7) for sundowners.
DAY 5:
You’re on holiday – relax! If you do wish to venture out, take a nature walk on the Mweya Peninsula (4); or a guided bird walk around Lake Kikorongo (8). In the afternoon visit the Katwe Salt Lake (9) to learn about traditional salt mining, and view birds on the nearby Lake Munyenyange. Be sure to stop at KATIC to pick up your guide.
End the day with an evening game drive on the Channel track (10).DAY 6:
Meet your guide for an Agro-Tour Walk through community farmland (11). Learn about farming practices, medicinal plants and bee keeping.
Drive to the south of the park for a picnic lunch on the Ishasha plains (12). Explore the Edward flats (13) and search for Ishasha’s famous tree climbing lions. You can also take a nature walk with an UWA guide.DAY 7:
Take a morning game drive through the plains for a final visit with the wildlife before heading out of the park to Bwindi or elsewhere.
NOTE: All itineraries subject to change, depending on weather, availability and location of chosen lodging. -
4-Day Birding Tour Open or Close
3 Night/4 Day Itinerary - see map on following page
DAY 1:
After breakfast, bird your way towards Queen Elizabeth National Park, crossing the equator on the road to Masaka with a lunch stop in Mbarara. Game drive en-route to your accommodation. Look out for species such as the Snake Eagle, Barbet, Cinnamon Chested Bee-eater, Kingfisher, Lesser Striped Swallow, Zitting Cisiticola, Grey-backed Shrike, Common Fiscal, Starling and Widowbird, among others.
DAY 2:
Have a cup of tea or coffee and a muffin at 6:15am before setting off for an early game drive or birding experience on the Kasenyi Plains (1) with a packed breakfast. Return to your lodge for lunch.
In the afternoon, enjoy the relaxing two-hour boat trip on the Kazinga Channel (2), and spot a variety of wildlife including hundreds of hippos, crocodile and birds. Look out for birds like Pelicans, Green-backed Heron, Storks, African Spoonbill, African White-backed Vulture, Bateleur, Martial Eagle, Common Button Quail, African Crake, African Jacana, Black-bellied Bustard, Black-winged Stilt, Water Thick-knee, Temminck’s Courser, Spur-winged Lapwing, African Wattled Lapwing, Senegal Lapwing, Kittlitz’s Plover, Black Coucal, Pied Kingfisher, Grey-headed Kingfisher, Rufous-naped Lark, Flappet Lark, Grassland Pipit, Plain-backed Pipit, Yellow-throated Longclaw, White-browed Robin-chat, Sooty Chat, Zitting Cisticola, Croacking Cisticola, Babblers, Copper Sunbird, Scarlet-chested Sunbird, Red-chested Sunbird, Grey-backed Fiscal, Black-headed Gonolek, Starlings, Weavers, Widowbirds, Bishops, Finches and Waxbills among others.DAY 3:
Have a cup of tea or coffee and a muffin at 6:15am and take your packed breakfast with you to watch birds in Maramagambo Forest (3).
After a late lunch back at your lodge, proceed to the Katwe area (4), looking out for birds like little Grebe; African Finfoot; Greater and Lesser Flamingos; Augur Buzzard; Crested Guineafowl; Pied Avocet; Black-winged Stilt; Diederick Cuckoo; Yellowbill; Narina Trogon; Shining-blue Kingfisher; Black Bee-eater; Black-and-White-Casqued Hornbill; Yellow-rumped, and Speckled Tinkerbirds; Grey-throated and Yellow-Spotted Barbets; Brown-eared Woodpecker, Rufous-naped, Flappet and Red-capped Larks; Grassland and Plain-backed Pipits; Western Nicator, Yellow-whiskered, Little and Slender-billed Greenbuls; Snowy-headed and Red-capped Robin-chats; Brown-backed Scrub-robin; Grey-capped Warbler; Grey and Buff-throated Apalis; Brown-thoated Wattle-eye; African Paradise Flycatcher; Olive-bellied, Green, Olive, Variable and Collared Sunbirds; Starlings; Weavers; Widowbirds; Bishops; Finches; and Waxbills among others.DAY 4:
After breakfast, pack your luggage and proceed back to Kampala or Entebbe, birding en-route and arriving in the late afternoon. Look out for birds like the Nubian Woodpecker, Bateleur, Crested Francolin, Blue-spotted Wood Dove, Brown Parrot, Bare-faced Go-away-bird, Lilac-breasted Roller, Broad-billed Roller, Striped Kingfisher, Blue-napped Mousebird, African Grey Hornbill, Spot-flanked Barbet, Fork tailed Drongo, Cisiticolas, Weavers, Widowbirds, Finches and Waxbills among others.
-
6-Day Birding Tour Open or Close
5 Night/6 Day Itinerary
DAYS 1-3:
Same as days 1-3 of 4-day itinerary on previous page.
DAY 4:
After breakfast, bird your way to Ishasha sector (5) with your packed lunch. Look out for species like the Black-headed Heron, African White-backed Vulture, African Harrier-hawk, African Crowned eagle, Helmeted Guineafowl, Black bee eater, Blue–breasted Kingfisher, White-headed Barbet, Double-toothed Barbet, Tinkerbirds, Nubian Woodpecker, Apalises, Greater Honeyguide, White-browed Robin-chat, Sooty Chat, African Moustached Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, CroackingCisticola, Babblers, Copper Sunbird, Grey-backed Shrike, Common Fiscal, Sulphur-breasted Bush-shrike, Black-headed Gonolek, Black-crowned Tchagra, Brown-crowned Tchagra, Fork-tailed Drongo, Starlings, Widowbirds, Finches, Waxbills and many more. Spend the night at a lodge or campsite in Ishasha.
DAY 5:
After breakfast, head south to view birds at the Edward Flats (6) coming back to your lodge in time for lunch.
Proceed to Ntungwe (7) and nearby tracks, coming back in time for a shower and dinner. Look out for birds like the Cattle egret, Hamerkop, Storks, Shoebill, Ibises, Raptors, Red-necked Spurfowl, Black-bellied Bustard, Temminck’s Courser, Senegal Lapwing, African Wattled Lapwing, Brown Parrot, Diederick Cuckoo, White-browed Coucal, Blue-naped Mousebird, Striped Kingfisher, Little Bee-eater, Broad-billed Roller, Common Scimitarbill, White-headed Barbet, Larks, Yellow-throated Longclaw, Pipits, Sooty Chat, Cisticolas, Northern Black Flycatcher, Babblers, Sunbirds, Shrikes, Black-headed Gonolek, Black-crowned Tchagra, Brown-crowned Tchagra, Fork-tailed Drongo, Starlings, Weavers, Widowbirds, Finches and Waxbills among others.
Look out for mammals like Uganda kobs, bushbucks, defassa waterbucks, buffaloes, elephants, warthogs… and if lucky a tree climbing lion or a leopard!DAY 6:
After breakfast, pack your luggage and proceed back to Kampala or Entebbe, birding en-route and arriving in the late afternoon.
Look out for birds like the Nubian Woodpecker, Bateleur, Crested Francolin, Blue-spotted Wood Dove, Brown Parrot, Bare-faced Go-away-bird, Lilac-breasted Roller, Broad-billed Roller, Striped Kingfisher, Blue-napped Mousebird, African Grey Hornbill, Spot-flanked Barbet, Fork-tailed Drongo, Cisiticolas, Weavers, Widowbirds, Finches and Waxbills among others. -
Wilderness Adventure Open or Close
4 Night/5 Day Itinerary
DAY 1:
Arrive at one of the many lodges or campsites in or near Queen Elizabeth National Park in the afternoon, check in and relax before an evening game drive on the Kasenyi plains (1).
DAY 2:
Wake early to experience a different face of the park. Meet with the park’s lion research team at Mweya and venture off road to track and monitor lions (2).
Have a leisurely lunch on the Mweya Peninsula (2), Katwe (3a), Kikorongo (3b) or one of the lodges near the Maramagambo Forest (3c). After lunch take a long walk in the Maramagambo Forest (3c), where you can find a variety of birds, forest antelope, monkeys, a bat cave and the ‘cormorant house’ a large tree in the forest that has been turned white by the birds that roost there at night.DAY 3:
Spend the morning tracking chimps in Kyambura Gorge (4). Explore this ‘underground forest’ before a picnic lunch overlooking the gorge, or at one of the nearby lodges.
In the afternoon take the Agro-Tour Walk through community farmland (5) and learn about farming techniques, medicinal plants and bee keeping. To top off an action-packed day, there is the option of taking the Crater Lake Drive (6) to the Baboon Cliffs (7) for sundowners.DAY 4:
Drive to the south of the park to explore the Edward Flats (8) and the Ishasha Plains (9) to find the region’s famous tree climbing lions as well as abundant kob, topi, buffalo and elephant. Take a picnic lunch either under the shade of a fig tree or in one of the UWA bandas.
In the afternoon take a nature walk with an UWA guide along the river (10) to see hippo, crocodiles, and many birds. The river forms the border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Find a remote location for your bush-camp and enjoy an evening game drive before returning to your camp for a night in the wilderness.DAY 5:
Pack up camp and take a morning game drive through the Ishasha plains (9) for a final visit with the lions and other wildlife before heading out of the park and onto Bwindi or elsewhere.
NOTE: All itineraries subject to change, depending on weather, availability and location of chosen lodging. -
Family Adventure Open or Close
4 Night/5 Day Itinerary
DAY 1:
If arriving by early afternoon, visit “The Cave” (1), south of Kichwamba. Kids can explore the community campsite and cultural museum, learn about the Bakiga and Banyankole tribes and discover the cave. Those arriving later can check in to their accommodation and play the Queen Elizabeth Snapshot Safari Game.
DAY 2:
Rise early (taking a packed breakfast) for a morning game drive in Kasenyi Plains (2).
Eat breakfast at Lake Bwenyanpaka (3) overlooking the salt pans and Lake George before heading over to Kikorongo (4) to visit the local women’s group. They offer several child-friendly workshops. During the African Craft Workshop, children learn how to roll paper beads and make toy cars from recycled materials, and older participants can learn how to weave baskets. The Percussion Workshop teaches kids (or kids at heart!) how to play traditional Bakonzo instruments.
After lunch, you can choose a different workshop, an hour-long cultural performance or relax back at your accommodation. In the evening, have a drink at the Queen’s Pavilion (5) before setting off for an evening safari through the explosion craters (6).DAY 3:
Begin the day with a game drive along the Katunguru Channel Tracks (7) and looping trails, and continue through Crater Lake Drive (6) to the baboon lookout (7) where you can eat a packed breakfast and admire the views.
Continue on to Katwe (8) to take part in their Salt Lake Tour for kids. Learn about the only existing traditional salt mine in all of Africa, as well as the native birds and vegetation.
After lunch in your place of choice, relax in the pool at your accommodation or at a lodge in Mweya (9). Once you have cooled off, join the 5pm boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel (10).
During dinner, challenge your kids to another round of the Queen Elizabeth Snapshot Safari GameDAY 4:
Drive to the Maramagambo Forest (11) for a pleasant nature walk. You will see the Bat Cave, inhabited by bats and pythons, and the Great White Cormorant Tree. Return home or continue onto your next destination.
NOTE: All itineraries subject to change, depending on weather, availability and location of chosen lodging.
Park at a Glance
Size: 220km² with an altitude of 670-760m above sea level
Semuliki Forest Reserve was created in 1932 and upgraded to national park status in 1993.
It is the only tract of true lowland tropical forest in East Africa, hosting 441 recorded bird species and 53 mammals.
Large areas of this low-lying park may flood during the wet season,a brief reminder of the time when the entire valley lay at the bottom of a lake for seven million years.
Four distinct ethnic groups live near the park – Bwamba farmers live along the base of the Rwenzori while the Bakonjo cultivate the mountain slopes. Batuku cattle keepers inhabit on the open plains and Batwa pygmies, traditionally hunter gathers, live on the edge of the forest.
Semuliki National Park sprawls across the floor of the Semliki Valley on the remote, western side of the Rwenzori. The park is dominated by the easternmost extension of the great Ituri Forest of the Congo Basin. This is one of Africa’s most ancient and bio-diverse forests; one of the few to survive the last ice age, 12-18,000 years ago.
The Semliki Valley contains numerous features associated with central rather than eastern Africa. Thatched huts are shaded by West African oil palms; the Semliki River (which forms the international boundary) is a miniature version of the Congo River, the forest is home to numerous Central African wildlife species, and the local population includes a Batwa pygmy community that originated from the Ituri. As a result, this park provides a taste of Central Africa without having to leave Uganda.
While Semuliki’s species have been accumulating for over 25,000 years, the park contains evidence of even older processes. Hot springs bubble up from the depths to demonstrate the powerful subterranean forces that have been shaping the rift valley during the last 14 million years.
Suggested Itineraries for Queen Elizabeth National Park
-
Queen’s Tour Open or Close
5 Night/6 Day Itinerary
DAY 1:
Arrive at one of the many lodges or campsites in or near Queen Elizabeth National Park in the afternoon, check in and relax before leaving for an evening game drive on the Kasenyi plains (1).
DAY 2:
Choose between chimp tracking in Kyambura Gorge (2a), or a walk in Maramagambo Forest (2b), with birds, antelope and monkeys. In the afternoon visit the Kikorongo Cultural Center (3) to meet the women of the community and learn how to make traditional baskets and paper bead necklaces. Enjoy cultural dances and drama performed by the group. Take an evening game drive on the Kasenyi plains (1) before returning to your accommodation.
DAY 3:
See a different face of the park with a research team at Mweya (4). Venture off road to track lions or monitor mongoose behavior and contribute to valuable research project. After a leisurely lunch on the Mweya Peninsula (4), take a two hour boat ride along the Kazinga Channel (6). To top off a wildlife packed day, there is an optional sunset Crater Lake Drive (7) to the Baboon Cliffs (8) for an evening drink as the sun sets over the park’s rolling hills.
DAY 4:
Choose between a nature walk on the Mweya Peninsula (4) or a guided walk around Lake Kikorongo (9) to see the bird species that inhabit this lake and the surrounding forest. In the afternoon visit Katwe Salt Lake (10) to learn about traditional salt mining, followed by a short walk to Lake Munyenyange to spot lesser flamingos (August-November) and other bird life.
Be sure to stop at Katwe Tourism Information Center (KATIC) to pick up your guide. End the day with an evening game drive on the Channel track and looping trails (11).DAY 5:
Take an Agro-Tour Walk (12) through community farmland to learn about farming methods, medicinal plants and bee keeping, then drive to the Ishasha Sector (13) for a picnic lunch on the plains. Explore the Edward Flats (14) and spot the region’s famous tree climbing lions. You can also take a nature walk with an UWA guide along the Ishasha River.
DAY 6:
Take a final game drive through the Ishasha plains before heading out of the park on your way home or to Bwindi for more adventures.
NOTE: All itineraries subject to change, depending on weather, availability and location of chosen lodging. -
Game Galore Open or Close
2 Night/3 Day Itinerary
DAY 1:
Arrive at one of the many lodges or camp sites in or around Queen Elizabeth National Park in the afternoon, check in and relax before leaving for a 2-3 hour evening game drive on the Kasenyi plains (1). Return to your lodge or camp for the night.
DAY 2:
Rise early and take a packed breakfast with you on your morning game drive along the Katunguru Channel Tracks and looping trails (1-2 hours) (2); pass through Kabatoro Gate to ‘Crater Lake Drive’ (3), Stop at the Baboon Cliffs lookout (4) for breakfast and to admire the views.
End your morning drive at Queen’s Pavilion (5) for a cup of coffee or tea and look back on the rolling hills you have just traversed and the steep slopes of the Rwenzori Mountains.
Enjoy a picnic lunch here, return to your camp or lodge or choose a restaurant near Kikorongo (6) or on the Mweya Peninsula (7) where you can relax and enjoy the wild scenery. After lunch head to the Visitor Information Center on Mweya Peninsula (7) to purchase your tickets for a 3pm boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel (8).
After returning from the boat cruise at around 5pm, take a leisurely game drive along the channel track (2) and looping trails, before returning to your lodge or camp for dinner.DAY 3:
This is your last chance to see game before heading on your way! Have an early breakfast and head to Kasenyi Plains (1) for a morning game drive.
If you are not rushing off to your next destination, visit Katwe Salt Lake and village (9) to learn about traditional salt mining in Lake Katwe that has persisted since the 16th Century. From here there is also the option of taking a short walk to the neighboring Lake Munyenyange where you might glimpse lesser flamingos (August-November) and other bird life. Be sure to stop at Katwe Tourism Information Center (KATIC) to pick up your guide.
NOTE: All itineraries subject to change, depending on weather, availability and location of chosen lodging. -
Park & People Open or Close
3 Night/4 Day Itinerary
DAY 1:
Arrive at one of the many lodges or camp sites in or near Queen Elizabeth National Park in the afternoon, check in and relax before leaving for a 2-3 hour evening game drive on the Kasenyi plains (1).
DAY 2:
Meet your guide in the morning for the Agro-Tour Walk (2). This tour takes you through community farmland where you will learn about farming, local medicinal plants and bee keeping - which provides them with honey while keeping the elephants away from their crops.
After your agrarian experience drive the short distance to The Cave (3) for lunch. Try the famous mamba fish and check out the cave that holds cultural significance to the local community as well as the restaurant’s organic garden.
After lunch, head to the Mweya Peninsula Visitor Information Center (4) to purchase tickets for the late afternoon Kazinga Channel boat ride (5), to see the wildlife lining the banks as dusk falls.DAY 3:
Early morning game drive on the Kasenyi plains (1) followed by a visit to Katwe Salt Lake (6) to learn about traditional salt mining that has taken place here since the 16th Century. You can also take a short walk to the neighboring Lake Munyenyange where you might glimpse lesser flamingos (August-November) and other bird life. Be sure to stop at Katwe Tourism Information Center (KATIC) to pick up your guide.
Have a picnic lunch at the KATIC banda or find food in Katwe (6), Mweya (4) or Kikorongo (8). After lunch, visit the Kikorongo Cultural Center (8) to meet the women of the community and learn how to weave traditional baskets and make recycled paper bead necklaces.
Return to your lodge or camp to relax - read a book, lounge by the pool or brush up your wildlife knowledge with the Snapshot Safari board game. Once you are rested, you can set off for an evening game drive.DAY 4:
Enjoy a final game drive along the spectacular Crater Lake Drive (9) before heading home with your memories and pictures.
NOTE: All itineraries subject to change, depending on weather, availability and location of chosen lodging. -
Duke’s Tour Open or Close
4 Night/5 Day Itinerary
DAY 1:
Arrive at one of the many lodges or camp sites in or near Queen Elizabeth National Park in the afternoon, check in and relax before leaving for an evening game drive on the Kasenyi Plains (1).
DAY 2:
Start your day by heading to Crater Lake Drive (2), with a stop at the Baboon Cliffs lookout point (3) for breakfast. End your drive at the Queen’s Pavilion (4) for a tea or coffee enjoy views of the rolling hills against the Rwenzori Mountains. Continue to the Kikorongo Cultural Center (5) for a traditional craft workshop.
After lunch choose between chimp tracking in Kyambura Gorge (6a), or a walk in the Maramagambo Forest (6b), where you can find a variety of birds, forest antelope, monkeys and the ‘cormorant house’ - a large tree in the forest that has been turned white by the birds that roost in it at night.DAY 3:
Visit the fascinating Katwe Salt Lake (7) to learn about traditional salt mining. Take a short walk to the neighboring Lake Munyenyange where you might glimpse lesser flamingos (August-November) and other bird life. Be sure to stop at Katwe Tourism Information Center (KATIC) to pick up your guide.
After lunch, enjoy the relaxing Kazinga Channel boat ride (8) followed by an evening game drive on your way home for sundowners at your lodge or camp.DAY 4:
Take the Agro-Tour Walk (9) through community farm land and learn about farming techniques, medicinal plants and bee keeping that provides honey while also keeping the elephants away from crops.
Then drive to the south of the park for a leisurely picnic lunch on the Ishasha plains (10). In the afternoon and evening explore the Edward Flats (11) and the plains to find the region’s famous tree climbing lions as well as abundant kob, topi, buffalo and elephant. In the afternoon you could also take a nature walk with an UWA guide along the Ishasha river to see hippo, crocodiles and many birds.DAY 5:
Take a morning game drive through the Ishasha plains (10) for a final glimpse of the wildlife before heading on to Bwindi or elsewhere.
NOTE: All itineraries subject to change, depending on weather, availability and location of chosen lodging. -
Royal Tour Open or Close
6 Night/7 Day Itinerary
DAY 1:
At Ruboni Community, beside Rwenzori Mountains National Park (1), enjoy the delights of storytellers telling tales of the Royal Kingdom and local folklore.
DAY 2:
Explore the mountains in a variety of ways, including a community walk, a nature walk or a four-hour hike, depending on your interests and fitness levels.
DAY 3:
After breakfast depart for Queen Elizabeth National Park, stopping at Kikorongo Cultural Center (2) for a craft workshop and cultural performance. Have lunch in Kikorongo or have a picnic at the Queen’s Pavilion. At 2pm arrive at Kyambura Gorge (3) for Chimp Tracking. Explore the gorge’s ‘underground forest’ before returning to your lodge.
DAY 4:
See a different face of the park! Meet the park’s research team at Mweya (4) for a morning of tracking and monitoring either lions or mongooses and contribute to a valuable research project. After lunch on the Mweya Peninsula (4), enjoy a boat ride along the Kazinga Channel (5). To top off a wildlife packed day, take a sunset Crater Lake Drive (6) with an optional stop at the Baboon Cliffs (7) for sundowners.
DAY 5:
You’re on holiday – relax! If you do wish to venture out, take a nature walk on the Mweya Peninsula (4); or a guided bird walk around Lake Kikorongo (8). In the afternoon visit the Katwe Salt Lake (9) to learn about traditional salt mining, and view birds on the nearby Lake Munyenyange. Be sure to stop at KATIC to pick up your guide.
End the day with an evening game drive on the Channel track (10).DAY 6:
Meet your guide for an Agro-Tour Walk through community farmland (11). Learn about farming practices, medicinal plants and bee keeping.
Drive to the south of the park for a picnic lunch on the Ishasha plains (12). Explore the Edward flats (13) and search for Ishasha’s famous tree climbing lions. You can also take a nature walk with an UWA guide.DAY 7:
Take a morning game drive through the plains for a final visit with the wildlife before heading out of the park to Bwindi or elsewhere.
NOTE: All itineraries subject to change, depending on weather, availability and location of chosen lodging. -
4-Day Birding Tour Open or Close
3 Night/4 Day Itinerary - see map on following page
DAY 1:
After breakfast, bird your way towards Queen Elizabeth National Park, crossing the equator on the road to Masaka with a lunch stop in Mbarara. Game drive en-route to your accommodation. Look out for species such as the Snake Eagle, Barbet, Cinnamon Chested Bee-eater, Kingfisher, Lesser Striped Swallow, Zitting Cisiticola, Grey-backed Shrike, Common Fiscal, Starling and Widowbird, among others.
DAY 2:
Have a cup of tea or coffee and a muffin at 6:15am before setting off for an early game drive or birding experience on the Kasenyi Plains (1) with a packed breakfast. Return to your lodge for lunch.
In the afternoon, enjoy the relaxing two-hour boat trip on the Kazinga Channel (2), and spot a variety of wildlife including hundreds of hippos, crocodile and birds. Look out for birds like Pelicans, Green-backed Heron, Storks, African Spoonbill, African White-backed Vulture, Bateleur, Martial Eagle, Common Button Quail, African Crake, African Jacana, Black-bellied Bustard, Black-winged Stilt, Water Thick-knee, Temminck’s Courser, Spur-winged Lapwing, African Wattled Lapwing, Senegal Lapwing, Kittlitz’s Plover, Black Coucal, Pied Kingfisher, Grey-headed Kingfisher, Rufous-naped Lark, Flappet Lark, Grassland Pipit, Plain-backed Pipit, Yellow-throated Longclaw, White-browed Robin-chat, Sooty Chat, Zitting Cisticola, Croacking Cisticola, Babblers, Copper Sunbird, Scarlet-chested Sunbird, Red-chested Sunbird, Grey-backed Fiscal, Black-headed Gonolek, Starlings, Weavers, Widowbirds, Bishops, Finches and Waxbills among others.DAY 3:
Have a cup of tea or coffee and a muffin at 6:15am and take your packed breakfast with you to watch birds in Maramagambo Forest (3).
After a late lunch back at your lodge, proceed to the Katwe area (4), looking out for birds like little Grebe; African Finfoot; Greater and Lesser Flamingos; Augur Buzzard; Crested Guineafowl; Pied Avocet; Black-winged Stilt; Diederick Cuckoo; Yellowbill; Narina Trogon; Shining-blue Kingfisher; Black Bee-eater; Black-and-White-Casqued Hornbill; Yellow-rumped, and Speckled Tinkerbirds; Grey-throated and Yellow-Spotted Barbets; Brown-eared Woodpecker, Rufous-naped, Flappet and Red-capped Larks; Grassland and Plain-backed Pipits; Western Nicator, Yellow-whiskered, Little and Slender-billed Greenbuls; Snowy-headed and Red-capped Robin-chats; Brown-backed Scrub-robin; Grey-capped Warbler; Grey and Buff-throated Apalis; Brown-thoated Wattle-eye; African Paradise Flycatcher; Olive-bellied, Green, Olive, Variable and Collared Sunbirds; Starlings; Weavers; Widowbirds; Bishops; Finches; and Waxbills among others.DAY 4:
After breakfast, pack your luggage and proceed back to Kampala or Entebbe, birding en-route and arriving in the late afternoon. Look out for birds like the Nubian Woodpecker, Bateleur, Crested Francolin, Blue-spotted Wood Dove, Brown Parrot, Bare-faced Go-away-bird, Lilac-breasted Roller, Broad-billed Roller, Striped Kingfisher, Blue-napped Mousebird, African Grey Hornbill, Spot-flanked Barbet, Fork tailed Drongo, Cisiticolas, Weavers, Widowbirds, Finches and Waxbills among others.
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6-Day Birding Tour Open or Close
5 Night/6 Day Itinerary
DAYS 1-3:
Same as days 1-3 of 4-day itinerary on previous page.
DAY 4:
After breakfast, bird your way to Ishasha sector (5) with your packed lunch. Look out for species like the Black-headed Heron, African White-backed Vulture, African Harrier-hawk, African Crowned eagle, Helmeted Guineafowl, Black bee eater, Blue–breasted Kingfisher, White-headed Barbet, Double-toothed Barbet, Tinkerbirds, Nubian Woodpecker, Apalises, Greater Honeyguide, White-browed Robin-chat, Sooty Chat, African Moustached Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, CroackingCisticola, Babblers, Copper Sunbird, Grey-backed Shrike, Common Fiscal, Sulphur-breasted Bush-shrike, Black-headed Gonolek, Black-crowned Tchagra, Brown-crowned Tchagra, Fork-tailed Drongo, Starlings, Widowbirds, Finches, Waxbills and many more. Spend the night at a lodge or campsite in Ishasha.
DAY 5:
After breakfast, head south to view birds at the Edward Flats (6) coming back to your lodge in time for lunch.
Proceed to Ntungwe (7) and nearby tracks, coming back in time for a shower and dinner. Look out for birds like the Cattle egret, Hamerkop, Storks, Shoebill, Ibises, Raptors, Red-necked Spurfowl, Black-bellied Bustard, Temminck’s Courser, Senegal Lapwing, African Wattled Lapwing, Brown Parrot, Diederick Cuckoo, White-browed Coucal, Blue-naped Mousebird, Striped Kingfisher, Little Bee-eater, Broad-billed Roller, Common Scimitarbill, White-headed Barbet, Larks, Yellow-throated Longclaw, Pipits, Sooty Chat, Cisticolas, Northern Black Flycatcher, Babblers, Sunbirds, Shrikes, Black-headed Gonolek, Black-crowned Tchagra, Brown-crowned Tchagra, Fork-tailed Drongo, Starlings, Weavers, Widowbirds, Finches and Waxbills among others.
Look out for mammals like Uganda kobs, bushbucks, defassa waterbucks, buffaloes, elephants, warthogs… and if lucky a tree climbing lion or a leopard!DAY 6:
After breakfast, pack your luggage and proceed back to Kampala or Entebbe, birding en-route and arriving in the late afternoon.
Look out for birds like the Nubian Woodpecker, Bateleur, Crested Francolin, Blue-spotted Wood Dove, Brown Parrot, Bare-faced Go-away-bird, Lilac-breasted Roller, Broad-billed Roller, Striped Kingfisher, Blue-napped Mousebird, African Grey Hornbill, Spot-flanked Barbet, Fork-tailed Drongo, Cisiticolas, Weavers, Widowbirds, Finches and Waxbills among others. -
Wilderness Adventure Open or Close
4 Night/5 Day Itinerary
DAY 1:
Arrive at one of the many lodges or campsites in or near Queen Elizabeth National Park in the afternoon, check in and relax before an evening game drive on the Kasenyi plains (1).
DAY 2:
Wake early to experience a different face of the park. Meet with the park’s lion research team at Mweya and venture off road to track and monitor lions (2).
Have a leisurely lunch on the Mweya Peninsula (2), Katwe (3a), Kikorongo (3b) or one of the lodges near the Maramagambo Forest (3c). After lunch take a long walk in the Maramagambo Forest (3c), where you can find a variety of birds, forest antelope, monkeys, a bat cave and the ‘cormorant house’ a large tree in the forest that has been turned white by the birds that roost there at night.DAY 3:
Spend the morning tracking chimps in Kyambura Gorge (4). Explore this ‘underground forest’ before a picnic lunch overlooking the gorge, or at one of the nearby lodges.
In the afternoon take the Agro-Tour Walk through community farmland (5) and learn about farming techniques, medicinal plants and bee keeping. To top off an action-packed day, there is the option of taking the Crater Lake Drive (6) to the Baboon Cliffs (7) for sundowners.DAY 4:
Drive to the south of the park to explore the Edward Flats (8) and the Ishasha Plains (9) to find the region’s famous tree climbing lions as well as abundant kob, topi, buffalo and elephant. Take a picnic lunch either under the shade of a fig tree or in one of the UWA bandas.
In the afternoon take a nature walk with an UWA guide along the river (10) to see hippo, crocodiles, and many birds. The river forms the border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Find a remote location for your bush-camp and enjoy an evening game drive before returning to your camp for a night in the wilderness.DAY 5:
Pack up camp and take a morning game drive through the Ishasha plains (9) for a final visit with the lions and other wildlife before heading out of the park and onto Bwindi or elsewhere.
NOTE: All itineraries subject to change, depending on weather, availability and location of chosen lodging. -
Family Adventure Open or Close
4 Night/5 Day Itinerary
DAY 1:
If arriving by early afternoon, visit “The Cave” (1), south of Kichwamba. Kids can explore the community campsite and cultural museum, learn about the Bakiga and Banyankole tribes and discover the cave. Those arriving later can check in to their accommodation and play the Queen Elizabeth Snapshot Safari Game.
DAY 2:
Rise early (taking a packed breakfast) for a morning game drive in Kasenyi Plains (2).
Eat breakfast at Lake Bwenyanpaka (3) overlooking the salt pans and Lake George before heading over to Kikorongo (4) to visit the local women’s group. They offer several child-friendly workshops. During the African Craft Workshop, children learn how to roll paper beads and make toy cars from recycled materials, and older participants can learn how to weave baskets. The Percussion Workshop teaches kids (or kids at heart!) how to play traditional Bakonzo instruments.
After lunch, you can choose a different workshop, an hour-long cultural performance or relax back at your accommodation. In the evening, have a drink at the Queen’s Pavilion (5) before setting off for an evening safari through the explosion craters (6).DAY 3:
Begin the day with a game drive along the Katunguru Channel Tracks (7) and looping trails, and continue through Crater Lake Drive (6) to the baboon lookout (7) where you can eat a packed breakfast and admire the views.
Continue on to Katwe (8) to take part in their Salt Lake Tour for kids. Learn about the only existing traditional salt mine in all of Africa, as well as the native birds and vegetation.
After lunch in your place of choice, relax in the pool at your accommodation or at a lodge in Mweya (9). Once you have cooled off, join the 5pm boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel (10).
During dinner, challenge your kids to another round of the Queen Elizabeth Snapshot Safari GameDAY 4:
Drive to the Maramagambo Forest (11) for a pleasant nature walk. You will see the Bat Cave, inhabited by bats and pythons, and the Great White Cormorant Tree. Return home or continue onto your next destination.
NOTE: All itineraries subject to change, depending on weather, availability and location of chosen lodging.