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3 DAYS of Wildlife in the heart of Uganda, Queen Elizabeth Park:

QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK

Queen Elizabeth National Park together Kyambura and Kigezi Wildlife Reserve make up one of the most diverse ecosystems in Africa.  From the nearby Rwenzori Mountains the melting glacier waters create a vast wetland made up of two main lakes; Lake George and Lake Edward as well the connecting Kazinga Channel that connects the lakes. 

Thousands of Hippos populate the lakeshores and the channel. While away from the lakes open savannah dotted with Acacia and Euphorbia trees provide a habitat for elephants, lions and leopards, Uganda kobs and big herds of buffaloes.  Ten primate species, including chimpanzees are present in this vast park.  You might also spot other animals as the giant forest hog, waterbucks, topi, hyenas, and crocodiles.  There are 95 mammal species in the Park and over 600 varieties of birds.

Queen Elizabeth Park is one of the wonders of Uganda.  In the distance you can see the Rwenzori mountains, while up close there are the crater lakes teeming with wildlife, the Kazinga channel with the highest concentration of Hippos in all of Africa.  Then there is Mweya Lodge, above it all.  A place where you can rest after a long day.  Where you can find refreshment and fantastic food in the middle of the wilderness.  There are also other places one can stay such as Jacana Safari Lodge located Maramgambo forest and bandas located in the Ishasha area. 

The Park is located 438 Km from Kampala and it is mostly asphalt road .  You can have a nice lunch Mbarara and then proceed to the park.  The park came into being in 1979 and it has several tribes that live within this Biosphere Reserve.  The goal was to integrate human activity with the conservation of wildlife, the wetland and natural resources.  There are in fact eleven fishing villages in this vast protected area. There are three ethnic groups that inhabit this part of the country:  the Bayankore, Bakiga and Bakonjo.

DAY 1 - The Queen Elizabeth Park Safari begins: After breakfast leave Kampala cross the equator, driving through Masaka stopping in Mbarara for lunch at the Lakeview Hotel. The drive continues on to Queen Elizabeth National Park, we check-in at Mweya Safari Lodge for our  overnight stay. Late that  afternoon, we set out on a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel connecting Lakes Edward and George.   This is a slow cruise along the channel so that one does not miss the fabulous wildlife along the way.  Be sure that you have your camera with you and are ready for action.  The shore will be crowded with hippos surrounded by a vast number of migrant and resident waster birds.  Many buffalo rest in the water while herds of elephant enjoy themselves drinking and playing along the channel banks.  Crocodiles have become a common sight and occasionally leopards may be seen.  After the channel we return for the evening to the lodge where all meals are covered and the dinner is simply delightful.  There is often Ugandan dancers performing various tribal dances.  Your room will provide you with well deserved rest.

DAY 2 - Queen Elizabeth Park Safari: We set out early in the morning after breakfast and go on a game drive in search of lions, elephants, buffaloes etc. There are over 200 km of well maintained tracks.  There will be no speeding along and we will drive slowly not to miss anything.  We will visit the Kasenyi sector famous for it's solitary buffaloes. There is an excellent chance to view just about every animal here at very close range.   After several hour  we will return to the lodge for lunch and a short rest. In the afternoon, we will set out to visit the Baboon cliff and the crater lakes north of the park. We return to the lodge for dinner and overnight rest.

DAY 3 The Uganda Safari comes to an end:  We set off early in the morning and head to the Kyambura wildlife reserve. Here we will be able to track the chimpanzee in the tropical rain forest. We hike into the Kyambura river gorge as we search for the chimps. The beautiful river valley is home to many species of birds and butterflies. Thereafter we drive through Masaka back to Kampala, arriving at dinner time.

Note:  Our Prices in US Dollars. 

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