5 Days Queen Elizabeth & Lake Mburo Safaris
From $1500
Tour Overview
Experience two of Uganda’s most spectacular savannah national parks on this unforgettable five-day safari. Combining the wildlife-rich plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park with the peaceful beauty of Lake Mburo National Park, this journey offers exceptional game viewing, breathtaking landscapes, unforgettable boat cruises, guided walking safaris, and authentic encounters with Uganda’s rich natural heritage.
From cruising the famous Kazinga Channel among hundreds of hippos to walking alongside zebras on the open plains of Lake Mburo, every day offers a new adventure. Along the way, you’ll cross the Equator, admire the majestic Rwenzori Mountains, explore volcanic crater lakes, and experience the incredible biodiversity that has made Uganda one of Africa’s premier safari destinations.
Whether you are a wildlife enthusiast, birdwatcher, photographer, honeymooner, or family seeking an unforgettable African adventure, this safari perfectly combines relaxation, exploration, and exceptional wildlife experiences.
Day 1: Kampala/Entebbe – Queen Elizabeth National Park
Your safari begins with an early morning departure from Kampala or Entebbe. After meeting your professional safari guide, you’ll travel west through Uganda’s beautiful countryside, passing vibrant villages, lush banana plantations, tea estates, and the famous Ankole cattle corridor.
Your first stop is the Uganda Equator Monument, where you can stand in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, enjoy the famous Equator water experiment, take memorable photographs, and browse locally crafted souvenirs.
After lunch in Mbarara, continue through the scenic landscapes of the Albertine Rift Valley toward Queen Elizabeth National Park. As you approach the park, enjoy breathtaking views of crater lakes, rolling hills, and the distant Rwenzori Mountains, often called the “Mountains of the Moon.”
Arrive in the late afternoon and head out for a short evening game drive. During the cooler hours, wildlife becomes more active, offering your first opportunity to spot elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, warthogs, and, if lucky, lions beginning their evening hunt.
Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Highlights
– Scenic drive across western Uganda
– Uganda Equator experience
– Albertine Rift Valley views
– Evening game drive
Drive Time: 7–8 hours
Accommodation: Twin Lakes Safari Lodge
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Day 2: Morning Game Drive – Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
Rise before sunrise for one of the park’s most rewarding experiences; a morning game drive across the famous Kasenyi Plains.
Early morning is the best time to search for predators before they retreat from the heat of the day. Your guide will help track lions, while also searching for elephants, buffaloes, topis, Uganda kobs, bushbucks, giant forest hogs, hyenas, and numerous bird species.
The golden morning light creates perfect conditions for photography as wildlife moves freely across the vast savannah.
Return to the lodge for breakfast and relaxation before lunch.
In the afternoon, enjoy the renowned Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise, widely regarded as one of East Africa’s finest wildlife excursions.
As your boat slowly navigates the natural channel connecting Lake Edward and Lake George, you’ll witness one of Africa’s largest concentrations of hippos. Massive Nile crocodiles bask along the shoreline while elephants and buffaloes gather to drink. The channel is also a paradise for bird lovers, with pelicans, African fish eagles, kingfishers, herons, cormorants, and African spoonbills frequently seen.
Your guide will explain the importance of the channel as a lifeline for the park’s wildlife and birdlife.
Return to your lodge in the evening.
Highlights
– Sunrise wildlife safari
– Lion tracking
– Kazinga Channel boat cruise
– Exceptional birdwatching
Accommodation: Same as Day 1
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3: Crater Lakes – Ishasha Sector – Lake Mburo National Park
After breakfast, depart Queen Elizabeth National Park via the spectacular Katwe Crater Drive, where you’ll enjoy panoramic views of volcanic crater lakes, lush vegetation, and the sweeping landscapes of the Albertine Rift Valley.
Continue south through the Ishasha Sector, famous worldwide for its rare tree-climbing lions. Your guide will search the giant fig trees where these remarkable predators often rest during the hottest hours of the day.
Along the way, keep an eye out for elephants, buffaloes, topis, and other wildlife that inhabit this unique ecosystem.
After lunch, continue your scenic drive to Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda’s smallest savannah park but one of its most beautiful. Arrive in the late afternoon and enjoy spectacular views of rolling hills, acacia woodlands, lakes, and open grasslands.
Check in at your lodge and relax for the evening.
Highlights
– Katwe Explosion Crater Drive
– Search for tree-climbing lions
– Scenic drive through southwestern Uganda
Drive Time: Approximately 5–6 hours
Accommodation: Rwakobo Rock Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4: Walking Safari – Game Drive – Lake Mburo Boat Cruise
Wake early for one of Uganda’s most unique safari experiences—a guided walking safari accompanied by an armed Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger.
Unlike most African parks, Lake Mburo allows visitors to explore the wilderness on foot, offering an intimate perspective of nature. Walk quietly across the savannah while observing zebras, impalas, giraffes, elands, buffaloes, and numerous bird species at close range.
After breakfast, enjoy a leisurely game drive through the park. Lake Mburo is the best place in Uganda to see large herds of zebras and impalas, while giraffes, bushbucks, warthogs, and waterbucks are commonly encountered.
In the afternoon, embark on a relaxing boat cruise on Lake Mburo, where you’ll encounter hippos, crocodiles, fish eagles, kingfishers, herons, and many other aquatic birds.
As the sun sets over the lake, return to your lodge for your final evening in the wilderness.
Highlights
– Guided walking safari
– Wildlife game drive
– Lake Mburo boat cruise
– Sunset photography
Accommodation: Same as Day 3
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5: Nature Walk & Return to Entebbe/Kampala
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast before checking out of your lodge and beginning the journey back to Kampala or Entebbe.
Along the way, make another stop at the Uganda Equator for refreshments, souvenir shopping, and photographs before continuing through Uganda’s picturesque countryside.
Arrive in Entebbe or Kampala in the late afternoon or early evening, where your guide will transfer you to your hotel or Entebbe International Airport.
Depart with unforgettable memories of Uganda’s incredible wildlife, breathtaking scenery, and warm hospitality.
Highlights
– Scenic drive through southwestern Uganda
– Uganda Equator stop
– Local craft shopping
– Farewell to the Pearl of Africa
Drive Time: Approximately 5–6 hours
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch (End of safari)
Safari Highlights
– Scenic drive across western Uganda
– Uganda Equator experience
– Exciting game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park
– Search for lions and other iconic African wildlife
– Kazinga Channel boat cruise
– Explore the Katwe Explosion Crater Drive
– Search for the famous tree-climbing lions of Ishasha
– Guided walking safari in Lake Mburo National Park
– Boat cruise on Lake Mburo
– Outstanding birdwatching with hundreds of recorded bird species
– Spectacular views of the Albertine Rift Valley and Rwenzori Mountains
– Comfortable accommodation in carefully selected safari lodges
– Services of a professional English-speaking safari guide
Tour Includes
– Airport or hotel pick-up and drop-off
– Private 4×4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof
– Professional English-speaking driver-guide
– Park entrance fees
– Game drives
– Kazinga Channel boat cruise
– Lake Mburo boat cruise
– Guided walking safari
– Four nights’ accommodation
– Meals as specified
– Bottled drinking water throughout the safari
– Government taxes
Tour Excludes
– International flights
– Uganda visa
– Travel and medical insurance
– Alcoholic beverages
– Optional activities not mentioned
– Personal expenses
– Laundry services
– Tips and gratuities
Why Choose This Safari?
This five-day adventure showcases two of Uganda’s most remarkable national parks, each offering a distinct safari experience. Queen Elizabeth National Park captivates with its abundant wildlife, volcanic landscapes, and the world-famous Kazinga Channel, while Lake Mburo National Park provides intimate wildlife encounters on foot and by boat in a peaceful setting. Together, they create the perfect blend of adventure, nature, and relaxation, leaving you with unforgettable memories of the Pearl of Africa.
