4 Days Queen Elizabeth and Kyambura Chimps
4 days Queen Elizabeth National Park and Kyambura Chimps offer combined big game and chimpanzee trekking experiences. Enjoy the three most rewarding activities in Queen Elizabeth National Park in just 4 days, including a guided game drive along the Kasenyi track/sector, a boat or launch cruise on the Kazinga channel, and chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge.
Located in Western Uganda, Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP) is a wildlife paradise and the 2nd largest park in the Pearl of Africa. Its diverse landscape, which includes sweeping savanna plains, rainforests, wetlands, and Lakes, covers a land area of about 1978 sq. km. It is one of the oldest parks in Uganda. It was founded in 1952 and renamed from Kazinga National Park to Queen Elizabeth National Park in 1954.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to a vast population of mammals, about 100 species of birds, and 620 bird species, as well as floral species, butterflies, and reptiles. In addition to game drives, launch cruises, and chimpanzee tracking, the park offers various activities such as nature or forest walks, a Lion Tracking Experience, mongoose trekking, birding, Crater Lake tours, community visits, and more.
Day 1: Queen Elizabeth National Park tour with en-route stopover at the Equator crossing
Travel to Queen Elizabeth N/Park, which is located in Western Uganda. After breakfast, meet your driver guide for a warm greeting, welcome into the Pearl of Africa, and a briefing about your short wildlife and primate tour to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The park lies on the Western side of the country, and the nearest towns/districts include Kasese, Bushenyi, Rukungiri, and Kamwenge. You will be staying at the Buffalo Safari Lodge for your stay, a comfortable and scenic accommodation option.
Driving from Kampala to this extensive savanna park takes 7-8 hours. Today, you will take the Mbarara-Bushenyi route, one of the most rewarding routes for exploring attractions, natural beauty, etc. You will travel in a comfortable and reliable 4×4 vehicle, ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey. Our vehicles are designed to provide the utmost comfort and safety, so you can relax and enjoy the scenic drive.
Equator crossing stopover: Upon arrival at Kayabwe, a stopover will be made at the Equator monument for a unique photo opportunity and a chance to experience the thrill of being in two hemispheres simultaneously. This moment will surely pique your interest and add a unique twist to your journey. You can then choose to visit the Igongo Cultural Center or a hotel in Mbarara city for a leisurely lunch and refreshments, before being dropped off at the wilderness lodge for dinner and overnight stay in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Day 2: Full-day activities: Game drive, Launch cruise
<strong>Game drive along Kasenyi sector: Early in the morning, after breakfast, leave the accommodation before sunrise, and set off for the Kasenyi track game drive. A morning game drive today will last for 2-3 hours. It comes with a promise of uninterrupted views of a variety of wildlife. You will be using a 4×4 vehicle with a pop-up roof. Day sightings will include large herds of cape buffaloes, elephants, pride of lions, and on a lucky day, leopards; many birds, warthogs, antelopes, and others. This thrilling experience will surely get your heart racing with excitement.
Return to be served lunch at the lodge, and have some time to relax before connecting to Kazinga for a boat cruise. A launch cruise will begin at 2:00 pm, taking between 2 and 3 hours to navigate through the Kazinga channel. This is a natural channel connecting Lake Edward and Lake George, and while on a launch trip, expected animal sightings will include hippos, crocodiles, aquatic birds, buffalo, and elephants as they laze around the river banks.
Day 3: Chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura
Following an early morning breakfast, you will receive a briefing at Kyambura Gorge about chimpanzee trekking rules. You will then explore more about chimpanzees. Your trek will last 2-4 hours, including one hour of close interaction and photography. Kyambura Gorge protects more than chimpanzees, and there are higher chances of encountering several other species of primates. These include vervet monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and black and white colobus monkeys. The gorge features one of the natural rainforests where its primates and various birds live.
After tracking chimpanzees at Kyambura, get back to the lodge for lunch. Later, you will set off for a community visit where you will meet the residents in their communities, and your visit will play a significant part. A cultural visit/tour is one way you can support local community-based tourism initiatives. The key places to consider for a community visit include the Kasoga community experience, where you can learn about traditional farming practices and enjoy a local meal, Leopard village, where you can learn about traditional hunting methods, etc.
Day 4: Depart from Queen Elizabeth NP to Kampala/Entebbe
Leave Queen Elizabeth National Park for Kampala/Entebbe while spotting some wildlife en route. Take the previous route or connect through Fort Portal, Mubende, and Mityana. Upon arrival at Kampala/Entebbe, drop off at the hotel or residence. This will mark the end of your 4 days Queen Elizabeth National Park and Kyambura chimps safari.
