5 Days Queen Elizabeth National Park Tour

Uganda HAS a total area of 236,040 sq km, bordered by Kenya in the East and Tanzania in the South, Rwanda in the South west, DR Congo to the west and South Sudan to the North, making it a landlocked country. It lies at 1⁰S to 4⁰N Latitude and 30⁰ to 35⁰ East Longitude, so it is astride the Equator.1 00 N, 32 00 E.

The country, however, is well watered and fertile. Although it lies at the Equator, it receives about three rainy seasons a year, with Lake Victoria, The Nile, the many forests and the Rwenzori mountains determining much of the climate. In forest ecosystems it rains regularly and weather is unpredictable. Water covers 36,330 sq km, about 15% of Uganda’s area. The country is rich in wildlife, game, birds, and a vast culture of over 50 tribes occupying this beautiful, green country. In Uganda alone a birder will enjoy twelve percent of bird species in the world; a tracker will find half of the world’s gorillas; an explorer will have an opportunity to see more than 7% of the world’s mammals. For the discerning traveller the potential for Ecotourism here is enormous, and the discreet have tapped into it.

Day 1: Entebbe – Arrival Entebbe

Arrive. Transfer to Entebbe or Kampala

Overnight in Entebbe at;

Mid-level - Admas Hotel Entebbe, Bed & Breakfast

Day 2: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth Park – Buffalo Safari Lodge

Queen Elizabeth NP has the widest variety of wildlife of any Ugandan park. Elephant and buffalo are very common, and lions are surprisingly easy to spot. Hyena can be spotted occasionally, while Giraffe and zebra are absent. There are many interesting antelope species like Uganda kob, topi and sitatunga. Hippos and crocodiles are common in Kazinga channel. A troop of chimpanzees has been habituated for tracking. Nine more primate species are found, including the black-and-white colobus monkey.

Day Itinerary

Drive on the southbound road; past captivating attractions en route: look at royal drum makers, brief stop at the Equator and be in both hemispheres at once, drive past the roadside markets aerated with fruit and vegetables. Continue to the Queen Elizabeth National Park, arriving very late in the afternoon, keeping an eye out for the game. [Approximate driving time: 6 hours]

Overnight: Buffalo Safari Lodge, Full Board – www.buffalolodge.ug

DAY 3: Queen Elizabeth, Game drive and Boat cruise

After breakfast, go for a morning game drive in the park and in the afternoon and be rewarded with a River cruise on the Kazinga Channel; a 32-kilometre long natural channel connecting Lake Gorge and Lake Edward. The shores of this channel draw a large number of wild animals, birds and reptiles all through the year, with one of the largest population of hippos in the whole world as well as plentiful Nile crocodiles. While returning to the lodge, do a short game drive in the park in the evening.

Afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel is a rewarding experience. An evening game drive, time permitting.

Queen Elizabeth National Park (QE), below the famous Rwenzori Mountains, is an African savannah park, consisting of plain surroundings. The park which is part of the western arm of the Great East African Rift Valley is centered around Lake Edward and Lake George. The launch trip along the Kazinga Channel linking these two lakes is especially good for viewing hippo, buffalo, elephant and a large host of birds amounting to over 500 species! Around Ishasha go on the hunt for the famous tree-climbing lions which lounge nonchalantly in the upper branches of high trees! The beautiful steeply forested Kyambura Gorge nearby, is home not only to chimpanzees but also the red-tailed monkey, black and white Colobus and many bird species.

Overnight: Buffalo Safari Lodge, Full Board – www.buffalolodge.ug

DAY 4: Chimpanzee trekking - Queen Elizabeth National Park

After breakfast, transfer to the park for briefing later chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Chimpanzee Trekking in Kyambura Gorge Uganda

Kyambura gorge is an underground tropical forest found in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The Gorge is 100 meters deep and about 1 km long. It is an extension of the Kyambura Game reserve which is part of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Kyambura gorge is characterized by dense tropical rain forest that are home to a large number of birds, primates and mammals like elephants and hippopotamus.

The Kyambura Gorge is surrounding by vast summer grasslands on all sides although human plantations and villages are not very far off.  The surrounding Savannah receives a lot of sunshine while the gorge itself is remains relatively cool because of the tall trees less direct sunlight. The river Kyambura is a key water source and flows right in the middle of the forest providing water to the plants and animals throughout the year. River Kyambura gets most of its water from the rocks surrounding the gorge and during the rainy season.

Kyambura Gorge connects to the Kazinga Channel of Queen Elizabeth National Park through a vast swamp/wetland. A local legend has it that there were once heavy rains in the area that caused massive floods carrying away some people and their properties. After the rains ceased and floods subsided, the people went out to look for missing loved one and property but with no success.  Everyone came back lamenting and using the word “Kyambura” which means “got lost” or “I couldn’t find it”.  Because of the massive loss of property and disappearance of people, the place and gorge became known as Kyambura.

Chimpanzee tracking is arguably the most attractive thing to do in Kyambura Gorge – and why not? Chimpanzees are man’s closest relatives and are highly intelligent compared to most primates. They can walk on two legs like us and though for short distances because they prefer using all four limbs. Chimps live in communities of between 30 to 80 members. Large groups are divided into smaller groups that feed separately before getting back to the group before night.  They build nests on top of trees for rest in the afternoon and at night. Building the nests takes a very short time and is done by bending several tree branches together to form a comfortable chimp couch.  The most active part of the day for chimps is after getting out of their temporary nests in the morning. They start by picking up fruit randomly in the morning becoming very selective as they get fuller in the afternoon. Because of their high level of intelligence, Chimps will use stems to fight of enemies including humans. The same stems can be used to remove/lure termites out of their holes. Although chimps feed in mainly fruits, they will kill small antelopes and other primates for food. The hunt is organized in a group in which the unfortunate victim is chased, corned and eaten.

Overnight: Buffalo Safari Lodge, Full Board – www.buffalolodge.ug

Day 5: Return to Kampala city Transfer to Entebbe airport for your flight.

Morning breakfast. Return to Kampala, retracing your steps through this green and pleasant land. Lunch en route (lunch included). Upon arrival in entebbe, connect to your onward flight