9 Days Queen Elizabeth National Park & Jinja
Tour Details
Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the most popular game parks in Uganda and in east Africa.  It is located in the western part of Uganda about 376km from Kampala. Queen Elizabeth national park is known for its variety of wildlife, most of which was killed in the Uganda-Tanzania war. The park is a true nature hub with a number of natural attractions making it a suitable option for Uganda safaris. It has volcanic features which include volcanic cones, and deep craters, it also includes the Maramagambo Forest, not to mention the various species of wildlife that reside within its borders.
Jinja is a town in southern Uganda, on the shore of Lake Victoria. The source of the Nile, at Coronation Park, is marked by a garden and a monument honoring British explorer John Hanning Speke. Owen Falls Dam and Bujagali Dam both span the Nile. Farther north on the river, Itanda Falls is known for its white-water rapids. East of Jinja, on Lake Victoria, Samuka Island is home to birdlife, including little egrets.
Trip Highlights
- Game Drives
- Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Source of the Nile
- white Water Rafting
- Samuka Island
- Deep Craters
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe Airport
Arrival at Entebbe Airport where you will be welcomed by a Wild expedition representative and transferred to your hotel. Overnight at the Lake Victoria Hotel.
Day 2: Entebbe-Ishasha Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast, your guide will pick you up, and your journey into the wild begins. You will head south of Uganda having a stopover at the equator for some photos and those who wish to use the bathroom can help themselves. After this, you will continue to one of the major cities called Mbarara where you have your lunch break at a place called the Igongo culture center.
After lunch, continue with your journey to the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National park called Ishasha. The Ishasha Sector is actually today very famous because of its mystifying population of tree-climbing lions that are a very exceptional attraction and as well one of the major highlights for which most guests visit this park.
The Lions are normally seen lazily lying up within the branches of the huge fig trees staring down at the numerous Uganda Kobs that graze in the open Ishasha plains – and these are actually the main prey to these lions. You will arrive late afternoon at the place of your accommodation. Dinner and overnight at the wildness camp.
Day 3: Tree-Climbing Lions
After your breakfast, you will head out for a game drive in the southern sector of Ishasha famous for lots of fig trees these lions like to climb. Lions climb trees as a way of protecting themselves against the numerous biting tsetse flies on the ground level and also to escape from the heat on the ground and enjoy the cool breeze. But not only lions this place have it also big herds of buffalos, the Uganda kobs, Topis, leopards, elephants, and much more.
The game drive will take about four hours and later return to the lodge for Lunch. In the afternoon, you will head out yet for another game drive on the northern bank of the park in such for more game and later relax at the river Ishasha that marks the boundary between Uganda and Congo returning to the lodge late evening. Dinner and overnight at The Wildness Camp.
Day 4: Ishasha – Kyambura Game Lodge
After breakfast, you will proceed to the northern side of Queen Elizabeth National park called Mweya where you will have a boat ride along the Kazinga channel. The Kazinga channel is approximately 40 meters long connecting the two Lakes; Lake Gorge (which is to the east) and Lake Edward (which is to the west). This channel is among the most important features in Queen Elizabeth National Park (which is the most well-liked game reserve in Uganda covering an entire land area of 1,978 sq km).
The channel has a wonderful view of the most important wildlife ventures within Queen Elizabeth National Park. The shores of this channel draw a large number of wild animals, birds in addition to reptiles all through the year, with one of the largest populations of hippos in the whole world as well as plentiful Nile crocodiles. These animals can be seen well on a boat cruise down the course of the channel or most likely at the entrance of the spectacular Lake Edward.
The Boat Cruise on the Kazinga Channel is extremely rewarding and among the finest and most liked launch – trips in the country. This boat trip takes about 2 hours. After this, you will proceed to your lodge. Dinner and overnight at Kyambura game lodge.
Day 5: Kyambura Game Lodge
Early in the morning at about 6:15, have a cup of coffee and then at about 6:30 am proceed for a game drive in the northern sector of the park where you shall be looking for pride of lions, the Uganda kob, warthogs, oribis, waterbucks, buffalos, spotted Hyenas, leopards and many other animals not forgetting the beautiful birds. This game drive takes 3-4 hours and then return for a full breakfast at your hotel. In the afternoon, you will go for a boat cruise along the Kazinga channel which is home to many hippos, buffalos, elephants that come to gallop in lots of water, and many birds at the shores like Great white and pink-Backed pelicans, Great long-tailed cormorants, open-billed stork, African jacana, malachite and pied kingfishers are commonly seen. This cruise takes 3 hours.
Overnight at Kyambura game lodge.
Day 6: Jinja
After breakfast, you will proceed to the Eastern town of Uganda called Jinja where your lodge wild water is located. You will have a stopover in Mbarara town for lunch and later continue with your journey to Jinja arriving late evening at the lodge. Dinner and overnight at wild waters lodge.
Day 7: River Nile
This day, relax at the lodge and take in the beauty of the surroundings as you also watch the rafters go through the rapids. Dinner and Overnight at Wild waters lodge.
Day 8: White Waters
Whole day white water rafting on the Nile.
Day 9: Jinja – Entebbe
After breakfast, leave Jinja town heading back to Entebbe in time for a flight.
End of safari
Mugisha Henry
Hotel Information
- Kyambura Gorge Lodge
- Ishasha Wilderness Camp
- Jacana Lodge
- Mweya Safari Lodge
The price includes
- Ground transportation in a safari customized 4WD Toyota Land Cruiser with gasoline/fuel, Mineral water in the vehicle, services of an English speaking Driver/guide, Accommodation as shown at the lodges mentioned in the itinerary; Meals as shown (B-breakfast, L-lunch, D-dinner), all Park Entrance Fees, white water rafting, Kazinga Boat cruise, Tree climbing lions in Ishasha, Park entry fees.
The price excludes
- International Airfares; Excess baggage charges; Ugandan Entry Visa Fees; fees for International travel Vaccinations and Inoculations; Items of personal nature such us Room service, Beverages, Communications charges (telephone, fax, internet), Laundry, etc.; Postage fees, Porterage fees, Tips and Gratuities for your Driver/guide and Hotels staff, Shopping charges for Curios and Crafts, International Airport Departure Taxes, Optional activities unless specified as included, Any other services not expressly shown in the itinerary or indicated as included.
NB: Prices are current, net and subject to change. Availability of accommodations and activities is not guaranteed; reservations will be made after receiving confirmation of the final itinerary and the requested deposit. Should any of the included accommodations not be available, we reserve the right to substitute it with alternative suitable accommodation, which might affect the final quoted price. Gorilla and Chimp permits can only be secured after receiving the requested deposit. The estimated travelling hours are based on the actual hours of driving. Stops for lunch and photos are not included.