Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable 3-day birding and wildlife safari to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda’s most scenic and biodiverse safari destination. This adventure combines world-class bird watching with thrilling wildlife encounters, offering you the best of both worlds — from spotting rare birds to witnessing lions, elephants, hippos, and buffaloes up close.
With over 600 bird species and the famous tree-climbing lions of Ishasha, Queen Elizabeth National Park is a paradise for birders and nature lovers alike. Join Openbill Safaris Uganda for an incredible journey through savannah plains, crater lakes, and along the Kazinga Channel.
Safari Highlights
- 🦜 Birding in the savannah and along the Kazinga Channel — over 600 species recorded.
- 🦁 Game drives through Kasenyi Plains to spot lions, elephants, buffaloes, and antelopes.
- 🚤 Boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel — see hippos, crocodiles, and hundreds of water birds.
- 🌄 Scenic views of crater lakes, Rwenzori Mountains, and rolling savannah landscapes.
- 👣 Optional community walk or visit to Lake Katwe salt mines.
- 🦩 Spot sought-after birds like the African Skimmer, Shoebill, Martial Eagle, and Malachite Kingfisher.
Detailed Itinerary
🗓️ Day 1: Transfer from Kampala/Entebbe to Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast, you’ll be picked up by your Openbill Safaris Uganda guide for a scenic drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, with stopovers at the equator for photos and lunch in Mbarara.
Enjoy a relaxed evening birding session near the park, spotting savannah species like the Grey-crowned Crane, Black-headed Gonolek, and Long-crested Eagle.
Dinner and overnight at your lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
🗓️ Day 2: Morning Game Drive & Afternoon Boat Cruise (Birding along the Kazinga Channel)
Start the day early with a game drive in the Kasenyi Plains, a prime area for spotting lions, elephants, buffaloes, and several bird species like the Red-throated Bee-eater, African Wattled Lapwing, and Crowned Plover.
In the afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, where you’ll observe flocks of African Skimmers, Pied Kingfishers, Great White Pelicans, and African Fish Eagles, alongside pods of hippos and basking crocodiles.
Dinner and overnight at your lodge.
🗓️ Day 3: Morning Birding & Transfer Back to Kampala/Entebbe
After breakfast, go for a final morning bird walk around the Mweya Peninsula or Maramagambo Forest, where you might spot forest birds like the White-naped Pigeon, Black Bee-eater, and Green Hylia.
After birding, start your journey back to Kampala or Entebbe with en-route lunch, arriving in the evening.
End of Safari.
Inclusions
✅ Transportation in a 4×4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof
✅ Professional English-speaking birding and wildlife guide
✅ Park entry fees and game drives
✅ Boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel
✅ Birding permits and park ranger fees
✅ Accommodation (2 nights) and meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
✅ Bottled drinking water
Exclusions
❌ International flights
❌ Visa fees
❌ Travel insurance
❌ Personal expenses (laundry, tips, souvenirs, drinks at the bar)
❌ Optional activities not included in the itinerary
