4 Days Queen Elizabeth National Park | Budget Wildlife Safari and Boatcruise

Route, Style & Guided Experience

Route: Entebbe / Kampala – Queen Elizabeth National Park (Kasese, Kyambura Gorge, Ishasha sectors) – Return to Entebbe
Style: 4 Days Queen Elizabeth National Park – Budget Wildlife Safari and Boat cruise, suitable for private or group travelers
Operated by: Nextgen Safaris – Professional English-speaking guide (German, French, Russian available on request)

This 4 Days Queen Elizabeth National Park itinerary is crafted for travelers who want an affordable yet immersive wildlife experience in one of Uganda’s most iconic safari destinations. The journey includes daily game drives, chimpanzee trekking, boat cruises, and a chance to see the elusive tree-climbing lions of Ishasha.

Overview – 4 Days Queen Elizabeth National Park Safari

This 4 Days Queen Elizabeth National Park safari offers a compact and action-packed itinerary for nature lovers, photographers, and first-time safari-goers looking to explore Uganda’s best all-around wildlife park. Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to over 600 bird species, the Big Four (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo), and diverse ecosystems ranging from savannah to crater lakes.

You’ll enjoy morning and evening game drives, a scenic boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a thrilling chimpanzee trek in Kyambura Gorge, and a drive through Ishasha—the only place in Uganda where lions climb trees. From budget camps to luxury lodges, this trip can be tailored to your comfort level.

Day-by-Day Highlights – 4 Days Queen Elizabeth National Park Safari

• Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe/Kampala – Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park – Evening game drive

• Day 2: Morning game drive in Kasenyi Plains – Afternoon Kazinga Channel boat safari

• Day 3: Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge – Transfer to Ishasha

• Day 4: Final game drive in Ishasha – Return transfer to Entebbe or airport drop-off

Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe or Kampala – Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park – Evening Game Drive

Your 4 Days Queen Elizabeth National Park safari begins with a pickup from Entebbe International Airport or your hotel in Kampala. After meeting your professional guide from Nextgen Safaris, you’ll begin the scenic drive westward to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Along the way, enjoy rolling hills, banana plantations, roadside markets, and panoramic views of Uganda’s countryside.

• Transfer Distance:

  • From Entebbe: Approx. 410 km

  • From Kampala: Approx. 390 km

• Estimated Drive Time: 6 to 7 hours, with rest stops and lunch en route

Upon arrival at the northern Kasenyi sector, check in at your lodge and take a short rest. Later in the afternoon, embark on your first evening game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park. This area is known for large herds of Uganda kob, elephants, and predatory cats like lions and leopards. The golden hour lighting makes this a perfect opportunity for wildlife photography.

Accommodation Options – Queen Elizabeth (Kasenyi Sector)

Meal Plan:

• Included: Lunch en route & Dinner at the lodge

• Optional: Pre-arrival overnight in Entebbe or Kampala can be arranged for early morning departures

This day sets the tone for your unforgettable 4 Days Queen Elizabeth National Park experience—combining scenic drives, local encounters, and your first taste of African wildlife.

Day 2: Morning Game Drive in Kasenyi Plains – Afternoon Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

Wake up to the sounds of the wild and enjoy an early breakfast at your lodge. Today’s adventures on your 4 Days Queen Elizabeth National Park safari begin with a morning game drive through the Kasenyi Plains, one of the park’s most wildlife-rich areas.

This open savannah landscape is ideal for spotting:

• Elephants and buffaloes roaming in large herds

• Lions, often seen hunting Uganda kobs

• Warthogs, bushbucks, and waterbucks

• A wide array of birdlife, including the majestic African fish eagle

The best game viewing hours are early in the morning, as the animals are most active before the sun gets too hot.

Afternoon: Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

After returning to the lodge for lunch and a short rest, you’ll head to the jetty at Mweya Peninsula for an unforgettable boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel — a natural waterway that connects Lake Edward and Lake George.

This two-hour boat safari is a highlight of the 4 Days Queen Elizabeth National Park itinerary, offering close encounters with:

• Hundreds of hippos bathing and grunting in the shallows

• Giant Nile crocodiles sunning themselves on the banks

• Buffaloes and elephants drinking at the water’s edge

• Spectacular birdlife, including kingfishers, cormorants, and saddle-billed storks

The boat has an upper viewing deck, offering excellent angles for photography and panoramic scenery.

Accommodation Options – Same as Day 1

Your lodge stay remains in the Kasenyi or Mweya sector, with options ranging from comfortable budget lodges to luxury safari retreats.

• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Included Activities: Morning game drive, Boat cruise on Kazinga Channel

• Optional Add-ons: Birding walk or crater lake exploration (time permitting)

This day delivers two core experiences that make the 4 Days Queen Elizabeth National Park safari one of Uganda’s most popular short wildlife tours.

Day 3: Chimpanzee Trekking in Kyambura Gorge – Transfer to Ishasha Sector

After an early breakfast, you’ll transfer to the Kyambura Gorge, often referred to as the “Valley of Apes.” This sunken rainforest hidden within the savannah is a prime spot for chimpanzee trekking, adding a unique primate experience to your 4 Days Queen Elizabeth National Park safari.

Chimpanzee Trekking in Kyambura Gorge

• Start Time: Around 8:00 AM (after a briefing at the ranger station)

• Duration: 2 to 4 hours, depending on chimpanzee location

• Difficulty: Moderate (walking down and up the gorge)

Led by experienced Uganda Wildlife Authority guides, you’ll hike through the lush, steep-walled gorge in search of wild chimpanzees. Along the way, you may also encounter black-and-white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and a variety of forest birds.

Though chimps here are more elusive than in Kibale Forest, the landscape and birdlife make this trek memorable and well worth it.

Afternoon Transfer to Ishasha Sector (Home of the Tree-Climbing Lions)

After the trek and a quick lunch, your guide will drive you south to the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park — a region famous for its tree-climbing lions.

• Distance from Kyambura to Ishasha: Approx. 90 km

• Drive Time: 2.5 to 3 hours, including wildlife stops en route

Keep your camera ready — as you approach Ishasha, you may spot elephants, topis, and even the rare shoebill stork in the marshy zones.

Check into your lodge for the night and relax, with an optional short evening drive depending on arrival time.

Accommodation Options – Ishasha Sector

• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Included Activities: Chimp trekking permit, transfer to Ishasha

• Optional Add-ons: Evening game drive or community visit (depending on time)

Day 3 adds a thrilling contrast of primates and predators, making your 4 Days Queen Elizabeth National Park experience both dynamic and diverse.

Day 4: Morning Game Drive in Ishasha – Return to Entebbe or Kampala

Your final day of the 4 Days Queen Elizabeth National Park safari begins with an early morning game drive through the remote and wild Ishasha sector. This part of the park is known for its serene landscapes, fewer crowds, and of course, the famous tree-climbing lions — a rare behavior seen in only two places in the world.

Morning Game Drive – Ishasha Plains

On your last game drive, search the fig and acacia trees for lions lounging in the branches. You’ll also have excellent chances of spotting:

• Topis, Uganda’s elegant antelopes

• Herds of elephants grazing in the open plains

• Buffaloes, warthogs, and a variety of birds

• Occasional hyenas or leopards in the early morning light

The quiet, unspoiled atmosphere of Ishasha offers a perfect closing chapter to your wildlife journey.

Return Transfer to Entebbe or Kampala

After the game drive and a hearty breakfast, begin the scenic return journey to Entebbe or Kampala, with stopovers for lunch, photos, and souvenirs at the Equator crossing.

• Distance from Ishasha to Entebbe: Approx. 470 km

• Drive Time: 8–9 hours, depending on traffic and stopovers

• Alternative: Optional domestic flight from Kihihi airstrip to Entebbe (available on request)

You’ll arrive in the evening for drop-off at your hotel or directly at Entebbe International Airport for your outbound flight.

Safari Completion Summary

This 4 Days Queen Elizabeth National Park safari has taken you through:

• Savannah game drives in Kasenyi & Ishasha

• A boat safari on the Kazinga Channel

• A thrilling chimpanzee trek in Kyambura

• Scenic transfers through Uganda’s Great Rift Valley

Whether you traveled on a budget or in luxury, this journey offers some of the best highlights Uganda has to offer — in just four unforgettable days.

This 4 Days Queen Elizabeth National Park safari can be extended with a transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for easier hikes and clearer trails for Mountain Gorilla Trekking on request

Ready to Explore Queen Elizabeth National Park?
Book your 4 Days Queen Elizabeth National Park safari with Nextgen Safaris and enjoy an unforgettable adventure through Uganda’s top wildlife park. From tree-climbing lions to river safaris and chimpanzee tracking, this journey has it all — tailored to your comfort and budget.
📩 Get in touch today and let us plan your perfect Uganda safari.

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