Queen Elizabeth National Park Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Safari

A dedicated Queen Elizabeth National Park safari for travellers who want classic savannah wildlife without a trekking permit — game drives, the Kazinga Channel boat cruise, and Ishasha’s famous tree-climbing lions, all requiring only park entry fees rather than a limited-availability permit.

Detailed Itinerary

DAY 1

Entebbe to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Your driver-guide meets you at Entebbe International Airport for the road transfer south — a more direct route than the Bwindi-bound trips, running via Masaka and Mbarara before turning west into the park, roughly 5–6 hours — arriving in the afternoon with time for an evening game drive across the Kasenyi plains as the light softens.

Accommodation Options

BudgetSimba Safari Camp

Mid-rangeKatara Lodge

LuxuryMweya Safari Lodge

Meals: Dinner

DAY 2

Full Day: Boat Cruise and Ishasha Lions

A late-morning Kazinga Channel boat cruise, the narrow waterway linking Lakes Edward and George, for the park’s exceptionally dense hippo and Nile crocodile population plus strong birdlife along the banks. After lunch, the drive south to Ishasha specifically to search the fig and euphorbia trees for the sector’s famous tree-climbing lions, a genuinely unusual sighting most visitors don’t expect on an African safari.

Accommodation

As above

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 3

Morning Game Drive, Return to Entebbe

An early game drive while the light and temperature are both at their best, then breakfast back at the lodge before the return road transfer to Entebbe, timed against your onward flight.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Permits & Costs

Park entry fee	~$40 per person per day
Boat cruise	Included in tour price
Gorilla or chimpanzee permit	Not required for this itinerary

Who This Itinerary Suits

Travellers who’ve already trekked gorillas on a separate trip, or anyone wanting a pure savannah safari without the cost or physical demand of a primate trek.

Tour Includes

Travel in a 4×4 safari vehicle
Professional English-speaking driver-guide
All accommodation per itinerary
Meals as specified
Boat cruise & park entry fees

Tour Excludes

International flights
Visas
Alcoholic drinks
Tips & gratuities
Travel insurance

What Makes Queen Elizabeth Distinct

Queen Elizabeth National Park’s mix of savannah, wetland and forest within one boundary supports over 95 mammal species and 600 bird species — an unusually high count reflecting its varied habitat. The Ishasha sector’s tree-climbing lions, resting in fig-tree branches through the heat of the day, are a genuinely unusual sighting most visitors don’t expect from an African safari.

What to Pack

Comfortable layered clothing (early morning game drives can be cool before the day warms up), sun protection, and binoculars if you have them. No hiking boots or rain gear are strictly necessary since this itinerary involves no walking.

Can this be booked at short notice?

Yes — unlike gorilla or chimpanzee permits, this itinerary needs only standard park entry fees, bookable with just a few days’ notice in most cases.

Is this suitable for families with young children?

Yes — with no minimum age requirement and no walking involved, it’s one of our most family-friendly itineraries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit for this trip?

No — only standard park entry fees apply, bookable with much shorter notice than a gorilla or chimpanzee permit.

Can this be added onto a gorilla trekking itinerary?

Yes — it combines naturally as an extension before or after a Bwindi trek, since Queen Elizabeth sits directly between Bwindi and Kibale.

Ready to Plan This Trip?

Tell us your dates and we’ll confirm lodges within one business day. Get in touch to start planning.