4 Days Kibale forest and Queen Elizabeth National Park

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Itinerary overview

Looking for a quick, short safari in Uganda? Book this 4-day safari where you have chances to see endangered chimpanzees in their natural habitat as well as game watching in a savannah setting.

Visit the primate capital – Kibale forest which is also home to tens of other special primate species and an array of birdlife. On the other hand, Queen Elizabeth national park is an epic center for savannah game watching with animals such as cape buffaloes, huge elephants, hippos, lions, antelopes and leopards and captivating golden landscapes, marked with both explosion craters and jaw dropping valleys.

Detailed itinerary.

Day 1 – Kampala /Entebbe to Kibale National Park. Nature walk in Bigodi wetland

Pick up from either Entebbe airport or from your place of accommodation in Kampala, the safari guide will meet and greet you warmly while briefing you about the entire 4-day trip and explain exactly what to expect! At about 8:30am, be ready to set off on a journey of 5 hours to Fortportal, passing through extensive plantations of eucalyptus trees, tea estates, and conical hills in Mubende district.

Arrive in Kibale national park for lunch and thereafter go for a nature walk / birding expedition in the nearby Bigodi wetland. This eco-tourism is located on the edge of Kibale forest, marked with a profusion of birds such as the great blue turacos, mammals like swamp Sitatungas and primates. Also visit the Bigodi community where you are able to meet and mix freely with the natives, buy some African crafts, watch them dance and play traditional musical instruments and later return to the lodge for overnight stay and dinner.

Day 2: Chimpanzee tracking and depart to Queen Elizabeth national park.

Early rise in the middle of misty Kibale forest, with amazing sights and sounds of small and huge birds that make this forest a superb destination for bird watchers. However, you will begin this day with a 30-40-minute briefing session where rangers will outline to you some important rules and regulations to observe while in the forest searching for chimps and even during one-on-one encounter.

Kibale forest is a famous habitat for the largest chimpanzee population in Africa; about 1500 in total, but only about 200 are known to be habituated and ready for tracking all year long. Spend at least one hour with a troop of chimps, watch them go about their day to day life and after one hour, you will return to the lodge for lunch and travel to Queen Elizabeth national park.

Day 3: Queen Elizabeth national park: Guided game watching safari and boat ride on Kazinga channel.

Wake up to the scenic savannah landscapes of Queen Elizabeth national park, perfect for photography from the balcony of your cottage.

Have breakfast and set off on an early guided game watching safari, either to the Kasenyi sector or to the Queen’s pavilion; both sectors are great mating and grazing grounds where both preys and predators tend to harbor especially in the morning hours.

Among animals to look out for include a pride of lions, elephants, cape buffaloes, waterbucks, kobs, Oribis, Topis, and on a lucky day you can spot elusive animals like leopards and hyenas.

After this 4-hour game drive, return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation in preparation for an afternoon boat ride along Kazinga channel. This is a long stream of water that joins Lake Edward to Lake George, and a habitat to numerous reptiles, birds and mammals alike. While here you will watch different mammals busking in the scorching sun, hippos, crocodiles, and common sights of beautiful birdlife.

Return to the lodge after 3 hours of this launch trip, and return to the lodge with opportunities of spotting more grazing animals.

Day 4: Leave Queen Elizabeth National Park to Kampala

Check out of the lodge and exit the park to begin your 6 hours’ drive back to Kampala. Enjoy enroute stopovers at Igongo cultural hotel for lunch and museum tour, and later at the equator for photography and craft shopping. Final drop off at Entebbe airport will be in the evening as you mark the end of 4 days’ Kibale forest and Queen Elizabeth national park tour.