5 Days Of Uganda’s Wildlife Safari

5 Days Uganda Wildlife Safari – Queen Elizabeth & Murchison Falls National Parks

Explore Uganda’s premier national parks—Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls—on this thrilling 5-day wildlife safari. From game drives to boat cruises and rhino trekking, this adventure promises incredible wildlife encounters, breathtaking scenery, and unforgettable memories.

Brief Overview of Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP)

Queen Elizabeth National Park is located in Western Uganda, spanning the districts of Kasese, Kamwenge, Rubirizi, and Rukungiri. It lies approximately 400 kilometers (250 miles) southwest of Kampala, Uganda’s capital. The park is bordered by several other protected areas: Kyambura Game Reserve to the east (which connects to Kibale National Park), and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west. These reserves collectively surround Lake Edward, forming one of Africa’s richest biodiversity corridors. The majestic Rwenzori Mountains National Park is also nearby.

Itinerary Summary

Day 1: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park – Afternoon Boat Cruise

Your safari begins early in the morning (6:00 a.m.) from Kampala or Entebbe. Meet your expert driver/guide and embark on a scenic 6-hour drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. En route, stop at the Equator Monument for photography and a brief equator experiment.

Arrive at the park in the early afternoon and check in at your lodge for lunch. Later at 2:00 p.m., enjoy a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, which links Lake Edward and Lake George. Expect sightings of hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes, elephants, and an abundance of birdlife, including African fish eagles, pelicans, and kingfishers.

Overnight Options:

• Mweya Safari Lodge (Luxury)

• Parkview Safari Lodge (Mid-range)

• Pumba Safari Cottages (Budget)

Meal Plan: Full Board

Day 2: Morning Game Drive – Transfer to Fort Portal

Start the day with an early morning game drive in the Kasenyi plains, a hotspot for predators and grazers. Look out for the “Big Four”—lions, elephants, buffaloes, and, if you’re lucky, leopards—as well as Uganda kobs, warthogs, hyenas, and giant forest hogs.

After the game drive, either return to your lodge for lunch or continue directly to Fort Portal, about 3 hours away, where you’ll enjoy lunch upon arrival and settle in for the night.

Overnight Options:

• Kyaninga Lodge (Luxury)

• Ndali Lodge (Mid-range)

• Mountains of the Moon Hotel (Budget)

Meal Plan: Full Board

Day 3: Scenic Drive to Murchison Falls National Park

Enjoy a hearty breakfast and embark on a full-day drive to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest and oldest conservation area. Enjoy scenic views of tea plantations, small towns, and local communities along the way. Lunch is served en route.

Arrive late in the afternoon and, if time permits, visit the Top of the Falls to witness the Nile River forcefully squeezing through a 7-meter gorge, plunging 45 meters into the “Devil’s Cauldron.”

Overnight Options:

• Paraa Safari Lodge (Luxury)

• Pakuba Safari Lodge (Mid-range)

Meal Plan: Full Board

Day 4: Game Drive – Nile Boat Cruise – Optional Hike to the Top of the Falls

Begin your day with an early morning game drive on the Northern Bank of Murchison Falls National Park. Look out for Rothschild giraffes, lions, elephants, buffaloes, Jackson’s hartebeest, oribis, Uganda kobs, and waterbucks.

After lunch at the lodge, embark on a launch cruise to the base of the falls, a highlight of any Ugandan safari. Spot crocodiles, hippos, and a variety of bird species, such as bee-eaters, kingfishers, and cormorants.

For adventure seekers, opt for a guided hike up to the top of the falls via Baker’s Trail, ending at Baker’s Stone—a viewpoint offering incredible perspectives of the roaring cascade.

Overnight Options:

• Paraa Safari Lodge / Pakuba Safari Lodge

Meal Plan: Full Board

Day 5: Rhino Trekking at Ziwa – Return to Kampala or Entebbe

After breakfast, depart for Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Nakasongola, the only place in Uganda to see wild rhinos. Enjoy a guided rhino trekking experience, which lasts 2–3 hours.

After lunch, continue the drive back to Kampala or Entebbe for drop-off at your hotel or Entebbe International Airport for your outbound flight.

Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch

Inclusions

• Accommodation as per itinerary

• Meals on Full Board basis

• All park entrance fees

• English-speaking driver/guide

• 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof

• Rhino trekking at Ziwa Sanctuary

• Boat cruises on Kazinga Channel & Nile River

• Ranger guides for game drives & trekking

• Bottled drinking water

Exclusions

• International flights

• Uganda Visa fees

• Alcoholic drinks & soft drinks

• Tips & gratuities

• Laundry services

• Travel insurance

What to Pack

• Light, breathable clothes

• Waterproof jacket

• Camera & binoculars

• Insect repellent

• Sunscreen & hat

• Hiking shoes (for optional hike)

Book your 5-day Uganda wildlife safari today and enjoy unforgettable encounters with nature in Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls National Parks!