The 3-Day Queen Elizabeth National Park Aquatic and Chimpanzee Trekking Safari Experience
The 3-Day Queen Elizabeth National Park Aquatic and Chimpanzee Trekking Safari Experience
About this Package
The Experience: The boat cruise takes place on the Kazinga Channel, a 32-kilometer-long natural waterway that connects Lake Edward and Lake George. Operating near the Mweya Peninsula, this cruise is a spectacular, slow-paced safari that brings you incredibly close to the animals that rely on the channel for survival, particularly during the heat of the day. Unlike a bumpy game drive, the water offers an entirely relaxed, unobstructed 360-degree viewing platform, making it a paradise for photographers and birders alike. Key Encounters & Focus: Your experience will focus on the aquatic and water-dependent species, with a special emphasis on reptiles and water-associated megafauna. Reptiles (Aquatic Focus): Nile Crocodiles: The channel's banks are a vital basking habitat. You will see these formidable reptiles, some measuring several meters long, lying motionless with their jaws open to regulate their temperature. The slow approach of the boat allows for up-close viewing of large groups. Nile Monitor Lizards: Keep an eye on the exposed rocks and logs near the water's edge. These sleek, large lizards are often spotted sunning themselves or foraging, showcasing their impressive size and stealth. Megafauna (Aquatic & Semi-Aquatic): Hippopotamus: The Kazinga Channel is famous for having one of the highest concentrations of hippos in the world. You will navigate past large pods, with hundreds of these creatures partially submerged. Their loud "honking" and spectacular yawns are a constant soundtrack to the trip. African Buffalo: Huge herds of buffalo, often numbering in the hundreds, are commonly seen wading in the shallows to cool off, drink, or graze on the fresh grass along the banks. African Elephant: Elephants regularly descend to the water's edge to drink, bathe, and shower themselves in the channel's cooling mud. This is often the best opportunity to see them up close as they relax and interact with the water. Birding (Aquatic Specialists): The channel is classified as an Important Birding Area (IBA). You can expect to see over 60 bird species on a single cruise, including: • Pelicans: Great White and Pink-backed Pelicans. • Kingfishers: Pied, Malachite, and Giant Kingfishers. • Waders: African Fish Eagles, African Skimmers (seasonal), Spoonbills, and various species of Herons and Egrets. This tour focuses on the core experiences of Queen Elizabeth National Park: the world-famous aquatic safari on the Kazinga Channel and the thrilling chimpanzee trekking in the sunken forest of Kyambura Gorge.
What you'll do
Arrival From Kampala/Entebbe
Day 1
Arrive at Kikorongo Rest Camp, check into your hotel room and rest after this long journey. Have your Dinner and later briefing for the activities of the next days
Day 1: Game Drive & The Aquatic Safari (Reptiles)
Day 2
7:00: Have your Breakfast and prepare for the long day in the wild 8:00: The Aquatic Safari: Launch Trip Drive to the nearby Mweya Peninsula Landing Site. Board the launch for the highly-anticipated 2-3 hour cruise on the Kazinga Channel. 10:30 - 17:30 Reptiles & Mega-Fauna Encounters The highlight of the day. Expect close-up views of Nile Crocodiles basking in groups and large Nile Monitor Lizards sunning themselves on the banks. The channel is teeming with Hippos, Elephants, and Buffaloes cooling off. 2:30: Lunch at Mweya:- Have your lunch at Mweya while viewing national park animals and enjoying the sites and sounds in the surrounding. 3:30: Evening Game Drive:- A slow drive out of the Mweya Peninsula and back towards Kikorongo, offering a final chance to spot the day's predators and enjoying the equatorial sunset over the park. Stop over at Equator Crossing for photographs 6:30 Dinner & Leisure: Return to Kikorongo Rest Camp for a well-deserved dinner and prepare for the early start tomorrow.
Day 2: Chimpanzee Trekking & Savannah Drive
Day 3
06:00: Early Breakfast:- Start the day with an early breakfast or grab a packed breakfast for the drive. 06:30: Transfer to Kyambura Gorge:- Drive to the Kyambura Gorge Visitor Centre. This journey is a mini-game drive in itself, as the Kyambura area is often excellent for spotting lions and elephants. 07:30: Chimpanzee Trekking:- Briefing Meet the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) guides, receive a safety briefing, and collect walking sticks (recommended for the steep descent/ascent). 08:00: Chimpanzee Trekking:- Descend into the spectacular, sunken rainforest of the Kyambura Gorge, also known as the "Valley of Apes." The trek can be strenuous but is highly rewarding. Once the chimpanzees are located, you will spend up to one hour observing their captivating behavior, feeding, and social interactions. 11:30: Ascent & Return:- Ascend the gorge and meet your driver. Drive back towards the central part of the park. 13:00: Lunch & Rest:- Enjoy lunch back at Kikorongo Rest Camp or a convenient nearby lodge. 15:30: Kasenyi Plains Game Drive:- Embark on an afternoon game drive into the sprawling Kasenyi Plains. This area is known for vast herds of Uganda Kob, making it the primary hunting ground for the park's famous Lions and Leopards. This offers the quintessential savannah experience. 18:30: Dinner:- Final night dinner at Kikorongo Rest Camp.
Day 3: Crater Lakes & Departure
Day 4
Morning: Crater Lakes: Scenic Drive After breakfast, take a slow drive along the Crater Lakes region. This offers breathtaking panoramic views of the park's dramatic volcanic landscape and is a fantastic photo opportunity. You can stop at the equator monument near Kikorongo for a photo op. 10:00: Final Check-out:- Check out from Kikorongo Rest Camp. 11:00: Departure: Begin your onward journey from Queen Elizabeth National Park.
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