5 Day Ishasha Tree Climbing Lions and Kazinga Channel Safari
5 Day Ishasha Tree Climbing Lions and Kazinga Channel Safari
Overview
Our 5 day Ishasha Tree Climbing Lions and Kazinga Channel Safari is tailored for those with ample time who wish to fully experience the diverse offerings of Queen Elizabeth National Park. This safari provides a comprehensive exploration of both the northern and southern regions of the park. In the north, known as Mweya, you’ll enjoy game drives, boat cruises, and nature walks. The southern part, Ishasha, is renowned for its tree-climbing lions. Join us to explore the highlights of Queen Elizabeth National Park with this enriching safari experience.
Itinerary Summary for the 5 Day Ishasha Tree Climbing Lions and Kazinga Channel Safari
- Day 1: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Day 2: Morning game drive and afternoon boat cruise on Kazinga Channel
- Day 3: Drive to Ishasha for a community visit and evening game drive
- Day 4: Morning and afternoon game drives in Ishasha
- Day 5: Return to Kampala or Entebbe International Airport
Key Details
- Accommodation: Included
- Group Size: Maximum of 6 people per group
- Departure: Tours can start any day and are customizable
- Solo Travelers: Welcome
- Age Limit: 15 years and above
Tour Plan
Pickup from the Hotel and Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Your journey begins with an early morning pickup from your lodge, followed by a drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Your guide will brief you on what to expect and ensure you have the necessary gear for the safari. The drive takes you through charming small towns and markets along the Kampala-Mbarara road. A stop at the Equator offers a great opportunity for photos and stretching. Lunch will be served en route, and you will arrive in Queen Elizabeth National Park by the late afternoon for relaxation and an optional evening game drive.
- Accommodation: Bush Lodge or similar
- Meals: All meals included
Game Drive and Boat Cruise on Kazinga Channel
After an early breakfast, you will head to Kasenyi Plains for a game drive. Kasenyi is known for its diverse wildlife, including big cats like lions and leopards, buffaloes, elephants, antelopes, and warthogs. Following your game drive, return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, proceed to Mweya Peninsula for a two-hour boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel. This channel, with the highest concentration of hippos in the world and over 400 bird species, offers excellent opportunities to spot hippos, birds, elephants, buffaloes, and crocodiles. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
- Accommodation: Bush Lodge or similar
- Meals: All meals included
Community Visit and Transfer to Ishasha
Enjoy an early morning game drive before checking out of your lodge and driving 2-3 hours to the southern Ishasha region of Queen Elizabeth National Park. After lunch, visit the Ishasha Community Uplift Project to learn about the local community's efforts to coexist with wildlife. You'll tour a model family’s farm to see how they prevent wildlife from damaging their crops and hear about the challenges and opportunities for both community and conservation. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
- Accommodation: Ishasha Jungle Lodge
- Meals: All meals included
Game Drives in Ishasha
After breakfast, embark on a morning game drive in Ishasha, famous for its tree-climbing lions. While sightings depend on luck, you may also encounter buffaloes, elephants, and various antelopes. Optionally, visit River Ishasha to view the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. Return to the lodge for lunch and enjoy another game drive in the afternoon.
- Accommodation: Ishasha Jungle Lodge
- Meals: All meals included
Return to Kampala/Entebbe
After exploring the diverse landscapes and wildlife of Queen Elizabeth National Park, drive back to Kampala or Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight.
Includes
- Airport transfers on the first and last day
- Transport in a 4×4 safari vehicle
- Services of an English-speaking driver/guide
- Fuel for the entire trip
- Accommodation and meal plan as per the itinerary
- All Park entrance fees
- Drinking water while in the vehicle
Excludes
- Pre and post tour accommodation in Entebbe or Kampala
- International airfares
- Uganda Visa (USD50.00 which can be paid on arrival at the Airport
General FAQs
Can I reschedule or cancel this trip?
- Rescheduling: You can reschedule this trip as a private tour to any date within 12 months at no additional cost.
- Booking Deposit: A 30% deposit of the total tour price is required to secure your booking. The remaining balance is due 45 days before the tour departure date. Bookings not secured with the appropriate deposit will be released.
- Cancellation Policy:
- Cancel between 90 and 45 days before departure: 20% penalty of the tour price.
- Cancel within 45 days of departure or no show: 100% penalty of the tour price.
Availability and Accommodations
- Reservations: Accommodation and activity availability is not guaranteed until reservations are confirmed with the final itinerary and deposit payment. If any quoted accommodations are unavailable, we reserve the right to substitute them with suitable alternatives, which may affect the final quoted price.
Insurance
- Requirement: All clients must have medical and travel insurance to cover unforeseen circumstances.
Rates
- Subject to Change: Tour rates are subject to change without notice. We will make every effort to maintain rates, but changes in government taxes or operating conditions may be passed on to clients.
Permit Cancellation Policy
Uganda Gorilla Permit Cancellation Policy
- Guarantee: A Gorilla Permit is guaranteed only upon receipt of the deposit ($800 per person per trek) as it must be paid immediately to the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Cancellation Fees
- More than 90 days before tracking: 25% cancellation fee.
- 89 to 46 days before tracking: 50% cancellation fee.
- 45 to 9 days before tracking: 75% cancellation fee.
- 8 to 0 days before tracking: 100% cancellation fee.
Important Information
- Age Requirement: The minimum age for gorilla tracking is 15 years.
- Health: Visitors with flu or other airborne diseases will not be allowed into the rainforest jungle to see the gorillas.
- Safety Protocols: Masks must be worn at all times, and a distance of 10 meters must be maintained between you and the gorillas.