Queen Elizabeth & Lake Mburo Combination Safari (4 Days/3 Nights)

Both Queen Elizabeth and Lake Mburo National Parks offer excellent wildlife viewing year-round, but the optimal times for the combination safari are during the dry seasons from June to August and December to February. During these months, vegetation is less dense, wildlife congregates around water sources, and park roads are in better condition. The wet seasons (March-May and September-November) bring lush landscapes and fewer tourists but may include afternoon showers and occasionally challenging road conditions. Lake Mburo remains drier than Queen Elizabeth during wet seasons due to its location in Uganda’s cattle corridor, offering good game viewing even when other areas experience heavy rainfall. Bird watching is spectacular year-round, with migratory species present from November to April. Photography enthusiasts often prefer the dramatic skies and green landscapes during transitional periods, particularly April and November.

Queen Elizabeth National Park boasts exceptional biodiversity with over 95 mammal species and 600 bird species. During game drives, you’re likely to encounter elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, warthogs, and numerous other antelope species. The park is famous for its tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector. The Kazinga Channel boat cruise offers virtually guaranteed sightings of enormous hippo pods, crocodiles, and elephants along the shores. Lake Mburo National Park, though smaller at 370 km², hosts 68 mammal species including zebras and impala (found nowhere else in Uganda), topi, eland, buffalo, and giraffes. The park is excellent for spotting nocturnal species like genets and bush babies during night drives. Both parks feature extraordinary birdlife, with specialties including African finfoot, great blue turaco, shoebill stork (rare), and numerous raptors. While wildlife viewing is generally excellent, specific sightings depend on season and animal movements.

Our Queen Elizabeth & Lake Mburo Combination Safari offers three accommodation tiers to match different preferences and budgets. In Queen Elizabeth, the standard package includes comfortable mid-range lodges like Parkview Safari Lodge or Enganzi Lodge, with luxury options including Mweya Safari Lodge or Katara Lodge. Lake Mburo accommodations include the mid-range Rwakobo Rock or Arcadia Cottages, with luxury options like Mihingo Lodge featuring spectacular infinity pools overlooking the savannah. Budget travelers can choose more basic accommodations like Simba Safari Camp in Queen Elizabeth and Eagles Nest in Lake Mburo. All lodges offer private rooms with en-suite bathrooms, hot water, and beautiful views. Most feature restaurants serving international and local cuisine, bar facilities, and viewing decks for wildlife observation. Accommodations are strategically located for optimal game viewing and convenient access to park activities, with most offering spectacular sunset views over the savannah or lake.

The tree-climbing lions of Queen Elizabeth’s Ishasha sector represent a rare behavioral adaptation seen in very few African locations (primarily Uganda’s Ishasha and Tanzania’s Lake Manyara). Unlike most lions, these specializes regularly climb large fig trees, spending hours resting on branches during hot days. Scientists believe this behavior developed to escape ground heat, avoid biting insects, and potentially spot prey more effectively across the plains. Approximately 50-60% of visitors who include Ishasha in their itinerary spot these unique lions. Success factors include visiting during warmer hours (10 am-2 pm) when lions are most likely to climb, having an experienced guide familiar with recent lion movements, and allocating sufficient time (at least 2-3 hours) for searching the sector. Lions are more frequently observed during dry seasons when vegetation is less dense. While not guaranteed, our guides maintain communication with other safari vehicles and ranger posts regarding recent sightings to maximize your chances of witnessing this extraordinary behavior.

Lake Mburo National Park offers several distinctive activities unavailable in most other Ugandan parks. It’s the only national park in Uganda where night game drives are permitted, offering opportunities to observe nocturnal species like bush babies, genets, pottos, and hunting predators using spotlights. The park allows walking safaris throughout its entire area (not just designated zones), letting visitors approach wildlife on foot with armed rangers. Lake Mburo is the only Ugandan park offering horseback safaris, where riders can approach zebra and antelope herds that are comfortable with horses but wary of vehicles. Mountain biking safaris through the savannah provide an eco-friendly, adventure-focused wildlife viewing experience. The park’s compact size and varied topography make it ideal for specialized photography safaris focusing on landscapes and intimate wildlife encounters. Additionally, cultural experiences with local Bahima cattle herders offer insights into traditional pastoralist lifestyles that have shaped the region for centuries.

For your Queen Elizabeth & Lake Mburo Combination Safari, pack lightweight, neutral-colored clothing (khaki, olive, beige) that can be layered. Include long-sleeved shirts and pants for sun protection and evening insect defense. A light jacket or sweater is essential for cool mornings and evenings, particularly for open-vehicle game drives. Comfortable closed walking shoes are necessary for the guided nature walk, along with a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and high SPF sunscreen. Bring a good pair of binoculars (8x42 recommended), camera with zoom lens (at least 200mm), extra batteries, memory cards, and charging equipment. Don’t forget insect repellent containing DEET, personal medications, hand sanitizer, and wet wipes. A small daypack is useful for carrying essentials during activities. Pack a swimsuit if your lodge has a pool. While the safari is generally casual, some luxury lodges request smart-casual attire for dinner.

The Queen Elizabeth & Lake Mburo Combination Safari serves as an excellent foundation for more extensive Uganda exploration. The most popular extension is adding Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (2-3 additional days) for mountain gorilla tracking, creating Uganda’s ultimate wildlife itinerary. This extension fits naturally as Bwindi is located beyond Ishasha, making for a logical geographical progression. Kibale Forest National Park can be easily added (1-2 additional days) for premium chimpanzee tracking. For a complete “Pearl of Africa” experience, combine with Murchison Falls National Park to witness the powerful waterfall and exceptional game viewing. Adventure enthusiasts might add Rwenzori Mountains trekking for a wildlife-and-wilderness combination. The safari also pairs well with Rwandan experiences via the nearby Katuna border crossing, allowing combination with Volcanoes National Park for gorilla trekking. We can customize your itinerary to create seamless connections between destinations, ensuring efficient logistics and complementary wildlife experiences.

Your Queen Elizabeth & Lake Mburo Combination Safari actively supports conservation and community development through several mechanisms. Park entrance fees directly fund anti-poaching patrols, habitat management, wildlife monitoring, and infrastructure maintenance. Both parks represent successful conservation models—Lake Mburo was once destined for cattle ranching before being protected, while Queen Elizabeth has recovered remarkably from 1970s poaching that decimated wildlife populations. The community walk option in Lake Mburo provides direct income to local guides and cultural demonstrators. Both parks employ local staff, from rangers to lodge workers, creating sustainable livelihoods dependent on conservation success. Many lodges maintain community partnership programs, supporting schools, healthcare initiatives, and alternative livelihood projects. Lake Mburo’s unique history includes a revenue-sharing program with surrounding communities and agreements with local cattle keepers who benefit from controlled grazing access during dry seasons. Your guide will highlight specific conservation success stories and community initiatives throughout your journey, demonstrating how responsible tourism creates positive impacts for both wildlife and people.