Lake Mburo and Queen Elizabeth: easy Uganda savannah
Lake Mburo and Queen Elizabeth turn the drive to and from Uganda's gorillas into a proper safari, adding zebra, boat rides and tree-climbing lions along the way.
Queen Elizabeth National Park · Lake Mburo · Uganda safari
Your drive towards Uganda's gorillas can become part of the holiday rather than simply a transfer. Uganda's road network means most gorilla trips involve a drive through at least one savannah park, and both Lake Mburo and Queen Elizabeth make that drive worthwhile in their own right.
Used well, they turn transit days into game-viewing days.
Breaking up the Uganda road route
| Stop | Distance from Kampala | Highlight activity |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Mburo | ~3 hours | Walking and cycling safaris |
| Queen Elizabeth | ~5-6 hours | Kazinga Channel boat cruise |
| Ishasha (to Bwindi) | ~7-8 hours | Tree-climbing lions en route |
Highlights
- Lake Mburo
- Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Continuing to Bwindi
01
Lake Mburo
Roughly three hours from Kampala, Lake Mburo is Uganda's smallest savannah park and a useful stop between the capital and Bwindi.
It's one of the few Ugandan parks where walking and cycling safaris are permitted, and it holds healthy numbers of zebra and eland rarely seen elsewhere in the country.
02
Queen Elizabeth National Park
The Kazinga Channel boat cruise, linking Lake Edward and Lake George, is one of Uganda's best wildlife-viewing activities for hippo, buffalo and birdlife.
The Ishasha sector in the park's south is known for lions that climb acacia and fig trees to escape the heat and biting flies.
03
Continuing to Bwindi
Ishasha sits directly on the road to Bwindi's southern sectors, so the drive itself becomes a further game-viewing opportunity rather than dead time.
Breaking the Kampala–Bwindi journey at both parks spreads out long travel days into a more comfortable itinerary.
Dos
- Wear neutral colours — khaki, olive, sand
- Pack layers for cold early game drives
- Stay seated and keep voices low near animals
- Follow your guide's instructions at all times
- Drink plenty of water and use sunscreen
Don'ts
- Don't wear bright colours, white or camouflage
- Don't feed or call to animals
- Don't leave the vehicle unless your guide says so
- Don't use drones — they need special permits
- Don't bring plastic bags (banned in Kenya and Tanzania)
What's usually included
- Accommodation in your chosen level
- Meals as listed in your itinerary
- Game drives with a professional guide
- Park and conservancy entry fees
- Airport pick-up and drop-off
- Drinking water in the vehicle
Usually not included
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Tips for guides and camp staff
- Personal items and souvenirs
- Premium drinks unless all-inclusive
- Optional activities not in your itinerary
Keep exploring
Your trip price, without guesswork
Your accommodation and flights need a quote for your dates, room arrangement and availability. Compare the full journey total, not a nightly headline: meals, transport, guiding, entry fees and optional activities should be clear. Published tariffs may change; we reconfirm the applicable fees before you book.
Our editorial values
Original travel guidance by Dennis Njoroge, CEO of Perch Africa Safaris. Wildlife and weather are never guaranteed. Published fees link to their authority sources; camp and flight prices are confirmed for your own journey. You receive your full itinerary and matching proforma before payment.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I see lions in Uganda?
Yes. Queen Elizabeth, particularly the Ishasha sector, and Murchison Falls both offer good lion sightings, including the tree-climbing behaviour Ishasha is known for.
