Our short 4-Day Murchison Falls Wildlife Safari in Uganda offers you a decent chance of seeing all the Big 5 animals of Africa and other large mammals in a remarkable, awe-inspiring landscape. You’ll also have an opportunity to see chimpanzees in the wild, the incredible shoebills, and other unique Uganda birds.
The tour combines Murchison Falls National Park with the nearby Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and Budongo Forest. You’ll have a relaxing boat cruise on the world’s longest river, wonderful game drives in the warm savannah plains, and a thrilling chimpanzee trekking adventure under the cool forest canopies of Budongo. You’ll see the world’s strongest waterfall and track Uganda’s wild rhinos on foot.
Summary
Day 1: Drive to Murchison Falls National Park, Visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary en route.
Day 2: Morning game drive and a boat cruise up to the bottom of Murchison Falls
Day 3: Boat Cruise to the Nile Delta, Game drive & Top of the Falls Visit
Day 4: Chimpanzee trekking in Budongo Forest and transfer back to Kampala.
Details
Day 1: Drive to Murchison Falls with a Stop at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Pick Up From Kampala/Entebbe
At 7 am, our driver shall pick you up from your place of stay in Entebbe or Kampala and take you on a drive northwest to the Murchison Falls National Park.
It is a 5 to 6-hour drive in total, but you’ll stop en route for bathroom breaks and to stretch your legs. There is also a surprise in store along the way. During your drive, you’ll have the time to learn more about Uganda. You’ll see why the opening line of the national anthem is “Oh Uganda, Land of Beauty”.
It truly is an incredibly scenic place, and no other area on the continent can match Uganda’s amazing diversity of habitats. The country lies in the Great Lakes region of Africa, and the southern part of the country includes a big part of Lake Victoria -Africa’s largest lake.
Uganda is also situated in the Nile basin, with an average altitude of about 1,100 meters above sea level, and has a moderate equatorial climate. Uganda has more than 60 protected areas, including 10 national parks and 12 wildlife Reserves that harbor populations of numerous highly endangered species.
In the last 25 years, the country has shaken off its dark history (including Idi Amin’s dictatorship and a lengthy civil war). And it has emerged as one of the top tourist destinations in Africa. Uganda is tourist-friendly, filled with friendly, helpful, English-speaking people, boasts Africa’s Big Five, Mountain gorillas, Chimpanzees, Golden monkeys, over 1,090 bird species, and on top of that, has fantastic coffee!
En Route Stop At Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
You’ll travel through impressive stretches of the Nakasongora district at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the only place in Uganda where you can see wild Rhinos.
You’ll do a 2-hour rhino tracking adventure on foot with an expert local guide here and of course, you hope to see one or more of the 34 White Rhinoceros currently in the sanctuary.
The experience of seeing a rhino on foot a few meters away from you is an experience you’ll never forget. The sanctuary is also home to at least 40 mammal species including monkeys, antelopes, and numerous bird species like Giant Kingfisher, Hornbills, and Double-toothed Barbet. So, you’ll start your mammal and bird trip lists with a bang today!
Lunch At Kabalega Diner
The super exciting start to your 4-day Murchison Falls Wildlife safari will be followed by lunch at nearby Kabalega Diner. And if you want to try some of the local Ugandan food this is your first real chance. It draws on English, Arab, and Indian influences, so you are bound to find something to your liking.
Traditional foods include several stews (containing peanuts, beans, and/or meat) served with ugali (solidified maize meal porridge) or smashed matoke presented in banana leaves, as well as several fish dishes and vegetarian options.
Continue To Murchison Falls National Park
After lunch, you continue to legendary Murchison Falls, Uganda’s biggest, Oldest, and one of its best national parks.
This used to be one of Africa’s most famous national parks, but the poaching in the 1960s and onwards led to the decimation of the park’s fauna populations.
However, recently the park is starting to reclaim its former glory, and now the 3,893 km2 conservation area boasts 76 mammals (including 4 of the Big Five) and 450 bird species, and spectacular scenery.
The park is named after the dramatic Murchison Falls. Notable visitors to the park include Winston Churchill, Theodore Roosevelt, Ernest Hemingway, and several British royals. You will arrive at your lodge in the early evening. After freshening up and relaxing, you will enjoy dinner and a good night’s rest.
Accommodation Options:
Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge/Bakers Lodge
Mid-range: Murchison River Lodge/Pakuba Safari Lodge
Budget: Hornbill Bush Lodge/Red Chilli Rest Camp
Meal Plan: Lunch & Dinner
Day 2: Game Drive And Boat Cruise
Morning Game Drive
You’ll start the day with an early breakfast at around 6 am. You’ll then set off on your first game drive of the 4-day Murchison Falls Wildlife Safari in the beautiful palm-dotted savannah plains of the park’s northern section.
During your game drive you’ll look for Lion, African Buffalo, Leopard, African Elephant, Rothschild’s Giraffe, Spotted Hyena, Oribi, Common Warthog, the interesting Jackson’s Hartebeest, Defassa Waterbuck, Hippopotamus, Uganda Kob (Uganda national animal), the ground-dwelling Patas Monkey, Olive Baboon, and the Nile Crocodiles.
Of course, there are birds here too! More than 450 species have been recorded in the park. Some of the top birds you can search for today include the incredible Shoebill, Grey Crowned Crane (Uganda’s national bird), rare Pel’s Fishing Owl, Saddle-billed Stork, African Dwarf Kingfisher, Goliath Heron, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Beautiful Sunbird, spectacular Great Blue Turaco, to name just a few. You’ll then return to the lodge for relaxation and a good lunch.
Afternoon Boat Cruise
After your meal, you’ll go for what will surely be one of the highlights of the entire trip: a relaxing afternoon 3-hour boat cruise to the bottom of Murchison Falls! On the banks and in the water, you should see many Hippopotamus, Nile crocodiles, and, if you are lucky, even the iconic and sought-after Shoebill.
Other birds you might tick include Goliath heron, African Darter, Intermediate Egret, Yellow-billed Stork, Harmerkop, Egyptian Goose, African Fish Eagle, Black Crake, Senegal Thick-knee, Spur-winged Lapwing, African Jacana, Malachite Kingfisher, and Red-throated Bee-eater.
The boat will pause a little distance from the bottom of the falls. Here, you will marvel at 50 meters wide Nile River thundering through an 8m rocky gap, before falling 45m below what has been termed as the devil’s cauldron.
Accommodation Options:
Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge/Bakers Lodge
Mid-range: Murchison River Lodge/Pakuba Safari Lodge
Budget: Hornbill Bush Lodge/Red Chilli Rest Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3: Boat Cruise To The Nile Delta With Bush Breakfast, Game Drive & Top Of The Falls Visit
Boat Cruise
Today you will enjoy another boat ride on the mighty Nile River. The thrilling boat tour will take on the legendary Nile River’s more relaxed waters as it joins the Albert Delta. The delta teems with numerous waterbirds, but the ultimate prize is a glimpse of the shoebill. Sightings of this rare bird, resembling something from the dinosaur era, are excellent here.
You will also see many Hippos in the water, as well as African Elephants and Nile Crocodiles on the water’s edge. You end your boat trip at the confluence of the Victoria and Albert Nile. It’s at this point the Victoria Nile flows south into Lake Albert and the Nile River continues into South Sudan and eventually to Egypt.
Bush Breakfast & Game Drive
One of the highlights of the boat tour will be a stop along the Nile River bank for a superb bush breakfast served by your private chef. After this amazing experience, you will do some game drives in the national park.
Top Of The Falls Visit
Your game drive will also take you up to an iconic spot: the top of one of the world’s strongest water waterfalls. The Murchison Falls have been described as the most spectacular thing to happen to the Nile along its entire 6,700 km length.
The 50m wide river forces itself through a rocky gap less than 8 meters wide before falling 45 meters to what has been termed the “devil’s cauldron” below, forming a plume of spray marked by a thunderous roar and a permanent rainbow.
It is a truly unforgettable sight and experience! After this incredibly exciting day, you return to the lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
Accommodation Options:
Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge/Bakers Lodge
Mid-range: Murchison River Lodge/Pakuba Safari Lodge
Budget: Hornbill Bush Lodge/Red Chilli Rest Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4: Chimpanzee Trekking In Budongo Forest And Transfer Back To Kampala
Wake up early and go for the briefing at the Budongo forest offices. You’ll be allocated a ranger to be your leader. Budongo forest is home to over 800 wild chimpanzees.
You’ll track these remarkable creatures deep into the forest and spend an hour with the chimps, learning about their human-like lifestyle and behavior as they interact with one another. Your trekking adventure will take 2 to 3 5 hours and you will be allowed only one hour with chimps.
Budongo Forest Chimpanzee trekking is special because it has fewer crowds and there are higher chances of interacting with international researchers for more information about the primates. Budongo is also one of the best places for birding in Uganda, with over 366 species of birds. While tracking the chimps, watch out for the birds, monkeys, and the ancient mahogany trees.
After your chimp trek, the driver will start the journey back to Kampala or Entebbe. You will have lunch on your way (to Masindi or Luwero town) back. If you reach early, you can request a Kampala city tour.
Accommodation: Not Included
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch
End Of 4-Day Murchison Falls Wildlife Safari
4-Day Murchison Falls Wildlife Safari – Inclusions
- Transportation in a tour van or 4×4 land cruiser
- Full board accommodation with breakfast and dinner for 3 nights
- A knowledgeable driver guide with excellent English-speaking skills
- Lunch and bottled water during the safari
- Entrance to the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
- Chimpanzee permit
- Park fees
- All activities and any accommodations are indicated in the itinerary.
4-Day Murchison Falls Wildlife Safari – Exclusions
- Your international flight
- Uganda Visa.
- Any taxes at the airport
- Baggage, Medical, and Travel insurance
- Alcoholic drinks or beverages during the safari
- Meals that are different from those indicated in the itinerary
- Tips to our Guide, park rangers, or lodge staff
- All items of a personal nature like souvenirs and phone bills
