2 Day Murchison Falls National Park Trip

From
USD 281 Per Person

Tour Overview

This 2-day trip takes you to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest national park. It is teeming with wildlife, and the landscapes are breathtaking. Here, the mighty Nile River, the world’s longest river, forces its way through a narrow gorge in the Rift Valley escarpment to create Murchison Falls, one of the most powerful waterfalls on Earth. Enjoy a classic game drive across the northern savannah plains, where most of the park’s wildlife is found. Look out for lions, leopards, hyenas, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, and several species of antelope. You will also spot the endangered Rothschild’s giraffe. You will also enjoy a boat safari on the Nile towards the falls. Along the way, see huge Nile crocodiles, large groups of hippos, and over 400 bird species, including the rare shoebill.

Highlights

Itinerary IN dETAIL

Discover your route below. This itinerary is the starting point, tailor your adventure with the specific experiences.

Your adventure begins early in the morning when your friendly driver-guide picks you up from your hotel in Kampala or Entebbe at 7:00 am. 

As you set off on this exciting 2-day safari, your guide will brief you on the incredible experiences ahead at Murchison Falls National Park. The drive covers about 300 kilometers and takes approximately 5 to 6 hours, passing through beautiful Ugandan countryside filled with rolling hills, farmland, and small villages.

Along the way, you will pass through towns like Luwero and Nakasongola, where you can glimpse everyday life and the rich culture of rural Uganda. The road winds past open savannahs and green landscapes, giving you a real taste of the country’s natural beauty. Midway through your journey, you’ll stop in Masindi town to relax and enjoy a tasty lunch at a local restaurant or café, refueling before the afternoon’s activities.

Around 1:00 pm, you will arrive at Murchison Falls National Park, where your adventure truly begins. You will set out on a relaxing boat cruise along the majestic Nile River. As you glide upstream, watch for crocodiles basking on the banks, hippos resting in the water, and playful monkeys who often alert each other—and you—to your approach. Colorful water birds will be busy fishing nearby, while elephants and other wildlife frequently come down to the river’s edge to drink. The boat ride lasts about three hours and brings you right to the base of the spectacular 45-meter-high Murchison Falls. For the best views, we recommend sitting on the left side of the boat, as you’ll be cruising along the left riverbank.

If time allows, you will finish the day with a short evening game drive in the northern part of the park. This is a great chance to spot lions, giraffes, antelopes, and other animals as they become more active in the cooler hours before sunset. By 7:30 pm, you will arrive at your lodge where a delicious dinner awaits you. After a day full of travel and adventure, you will settle in for a comfortable overnight stay, ready for the exciting day ahead.

Accommodation Options

Simple: Fort Murchison – Lazy Camping

Middle class: Murchison River Lodge – Thatched Tents

Semi-luxury: Murchison River Lodge – Cottage

Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge

Included Meals: Lunch & Dinner

At about 6:30 AM, you will start your day with an early morning game drive. This is the best time to spot predators like lions, leopards, and hyenas as they become active in the cool morning air.  You’ll also see elephants, giraffes, and Uganda kobs grazing peacefully. The soft light at this hour makes it perfect for taking beautiful photos.

At about 9:30 AM, you will return to the lodge for a hearty breakfast and then prepare to check out. At around 10:30 AM, you will set off to visit the top of Murchison Falls. Here, you’ll watch the Nile River squeeze through a narrow gorge and plunge 43 meters into the “Devil’s Cauldron.”  The view at this time of day is breathtaking, and the roar of the water is unforgettable. You will have plenty of time to explore and take photos. In the afternoon, at about 1:00 PM, you will begin your journey back to Kampala. You will stop for lunch in Masindi or at another convenient location along the way. At about 6:00 PM, you will arrive in Kampala, where your driver-guide will drop you off at your hotel or any other location you choose.

Optional Activity

On your way back to Kampala or Entebbe, you can choose to visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the only place in Uganda where you can track wild rhinos on foot. During a guided two-hour walking safari, you’ll get a rare chance to see these impressive animals up close in their natural environment. While rhinos are found only at Ziwa, the other Big Five animals; lions, elephants, leopards, and buffaloes; can be seen during your Murchison Falls safari. This makes your trip a perfect opportunity to experience almost all of Africa’s famous wildlife before you return.

Accommodation: Not included

Included Meals: Breakfast & Lunch 

Prices And Levels For This Trip

The selected comfort levels (see the bottom of the page for more information) give you a good indication of the type of accommodations and the total price. We’d be happy to discuss in person whether the accommodations meet your needs and combine different levels where appropriate.

* The prices below are starting prices and are shown in US Dollars per person .

Budget/Simple

Middle Class

Semi-luxury

Luxury (Low Season)

Luxury (High Season)

Low Season: 01 October 2026 to 15 December 2026

Tour Inclusions

Exclusions

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Short Murchison Falls National Park Tour (2 Days)