4 Day Trip to Murchison Falls National Park

From
US $669 Per Person

Tour Overview

This 4-day trip takes you to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest national park. It is teeming with wildlife, and the landscapes are breathtaking. You will see the Nile, the world’s longest river, squeezing through a narrow gorge in the Rift Valley escarpment to form Murchison Falls, one of the most powerful waterfalls on the planet. 

You will enjoy a classic game drive across the northern savannah plains, where most of the park’s wildlife is found. There are leopards, hyenas, and lions. Furthermore, there are elephants, antelopes, buffaloes, and giraffes – including the Rothschild giraffe, a unique, endangered giraffe species. 

You also enjoy a boat safari on the Nile towards the waterfalls. You see enormous Nile crocodiles that can grow up to 7 meters long. There are hippos in abundance. There are also over 400 bird species, including the rare shoebill stork. On the final day, visit Ziwa Rhino Ranch, the only place in Uganda where you can walk with wild white rhinos.

Highlights

Itinerary IN dETAIL

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

At around 7:00 am, your private driver-guide will pick you up from your hotel in Kampala or Entebbe. After a short safari briefing, begin the journey north to Murchison Falls National Park. The drive takes about 6 hours and passes through the famous Luwero Triangle, the rolling landscapes of Nakasongola District, and the town of Masindi. Along the way, you will stop a few times to stretch your legs and enjoy lunch.

Your first stop inside the park is the Top of Murchison Falls. Here, you will witness one of Africa’s most spectacular natural sights. The Nile, nearly 50 metres wide, is forced through a narrow 7-metre gorge before crashing 40 metres into the gorge below. Feel the spray on your face, listen to the thunderous roar, and enjoy the views from several viewpoints. If time allows, take a short walk for even closer views of the falls. Later, set off on your first game drive across the savannah. Look out for elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, lions, antelopes, and many other animals.

As the sun begins to set, the golden light makes the landscape even more beautiful. In the evening, check in to your lodge and relax after an exciting first day.

Accommodation Options:

Simple: Fort Murchison – Lazy Camping

Middle class: Murchison River Lodge – thatched tents

Semi-luxury: Murchison River Lodge – Cottage

Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge – Deluxe Room

Meal Plan: Lunch & Dinner

uganda-lioness in Murchison Falls National Park

Today is entirely dedicated to all the wildlife and natural beauty that Murchison Falls National Park has to offer. In the early morning, you will go on a game drive, and in the afternoon, you will take an amazing boat safari on the Nile in search of hippos, crocodiles, waterbirds, and with a bit of luck, even bathing elephants! At the end of the day, you will be dropped off at your accommodation feeling satisfied.

Morning Game Drive

After an early breakfast, you drive towards the delta region for the safari. The sun is rising and it is still cool, the best time for a safari across the savannah plains. Along the way, you make a stop at the Nile, where hundreds of hippos are basking in the sun. Your game drive will last 3 to 4 hours.

Afternoon Boat Cruise

Under the watchful eyes of crocodiles, hippos, buffaloes, and monkeys, you sail slowly along the Nile. Monkeys betray your approach, and waterbirds are busy fishing. Elephants and other wildlife are regularly spotted coming to quench their thirst along the banks of the mighty Nile. The trip eventually takes you to the foot of the 40-meter-high and famous waterfall (Murchison Falls). The trip takes approximately three hours. (We recommend sitting on the left side of the boat, as you sail along the left bank.)

Private boat safari – Afternoon (optional)

You can book this activity in a private boat. This offers enormous added value compared to the large general boat, as a small boat allows you to get much closer to the wildlife. You also set the pace yourself, and it is wonderful to share this experience exclusively with your own group.

Accommodation Options:

Simple: Fort Murchison – Lazy Camping

Middle class: Murchison River Lodge – thatched tents

Semi-luxury: Murchison River Lodge – Cottage

Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge – Deluxe Room

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

game drive

Today is also dedicated to Uganda’s most wildlife-rich park. You will go on a game drive in the morning. We have nothing planned for the afternoon, so you can relax and enjoy your accommodation or swimming pool. If you prefer to stay active, you can choose to go chimpanzee trekking in the nearby Budongo Forest or enjoy a second boat safari. This boat safari goes to the beautiful delta area and is scenically completely different from the first boat safari. If you choose this option, you will do so in the early morning, and game drive will be moved to the afternoon.

Game Drive – Second morning

After breakfast, you will drive once again to the delta area for the safari. This morning is dedicated to different safari tracks to discover even more of the park. Naturally, your guide will also go looking for predators if they were not spotted during the first safari.

Boat Safari Delta Lake Albert – Morning (optional)

In addition to the regular boat safari to the waterfall, it is also possible to take a boat safari through the delta area in this park. The delta area is located where the Victoria Nile flows into Lake Albert and subsequently into the Albert Nile. This delta area looks like a smaller version of the famous Okavango Delta (Botswana) and is teeming with wildlife, such as hippos, crocodiles, and bathing elephants. This boat safari is also a dream for bird lovers. Special birds such as the Saddle-billed Stork, the African Giant Kingfisher, and the prehistoric-looking Shoebill are regularly spotted.

Accommodation Options:

Simple: Fort Murchison – Lazy Camping

Middle class: Murchison River Lodge – thatched tents

Semi-luxury: Murchison River Lodge – Cottage

Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge – Deluxe Room

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After an early breakfast, begin your journey back to Kampala or Entebbe. Enjoy one final game drive through the beautiful landscapes of Murchison Falls National Park. This is your last chance to spot wildlife you may have missed and soak in the sights of the African bush.

On the way, stop at Ziwa Rhino Ranch, the only place in Uganda where you can track wild white rhinos on foot. Accompanied by an experienced ranger, you will walk through the bush and get remarkably close to these magnificent animals. The trek takes about an hour and is one of Uganda’s most memorable wildlife experiences.

You will also learn about the sanctuary’s conservation work and its efforts to return rhinos to Uganda’s national parks. After the rhino walk, enjoy a relaxing lunch before continuing the drive to Kampala or Entebbe, where your safari comes to an end in the late afternoon or early evening.

Accommodation: Not included

Included Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

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Murchison Falls National Park Safari (4 Days)