4 Days With a Murchison Falls safari, you may go on game drives, do chimpanzee trekking, climb to the top of the breathtaking waterfalls, and see the Ziwa Rhino sanctuary in Uganda’s oldest national park. Families, large and small groups, and honeymooners can all take the journey. Although they are welcome, kids cannot go chimpanzee trekking. The largest animal protection area in Uganda is Murchison Falls National Park. All five of the big five mammals can only be found in this one park; rhinos can be viewed at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. The park is 305 kilometers by road from Kampala, although it is also reachable by chartered airplane from Kajjansi or Entebbe International Airport. Savanna grasslands, forests, and riverine forests make up the park.
Approximately, 451 species have been reported in the Murchison Falls National Park, including 76 species of animals. The larger Murchison Falls Conservation Area, which also encompasses the wildlife reserves of Karuma and Bugungu, comprises the Murchison Falls National Park. The Murchison Falls are left in the park’s wake as the River Nile flows through it (from which the park derives its name). The Murchison Falls, a major draw to the park, are created when the Nile flows through a small gorge and then develops a series of rapids that culminate in a final, deafening fall. The river flows peacefully after this significant fall until it reaches Lake Albert.
One of East Africa’s best wildlife spectacles can be found along the length between the falls and Lake Albert. Visitors can witness hippos, crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, and other animals drinking by the river banks while taking a boat trip along this portion of the Nile.
In addition to the boat excursion, visitors can view the animals from hot air balloons or while on a game drive on land. Starting in Kampala or Entebbe, this 4-day Murchison Falls safari will then head to the park with a stop at the Ziwa Rhino refuge in between. You will proceed straight to the top of Murchison Falls after tracking the rhinos. You will go on game drives, boat trips, and chimpanzee treks throughout the ensuing days. You would have seen elephants, giraffes, Oribis, hippos, the Uganda Kobs, hartebeests, buffaloes, lions, crocodiles, chimpanzees, and so much more by the end of your four-day excursion. If you’re interested in a lengthier safari, check out our 9-day Uganda or 5-day Murchison Falls wildlife safari.
Highlights of the safari
Visiting the Ziwa rhino sanctuary
Game drives
A boat cruise
Chimpanzee trekking in Budongo
Day 1: Pickup – Visit the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary – Continue to Murchison Falls National Park
Our driver will pick you up from the airport or your hotel and provide you with a quick explanation of how to get to the park. You will see rural towns and little communities like Luwero and Nakasongola along the drive. The enormous herds of cattle that are nearby the road will astound you.
The Ziwa Rhino refuge is your first significant visit. After poachers killed 99 percent of the white rhinos in Uganda, this sanctuary was created to safeguard the few remaining animals. Previously, rhinos could be found in Uganda’s national parks, but widespread poaching wiped them off. Because they don’t fear people as other huge mammals do, it was simpler to kill them for their prized horns. In order to enhance the population of rhinos and later reintroduce them to the national parks, the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary has also started a breeding program. The refuge is a fantastic place to go bird watching, see primates, and see antelopes. You’ll head to the adjacent village of Masindi for lunch after tracking the lions.
After Masindi, you’ll make your way to the national park of Murchison Falls and go to the top of the falls. Here, take some time to savor the spectacular waterfall. The Nile River crashes with great force down a narrow gorge to form the falls. Take as many images as you can to show your friends. After that, the driver will drive you back to your hotel so you can rest, rehydrate, and, if you have time, have a later-in-the-evening stroll.
Dinner and overnight will be at Paraa Safari Lodge for Luxury travelers, Pakuba Safari Lodge for mid-range accommodation, and Murchison River Lodge for budget travelers.
Day 2: Morning Game Drive and Launch Cruise on the Nile
A busy day requires an early start, breakfast, and preparation. Once the driver/guide has picked you up, he or she will take you on a game drive where you can see lions, leopards, giraffes, the Uganda Kobs, buffaloes, Oribis, jackals, elephants, warthogs, Jackson hartebeests, hyenas, and a variety of other creatures and birds. Keep an eye out for predators like leopards who hunt in the early morning hours and then return to their dens.
After four hours of wildlife viewing, you’ll be brought back to the lodge for lunch, beverages, and some rest before the afternoon boat ride. The majority of the animals you saw on your earlier game drive, including crocodiles and hippos, will be visible from the boat as well. They will take baths and consume water beside the river. Along this stretch of the Nile River, Uganda has some of the top birding areas in the world. Avoid the following birds: Egyptian geese, African fish eagles, hornbills, yellow-billed storks, pelicans, bee-eaters, kingfishers, and shoebill storks. At the base of Murchison Falls, where the boat tour ends, is a fantastic time to take some breathtaking images to show your friends and family back home.
Dinner and overnight will be at Paraa Safari Lodge for Luxury travelers, Pakuba Safari Lodge for mid-range accommodation, and Murchison River Lodge for budget travelers.
Day 3: Boat ride at the Nile delta and afternoon Game drive.
Get up early and enjoy breakfast while you wait for the guide or driver to pick you up for another 4-hour boat trip to the Nile Delta region. It is commonly known that this area is home to an astonishing diversity of animals, including lions, bushbucks, elephants, and buffaloes. This time, the boat travels downstream, where you may observe amazing wildlife and birds. You will pass by enormous swamps and wetlands that are home to countless aquatic birds. You will then return to land, eat lunch, and do another game drive—this time in a different part of the park—after this boat excursion. Any wildlife that was not visible during the initial game drive and boat tour are now available for your viewing.
Dinner and overnight will be at Paraa Safari Lodge for Luxury travelers, Pakuba Safari Lodge for mid-range accommodation, and Murchison River Lodge for budget travelers.
Day 4: Chimpanzee trekking in Budongo forest – transfer back to Kampala
Get up early and head to the forest offices for the briefing. A group will be assigned to you, with a ranger serving as your leader. It can take up to five hours to track chimpanzees in the Budongo jungle, and you are only given an hour with them. Budongo’s chimpanzee trekking is unique since there are fewer tourists there and more opportunities to speak with foreign researchers to learn more about the primates. One of the best areas in Uganda for bird watching is the Budongo forest. Keep an eye out for the birds, other primates, and the old mahogany trees while tracking the chimpanzees. Once the driver has located the chimpanzees, he will begin the trip back to Kampala. On your journey back to Masindi, you will stop for lunch.
End of tour.
