5 Days Murchison Falls Wildlife Safari

5 Days Murchison Falls Wildlife Safari will give you the opportunity to explore the largest national park in Uganda. Murchison Falls national park in Uganda is not only known for its vast savannah landscapes, but also for its wide variety of wildlife species. The park is home to 76 species of mammals and about 451 bird species. It is Uganda’s oldest conservation Area following its establishment as a game reserve in 1926.

Highlights for 5 Days Murchison Falls Wildlife Safari

DAY 1: Pick up from Kampala and transfer to Murchison falls National Park with a stopover at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and Wildlife Ranch.
DAY 2: Game drive Murchison Falls National Park and an evening boat cruise.
DAY 3: Chimpanzee Tracking in Budongo Forest
DAY 4: Boat cruise to lower delta and an evening game drive.
DAY 5: Departure to Kampala with an optional half-day city tour.

Detailed Itinerary

DAY 1: Pickup in Kampala & Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park.

Pickup & Transfer to Murchison Falls: Embark on your journey at 6am from your hotel in Kampala and travel to Murchison Falls National Park via Masindi, which is a 5 hours’ drive to the national park and covers a distance of about 305 km from Kampala. Murchison Falls National Park is the largest national park in Uganda and in found in the northern region of the country.

Stopover: Stopover at Ziwa rhino sanctuary where you will be taken through the history sanctuary and also get a chance to view the endangered white rhinoceros species. The Rhino sanctuary and wildlife Ranch is located in Nakasongola district and was gazetted to protect the low white rhino populations that which were and still under threat due to poaching activities following the high demand for their horns on the black market. Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and Wildlife Ranch is under the funding and management of the Rhino Fund Uganda and Uganda Wildlife Authority. Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is the only place where you will get to see rhinos in the wild.

Proceed to Murchison Falls national park via Masindi and check into your Lodge, have diner and overnight.

DAY 2: Morning Game Drive and Afternoon Boat Cruise.

Morning Game Drive: After breakfast, you will head for an early morning game drive which will start at 7am. You will board a ferry at Paara at 7am and cross over to the northern part of the national park which is endowed with a variety of wildlife. The game drive takes about 1-2 hours in the park and you can be accompanied by a trained park ranger. While on the game drive, you will get the opportunity to view include warthogs, buffaloes, and elephants, giraffes among others and bird species like a saddle – billed stork, majestic grey crowned crane, handsome black-headed spur-winged lapwings and many more. Return to your lodge for lunch and rest for a while.

Afternoon Boat Cruise: Later proceed to Paara for an afternoon boat cruise which begins at exactly 2pm. The launch cruise upstream along Victoria Nile to the base of the falls. It can take up to 3 hours gracing tourists with spectacular views of wildlife species like Nile crocodiles, elephants, hippos, buffalos and some bird species like the white egret, marabou stock and shoebill stock.

Top of the Falls Hike (Optional): If you are still up for it, you can opt to go on a hike to the top of the falls with your starting point being at the ‘devils cauldron’. Here the highlight of your hike will be the majestic Murchison Falls which cascades 45 meters down the Rift Valley wall. Do not forget to take pictures once you get to the top of the falls. This spot offers picturesque views of the Nile River and Murchison Falls.

Later in the evening retire to your Lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 3: Chimpanzee Trekking in Budongo Forest.

Chimpanzee Trekking in Budongo Forest: Have your breakfast and then head to Budongo Forest where you will be engaged in a day of chimpanzee tracking activity. While trekking through this large, verdant and tropical forest, get to explore the beautiful scenery as well as bird, insect and plant species. On this day, you will get to enjoy spending time with the playful chimpanzees of the forest. Quite a number of the chimpanzees in Budongo are habituated thanks to conservation efforts of the Jane Goodwill Foundation. Chimpanzee trekking in Budongo forest can take between 4-6 hours depending on how long it will take you to locate a group of chimpanzees in the forest. Later have lunch as you take in the beautiful scenery in the forest.

Later drive back to your Lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 4: Boat Cruise (Lower Delta)

Boat Cruise (Lower Delta): Wake up early in the morning, have breakfast and embark on a delta boat cruise. This boat trip goes downstream from Paraa and down the delta to a point where the river flows into Lake Albert. This launch cruise takes between 4- 5 hours providing you with an opportunity to view various wildlife like buffaloes, elephants, crocodiles and hippos as well as bird species; with high chance of you sighting the popular Shoebill stock. Later having your lunch at the Lodge, you will have an evening game drive which will give you an opportunity to see animals that you did not sight during your morning game drive on the second day of your trip.

Drive back to your accommodation Lodge for your dinner and relaxation.

DAY 5: Transfer Back to Kampala & Departure.

Transfer Back to Kampala & Departure: This day marks the end of your 5 Days Murchison Falls Wildlife Safari. After having a relaxed breakfast, check out of your Lodge and embark on a return journey to Kampala City where you can have an optional tour of the city.

End of the 5 Days Murchison Falls Wildlife Safari