4 Days Murchison Falls Wildlife Safari Uganda

1. Visiting the Ziwa rhino sanctuary
2. Game drives
3. A boat cruise
4. chimpanzee trekking in Budongo

Day 1: Pickup and Drive to Murchison Falls with a stop at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.

Day 2: Morning game drive and a boat cruise up to the bottom of the falls

Day 3: Boat ride at the Nile delta and afternoon Game drive.

Day 4: Chimpanzee trekking in Budongo Forest and transfer back to Kampala.

Day 1: Pickup – Visit the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary –  Continue to Murchison Falls National Park

Our Guide/Driver will pick you up from the airport or your hotel in Entebbe/Kampala and brief you before starting the journey to the Murchison Falls National Park. Enjoy the drive as you observe the African countryside and small towns like Luwero and Nakasongola. Nakasongola is a cattle keeping corridor and you will be amazed by the vast herds of long horned cattle grazing close to the roadside. Luwero is where the National Resistance Army (current government) started a rebellion which toppled the government of Tito Okello. You may ask the Guide/Driver to stop briefly at one of the markets so that you can mingle with the locals and check out some of the tasty local fruits like mangoes, oranges, pineapples, bananas and maize.

Your first main stop is at the Ziwa Rhino sanctuary. This sanctuary was established to protect the few remaining white rhinos in Uganda after 99% were killed by poachers. Rhinos once roamed the national parks in Uganda but extensive poaching wiped them out. It was easier to kill them for their valuable horns because they have no fear of humans like the other large mammals. The Ziwa Rhino sanctuary has also embarked on a breeding project to increase the number of Rhinos and later reintroduced to the national parks. The sanctuary is also great for birding, primates viewing and spotting antelopes. After tracking the lions, you will proceed to have lunch at the nearby Masindi town

After Masindi, you will proceed to Murchison Falls national park and proceed straight to the top of the falls. Spend some time here as you marvel at the magnificent waterfall. The falls are formed when the river Nile squeezes through a narrow gorge and drops with a thunderous force. Take as many photos as possible so that you can share them with you friends. The driver will then take you to your hotel for rest, refreshment and later evening walk if you have time.

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

Wake up early, take breakfast and prepare for a very eventful day. The drive/Guide will pick you up and take you for a game drive to see lions, leopards, giraffes, the Uganda Kob, buffaloes, oribi, jackals, elephants, warthogs, Jackson hartebeests, hyenas and countless birds. Look out for the early morning risers and predators like leopards returning back to their dens after hunting.

After the four-hour game drive, you will be taken back to the lodge for lunch, refreshments and relaxation as you for the Afternoon boat cruise. While on the cruise you will spot crocodiles, hippos, and most of the animals already seen while on your earlier game drive. They will be drinking water and bathing by the shores of the river. This part of the river Nile offers some of the best birding spots in Uganda. Watch out for the Shoebill storks, Goliath heron, hornbills, the yellow billed stork, pelicans, bee-eaters, kingfishers, Egyptian goose and African fish eagles. The boat cruise ends at the bottom of the Murchison falls and is a great time to take some great photos to show your friends 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.

Wake up early and take breakfast as you wait for the Guide/ Driver to come and take you for another 4-hour boat ride to the Nile Delta area. This area is known for its amazing collection of wildlife including lions, bushbucks, elephants and buffaloes. This time the boat goes down stream where you will encounter amazing wildlife and birds. You will pass through vast swamps and wetlands with countless water birds. After this boat cruise, you will get back on land, take lunch and be taken for another game drive but in a different section of the park. This is a chance to see any wildlife you might have missed out during the first game drive and boat rides.

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

Wake up early and go for the briefing at the forest offices. You will be allocated a group and a ranger to be your leader. Chimpanzee tracking in Budongo forest can take up to 5 hours and you are allowed only one hour with them. Chimpanzee trekking in Budongo is special because it has less crowds and there are higher chances of interacting with international researchers for more information about the primates. Budongo forest is also one of the best places for birding in Uganda. While tracking the chimpanzees, watch out for the birds, other smaller primates and the ancient mahogany trees. The driver will start the journey back to Kampala after tracking the chimps. You will have lunch on your way (Masindi or Luwero town) back. If you reach early, you can request for a Kampala city tour.

The safari includes: –

1. Transportation in a tour van (4×4 land cruiser)
2. Full board accommodation with breakfast and dinner for 3 nights
3. The services of a knowledgeable Driver/Guide with excellent English speaking skills
4. Lunch and bottled water during the safari
5. Entrance to the Ziwa Rhino sanctuary
6. Chimpanzee permits for each participant
7. Park fees
8. All activities and any accommodations indicated in the itinerary.

The safari excludes: –

1. Air tickets before and after the trip
2. Uganda Visa. These can be got online or at the airport at a cost of $50
3. Any taxes at the airport
4. Baggage, Medical and Travel insurance
5. Alcoholic drinks or beverages during the safari
6. Meals that are different from those indicated in the itinerary
7. Tips to our Guide, park rangers or hotel staff
8. All items of a personal nature like souvenirs and phone bills

This tour is open to all groups of people including children and the elderly. Children cannot go for chimpanzee trekking. They can remain at the hotel or with our Guide/Driver. The driver will take them for nature walks and sightseeing as the adults go to search for the chimps.

This itinerary can be changed to include other activities that might interest you. Feel free to let us know if you have anything you need to include. We can also include activities in other national parks like Bwindi, Queen Elizabeth or the Rwenzori mountains.

Murchison falls national park is opened all year round but the best time to visit is from June to September and January to March. This is the dry season and the park roads are in good condition. Because it is a dry season animals tend to gather in one place to drink enabling tourists to spot them all at once.

For the best experience while on our 4 Days tour of Queen Elizabeth, we recommend that you carry the following items along.

Light clothing: To help you deal with the heat especially during the dry season. Heavy clothes will make you uncomfortable during chimpanzee trekking.

Good hiking shoes: This tour package includes activities that will require walking like rhino tracking, hiking to the top of the Murchison falls and chimpanzee trekking. Try to acquire shoes that can be used on such occasions.

Sunglasses and a wide hat: These will help protect you against the sun’s rays during game drives and chimpanzee tracking.

A good camera and binocular: You cannot afford not taking photos of the amazing wildlife, local people and landscape. Photos ensure that your memories of Uganda remain intact for years to come. You can also share the photos with friends, family and colleagues back home.

Personal Medication: If you have any medical issues, inform your doctor before traveling and ensure that you have all your special medications with you during your trip. Medical facilities in rural parts of Uganda are not always reliable.

Paraa Safari Lodge: Paraa Safari lodge was built in 1954 and is arguably the best luxury lodge in Murchison Falls National Park. It is managed by Marasa Africa which is owned by the Madhvani group of companies. Paraa lodge is built on the banks of the river Nile just as it leaves the Murchison waterfalls to continue its journey to Egypt. Paraa combines adventure with luxury and comfort. All their 30 rooms are self-contained with private bathrooms and balconies overlooking the Nile. The rooms are decorated with style and an aura of class and elegance. You can choose to stay in single, double or twin rooms. The hotel also has extra special luxury rooms and those for persons with disability.

The lodge is strategically located to allow residents take part in many of the park activities like boat cruises at the Nile and game drives. Some of the park animals come to the lodge compound to relax and out of curiosity. Paraa is also suitable for those who have come for fishing trips in Uganda. They have fishing equipment and experienced anglers to escort anyone interested in catching Nile Perch on the Nile. Other services in the hotel include a large swimming pool overlooking the Nile. The swimming pool is perfect for relation after a long day out in the park.

Pakuba Safari Lodge: Pakuba is arguably the best mid-range lodge in Murchison falls national park. It was built in the northern side of the park close to the ruins of a lodge used by the Ugandan dictator Idi Amin Dada.  All its 46 rooms are self-contained, spacious, grass thatched and face the majestic river Nile. The rooms come in form of twin or double rooms with each having a clean toilet, bathroom and working table. The scenery outside the rooms and beyond is amazing because the lodge is built in the African wilderness.

Expect to spot many of the park animals feeding close to the lodge. You can see giraffes, warthogs and baboons almost every day from your window. Other facilities in the lodge include a large swimming pool, wireless internet, a business Centre, a conference hall with a capacity of 50 people, a bar, a restaurant serving both continental and local dishes. The bar is stocked with both Ugandan and foreign vodkas and beers. The bar is ideal for interacting with other residents or those who have just come for a drink as they watch games on the giant screens.

Murchison River Lodge: This budget lodge is built in the southern section of the park. It also lies close to the river Nile and you can actually see hippos grazing and swimming in the nearby papyrus swamp. Most of the rooms are in form of cottages with thatched roofs but camping tents can be set on the lodge premises for backpackers. If you choose to use the tents, you would need to have your own camping gear. The camping site has self-catering services, toilet facilities, showers and a fireplace to help you relax during the cold evenings. Murchison River lodge is perfect for those traveling on budget but still wish to stay in a high quality lodge. Murchison River Lodge allows one to easily do most of the park activities like sport fishing, boat rides to the Albert Delta or birding. The lodge is close to Paraa hence offering a great opportunity to do game drives at the Paraa sector of the park. Murchison River lodge close to Budongo forest hence enabling one to do chimpanzee trekking and nature walks without traveling a long distance.