4 Days Murchison Falls safari takes you to Uganda’s oldest national park for game drives, chimpanzee trekking, a visit to the top of the magnificent waterfalls and the Ziwa Rhino sanctuary. The tour can be undertaken by honeymooners, families, large and small groups. Children are welcome but they don’t qualify for chimpanzee trekking. Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’ largest wildlife conservation area. It is the only park where one can spot all the big 5 mammals – the Rhinos can be seen at the Ziwa Rhino sanctuary. The park is located 305 kilometers away from Kampala city by road but can also be accessed using a chattered flight from Entebbe International airport or Kajjansi. The park consists of savanna grasslands, woodlands and Riverine forest.
Murchison falls national park is home to 76 species of mammals 451 recorded species. Murchison falls national park is part of the wider Murchison Falls Conservation Area which also includes Karuma and 
Apart from the boat cruise, tourists can also spot the animals while on a game drive on land or using hot air balloons. This 4 Days Murchison Falls safari will start in Kampala or Entebbe and then continue to the park with a stop at the Ziwa Rhino sanctuary. After tracking the Rhinos, you will continue straight to the top of the Murchison Falls. In the following days, you will go for game drives, boat rides and chimpanzee trekking. By the end of your 4 days’ trip, you would have spotted elephants, giraffes, oribis, hippos, the Uganda Kob, hartebeests, buffaloes, lions, crocodiles, chimpanzees and so much more. For a longer safari, you might find our 5 days Murchison falls wildlife safari or 9 days Uganda wildlife tour package more interesting.
Main Activities
- Visiting the Ziwa rhino sanctuary
- Game drives
- A boat cruise
- chimpanzee trekking in Budongo
Summary of Itinerary
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.
Full Itinerary
Day 1: Pickup – Visit the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary – Continue to Murchison Falls National Park
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 
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.
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.
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 
Safari Inclusions and Exclusions
The safari includes: –
- Transportation in a tour van (4×4 land cruiser)
- Full board accommodation with breakfast and dinner for 3 nights
- The services of a knowledgeable Driver/Guide with excellent English speaking skills
- Lunch and bottled water during the safari
- Entrance to the Ziwa Rhino sanctuary
- Chimpanzee permits for each participant
- Park fees
- All activities and any accommodations indicated in the itinerary.
The safari excludes: –
- Air tickets before and after the trip
- Uganda Visa. These can be got online or at the airport at a cost of $50
- Any taxes at the airport
- Baggage, Medical and Travel insurance
- Alcoholic drinks or beverages during the safari
- Meals that are different from those indicated in the itinerary
- Tips to our Guide, park rangers or hotel staff
- All items of a personal nature like souvenirs and phone bills
Things to Know
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.
Packing List
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.
Hotels and Lodges
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 
