4 Days Murchison Falls National Park Safari & Chimp Tracking
Price On Request
Tour Highlights
This 4 day Murchison Falls National Park safari with Chimpanzee Tracking in Budongo forest starts from Kampala with a pick up from the Airport with a transfer to the park. On this safari you will see a diversity of wildlife such as mammals as well as bird species in the savannahs.
The park is located north east of the country and it’s the oldest and largest park in Uganda and its home to the world’s strongest river where the Nile waters surge in a 7-meter gorge with a depth of 45 meter down forming the famous falls.
It is also home to about 80 mammals, 400 bird species and a number of tree species such as King Fisher, African Fish Eagle, Goliath herons at the delta etc.
With a visit to Murchison falls wildlife safari you can encounter a number of activities from your pick up for a road trip to the only wild habitat of the rhinos in Nakasongola, while here you will track the rhinos on foot an experience that is breath taking but memorable and a life time moment. The game drives take place on the northern side of the park sighting a number of animals right from antelope’s, elephants, buffalos, the big cats such as lions, your boat cruise safari that takes you up stream to the bottom of the falls sighting a number of game such as birds on the trees and rocks at the river banks, animals cooling off heat at the river banks not forgetting crocodiles in a profusion of hippos.
When the boat safari is finished you encounter the 45 minutes’ water fall hike to the top of the falls and while here you will witness the falls and how the Nile surges into the gorge to form the world’s strongest falls.
Explore the Budongo Forest on your chimpanzee tracking experience where your ranger guide leads you to the jungle tracking our closest relatives with a DNA of 98.7 close to that of humans.
Experience this 4-day wildlife memorable safari in Uganda’s largest and oldest park
Day 1 Drive from Kampala/Entebbe to Murchison Falls NP with an Optional Visit to the Rhinos at Ziwa
Travel time from Kampala to Murchison Falls National Park is 6 – 7 hours
Accommodation: Budget & Midrange: Fort Murchison or Pakuba Safari Lodge, Luxury: Parra Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Lunch & Dinner
We drive towards Murchison falls National Park. From your hotel the tour guide will take you to Murchison Falls. We will stopover for lunch at Masindi town and then drive to the park. In the afternoon you shall have a game drive through the park for wildlife such as giraffes, elephants, buffalos and lions. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Optional visiting the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for rhino trekking on either day one or the last day on this trip the drive is 3 hours from Kampala to Ziwa Sanctuary
Day 2 Game Drive in the Park, Afternoon Boat Cruise to the Bottom of the Falls & Top of the Falls Hike
Accommodation: Budget & Midrange: Budongo Eco Lodge, Midrange: Murchison River Lodge & Court View Hotel, Luxury: Murchison River Lodge & Masindi Hotel
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
You will wake up early for a cup of hot coffee or tea and drive out for the early morning game drive. With chance to sight nocturnal animals such as Lions, Hyenas, Leopard active hours for hunting.
The Park has the south and northern sector. The northern side is covered by savannah and woodland has a number of animals compared to the southern sector which is mainly covered by the forest. Game drives are done in the northern side of Murchison Falls, expect to sight animals such as the Antelopes, Elephants, Buffaloes and Giraffes and after your game drive return to the lodge to allow yourself relax. After lunch drive to the dock at Parra for a boat cruise safari on River Nile, cruise to the bottom of the Murchison Falls. Expect a diversity of wildlife sighting that is crocodiles a profusion of schools of hippos, mega crocodiles. Land mammals such buffaloes, elephants and antelopes, diversity of bird species with sounds and sights can also be sighted at the ridges besides the Nile River. As you reach the bottom of Murchison falls you will witness how the Nile waters surge in a 7-meter gorge with a depth of approximately 40 meters to form the “most powerful water falls in the world” After your wildlife boat cruise safari, you will dock off for the water fall hike in great view of the Murchison falls as you hike to the top for 45 minutes hike. You will find your tour guide ready to drive you back to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Note. If your accommodation is on the northern side of the park you will board a ferry to the northern side for the game drive and back on the side where your accommodation was booked.
Day 3 Chimpanzee Tracking in Budongo Forest
Accommodation: Budget & Midrange: Budongo Eco Lodge, Midrange: Murchison River Lodge & Court View Hotel, Luxury: Murchison River Lodge & Masindi Hotel
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After an early breakfast, we will meet the rangers for briefing and by 8:00 am head for the trek into Budongo Forest to track habituated Chimpanzees. This community is near Budongo Eco Lodge. However sometimes the tracking takes long when the chimps move deep into the forest. After tracking the chimps you will spend 1 hour observing the Chimpanzees. Return to the lodge, relax and have lunch after chimp tracking as you wait for dinner.
Day 4 Transfer back to Kampala/Entebbe with An Optional Rhino Tracking
Travel Time from Budongo Forest to Kampala is 6 – 7 hours drive
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch
After having breakfast in the morning, check out and leave for Entebbe. The tour guide will drop you off at your hotel
OPTIONAL: As you drive back to Kampala amidst scenic views will reach Nakasongola and make a stopover at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Did you know, Ziwa is the only sanctuary in Uganda with Rhinos in the wild. Rhinos in Uganda were hunted to extinction during the 1970’s in the time of war and were later reintroduced into the wild. After meeting the rangers, you will reach out for a 1-2 hours walk in the sanctuary to see the Rhinos. Have chance to see animals such as Monkeys among others. Return from the discovery and drive to Kampala/Entebbe
Tour Costs
Tour Includes
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure
- Meet & greet at Hotel or place of stay in Kampala or Entebbe
- Ground transport in a private well-maintained safari van or land cruiser
(Selection at time of inquiry) with a popup roof for game viewing with internet
- English speaking driver / guide
- Fuel costs as per your itinerary
- 3 nights’ Accommodation at your selected lodge or hotel
- Meals mentioned on the itinerary
- Activities & Park entrance fees: 3 nights 4 day Murchison Falls NP & Budongo Forest
- Game Drive
- Boat cruise safari
- Top of the falls hike
- 1 chimp permit in Budongo Forest
- Murchison Falls National Park
- Budongo Forest
- Box of material water in your Safari Vehicle
- Drop off at your hotel or place of stay
Tour Excludes
- X International flights
- X Visa Fees and Requirements
- X Meals not listed in the itinerary
- X Optional activities during the trip
- X Medical & travel insurance
- X Tips to different service providers e.g. guides, helpers and hotel staff
- X All personal expenses (Beverages/ Soft Drinks on meals, alcohol, laundry services,
- X souvenirs
General Tips on your safari:
- The age limit for chimpanzee tracking is 15 years and above.
- Booking of chimpanzee permits is done in advance in order for you not to miss out on the experience
- Health is key for your safari for chimpanzee tracking, usually clients with infectious diseases like flu are not allowed to track reason being it can easily affect the chimps with its DNA of 98.7 %.
- Lion Experiential in Murchison Falls National Park getting close to the lions, it involves getting off the main game track and driving to the unbeaten paths with your guide and the Uwa Doctor.
- Hot Air Balloon Safaris is also offered in Murchison Falls National Park and can be booked on the client’s discretion.
What to bring on your safari:
- Insect repellent is recommended.
- Sunscreen is essential
- Camera for pictures
- Rubber boots during chimp tracking and hiking the falls
- Binoculars are important, when you book the Hot Air Balloon Safari.
Related Tours
4 Days Sipi Falls and Source of the Nile Experience
7 Days Mountain Elgon National Park Trekking
3 Days Lake Bunyonyi Tour
