3-Day Murchison Falls Wildlife & Nile Safari

Discover the beauty of Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda's largest national park, covering about 3,840 sq km in the country's northwest. The park features vast savannah plains, the Victoria Nile, abundant wildlife, and diverse birdlife, including the Shoebill, Goliath Heron, and Great Blue Turaco.

The highlight is the spectacular Murchison Falls, where the Nile squeezes through a narrow gorge before cascading downstream. During this 3-day safari, enjoy exciting game drives to search for iconic African wildlife and a boat cruise on the Nile, offering close views of hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and numerous bird species.

• Guided rhino trekking at Uganda's Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
• Embark on an unforgettable game drive
• Boat Cruise on the Nile River
• Top of the Falls Visit

After an early breakfast, your safari guide will meet you at your hotel or at the Airport at around 6:30 am. Before setting off, he or she will give you a detailed briefing about your 3-day safari to Murchison Falls National Park, outlining the main activities and what to expect. You will then begin the roughly six-hour drive north towards the park.

The route takes you through Luwero town and continues to Nakasongola, where you will make your first major stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for a guided rhino tracking experience. This is the only place in Uganda where you can see both black and white rhinos in a semi-wild environment, walking on foot with a ranger and getting a close view of these impressive animals. After the activity, you will drive a short distance to Kabalega Dinners and stop for lunch.

Once you have finished lunch, you proceed directly towards Murchison Falls National Park. On arrival, you will head to the top of the falls before checking into your lodge. The drive inside the park is often rewarding, with chances to spot animals such as warthogs and baboons along the way. At the top of Murchison Falls, you will experience the dramatic sight of the Nile forcing its way through a narrow 8m gorge, thundering down into the river below and sending up clouds of mist. This viewpoint offers excellent photographic opportunities, so take your time to enjoy the scenery and capture as many shots as you like.

After visiting the falls, you will continue to your lodge. Check in, relax for the rest of the evening, enjoy dinner, and spend the night at the lodge, getting ready for the next day's adventures in the park.

Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner

Begin the day with an early breakfast at approximately 6:30 a.m. before meeting your safari guide and park ranger at the lodge. By 7:00 a.m., set off for an exciting morning game drive through Murchison Falls National Park. As you explore the park's diverse landscapes, keep an eye out for some of its remarkable wildlife, including lions, Cape buffaloes, Rothschild's giraffes, African elephants, antelopes, waterbucks, and a variety of bird species.

After several hours of wildlife viewing, return to the lodge or another suitable location within the park around midday. Enjoy lunch and take some time to relax before the afternoon's boat excursion on the Nile.

Later, embark on a scenic boat cruise toward the base of Murchison Falls. The journey offers excellent opportunities to observe wildlife along the riverbanks, including Nile crocodiles, hippos, Cape buffaloes, and elephants. Bird enthusiasts will also have plenty to enjoy, with sightings of bee-eaters, African jacanas, colorful kingfishers, and, if fortunate, the rare shoebill stork.

As the boat approaches the base of Murchison Falls, marvel at the immense power and beauty of the Nile as it squeezes through the narrow gorge. This is an ideal opportunity to capture memorable photographs of the falls and the surrounding scenery.

For those seeking an added adventure, you may choose to hike to the top of Murchison Falls, where your driver-guide will be waiting. From there, continue by vehicle back to the lodge. End the day with dinner and a relaxing overnight stay.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Fort Murchison Lodge

Enjoy breakfast, check out, and head out for your final game drive as you begin your journey back to Kampala. Watch for elephants, buffaloes, Rothschild's giraffes, lions, antelopes, and diverse bird species before leaving the park.

Stop for lunch in Masindi or Kabalega Dinners, then continue to Kampala or Entebbe, marking the end of your unforgettable safari.

Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch