3 Day Murchison Falls safari is the best short tour for seeing many savanna animals and wildlife in Uganda, with the best chances of spotting some of the much sought-after big cats such as the Lions and Leopard.

The largest park in Uganda, Murchison Falls National Park is the prime destination for wildlife and big game viewing safaris in Uganda. It is located along the Nile, covering 3,480 square kilometers of various habitats ranging from forest, grassland, riverine woodland, borassus palms, acacia savanna, water. The park protects a large concentration of wildlife including a remarkable 87 mammals, and over 451 bird species. The park gets its name from the spectacular Murchison Falls located on the Nile. These waterfalls, also called the most important object of the entire course of the river are the center piece of the park, where they provide a spectacular view of the Nile squeezing through a tiny chasm of about 7 meters between rocks exploding into the pool 42 meters below. In the background,before the depression, the river is calm with a mirror-like smoothness. But a few metres in its course, turbulence in the water begins and it becomes the dramatic Murchison Falls.

Murchison is only 5 to 7 hours from Uganda’s capital, Kampala. The most popular activity of a Murchison Falls safari is the Game Drive when you go out driving through the established tracks looking out for some species of mammals that call this their home; Elephants, Giraffes, herds of Buffaloes, Uganda Kobs, Bushbucks, Waterbucks, Lions and Leopards to mentions only a few. Another popular activity is Bird Watching as the park is home to 450 species of birds, which include the elusive Shoebill, Swamp Flycatcher, Papyrus Gonolek, Goliath Heron etc 

This 3 day Murchison Falls safari tour itinerary includes game drives in the savannah grassland and a boat safari on the Nile, activities that will expose you to lots of animals such as lions, elephants, hyenas, giraffes, monkeys, hippos, crocodiles, antelopes, buffaloes, lots of birds and wonderful scenery. The biggest highlight however will be the memorable hike to the top of the spectacular world's strongest waterfalls, where the sight & sound of the Nile crashing through a wide chasm provide memorable and intrinsic realties that only those that experience them can access. The Victoria Nile, which bisects the park into two offers dales of hippos and busk ranges of crocodiles along the sandbanks, as well as large numbers of different species getting down to drink & bathe, something which makes the 3 day Murchison falls safari a platonic ideal of choice for any adventurer!!

 

 

Activities

  1. Murchison Falls National Park

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1

Top of the Falls

or

Game Drive

Transfer from Kampala/Entebbe to Murchison Falls NP with an Optional Stopover at the Top of the Falls or Evening Game Drive (depending on accommodation choosen)

  • Journey Time: 6 - 7 hours
  • Accommodation: Baker's Lodge (Luxury), Murchison River Lodge or Fort Murchison (Mid-range and Budget)
  • Meal Plan: Lunch, Dinner

  • Pick up time for the safari is set at 7 am and location is either around Kampala or Entebbe. The tour guide shall pick you up from your hotel and set off to travel to Murchison Falls. You will take the Kampala – Gulu road, a smooth tarmacked (paved) road and by around mid-day you will be in Masindi town. Stopover for lunch and thereafter continue the journey, and in less than an hour to reach the southern entrance of the Murchison Falls park. Check in with the park staff and continue into the park driving on the dirt through the dense Budongo Forest. You will be welcomed by hundreds of baboons lined along the road. However, endeavor to keep the windows closed as the baboons will be attracted to snatch items from the car. For bird lovers, be on the lookout for some species. Wood doves hoover in front of the car, and the Saddle-billed Stork is a common sight along the road. Enjoy panoramic views across the thick forest.
    Depending on the accommodation you selected, you shall get to the ferry to cross over the Nile and transfer to your accommodation where you shall spend the rest of the evening relaxing.

Day 2

Game Drive

Boat Cruise

Waterfall Hike

Game Drive in the Morning, Boat Safari on River Nile to the Bottom of the Murchison Falls Hike to the Top of the Falls

  • Accommodation: Baker's Lodge (Luxury), Murchison River Lodge or Fort Murchison (Mid-range and Budget)
  • Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • You should be up by 6.00am, take a quick cup of coffee or tea with a snack to warm your tummy and set out for the early morning game drive. The early start is a better time and offers more chances for the great sightings of the nocturnal animals and elusive predators such as Lions, Hyenas, Leopard and Jackal, as they are still out actively hunting in the morning hours and haven’t returned to their hideouts. Murchison Falls National Park is divided by River Nile into the south and northern region. The northern part is largely covered by savannah and woodland and supports a lot more volume and variety of animals compared to the southern region which is mainly covered by forest. Therefore, the game drives are done in the northern area of Murchison Falls. If your lodge is found in the southern section, you will thus get a ferry to cross to the northern section for your game drive. Explore the game trails towards the Lake Albert delta where big game such as the Elephants, Buffaloes, Giraffes, and many Antelopes are seen. Murchison falls is the main stronghold in Africa for Rothschild Giraffes. Therefore, you’ll be blown away by these beautiful creatures as you enjoy the beautiful savannah landscape that is immersed with plenty of life and wonderful scenery. The game drive will last for approximately 3 hours, and you have the choice of having a packed breakfast on the game drive or return to the lodge for breakfast. Back at the lodge there is some time to relax. After lunch set out for a 2-hour Launch Cruise (boat safari) on River Nile which sets off at Paraa, going upstream to the bottom of the Murchison Falls. Boat ride offers an array of wildlife sightings - crocodile, hippos, and lizards are a common sight throughout the cruise. As you reach the falls, you notice a lot of huge crocodiles amongst the largest ever seen amassed together. The place is called “Croc Bar.” Big game such buffaloes, elephants and antelopes can also be sighted drinking and cooling off the heat by the river banks and with a little luck, you might even spot a leopard resting in a tree close by the water. It is easy to see the animals at a close and clear encounter for many animals come to drink, bathe, and as well to eat some grass. Herds of hippos can be witnessed playing in the waters, all of which offers a wonderful opportunity to take photographs of the various animals. Since the Nile is a bird magnet, it offers an opportunity for one to tune in and listen to the melodious twitters of various birds that find the river environment an haven of rest. This birdlife is vey impressive, and keeps you constantly entertained, with a profusion of colours and species. You will also be totally blown away by a spectacle of sheer power and beauty with which the water squeezes through the devil’s cauldron. Reaching the bottom of the Murchison Falls, you will leave the boat and set out for a 45-minute hike rocks adjacent the Murchison falls and thereby accessing great views of the falls at different spots along the trail. If your reserved lodge is in the northern section, you will get a ferry to cross to the southern for a hike or to go to the top of the falls. Once reached the top you will find the tour guide waiting to drive you back to the lodge for dinner and overnight. You will have the opportunity to watch the sunset over the River Nile at dusk.  

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Day 3

Relaxed Breakfast at the Lodge Transfer back to Kampala/Entebbe

  • Journey Time: 6 - 7 hours
  • Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch

  • After breakfast, check out and leave for Kampala/Entebbe. The tour guide shall drop you off at your hotel to mark the end of the 3 Days Murchison Falls Safari.

General Tips:

  • OPTIONAL: As an optional activity we highly recommend a HOT AIR BALLOON SAFARI to make your safari at Murchison Falls NP to an truely unique and unforgettable experience.
  • OPTIONAL: BIG 5 SAFARI: If you want to do a Big 5 Safari, request for a stopover at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for a memorable Rhino Trekking on foot(!) on your way to the park or when returning to Kampala. 

What to bring:

  • Walking boots for the Waterfall Hike.
  • Sunscreen is recommended.
  • Insect repellant is advisable.
  • Binoculars are always useful, especially when booking the Hot Air Balloon Safari.
  • Heavy and light clothes.
 
Mother Giraffe Taken by Ellington Safaris
Elephants at murchison falls np Taken by Ellington Safaris
Jackson Heartbeest at Murchison Falls Park Taken by Ellington Safaris
Grey-headed king fisher Taken by Ellington Safaris