Experience the ultimate 3-day Murchison Falls safari in Uganda. Track rhinos at Ziwa, enjoy Nile River boat cruises, and see the Big 5. Book your spot today!

3-Day Classic Murchison Falls National Park Safari (Uganda)

Experience Uganda’s ultimate 3-day Murchison Falls safari—a wilderness adventure taking you from Kampala to Uganda’s largest national park. Discover the Big Five starting with white rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, followed by thrilling game drives across the savanna, a River Nile boat launch cruise, and a trip to the breathtaking top of Murchison Falls.

Safari Highlights

• Ziwa Rhino Tracking: Walk alongside endangered rhinos in their natural habitat.

• Big Five & Big Cat Sightings: Spot lions, leopards, elephants, Rothschild giraffes, and cape buffaloes.

• River Nile Boat Cruise: Sail to the base of Murchison Falls surrounded by hippos, Nile crocodiles, and rare birdlife.

• Top of Murchison Falls: Stand at the crest where the world’s longest river forces itself through a narrow 7-meter gorge.

• Optional Upgrades: Add Budongo Forest chimpanzee tracking or a hot air balloon sunrise safari.

Detailed 3-Day Safari Itinerary

Day 1: Kampala to Murchison Falls via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Your driver-guide will pick you up from your Kampala hotel or Entebbe airport at 7:00 AM for a quick briefing before setting off toward Northern Uganda.

• Ziwa Rhino Trekking: Stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the only place in Uganda to track wild rhinos on foot.

• Lunch: Enjoy a meal in Masindi Town.

• Evening Game Drive: Enter Murchison Falls National Park and enjoy an introductory game drive as nocturnal wildlife begins to emerge.

• Meal Plan: Lunch, Dinner

• Accommodation Options:

  • Budget: Hornbill Safari Lodge / Parkside Safari Lodge

  • Mid-Range: Fort Murchison Lodge / Pakuba Safari Lodge

  • Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge / Chobe Safari Lodge

Day 2: Morning Game Drive & River Nile Boat Launch Cruise

• 06:30 AM Morning Game Drive: Set off across the Buligi game tracks in search of lions, leopards, elephants, giraffes, hyenas, and Ugandan kob. Enjoy a breakfast break near the hippo pool.

• 02:00 PM Nile River Boat Cruise: Board a 3-hour launch cruise along the Victoria Nile toward the bottom of Murchison Falls. Look out for massive Nile crocodiles, bathing elephant herds, pods of hippos, and bird species like the African Fish Eagle and Shoebill Stork.

• Evening: Return to your lodge for dinner and relaxation.

• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Accommodation: Same selection as Day 1

Day 3: Top of the Murchison Falls Hike & Departure to Kampala

• Top of the Falls Experience: Drive to the crest of Murchison Falls to witness 300 cubic meters per second of water thunder through a 7-meter gap into Devil’s Cauldron below. Take photos of the permanent rainbow above the falls.

• Return Journey: Begin your drive back to Kampala with a scenic lunch stopover at Kabalega Dinners.

• Drop-off: Arrive in Kampala or Entebbe by late afternoon.

• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch

Package Pricing & Inclusions

Pricing Per Person (Based on Minimum 5 Guests)

What’s Included vs. Excluded

Included in the Tour

• Ziwa Rhino Trekking permit

• Boat launch cruise to the bottom of the falls

• Murchison Falls National Park entrance fees

• Guided morning and evening game drives

• 4×4 Land Cruiser/Safari Van transport with pop-up roof & English-speaking driver guide

• Full-board accommodation & bottled drinking water in vehicle

• Airport pick-up & drop-off

Excluded from the Tour

• International flight tickets & Uganda tourist visa ($50)

• Personal expenses (tipping, laundry, alcoholic beverages, souvenirs)

• Optional add-on activities (Chimpanzee tracking, Hot Air Balloon safari)

• Pre/Post-safari accommodation in Kampala

Optional Safari Upgrades

1. Budongo Forest Chimpanzee Tracking

• Cost: +$110 per person

• Details: Extend your stay to track wild chimpanzees in Budongo Forest, East Africa’s largest mahogany forest. Spot blue monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and olive baboons along the trek.

2. Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Safari

• Cost: +$380 per person

• Details: Soar above the Nile River and Murchison Falls plains at dawn for an aerial perspective of wildlife, ending with a bush breakfast and champagne toast upon landing.

Travel Tips & Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What entry requirements do I need for Uganda?

Most visitors require a single-entry tourist visa ($50), which must be applied for online or upon arrival. Passports must have at least 6 months of validity remaining. A Yellow Fever Vaccination certificate is mandatory for entry.

What should I pack for a Murchison Falls safari?

• Lightweight, neutral-colored clothing (avoid blue and black as they attract tsetse flies)

• Sturdy walking shoes for rhino tracking

• Sunscreen, hat, insect repellent, and sunglasses

• Camera with telephoto lens and binoculars