2 Days Murchison Falls National Park Safari

The main highlights of the trip are: –

• A game drive within the park
• Hike to the top of the falls
• Ziwa rhino Sanctuary
• Boat ride along the river Nile

Day 1: Traveling to Murchison falls national park –  Hike at the top of the falls – Afternoon boat ride

This trip will start very early in the morning. Our company driver will pick you up an agreed meeting point and start the journey to Murchison Falls National Park. Expect to drive past Kampala’s residential areas/slums like Kawempe, Maganjo and Matuga before heading towards Luwero triangle in Nakasongola district. The Luwero Triangle is where president Yoweri Kaguta Museveni launched a guerrilla warfare that captured power in 1986. From Nakasongola, you will stop at Masindi for lunch or snacks and then proceed to Murchison Falls National Park. The first activity is visiting the top of the Murchison Falls to observe as the Nile forces its way through a narrow gorge before dropping with a load roar. The sheer force of the water combines with light to create beautiful rainbow colors that can be very magical if you visit during certain times of the day. While at the top of the falls, you will also take some pictures to show off to people back home.

From the top of the falls, the driver will take you to Paraa dock to start the boat cruise at 2:00pm. The boat cruise along the Albert Nile is very popular with tourists because it is one of the best ways to appreciate the remarkable biodiversity in the park. You will spot aquatic animals like the crocodiles, hippos and waterbucks on the water or nearby swamps. Birders should look out for the elusive shoebill stork. The boat ride takes about 3 hours and ends by 5:30pm at the bottom of the Murchison Falls. Everyone disembarks and hikes up to the top of the falls to find the drivers waiting.

Accommodation Options: Paraa safari lodge (Executive), Pakuba safari lodge (Standard) and Red chill rest camp (basic).

Day 2: Early Morning Game – Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary – Return to Kampala or Entebbe

This will be the last day of the short trip and will be action packed. You will wake up very early in the morning, have breakfast and go for a game drive where you will look out for lions, elephants, leopards, elands, giraffes, hyenas, buffaloes, oribis, antelopes and birds. The game viewing session in the African savanna will last for about 3 hours under the guidance of park ranger or our safari guide/driver. On completion of the game drive, you will have lunch at your lodge, check out and begin the Journey back to Kampala. On your way to Kampala, you will have a 2-hour stopover at the Ziwa rhino sanctuary in Nakasongola district. In doing so, you would have completed viewing all the big five animals.

The Rhinos at the sanctuary live in a very large enclosure with its own attractions like antelopes, small primates, crocodiles and birds like the rare shoebill stork. Rhinos where virtually wiped out of Uganda’s national parks due to poaching in the 1980’s, the sanctuary was established to protect the remaining white rhinos. You will spend time with the rhinos as they loiter in the vast sanctuary. Rangers at the Sanctuary will take you around the facility and share information about the individual rhinos. After the rhino experience, you will get back to the road and drive to Kampala. Your final destination could be Kampala or Entebbe airport.

The 3 Days Murchison Falls Safari cost includes: –

1. A Game drive
2. A Boat ride on the river Nile
3. A tour of the Ziwa rhino sanctuary
4. Government taxes
5. Vehicle and park entrance
6. Ferry crossing
7. Accommodation for one night with meals and water
8. Lunch and water while traveling
9. Park Ranger fees
10. A Full time company Guide who will also be the driver
11. A 4×4 car with a pop-up roof and fuel

Exclusions: The 3 days safari in Murchison Falls excludes tips to service staff, air tickets, visas, yellow fever vaccination cards and travel insurance. It also excludes personal expenses on wines, telephone calls, cigarettes, souvenir and laundry services.

Endeavor to follow the rules and regulation designed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority while in the park. The rules and regulations prohibit driving off track, littering the park and feeding wild animals. Keep a distance away from animals because in case of any accident, the authorities will not responsible. Travelers should visit their doctor before traveling and do so with any special medications. Yellow fever vaccination cards are a requirement before entering Uganda. You will also need to carry anti- malarial tablets and an insect repellent. Never forget to sleep under a mosquito net while in Uganda.

Ugandans are very hospitable people. Always greet them or wave back in case you meet them on the road side. It is a good gesture to appreciate people who go out of their way to make your time memorable. The appreciation can be in form of a simple thank you or tipping. What do you need to pack while on the 3 days Murchison Falls tour? Well, you will need jungle shoes, a good camera, colored clothes with two layers, a towel, a rain coat, sunglasses, binoculars, toiletries, a deodorant, an insect repellent and phone to communicate with your people back home.

Red Chilli Rest Camp:  This is a decent low budget accommodation facility within Murchison falls national park. It has dormitories, basic single rooms, double rooms and also tents. It has a large dining hall with very affordable food and drinks compared to most of the lodges close to the park. Red Chilli Rest Camp is a highly demanded budget accommodation facility and because of that, a client must book it at the earliest time possible.

Pakuba safari lodge: Pakuba is located on the Eastern shores of the River Nile hence offering stunning views of the flowing water and some wildlife. It is the best mid-range lodge in the park and has most of the services a guest would get in the luxury lodges. Pakuba safari lodge has very spacious and self-contained rooms. Each room has a balcony overlooking the Nile, a study desk and wireless internet. There is also a swimming pool for sunbathing and swimming. All in all, Pakuba safari lodge is an excellent mid-range lodge for those who want that wilderness experience but also elegance.

Paraa safari lodge:  This was the first lodge to be established in Murchison falls national park in 1954. It is a legendary lodge having hosted famous guests for decades. In fact, it is every visitor’s dream to stay in this great luxury lodge. The lodge is located in Paraa section and is a very strategic base for starting all the major tourism activities in the park. Paraa Safari Lodge has amenities like a swimming pool, a gym, spa section, a lounge, a bar, a restaurant and a conference hall. Paraa safari lodge is managed by Marasa group of companies which has gained reputation as one of the leading hospitality companies in East Africa.