In the northwest of Uganda, enjoy a 4 days Murchison Falls safari to spot the Big Five animals. Areas of Murchison Falls National Park and Ziwa Rhino sanctuary off numerous encounters with wildlife. Wildlife such as mammals, reptiles, bird species, tree species and chimpanzee trekking in Budongo forest will be spotted. Explore the two falls, Murchison Falls and Uhuru falls.
The road trip to and from rewards with wildlife and homesteads for the local communities. A stopover at Ziwa Rhino sanctuary is done to trek wild rhinos. Have enroute lunch at the onsite campsite or at Kabalega dinners.
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to Murchison Falls NP and Rhino Trekking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
After a pick up from Entebbe airport or hotel by the driver guide of our company transfer to Murchison. Use the Kampala-Gulu highway, a rewarding journey that takes 5-6 hours’ drive. This national park is renowned for its world’s powerful waterfall. Also, it comprises the big five mammals with the rhinos in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
While on the road trip, enjoy primate watching, of vervet monkeys, olive baboons, and red tailed monkeys among others. Enjoy organic fruits in Luwero road side market where you find fruits like passion fruits, pineapples, and orange etc.
Reach in Nakasongola after 3 hours of drive. This area is known for numerous heads of cattle, and towering rocky hills. Head to Ziwa rhino sanctuary to trek southern white rhinos.
This will be one of the memorable experiences to see one of the big five in the wild. Trekking rhinos here two hours but expect to see antelopes like bushbucks, Uganda kobs, Oribis among others.
This sanctuary also is a home of other animals like the hippos, crocodiles among others and also different bird species. After wards, proceed with the journey as you discover more wildlife and the magnificent of this the country. Check in the accommodation facility after the arrival in the lodge/hotel.
Day 2: Morning Game Drive, Boat cruise and hiking top of falls in the afternoon
Start your day early in the morning. Pack your lunch in the vehicle and start a game drive at around 6:30am. Explore the early raisers. Game drives take place in the northern part of the park. This is a savannah area full of open plains which leads to easy spot of animals.
Among other animals that can be spotted are the lions, Leopards, African buffaloes, elephants, several antelopes like Jackson hartebeests, oribis, bushbucks, water bucks among others, trees like Kigelia Africana mostly known as the sausage tree, borassus palms, whistling acacia, among others.
You will find the way to the hippo pool where you will be served fruits as you gaze around the hippos in the Albert Nile. Proceed with a game drive to your lodge to catch up with your mid spiced breakfast.
In the afternoon, take a boat cruise on the Nile where you will spot water loving animals and birds like the crocodiles, hippos, African fish eagle, open billed stork, black crane and jacana among others. The boat will take you to the bottom of the falls and after hike to the top a rewarding hike as you pass the Baker’s rock.
On arrival at the top of the waterfalls, spot a permanent rainbow. This forms when water passes through a small tunnel. Meanwhile, listen to a thunderous sound and wide shower all over the place.
At this point also, you will be able to see Uhuru and Murchison falls meeting at the same point. Meet the driver after this adventure. Transfer to Budongo forest for dinner and night stay.
Day 3: Chimpanzee Trekking in Budongo Forest
Head to the ranger post for instructions about how to trek the chimpanzees and trekking requirements. These include; appropriate clothing, not eating in the presence of chimpanzees. After, you will be guided with an armed park ranger guide into the forest to search for human’s lovely cousins.
Budongo forest is the largest natural forest in the country and the biggest mahogany forest in East Africa. It is well renowned for its magnificent wildlife in terms of chimpanzees and bird species.
Trekking can take 2-3 hours depending on speed, location of chimps and the time you have. Yet, only an hour will be allowed to you as you enjoy the presence of these chimpanzees. Return to the lodge after the trek for leisure, lunch, dinner and night stay.
Day 4: Travel Back to Kampala
Return to Kampala after a relaxed breakfast. Pass through Budongo forest, Masindi town and Luwero. The latter is an area that has a lot of history about the liberation wars of the mid 1980s. Proceed to the capital city of Uganda Kampala. Drop-off happens at the hotel or at the airport. Here, end of the 4 days Murchison falls safari.
