4 Days Murchison Falls Wildlife Safari & Chimpanzee Trekking

Safari highlights

• Chimpanzee tracking in Budongo Forest
• Game drive and Nile launch cruise in Murchison Falls National Park
• Hike to the top of Murchison Falls
• Walking rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
• Excellent birdlife in forest, savannah and river habitats

Itinerary route map

1. Kampala
2. Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
3. Murchison Falls National Park
4. Budongo Forest

Day-by-day itinerary

1. 01
   Day 1 Kampala / Entebbe to Murchison Falls via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

   Depart early in the morning and head north on the Gulu highway through Luwero and Nakasongola. The road gradually moves from the busy central region into quieter countryside with farmland and small trading centres. About halfway you reach Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, where southern white rhinos are being bred and protected as part of efforts to restore the species to Uganda.

   At Ziwa you join a ranger on foot to approach the rhinos, which graze quietly in open bush. Because you walk, you get a rare opportunity to see these large animals at close range and learn about their care, their behaviour and the conservation programme. The visit takes about two hours, and the activity fee is paid separately.

   After lunch you continue to Masindi and then on to Murchison Falls National Park, entering the park through its southern gate. The final section passes savannah where you may see your first giraffes and antelope. You arrive at your lodge by late afternoon, with time to relax, enjoy views over the Nile, and have dinner.

2. 02
   Day 2 Morning game drive and Nile launch cruise

   Start before sunrise with a game drive on the northern bank of the Nile, where the open plains are rich in wildlife. Early morning is the best time to see animals, and your guide tracks fresh signs. Typical sightings include elephants, Rothschild's giraffes, buffalo, Uganda kob, hartebeest and waterbuck, and with luck lions or even a leopard resting in the shade.

   After returning to the lodge for breakfast and a short rest, you board a launch for the famous cruise along the Nile towards the base of Murchison Falls. The trip takes about three hours and moves slowly so you can enjoy the riverbanks. Look for pods of hippos, large Nile crocodiles and elephants coming to drink, as well as many bird species.

   As the boat nears the falls, the river narrows and the roar of water grows louder until you see the Nile spilling through the Devil's Cauldron. Birders should watch for pied kingfishers, African fish eagles, Goliath herons and, with good fortune, the rare shoebill in the delta area. You return in the afternoon for dinner and an overnight stay at the lodge.

3. 03
   Day 3 Budongo Forest chimpanzee tracking and top of the falls

   Start early with the drive to Budongo Forest, a section of Murchison Falls Conservation Area that is home to a large population of chimpanzees. The tracking is done from the Kaniyo Pabidi area, and you attend a briefing before entering the forest with a ranger guide. The forest is cool and dense, with mahogany trees and a rich bird chorus.

   The walk may take one to several hours depending on where the chimpanzees are. When you find them, you spend an hour watching them feed, groom and move through the canopy. Budongo is also known for its other primates, such as black-and-white colobus and blue monkeys, as well as forest birds and butterflies.

   After lunch you visit the top of Murchison Falls, where the Nile squeezes through a narrow gap about seven metres wide before plunging into the gorge. A short trail leads to viewpoints close to the water, so you can feel the spray. You then return to your lodge for dinner and a final night in the park.

4. 04
   Day 4 Murchison Falls to Kampala / Entebbe

   After a relaxed breakfast, you check out and cross the Nile by ferry at Paraa, with a chance to see hippos and birds from the deck. If you are lucky, you may also spot elephants or giraffes near the park gate. You then drive south, leaving the park through Kichumbanyobo.

   The route returns through Masindi and, if time allows, you can stop at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary or at a roadside restaurant for lunch. The drive takes roughly five to six hours, passing farmland, small towns and the Luwero Triangle. Your guide shares information about local history and culture along the way.

   You arrive in Kampala or Entebbe in the afternoon or evening, depending on traffic. Your driver-guide drops you at your hotel or the airport and helps with luggage. The safari ends with memories of the powerful Nile, an abundance of wildlife and a close encounter with chimpanzees. We hope the sights and sounds of Murchison stay with you long after you leave.