5 Days Murchison Falls Big Five Safari
5 Days Murchison Falls National Park Safari
The 5 Days Murchison Falls Big Five Safari on a Uganda safari offers an amazing wildlife experience in Uganda’s largest national park. Murchison Falls National Park covers approximately 3,893 square kilometres and is located in the northwestern region of Uganda. The park is popular because of the powerful Murchison Falls.
Safari highlights
Day 1: Transfer from Kampala to Murchison Falls National Park
Day 2: Morning Game Drive and Boat Cruise to the Bottom of the Falls
Day 3: Chimpanzee Trekking in Budongo Forest
Day 4: Guided Nature Walk and Albert Delta Launch Cruise
Day 5: Transfer back to Kampala
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Transfer from Kampala to Murchison Falls National Park
A professional driver guide from Chopper Tour and Travel will pick you up from a hotel in Kampala, followed by a briefing before beginning the journey to Murchison Falls National Park. The drive to Murchison Falls National Park takes approximately 5 to 6 hours. A stop will be made at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the only place in Uganda where rhinos can be seen in the wild. Accompanied by an experienced ranger, guests participate in a guided rhino tracking experience on foot while learning about conservation efforts aimed at reintroducing rhinos to Uganda’s national parks. Lunch will be enjoyed en route before continuing to Murchison Falls National Park.
Upon arrival, check-in is completed at the selected lodge, allowing time to relax and settle in. Dinner will be served at the lodge, followed by an overnight stay.
- Meal plan: lunch and dinner
Accommodation options
- Luxury: Chobe Safari Lodge
- Midrange: Pakuba Safari Lodge
- Budget: Sambiya River Lodge
Day 2: Morning Game Drive and Boat Cruise to the Bottom of the Falls
An early breakfast will be followed by a transfer to the park headquarters for a briefing about game drive regulations. A morning game drive then takes place in the northern sector of the park, lasting approximately 3 to 4 hours, accompanied by an armed ranger guide. During the drive, you can expect sightings of elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, warthogs, and several antelope species.
After the game drive, the guide will take you to the lodge for lunch and relaxation. In the afternoon, you will be briefed before conducting a boat cruise at the bottom of Murchison Falls. The boat cruise will last for about 2 hours. You will have views of hippos, Nile crocodiles, and animals gathering along the shores in search of water. Some of the bird species that you will spot while on the boat cruise include the African fish eagle, African jacana, Goliath heron, Senegal thick-knee, the rare shoebill stork and many more. You will head back to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay at the lodge.
- Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 3: Chimpanzee Trekking in Budongo Forest
You will have an early morning breakfast at the lodge. After breakfast, the guide will transfer you to the park headquarters for a briefing. The trek will begin under the guidance of an experienced ranger guide, leading through dense vegetation in search of habituated chimpanzee families. Trekking time varies between 30 minutes and 4 hours, depending on the chimpanzee location and movement.
Once the chimpanzees are located, you will spend one hour observing their behaviour, including feeding, playing and social interaction. Photography and video recording are permitted. After the trek, the guide will take you back to the lodge for lunch, followed by relaxation, dinner, and an overnight stay.
- Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 4: Guided Nature Walk and Albert Delta Launch Cruise
You will be served breakfast at the lodge, and after breakfast, you will go for a morning nature walk in Kaniyo Pabidi Forest. The forest walk will enable you to spot wildlife at close range. Some of the wildlife that you will spot while in this forest include birds, mammals, and many more.
Lunch will be enjoyed at the lodge before proceeding on an afternoon Albert Delta launch cruise. The Albert Delta launch cruise will take approximately 2 hours, and you will spot wildlife such as hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and buffaloes and many more. You will retire to the lodge, have dinner and retire to bed.
- Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 5: Transfer back to Kampala
Breakfast will be served at the lodge before checking out, and afterwards, you will depart for Kampala, therefore bringing the 5 Days Murchison Falls Big Five Safari to an end.
- Meal plan: Breakfast
Safari includes
- Mineral-bottled water
- Meals
- Accommodation
- English-speaking driver guide
- Pick-up and drop-off
- Park entrance fees
- 4 x 4 safari vehicle
- All activities fees as per the itinerary
Safari excludes
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal expenses
- Life insurance
- Visa fees
- Air ticket
