3 Days Murchison Falls Tour with Rhinos – Uganda Wildlife Safaris
The 3 days Murchison Falls tour is one of the best Uganda wildlife safari tours set for you to explore and experience the diversity of wildlife species that make Uganda an exceptional game viewing safari destination. It involves visiting Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to track rhinos; Murchison Falls National Park for game drive, boat cruise and Budongo Forest Reserve for chimpanzee tracking.
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is positioned suitably in Nakasongola, about 180kms North of Kampala capital city and 7kms from the Kampala-Gulu highway. Currently, it is the only place where you can find wild rhinos in Uganda. Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary sits in an area of 70 square kilometers, largely comprising of savanna grassland and woodland. This sanctuary was founded in 2005 and hosts not only rhinos but also hippos, crocodiles, antelopes, birds like African black crake, shoebill stork and many others.
Murchison Falls National Park is set strategically in Northwestern Uganda-about 5 hours’ drive from Kampala. It was gazetted around 1952 and derives its name from Murchison Falls and hosts over 76 mammal species, 451 bird species and many others. This national park expands for over 3840sq.kms and features as Uganda’s largest national park. Your tour will begin and end in Kampala/Entebbe.
Highlights of your 3 days Murchison Falls tour with rhinos
• Rhino tracking
• Game viewing in Murchison Falls National Park
• Chimpanzee tracking in Budongo Forest
• Travel in 4×4 drive safari vehicle
• Fulltime English-speaking driver-guide
• Bottled drinking water
Brief itinerary 3 days Murchison Falls tour with rhinos
Day 1: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park
Day 2: Game drive and launch trip
Day 3: Chimpanzee tracking and return to Kampala/Entebbe
Detailed itinerary of your 3 days Murchison Falls tour with rhinos
Day 1: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park
Leave Kampala after your cup of tea or coffee and briefing from your safari leader about what you should expect on your Uganda wildlife safari tour in Murchison Falls National Park. Commence your 6 hours’ road trip to Murchison Falls which involves a quick stopover in Luweero for you to grab some fruits and later in Nakasongola branch off 7kms from the Gulu highway to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. You will embark on 2 hours’ trek to see rhinos in the wild which also comes with amazing sights over a variety of birds and other wildlife species. Later, drive to Masindi Hotel in Masindi Town to have lunch before connecting to Murchison Falls National Park via the Kichumbanyobo gate.
Where to stay in Murchison Falls National Park
Budget: Red Chili Rest Camp
Mid-range: Sambiya River Lodge
Luxury: Nile Safari Lodge or Paraa Safari Lodge
Day 2: Game drive and launch trip
Have breakfast and later, pick up by your safari leader ready to start your morning game drive which will take you about 3-4 hours. You will take the Northern Circuit and this lets you see lions, buffaloes, Rothschild giraffes, leopards, birds, warthogs, antelopes including oribis, Uganda kobs and many others. Retreat from your astonishing game viewing experience to have lunch.
Leave the lodge after lunch to catch up with your afternoon launch trip to the bottom of Murchison Falls which will also cover 3-4 hours. On the way, you will come across hippos, the Nile crocodiles and aquatic bird species especially the African fish eagles, hornbills, grey herons, pied giant malachites, papyrus gonoleks, bee-eaters and once you get to Baker’s rock, have a breathtaking view of the magical Murchison Falls, take pictures. From here, you can hike to the top of the falls drive back or return to the lodge by boat.
Where to stay in Murchison Falls National Park
Budget: Red Chili Rest Camp
Mid-range: Sambiya River Lodge
Luxury: Nile Safari Lodge or Paraa Safari Lodge
Day 3: Chimpanzee tracking and return to Kampala/Entebbe
After breakfast, meet your driver-guide ready to connect to Budongo Forest for a briefing on what to follow while on chimpanzee tracking. Begin your search for chimpanzees at 8:00 am and on the way, don’t miss to spot out birds, several primates like baboons, black and white colobus monkeys. Chimpanzee trek may you about 2 hours or more and later, retreat to check out of the lodge then drive back to Kampala. Lunch will be served to you in Masindi Hotel.
End of your 3 days Murchison Falls tour with rhinos
Tour inclusions
• Park entry fees
• Boat cruise
• Chimpanzee permit
• Travel in 4×4 drive safari vehicle
• 2 nights and meals
• Bottled drinking water
• Service of an English-speaking driver-guide
Tour exclusions
• Tips
• Cigarettes
• Telephone calls
• Laundry service
• Insurance
• Optional activities
• Uganda visa fees
What to pack on your 3 days Murchison Falls tour with rhinos
• Safari clothes
• Safari shoes
• Sun glasses
• Camera
• Binoculars