3-Day Murchison Falls Safari in Uganda with Ziwa Rhino Tracking

3 Days Round trip from Kampala Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Track white rhinos at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Uganda's only haven for white rhinos
02 Hike to the top of Murchison Falls for views of Uhuru and Murchison Falls
03 See the Nile squeeze through a 7-meter gorge into the Devil's Cauldron 43 meters below
04 Spot elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, lions, leopards, hartebeests, kobs, oribis, and warthogs on game drives
05 Cruise to the bottom of the falls among hippos, crocodiles, and water birds

This 3-day safari takes you to Uganda's oldest and largest national park in the country's northwestern region, along with Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the only haven for white rhinos in Uganda. Murchison Falls National Park is home to up to 76 mammal species, Uganda's largest Nile crocodile population, and more than 450 bird species, many of which can be spotted during the safari. The park also protects Murchison Falls, renowned as the world's strongest waterfall, and a hike to the top offers a wondrous and mesmerizing experience. Expect to track white rhinos in their natural habitat at Ziwa and spend up to an hour watching them go about their routine activities, while covering the African Big Five by combining rhino tracking at Ziwa with the other four in Murchison Falls National Park.

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 3 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Cities Kampala, Entebbe, Murchison Falls National Park, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Transfer to Murchison Falls via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Pickup: You will be picked up very early in the morning by the company representative and immediately set off for your trip to Murchison Falls National Park.
Stop: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, about 172 kilometers from the city.
Briefing: Meet the ranger guide for a briefing on the dos and don'ts of rhino tracking.
Rhino tracking: Return to your vehicle for a short drive to the starting point of your trek. You can get remarkably close to the rhinos, within 10-15 meters, and watch them for about an hour.
Lunch stop: Masindi.
Park entry: Check in at the park gates.
Activity: Drive to the falls and hike to the top for a vintage view of the beautiful scenery, as well as views of both Uhuru and Murchison Falls.
Experience: Witness the Nile River squeeze through a narrow gorge of about 7 meters wide before rupturing into violent falls into the Devil's Cauldron about 43 meters below.
Lodge: Proceed to your pre-arranged lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Nkundwa Nile view lodge.
Meal plan: Half board.

Day 02

Game Drives and Nile Boat Cruise

Start: Arise as early as 6:00 am, have your packed breakfast, and proceed for a wildlife-viewing experience in the northern section of the park.
Wildlife viewing: Sightings will include herds of elephants, towers of giraffes, buffaloes, lions, leopards, hartebeests, kobs, oribis, warthogs, and much more.
Birding: Look out for Abyssinian ground hornbills, vultures, oxpeckers, and several other birds.
Duration: Enjoy a wildlife-viewing experience of about 4 hours.
Lunch: Return to your lodge for lunch.
Boat cruise: Cruise to the bottom of the falls for approximately 2 hours while enjoying the Nile's aquatic life, including large concentrations of hippopotamuses, crocodiles, water birds, and others.
Relaxation: Return to the lodge for a few minutes of relaxation.
Evening game drive: Head back to the savannahs for an evening game drive.
Dinner & overnight: Return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Nkundwa Nile view lodge.
Meal plan: Full board.

Day 03

Return to Kampala or Entebbe

Breakfast: Wake up to a lazy breakfast.
Transfer: Meet your driver-guide for the transfer back to Kampala or Entebbe, with a stop in Nakasongola for lunch.
En route: Drive past large fruit markets along the way, which you may visit if interested.
Drop-off: Arrival will be in the late afternoon, with drop-off at your place of residence around Kampala or at Entebbe international airport for your outbound flight.
Meal plan: