Uganda · Safari

3-Day Murchison Falls Safari from Kampala with Rhino Tracking

3 Days Round trip from Kampala Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Track rhinos on foot at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Uganda's only wild rhino habitat
  • 02 Enjoy game drives in Murchison Falls National Park to spot lions, elephants, giraffes, leopards, and Uganda kobs
  • 03 Cruise upstream on the Victoria Nile to the base of Murchison Falls near the 'Devil's Cauldron'
  • 04 Hike to the top of the falls to see the Nile squeeze through a 7-meter rock gap
  • 05 Take in the fantastic sights and sounds of Murchison on a ziplining experience

Embark on a 3-day safari to the famous Murchison Falls National Park, with game drives to spot Rothschild's giraffes, Uganda kobs, hartebeests, lions, leopards, and more. Track rhinos on foot at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the only place in Uganda where you can see rhinos in the wild, and enjoy a boat ride on the Nile for views of hippos, crocodiles, goliath herons, kingfishers, hornbills, and other birdlife. You may also hike to the top of the falls to witness the Nile force its way through a narrow 7-meter gap before plunging 43 meters below. The safari also includes ziplining and a final game drive before returning to Kampala.

Here, the Nile, the longest river in the world, is forced through a narrow gap in the rock, only 7 meters wide, before ferociously plunging down into a frothing pool 43 m below.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 3 Days
Tour type Shared
Activity level Moderate
Accommodation Included · Standard
Transport Included
Wheelchair access Yes
Cities Kampala, Murchison Falls National Park, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Kampala to Murchison Falls via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

  • Connect with your tour guide in Kampala and depart early in the morning for Murchison Falls National Park.
  • Have a stopover at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for breakfast, then track rhinos on foot. Ziwa is the only place where you will be able to see rhinos in the wild. Presently, the sanctuary is home to thirty-two (32) southern white rhinos. The rhino re-introduction project was a project of Rhino Fund Uganda and the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
  • After trekking, continue the drive to Murchison Falls National Park via Karuma.
  • Arrive at the lodge in time for lunch in the afternoon. Relax at the lodge, and later in the evening, go for an evening game drive.

Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

2
Day 02

Game Drive, Nile Boat Cruise, and Top of the Falls Hike

  • Arise very early in the morning at 4:30 am, have breakfast, and depart at around 5:30 am.
  • Embark on an early morning game drive on the northern bank of the River Nile in your open-roof vehicle, which will give you an excellent opportunity to view and photograph the diverse wildlife. Your guide will help you spot elephants, lions, cape buffalos, Roth child's giraffes, hartebeests, waterbucks, oribis, bushbucks, hyenas, and, if you are lucky, leopards and other nocturnal animals.
  • Return to the lodge at 12:00 pm for lunch.
  • After lunch, go for a boat cruise at 2:30 pm upstream on the calm Victoria Nile to the base of the falls, stopping just a few meters from the 'Devil's Cauldron'. You may choose to hike to the top of the falls. Marvel at the schools of hippos, crocodiles, and, over the 17 km stretch, you may see elephants, waterbucks, Uganda kobs, crocodiles, and monitor lizards. This is also the zone of many bird species, including goliath herons, Egyptian geese, pelicans, bee-eaters, kingfishers, hornbills, cormorants, and the rare shoebill storks. You may choose to hike to the top of the falls, which is a fantastic sight. Here, the Nile, the longest river in the world, is forced through a narrow gap in the rock, only 7 meters wide, before ferociously plunging down into a frothing pool 43 m below.
  • Later, return to your lodge and relax in the evening.

Dinner and overnight at Park View Safari Lodge.

3
Day 03

Final Game Drive, Ziplining, and Return to Kampala

  • Wake up early and check out of the lodge after breakfast. Depart the lodge and enjoy your last game drive at Murchison Falls National Park.
  • Explore the major game trails, especially around Paraa, and expect great wildlife sightings, including giraffes, lions, elephants, spotted hyenas, warthogs, Uganda kobs, Jackson's hartebeests, waterbucks, and leopards, among others.
  • At about 10:00 am, drive to Sambiya River Lodge for a ziplining activity and enjoy the fantastic sights and sounds while ziplining.
  • Take a stopover at Kabalega Dinners for a hot lunch at around 2:30 pm.
  • Finally, return to Kampala, and the driver-guide will drop you at your place of accommodation.

Safari ends.

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Murchison Falls, Victoria Nile

Where this trip takes you

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Murchison Falls, Victoria Nile

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Kampala 3 cities · 3 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Full-time driver/guide with all associated expenses
  • Park entry fees
  • Rhino tracking
  • Ziplining
  • Vehicle entry
  • Full-board accommodation as per the above itinerary
  • Game drives
  • Boat cruise on the Nile
  • Top of the Falls hike
  • Complimentary mineral water
  • Any other items included in the above itinerary

What's Not Included

  • International air tickets
  • Visas
  • Personal insurance
  • Personal expenses such as drinks, tips, telephone calls, etc.
  • Any other items not included in the above itinerary

What to bring

  • Travel documents
  • Insurance information
  • Flight information
  • Cash, credit, and debit cards
  • Vouchers and pre-departure information
  • Required visas or vaccination certificates
  • Yellow Fever certificate
  • Weather-appropriate clothing
  • Fleece or wool jumper/jacket
  • Windproof/waterproof jacket, small towel, and swimwear
  • Shirts/T-shirts that are cool and breathable
  • Long-sleeved shirt or sweater for evenings and hikes into the forests
  • A pair of shorts
  • Pairs of long trousers
  • A pair of hiking pants/track pants
  • Comfortable shoes
  • Sport sandals
  • Sun hat, bandana
  • Sunblock
  • Sunglasses
  • Watch or alarm clock
  • Toiletries (biodegradable)
  • Toilet paper
  • Day pack
  • Camera with extra memory cards and batteries
  • Personal entertainment
  • Binoculars
  • Waterproof backpack cover
  • Flashlight/torch
  • Universal outlet adapter
  • Insect repellent
  • Money belt
  • Antibacterial wipes/gel
  • Reusable water bottle

Know before you go

  • The rates are in US dollars per person and are subject to change.
  • Availability of accommodation, permits, and activities is not guaranteed until confirmation by payment.
  • The estimated travelling hours are based on the actual hours of driving; stops for lunch or photos are not included.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Kampala, Uganda
Tour start
Kampala, Uganda
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 3 days finish where they began, in Kampala.

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Starting from

USD 750 /person
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Estimated room rates

Single Room $750.00 — $880.00
Double Sharing $750.00 — $880.00

When

Travellers

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