Murchison Falls Discovery
The Nile forced through a seven-metre gap, and the game that gathers around it.
- Duration
- 4 days, 3 nights
- Parks
- Murchison Falls
- Vehicle
- Private 4x4 and guide
- Pace
- Steady
Uganda's largest park, built around one dramatic piece of geography. North of the river the land opens into savannah where elephant, giraffe, buffalo and lion range widely. South of it lies Budongo Forest and its chimpanzees. Four days is enough to see the falls from below and above, spend two mornings on the northern bank, and still not feel rushed.
Highlights
- A boat cruise to the base of the falls, then the hike to the top
- Rhino tracking on foot at Ziwa Sanctuary on the drive up
- Game drives on the northern savannah for elephant, giraffe and lion
- The option to add chimpanzee tracking in Budongo Forest
Who this suits
Travellers who want big game and landscape without a long circuit.
Pace. Steady. One long drive in, three nights in one place, one long drive out.
Day by day
Drive times are realistic rather than optimistic, and every one includes the stops.
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Day1
Kampala to Ziwa, then Murchison
Break the drive north at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and track white rhino on foot with a ranger — the only place in Uganda to see them. Continue to the park for the evening.
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Day2
Northern bank game drive and river cruise
Out at dawn across the northern savannah for elephant, Rothschild's giraffe, buffalo, kob and, with luck, lion. After lunch and rest, board the boat upriver to the base of the falls.
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Day3
Top of the falls, or Budongo chimpanzees
Either hike to the top of the falls for the view straight down into the gorge, or head south into Budongo Forest to track chimpanzees. Both work; we will help you choose based on your group.
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Day4
Return south
A last morning game drive before the road back to Kampala or Entebbe, with a lunch stop planned into the route.
Accommodation is described by standard rather than by name. We confirm the exact properties with you in writing before you pay anything, and we tell you if a preferred property cannot accommodate a halal meal request.
Halal dining and prayer on this route
Arranged in advance for this specific itinerary, not added on request.
Halal dining
Halal meals are arranged with your lodge in advance. On full game-drive days we carry packed halal meals so you are not tied to a fixed lunch service.
Prayer
Game drives begin before sunrise, so Fajr is prayed at the lodge before departure. Prayer mats and a qibla compass travel in the vehicle, and the guide plans stops for Dhuhr and Asr.
What is and is not included
Both stated in full, so there are no surprises later.
Included
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with a raised roof, and a window seat for everyone
- A dedicated English-speaking driver-guide throughout
- Airport transfers from and to Entebbe International Airport
- Accommodation as described, on the board basis confirmed at booking
- Halal meals arranged at every property, and packed meals on full activity days
- Prayer mats and a qibla compass in the vehicle, and planned prayer stops
- Drinking water in the vehicle throughout
- All national park entrance fees for the parks on your itinerary
- Game drives, boat cruises and guided walks as listed in the day-by-day plan
Not included
- International flights to and from Entebbe
- Uganda visa or East Africa Tourist Visa fees
- Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permits — secured on your behalf and quoted at the official rate current when you enquire
- Travel and medical insurance, which we ask every traveller to hold
- Personal expenses, laundry and telephone charges
- Tips for your guide, porters and lodge staff
- Any activity marked optional in the itinerary
- Internal flights, where you choose them over a road transfer
CLIENT: confirm this inclusion list matches what you actually sell before the site goes live.
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