3-Day Murchison Falls National Park Safari

Discover Uganda’s Natural Wonder – Murchison Falls National Park

This meticulously crafted 3-day Murchison Falls National Park Safari with Terenga Safaris offers an unforgettable journey through Uganda’s largest and most biodiverse national park. Nestled in the northwestern region of the country, Murchison Falls National Park is part of the vast Murchison Falls Conservation Area, which also includes the Bugungu and Karuma Wildlife Reserves. Home to over 76 mammal species and approximately 451 species of birds, this protected area is a wildlife enthusiast’s paradise, ideal for nature lovers, birdwatchers, photographers, and adventure seekers alike.

The highlight of your 3-Day Murchison Falls National Park Safari will be a dramatic encounter with the mighty Murchison Falls, where the Nile River—the longest river in the world—is compressed into a narrow 7-meter gorge before plunging 43 meters into a frothing pool below. The park offers unparalleled wildlife viewing opportunities, with healthy populations of elephants, Cape buffaloes, Rothschild giraffes, Jackson’s hartebeests, lions, leopards, and hyenas, among others. Bird lovers will be thrilled to spot species such as the rare shoebill stork, African fish eagle, and Goliath heron.

This 3-Day Murchison Falls National Park Safari also features an adventurous game drive, an iconic boat cruise along the Victoria Nile, and a guided hike to the top of Murchison Falls for an exhilarating close-up of its raw power. On your final day, you’ll visit the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the only place in Uganda where you can observe white rhinos in their natural habitat—a rewarding conservation experience that brings you face-to-face with one of Africa’s Big Five.

Combining natural beauty, rich wildlife, and insightful interpretation by your expert guide, this 3-Day Murchison Falls National Park Safari is designed to inspire awe, create connection, and leave you with lasting memories of Uganda’s wild heart.

Detailed 3-Day Murchison Falls National Park Safari

Day 1: Pick-Up from Entebbe or Kampala – Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park – Hike to the Top of the Falls

Hike to the Top of the Falls

Your exciting 3-Day Murchison Falls National Park Safari journey begins bright and early with a pickup from Entebbe International Airport or your hotel in Kampala. Upon meeting your professional English-speaking driver-guide, you’ll receive a comprehensive briefing about your 3-day itinerary. After loading your luggage into a 4WD pop-up safari vehicle, begin your scenic drive northwards to Murchison Falls National Park, a journey of approximately 5–6 hours (305–320 km).

As you travel, enjoy breathtaking views of Uganda’s countryside. The route passes through the Luwero Triangle, a region of historical importance during Uganda’s past conflicts, now revitalized into a thriving agricultural zone. You’ll have the chance to stop at roadside markets where locals sell delicious organic fruits such as pineapples, mangoes, sugarcane, and watermelon. Savor a few of these tropical delights and interact with local vendors for an authentic cultural exchange.

Your next stop is Masindi Town, where you’ll pause for lunch at a selected local restaurant or café. This small town provides a comfortable midway break before entering the park. After lunch, proceed to the park’s southern gate and head toward the top of the falls—an awe-inspiring natural phenomenon where the mighty Nile River is squeezed through a narrow gorge only 7 meters wide, then drops 43 meters with a thunderous roar.

Take your time hiking to the viewing points and witness the churning ‘Devil’s Cauldron’, where water surges and mist rises in the golden light. It’s a perfect photo opportunity and a moment to reflect on the raw force of nature. After soaking in this spectacle, continue to your booked accommodation—Pakuba Safari Lodge—for dinner and a restful night amid the savannah.

Main Destination: Murchison Falls National Park
Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge (Mid-range)
Meals & Drinks: Lunch, Dinner & Breakfast included
Drinks: Bottled water included (other drinks not included)

Day 2: Morning Game Drive – Afternoon Boat Cruise to the Base of the Falls – Optional Evening Game Drive

Morning Game Drive – Afternoon Boat Cruise to the Base of the Falls – Optional Evening Game Drive

Wake up to the sounds of nature and prepare for a thrilling day of wildlife exploration. After a light breakfast, set off for an early morning game drive in the northern sector of Murchison Falls National Park, accessed via the Para Ferry crossing. This is the park’s prime wildlife viewing area, with expansive savannah, borassus palm groves, and acacia woodland providing the perfect habitat for Uganda’s most iconic species.

As dawn breaks and the sun rises, the park comes alive. Look out for herds of elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, Jackson’s hartebeests, Uganda kobs, and waterbucks. If you’re lucky, you may spot elusive leopards resting in the shade, or hear the distant roars of lions on patrol. The early hours are also ideal for spotting predators and scavengers like spotted hyenas.

Birdwatchers will be in paradise here—keep your binoculars ready for sightings of Abyssinian ground hornbills, saddle-billed storks, Secretary birds, and perhaps even the rare shoebill stork.

After several hours of wildlife encounters, return to the lodge for lunch and a short rest before your next adventure—a boat cruise on the Victoria Nile. At 2:00 PM, you’ll board a spacious safari boat for a 3-hour cruise upstream to the base of Murchison Falls. This 3-Day Murchison Falls National Park Safari journey offers a different perspective of the park as you drift past pods of hippos, sunbathing crocodiles, monitor lizards, and a variety of aquatic birds.

You’ll also witness herds of elephants, buffaloes, and antelopes gathering along the riverbanks to drink. The cruise ends near the foot of the falls, where you’ll be dwarfed by the mist and thunder of the cascading water. It’s a dramatic and unforgettable experience.

Optionally, you may choose to go for an evening game drive after returning from the boat cruise, especially if you’re keen to see nocturnal species or catch predators at their most active time.

Return to your lodge for dinner and a good night’s rest.

Main Destination: Murchison Falls National Park
Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included
Drinks: Bottled water included (other drinks not included)

Day 3: Final Game Drive – Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary – Return to Kampala or Entebbe

Final Game Drive – Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary – Return to Kampala or Entebbe

Begin your last day in the wild with an early breakfast before checking out of your lodge. Load your belongings into the vehicle and head out for one final morning game drive to capture any missed wildlife sightings and appreciate the serene morning ambiance of the savannah. With a bit of luck, you might spot hyenas returning to their dens, lions stalking prey, or leopards lounging in acacia trees.

After the game drive, exit the park and begin your 3-Day Murchison Falls National Park Safari journey toward the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, located in Nakasongola District along the Kampala–Gulu highway. This 70 km² reserve is managed by Rhino Fund Uganda, and it is the only place in the country where you can see white rhinos roaming freely.

Upon arrival, meet your 3-Day Murchison Falls National Park Safari local guide and begin a walking safari to track the rhinos on foot. This is a truly intimate and educational experience, giving you insight into rhino behaviour, ecology, and conservation efforts. The sanctuary is also home to other species, including bushbucks, Ugandan kobs, waterbucks, and over 300 species of birds.

After the rhino experience, enjoy a picnic-style or restaurant lunch nearby before continuing your drive back to Kampala or Entebbe, arriving in the late afternoon or early evening depending on traffic and road conditions. This marks the end of your 3-day Murchison Falls Safari—a journey filled with thrilling wildlife encounters, dramatic landscapes, and unforgettable memories.

Main Destination: Kampala / Entebbe (End of Safari)
Accommodation: None (End of Tour)
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast and Lunch included
Drinks: Bottled water included (other drinks not included)