4 Days In Murchison Falls National Park And Kibale Forest National Park

Context:

Day 1: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park

Day 2: Game Drives in Murchison Falls National Park and Afternoon Boat Trip

Day 3: Hiking To the Top of the Falls and Transfer to Kibale National Park

Day 4: Chimp Tracking and Kampala

Overview:

Day 1: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park

After breakfast, you’ll journey to Murchison Falls National Park, where the park’s spectacular highlights await. Marvel at the powerful Murchison Rapids and the vast, rolling grasslands of Uganda’s largest national park, home to lions, giraffes, hartebeests, buffalo, and elephants. You’ll also be captivated by the large concentration of hippos and Nile crocodiles. For birdwatchers, Murchison Falls is a true paradise, with over 450 bird species, including the Goliath heron, the small kingfisher, the elusive shoebill stork, and the white-thighed hornbill.

Along the way, you’ll make a detour to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for an hour of rhino tracking, kicking off your Big Five adventure. Afterward, you’ll stop in Masindi for lunch before continuing to the park, where you’ll check into your accommodation and relax for the evening.

Main Destination: Murchison Falls National Park

Accommodation: Budget, Midrange, Luxury

Meals & Drinks: All meals included

Non-alcoholic drinks

Day 2: Game Drives in Murchison Falls National Park and Afternoon Boat Trip

Start your day with a hearty breakfast before heading out on a game drive in the northern part of the park, where you’ll search for some of the Big Five, including buffalo, lions, elephants, and possibly leopards. You may also encounter Rothschild giraffes, bushbucks, warthogs, waterbucks, and a variety of antelope species.

Afterward, you’ll return to your accommodation for lunch and a short rest. In the afternoon, set off on a 3-hour boat cruise to the base of the falls. This boat trip is often considered the highlight of your Murchison Falls safari, as it brings you up close to aquatic wildlife. Along the way, you’ll pass large pods of hippos, Nile crocodiles, and a variety of water birds lining the north bank. Be sure to bring your camera, as you’ll have countless opportunities to capture stunning photos.

Main Destination: Murchison Falls National Park

Accommodation: Budget, midrange, Luxury

Meals & Drinks: All meals included

Non-alcoholic drinks

Day 3: Hiking To the Top of the Falls and Transfer to Kibale National Park

Murchison Falls along the Nile River is a true natural wonder! In a remarkably narrow space, millions of cubic meters of water from the Nile squeeze through the Albertine Gorge as they continue their 6,853 km (4,258 miles) journey toward Egypt. While many may wonder about the falls’ beauty, standing at the top and witnessing the Nile surge through such a narrow gap makes it clear why this spot attracts so many visitors. Just before the falls, the Nile is about 50 meters wide, but it plunges 43 meters down a 7-meter-wide gorge. The trek to the top is a bit long, but once you arrive, the sight is absolutely worth it. The powerful roar of the water as it crashes through the tiny gap is truly awe-inspiring! It’s an experience you won’t want to miss, as words alone can’t fully capture the grandeur of this display.

Afterward, you’ll transfer to Kibale National Park for an overnight stay.

Main Destination: Kibale National Park (Chimps)

Accommodation: Kibale Forest Camp (Safari Tent)

Mid-range tented camp located just outside Kibale NP (Chimps)

Meals & Drinks: All meals included

Non-alcoholic drinks

Day 4: Chimp Tracking and Kampala

Today, you’ll embark on a thrilling chimpanzee tracking adventure in Kibale National Park, home to some of the most iconic inhabitants of the region. Chimpanzees, sharing 98% of our DNA, are our closest living relatives. Found in 21 African countries, they are most commonly seen in Uganda due to the country’s dense chimpanzee populations. Kibale also boasts a remarkable diversity of other primates—more than any other forest in East Africa. In addition to the charming chimpanzees, you might encounter red colobus monkeys, red-tailed guenons, white-nosed monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, blue monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, and black-and-white colobus monkeys. The park is also home to olive baboons, bush babies, and nocturnal pottos, adding even more excitement to your wildlife experience.

Included

• Park fees (For non-residents)
• Chimp permits (One per person, non-resident)
• All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
• All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
• A professional driver/guide
• All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
• All Taxes/VAT
• Roundtrip airport transfer
• Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
• Drinks (As specified in the day-by-day section)

Excluded

• International flights (From/to home)
• Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
• Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
• Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
• Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees