3 days Safari to Murchison Falls National Park
Uganda's largest national park protects a chunk of untamed African savannah bisected by the mighty river Nile. It is named for the dramatic Murchison Falls, where the world's longest river explodes violently through a narrow cleft in the Rift Valley escarpment to plunge into a frothing pool 43m below. Wildlife populations have largely recovered from the poaching of the 1980s; in the lush borassus grassland to the north of the Nile, elephant, buffalo, giraffe and a variety of antelope are regularly encountered on game drives, while lion are seen with increasing frequency. In the southeast, Rabongo Forest is home to chimps and other rainforest creatures. The Nile itself hosts one of Africa's densest hippo and crocodile populations, and a dazzling variety of waterbirds including the world's most accessible wild population of the rare shoebill stork Trip high lights: Murchison Falls, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, a boat trip and game drives.
Day One: Kampala - Murchison Falls National Park. 300km north west of Kampala (approx. 6 hour drive).
An early departure - but well worth it! After breakfast, you are on your way North to Murchison Falls National Park having a break at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Nakasongola to view the Rhinos. Uganda ’s Rhinos became extinct in the early 1980s, after a period of civil unrest and heavy poaching. This sanctuary has now been established to breed black and white rhino, and restore Rhino populations in Uganda’s protected areas in a later stage. This is a long drive as you travel north through the Rwenzori’s and the evergreen tea estates. Once you reach the Nile in the heart of the Park you will cross on the ferry to Paraa Safari Lodge. The sight of the Nile River, the world's longest river, winding its way through the park and plunging through a narrow gap is unforgettable. Overnight at either Paraa Safari Lodge or Nile Safari Camp(High end/luxurious accommodation), Sambiya River Lodge(Medium class accommodation) or Red Chilli Rest Camp(Low budget/basic accommodation). Paraa Safari Lodge over looks the mighty Nile where Hippos wallow in the water. The lodge is located on the North bank, which is the closest location to the wildlife in the Park. Full Board.
Day Two: Murchison Falls.
After breakfast, you will go for an early morning game drive to the rolling plains where you have chances of viewing Lions, Giraffe, Hartebeest, Buffalo and Elephant as well as many of the other mammals of the park. For the birders amongst you, these areas support the Secretary Bird, Black Chested Snake Eagle, Tawny and Marshal Eagles Carmine and Swallow Tailed Bee-Eaters, to pick just a few. This is a beautiful drive across Borassus Palm Forest and grassland savannah down to Lake Albert where the Albert Nile heads north to the Sudan. In the afternoon, go for a boat trip to the foot of Murchison Falls where the Nile thunders through a small 7-meter gap, or down river to the delta where the Nile empties into Lake Albert. This is an experience not to be missed! The banks of the Nile are home to many species. You may see huge Nile Crocodiles, big Pods of Hippos and other wildlife that may come down to drink from the river. Overnight at either Paraa Safari Lodge or Nile Safari Camp(High end/luxurious accommodation), Sambiya River Lodge(Medium class accommodation) or Red Chilli Rest Camp(Low budget/basic accommodation). Full Board.
Day Three: Murchison Falls - Kampala. (Approx. 6 hours drive).
Early game drive to the Top of Murchison Falls where you can have a close look in to the gorge where the Nile squeezes in to a 7 meter gorge dropping 40 meters. The falls are spectacular and thunderous with a beautiful rainbow displayed on sunny days. Later head back to Kampala arriving in the evening.