This 5 Day Murchison Falls and Budongo Chimpanzee tracking safari is designed for the visitors with enough time to explore the Murchison falls National Park for different activities including the game viewing safaris and boat cruise safaris as well as chimpanzee trekking that is done in Budongo Forest. Murchison falls National Park is found in the northern part of Uganda and it is the biggest national park in Uganda. Murchison falls National Park is crossed by the River Nile and is one of the most exciting National Parks in Uganda. The National park has different savannah vegetation types including forest, savannah, and swamps. It is because of varied vegetation that harbors a variety of animals such as lions, leopards, hyenas, leopards, buffalo crocodiles, chimpanzees, and the rare shoe billed stork. Tourists going to Murchison falls National Park need not miss out on the boat cruise safari on the river Nile as well as the game drive safaris. You will need about 3 to 5 days to explore fully Murchison falls National Park.

5 Day Murchison Falls and Budongo Chimpanzee tracking safari highlights

Day 1: Drive to Murchison falls National Park via Ziwa Rhino sanctuary

Day 2: morning game drive and afternoon boat cruises to bottom of the falls

Day 3: Morning g delta boat cruise and afternoon game drive

Day 4: Drive to Budongo forest for chimpanzee tracking

Day 5: Drive back to Kampala or Entebbe international airport

Detailed itinerary 

Day 1: Drive to Murchison falls National Park via Ziwa Rhino sanctuary

You will be met by your guide at your hotel for a simple briefing about your This 5 Day Murchison Falls and Budongo Chimpanzee tracking safari and then drive for about 4 to 5 hours heading to Murchison falls National Park breakfast in the morning, with your drive, and later Make a stopper over at Zziwa Rhino sanctuary to track black and white rhinos before making a stopover in Masindi town for lunch before you proceed to Murchison falls National Park. After reaching Murchison falls National Park, you visit the top of the falls where you will enjoy the spectacular views of the River Nile and a general overview of the Murchison falls National Park landscape. You will use about 45 minutes from the bottom of the falls to the top of the falls. Enjoy the devil cauldron which you can call Mother Nature’s wondrous gorge as you observe waters of the Nile squeezing itself through the narrow lodge which is about 6 meters after this worthwhile experience goes to your lodge, relax and have an overnight stay.

Point of stop: Murchison Falls National Park

Journey time: Approximately four to five hours (4-5)

Lodging options: Paraa Safari Lodge (Luxury), Pakuba Safari Lodge (midrange), and Hornbill Bush Lodge (Standard)

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and dinner

Day 2: morning game drive and afternoon boat cruises to bottom of the falls

Wake up early in the morning from your lodge and take breakfasts and drive to the park for the wonderful game drive views via the morning game drives. While driving through well-established trails within the Murchison falls National park, you will be rewarded with the interesting sightings of buffaloes, elephants, hartebeest, lions, buffaloes, elephants with unique bird species within the park and these include secretary birds, open billed stork, marabou stocks, Abyssinian, black-bellied bustards among others. After returning from the morning game drives, you will drive back to your lodge, relax and have lunch, and after lunch head for the boat cruise at the lodge that goes up to the bottom of the forest and experience the wonderful tranquil magnificence that is formed by the waterfalls with water squeezing through the narrow gorge which about 43 meters. The boat cruise safari will lead you close to various animals surrounding the River Nile such as the Hippopotamus, Nile crocodiles, buffaloes, elephants that come to the river for drinking water, and after all, you will get back to the lodge for relaxation dinner and overnight stay.

Lodging Options: Paraa Safari Lodge (Luxury), Pakuba Safari Lodge (midrange), and Hornbill Bush Lodge (Standard)

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and dinner

Day 3: Morning delta boat cruise and afternoon game drive

After your morning breakfast, you will be driven to the morning boat cruise to the delta area which is one of the best and wonderful areas to explore in Murchison falls National Park. The boat cruise is famous to visitors visiting Murchison Falls National Park and here you will explore different animals such as elephants, hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes, rare shoe billed stork among others. Observe how the Nile water reduced speed before it enters Lake Albert. After you will return to the lodge for short relaxation, have lunch, and then leave for the evening game drive to sport the animals that you would have missed.

Lodging Options: Paraa Safari Lodge (Luxury), Pakuba Safari Lodge (midrange), and Hornbill Bush Lodge (Standard)

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and dinner

Day 4: Drive to Budongo forest for chimpanzee tracking

After morning breakfast you will drive for about 2 hours and your guide to Budongo forest where you will do chimpanzee trekking that is either done in the morning or the afternoon depending on your choice. Before engaging in chimpanzee trekking activity, you will first be briefed by the ranger at the park headquarters about the dons and don’ts as you search chimpanzees in the forest and after seeing them. The walk to search the chimpanzee swill makes you explore various attractions such as primates, birds the plant life among others. After this, you will return to the lodge for an overnight stay.

Lodging Options: Paraa Safari Lodge (Luxury), Pakuba Safari Lodge (midrange), and Hornbill Bush Lodge (Standard)

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and dinner

Day 5: Drive back to Kampala or Entebbe international airport

After having your morning breakfast, you will drive back to Kampala or Entebbe International Airport for your departing flight and this marks the end of your 5 Day Murchison Falls and Budongo Chimpanzee tracking safari

This trip can be extended further to Kidepo valley national park for wildlife safari and those interested in encountering more primates, can drive to Kibale forest for magical chimp tracking and Bwindi impenetrable forest national park for gorilla trekking adventure tour

The safari package includes;

Chimpanzee trekking permit

Hiking to the top of the falls

Accommodation for the 4 nights

Game drive activity

Boat cruise to the bottom of the falls

Park entrance fees

Bottled mineral water

Jungle breakfast

The safari package Excludes;

Laundry services

Travel insurance

Souvenirs and gifts

Tips

Entry Visa

International and domestic flight