In just one day, you can explore Murchison Falls National Park on an exciting safari. The park covers about 3,840 square kilometers in northwestern Uganda, making it the largest national park in the country. It is also one of the oldest protected areas in Uganda.
Murchison Falls National Park is home to four of the Big Five animals: lions, leopards, elephants, and buffaloes. Rhinos can be seen nearby at Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch. In addition to the Big Five, you may see hippos, warthogs, hyenas, and many antelope species during a game drive in the northern part of the park.
This park is also a good place to watch predators like lions as they hunt antelopes. You may also enjoy bird-watching during the game drive. Birds you could see include the squacco heron, African jacana, piapiac, Abyssinian ground hornbill, common bulbul, and giant kingfisher.
The safari also includes a boat cruise on the Victoria Nile, part of the world’s longest river. You will take a motorboat to the base of Murchison Falls. Along the way, you may see birds, butterflies, reptiles, and mammals near or in the water.
Your 1-day Murchison Falls Safari starts and ends in Kampala. You will travel in a 4-wheel drive safari Land Cruiser, but other transport options are available, including minivans, buses, saloon cars, and drones. The tour includes a professional English-speaking guide, park entry, a meal, and guiding fees.
Because this is a one-day safari, you will need to wake up early to complete all planned activities. The full itinerary is as follows:
Detailed Itinerary
At 5:00 a.m., our driver-guide will pick you up from your hotel or residence in Kampala. You will begin the journey to Murchison Falls National Park. The drive along the Kampala–Gulu highway through Masindi takes about 4 to 5 hours. You will arrive around 10:00 a.m. and start your morning game drive in the northern sector of the park.
During the game drive, you may see lions, leopards, elephants, and buffaloes. Other animals include warthogs, oribis, hartebeests, giraffes, and waterbucks. You may also spot birds like the Abyssinian ground hornbill, white-backed vultures, and the secretary bird.
After the 2-hour game drive, you will have lunch. In the afternoon, go to Paraa for the boat cruise starting at 2:00 p.m. The boat crew will give you safety instructions, and you will be given a life jacket before boarding. The cruise takes you toward the base of Murchison Falls.
This peaceful ride offers views of the park from the water. You may see crocodiles, hippos, elephants, and other animals along the riverbanks. Common birds in the area include the long-crested eagle, grey crowned crane, and pied kingfisher.
The boat will stop at a safe distance from the bottom of Murchison Falls. From here, you can watch the Victoria Nile force its way through a narrow gap only 6 meters wide before dropping 45 meters below. The sound of the water is loud and powerful. You can take photos and videos for memories.
After the cruise, return to the dock and meet your driver. At 5:00 p.m., you will begin the journey back to Kampala. You will arrive in the evening and be dropped off at your hotel or residence. If you have a flight, you can request to be dropped at Entebbe International Airport.
This is the end of your 1-Day Murchison Falls Safari.
Check our 3-Day Murchison Falls Flying Safari for a quick and scenic adventure:
Visit Murchison Falls National Park in Uganda with these recommended Uganda safari companies or send an inquiry below to book directly through this website.
