This 3 Days Big Five Uganda safari transfers you to the sprawling savanna grasslands of Murchison Falls National Park a host to incredible diversity of animals including four of the famed African Big Five – Lions, Elephants, Leopards and Buffaloes. The park had thousands of Rhinos to have all the big five but they were eliminated by poaching and civil wars of the 1970’s. In Uganda, Rhinos can only be found in the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, situated in Nakitoma town, along the highway to Murchison. This Uganda safari offers a trek in the Sanctuary to track these majestic animals before proceeding to Murchison Falls National Park for the rest of the big five plus an array of wildlife.
Highlights of the 3 Days Big Five Uganda safari
- Rhino Tracking in the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
- Top of the Murchison Falls visit / hike
- Launch Cruise on the Nile with an optional hike to the top of the falls
- 2 Game Drives for great game sightings
Itinerary For The 3 Days Big Five Uganda Safari
Day 1: Travel to Murchison Falls National Park – Rhino Tracking, Top of the Falls
Prepare for pick-up from your hotel at exactly 7:00 am to start the trip. Travel through the Luwero Triangle where you expect to pick a couple of fruits say pineapples, proceed and get to the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Set out on foot to track the rhinos, and expect to sight a number of other wildlife such as hippos, oribis, crocodiles and some birds. Return and check out of the sanctuary, continue the drive and get to Masindi town for lunch.
After lunch drive out of Masindi town and get to Murchison Falls National Park via the Kichubanyobo Gate. Drive for about 1 and 1/2 hours into the park and get to the top of the spectacular Murchison Falls. You get to witness the entire Nile squeezing through a small of cleft about 7 meters wide and busting into the world’s strongest waterfall. The sight is one to behold.
Thereafter drive to your lodge and check in for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation options:
- Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge
- Mid-range: Murchison River Lodge
- Budget: Global Village Guest House or Red Chill Rest Camp
Meal Plan: Lunch & Dinner
Travel Time: 6 Hours
Day 2: Early Game Drive, Launch Cruise on the Nile with an Optional Hike to the Falls
Be up as early as 6:30 am for breakfast and set out for the Game Drive by 7:00 am for a good chance to catch some of the nocturnal and hunters such as Lions, Leopards, Hyenas, Jackals and grazing Hippos, before they retreat to their hide outs. You explore the major game trails of Albert and Queen for sightings of elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks, baboons, bushbucks, oribis, Jackson’s hartebeests, Uganda kobs, giraffes and a number of colorful birds. After more than 4 hours of great wildlife sightings transfer to your lodge for lunch.
At about 2:00 pm you set out for the Launch Cruise along the River Nile. A relaxing ride of about 3 hours, expect great sightings of a variety of wildlife along the banks of the Nile, such as hippos, crocodiles, warthogs, elephants, and lots of birds such as fish eagles, hornbills, cormorants, kingfisher, skimmers, red-throated bee-eaters, cattle egrets and herons.
The Launch Cruise takes to the bottom of the spectacular Murchison Falls. Instead of returning with the Launch, you have an option to take a 45 minutes hike from the bottom around to the top of the falls. This hike offers the best experience of the Murchison Falls, with breathtaking views of rainbow cutting through the falls, the thunderous sound of the waterfalls and the feeling of the cool water falling on your skin.
Transfer to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3: Early Game Drive – Transfer to Kampala
Be up for your early breakfast and set out for yet another early game drive for a chance to catch those game that were elusive on your first game drive. Expect your game count to increase. Later check out of Murchison Falls National Park and travel back to Kampala. Lunch is en-route.
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch
Travel Time: 6 Hours
What is included in the 3 day safari?
- Transport – tour vehicle, driver, fuel
- Full board accommodation for 2 nights
- All meals
- Bottled water
- Access fees
- Guide fees
- Activities – 2 game drives, boat trip, top of the falls, rhino tracking
Safari exclusions
- Gratitude and tipping
- Alcoholic drinks
- Travel insurance
- Curion shop purchases
- Phone bill and other personal expenditure