Murchison Falls Classic Safari
Where the mighty Nile squeezes through a rock gap and the savannah fills with elephants, giraffes and hippos. Four days of classic Uganda.
Uganda’s greatest river and its wildlife
Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s largest park, where the Nile forces its way through a gap only a few metres wide and drops in a roaring plume. North of the river, the savannah is home to elephants, giraffes, buffalo and lions.
This classic safari gives you the best of both: game drives on the northern bank, a boat cruise to the foot of the falls, and a hike to the top. It is short, scenic and well paced.
Three moments you will carry home
Crossing to the wild side
At dawn you cross the Nile by ferry as the mist lifts. On the far bank, the open savannah starts to wake with elephants and giraffes.
Where the Nile squeezes through
The river narrows to a gap of a few metres and drops in a roaring plume. From the boat, the sound reaches you before the view does.
Sundowners by the river
Hippos grunt, elephants drink and the sky turns gold. Sit back with a drink and let the day settle.
Your four days in Uganda
North to the Nile
Entebbe or Kampala to Murchison Falls
Leave the city behind and drive into a long, golden country, toward the river that feeds the Nile.
- 07:30Pick up at Entebbe airport or your Kampala hotel. Meet your driver guide.
- 10:30Optional stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for rhino tracking on foot, quoted on request.
- 13:00Lunch break on the road.
- 16:00Arrive at your lodge near Paraa and settle in.
- 18:30Sundowners overlooking the Nile.
- 19:30Dinner and an early night.
Savannah and the river
Game drive and Nile boat cruise
Elephants, giraffes and buffalo greet the morning. The afternoon belongs to the Nile and the roar of the falls.
- 06:30Take the ferry across the Nile to the northern bank.
- 07:00Game drive, looking for elephants, giraffes, lions and buffalo.
- 10:30Breakfast and rest at the lodge.
- 14:00Boat cruise on the Nile to the foot of Murchison Falls, about 3 hours.
- 19:30Dinner.
Top of the falls
Hike and a gentle afternoon
Stand where the Nile squeezes into a narrow gap and drops in a thundering plume.
- 07:30Breakfast.
- 08:30Drive and hike to the top of Murchison Falls.
- 11:30Return to the lodge for a late lunch and rest.
- 15:30Optional sunset game drive, or Budongo chimpanzee tracking quoted on request.
- 19:30Farewell dinner.
The road home
Murchison Falls to Entebbe or Kampala
One last look at the Nile, and a drive south with stories of elephants and thundering water.
- 06:30Optional early game drive.
- 08:00Breakfast and depart the park.
- 11:30Optional stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
- 13:00Lunch break on the road.
- 15:30Arrive in Kampala or Entebbe.
What will you see?
Tap an animal to learn where and when to look.
Choose your lodge level
| Area | Budget | Midrange | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Murchison Falls, 3 nights | Red Chilli Rest Camp | Murchison River Lodge | Paraa Safari Lodge |
Or similar lodges, depending on availability. The starting price uses entry level lodging, and upgrades are quoted on request.
Smooth from first mile to last
- Private 4x4 with a professional local driver guide
- Airport or hotel pick up and drop off
- Drive of about 5 to 6 hours each way, with stops
- Ferry crossing of the Nile for northern bank game drives
- Charter flight to Pakuba available on request
What you will do
- Game drive on the northern bank of the Nile
- Boat cruise to the foot of Murchison Falls
- Hike to the top of the falls
- Optional sunset game drive
- Optional: Budongo chimps, Ziwa rhinos, delta shoebill cruise
Clear costs, no surprises
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Murchison Falls Classic Safari, per person sharing | From USD 1,000 |
| Park fees, ferry and Nile boat cruise, included | Included |
| Midrange or luxury lodge upgrade | Quoted on request |
| Single room supplement | Quoted at booking |
| Budongo chimps, Ziwa rhinos or shoebill cruise | Quoted at booking |
| Uganda eVisa, paid by you | About USD 50 |
Included
- 3 nights lodging, full board
- Private 4x4 and driver guide
- Airport transfers
- Park fees and ferry
- Nile boat cruise and game drive
- Hike to the top of the falls
Not included
- International flights
- Visa and travel insurance
- Tips and personal items
- Alcoholic drinks
- Optional extras
Seasons
Dry months (Jun to Sep, Dec to Feb) give the best game viewing along the river. Green months (Mar to May, Oct to Nov) are lush and quieter, with fewer vehicles. The falls are impressive all year.
Shape it around you
Tick what interests you and send it to our team in one tap.
Arrive ready
Documents and health
- Passport valid 6 months
- Uganda eVisa (evisa.go.ug)
- Yellow fever certificate
- Travel insurance with medical cover
- Ask your doctor about malaria advice
What to pack
Safety
- Stay in the vehicle on game drives unless told otherwise
- Wear life jackets on the boat
- Keep your distance from hippos and crocodiles
- Wear neutral colours, since tsetse flies can bite
- Drink plenty of water in the heat
Simple, secure payment
- Pay in full, or choose a 3, 6 or 12 month plan with no interest
- Park fees and lodging are secured once your balance is fully paid
- Peak dates fill early, so ask us to check availability first
- Pay online through WeTravel, or ask for bank details. Read our booking terms
Fair and clear if plans change
| When you cancel | What is refunded |
|---|---|
| 60 days or more before arrival | Everything paid, except park fees and costs already committed |
| 30 to 59 days before arrival | 50 percent of the package price, excluding park fees |
| Under 30 days or no show | No refund |
Park fees and lodging deposits already paid to suppliers are generally nonrefundable once purchased. Read our booking terms. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.
Where your booking stands
- Enquiry received
- Permit availability checked
- Itinerary agreed
- Deposit paid, confirmed
- Final documents sent
- Travel day
We update your stage and share a link ending in ?status=1 to 6 so you can follow it from your phone.
The Nile is waiting
Good lodges fill early in peak months. Tell us your dates and we will check availability today.
Murchison Falls Classic Safari
Where the mighty Nile squeezes through a rock gap and the savannah fills with elephants, giraffes and hippos. Four days of classic Uganda.
Uganda’s greatest river and its wildlife
Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s largest park, where the Nile forces its way through a gap only a few metres wide and drops in a roaring plume. North of the river, the savannah is home to elephants, giraffes, buffalo and lions.
This classic safari gives you the best of both: game drives on the northern bank, a boat cruise to the foot of the falls, and a hike to the top. It is short, scenic and well paced.
Three moments you will carry home
Crossing to the wild side
At dawn you cross the Nile by ferry as the mist lifts. On the far bank, the open savannah starts to wake with elephants and giraffes.
Where the Nile squeezes through
The river narrows to a gap of a few metres and drops in a roaring plume. From the boat, the sound reaches you before the view does.
Sundowners by the river
Hippos grunt, elephants drink and the sky turns gold. Sit back with a drink and let the day settle.
Your four days in Uganda
North to the Nile
Entebbe or Kampala to Murchison Falls
Leave the city behind and drive into a long, golden country, toward the river that feeds the Nile.
- 07:30Pick up at Entebbe airport or your Kampala hotel. Meet your driver guide.
- 10:30Optional stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for rhino tracking on foot, quoted on request.
- 13:00Lunch break on the road.
- 16:00Arrive at your lodge near Paraa and settle in.
- 18:30Sundowners overlooking the Nile.
- 19:30Dinner and an early night.
Savannah and the river
Game drive and Nile boat cruise
Elephants, giraffes and buffalo greet the morning. The afternoon belongs to the Nile and the roar of the falls.
- 06:30Take the ferry across the Nile to the northern bank.
- 07:00Game drive, looking for elephants, giraffes, lions and buffalo.
- 10:30Breakfast and rest at the lodge.
- 14:00Boat cruise on the Nile to the foot of Murchison Falls, about 3 hours.
- 19:30Dinner.
Top of the falls
Hike and a gentle afternoon
Stand where the Nile squeezes into a narrow gap and drops in a thundering plume.
- 07:30Breakfast.
- 08:30Drive and hike to the top of Murchison Falls.
- 11:30Return to the lodge for a late lunch and rest.
- 15:30Optional sunset game drive, or Budongo chimpanzee tracking quoted on request.
- 19:30Farewell dinner.
The road home
Murchison Falls to Entebbe or Kampala
One last look at the Nile, and a drive south with stories of elephants and thundering water.
- 06:30Optional early game drive.
- 08:00Breakfast and depart the park.
- 11:30Optional stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
- 13:00Lunch break on the road.
- 15:30Arrive in Kampala or Entebbe.
What will you see?
Tap an animal to learn where and when to look.
Choose your lodge level
| Area | Budget | Midrange | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Murchison Falls, 3 nights | Red Chilli Rest Camp | Murchison River Lodge | Paraa Safari Lodge |
Or similar lodges, depending on availability. The starting price uses entry level lodging, and upgrades are quoted on request.
Smooth from first mile to last
- Private 4x4 with a professional local driver guide
- Airport or hotel pick up and drop off
- Drive of about 5 to 6 hours each way, with stops
- Ferry crossing of the Nile for northern bank game drives
- Charter flight to Pakuba available on request
What you will do
- Game drive on the northern bank of the Nile
- Boat cruise to the foot of Murchison Falls
- Hike to the top of the falls
- Optional sunset game drive
- Optional: Budongo chimps, Ziwa rhinos, delta shoebill cruise
Clear costs, no surprises
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Murchison Falls Classic Safari, per person sharing | From USD 1,000 |
| Park fees, ferry and Nile boat cruise, included | Included |
| Midrange or luxury lodge upgrade | Quoted on request |
| Single room supplement | Quoted at booking |
| Budongo chimps, Ziwa rhinos or shoebill cruise | Quoted at booking |
| Uganda eVisa, paid by you | About USD 50 |
Included
- 3 nights lodging, full board
- Private 4x4 and driver guide
- Airport transfers
- Park fees and ferry
- Nile boat cruise and game drive
- Hike to the top of the falls
Not included
- International flights
- Visa and travel insurance
- Tips and personal items
- Alcoholic drinks
- Optional extras
Seasons
Dry months (Jun to Sep, Dec to Feb) give the best game viewing along the river. Green months (Mar to May, Oct to Nov) are lush and quieter, with fewer vehicles. The falls are impressive all year.
Shape it around you
Tick what interests you and send it to our team in one tap.
Arrive ready
Documents and health
- Passport valid 6 months
- Uganda eVisa (evisa.go.ug)
- Yellow fever certificate
- Travel insurance with medical cover
- Ask your doctor about malaria advice
What to pack
Safety
- Stay in the vehicle on game drives unless told otherwise
- Wear life jackets on the boat
- Keep your distance from hippos and crocodiles
- Wear neutral colours, since tsetse flies can bite
- Drink plenty of water in the heat
Simple, secure payment
- Pay in full, or choose a 3, 6 or 12 month plan with no interest
- Park fees and lodging are secured once your balance is fully paid
- Peak dates fill early, so ask us to check availability first
- Pay online through WeTravel, or ask for bank details. Read our booking terms
Fair and clear if plans change
| When you cancel | What is refunded |
|---|---|
| 60 days or more before arrival | Everything paid, except park fees and costs already committed |
| 30 to 59 days before arrival | 50 percent of the package price, excluding park fees |
| Under 30 days or no show | No refund |
Park fees and lodging deposits already paid to suppliers are generally nonrefundable once purchased. Read our booking terms. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.
Where your booking stands
- Enquiry received
- Permit availability checked
- Itinerary agreed
- Deposit paid, confirmed
- Final documents sent
- Travel day
We update your stage and share a link ending in ?status=1 to 6 so you can follow it from your phone.
The Nile is waiting
Good lodges fill early in peak months. Tell us your dates and we will check availability today.