4 Day Murchison falls & Chimpanzee Track Budongo

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4 Day Murchison falls & Chimpanzee Track Budongo

Destination: Uganda Safaris

Country: Uganda

Description:

Day 1: Kampala to Murchison Falls National Park (via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary)

Your safari begins with an early morning pickup from your hotel in Kampala. After a short briefing by your driver-guide, you depart on a scenic 6-hour drive northwest toward Murchison Falls National Park. The drive takes you through the fertile Luwero District, known for its lush pineapple farms—perfect for a quick roadside snack stop. An optional but highly recommended stop is the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the only place in Uganda where you can see wild rhinos. This conservation project was established to reintroduce southern white rhinos into Uganda’s national parks. With the help of experienced guides and rangers, you’ll enjoy a guided walking safari to track these massive animals on foot, adding the first of the Big Five to your wildlife checklist. Continuing on, you enter Murchison Falls National Park via the Kichumbanyobo Gate, located on the southern side of the park. Before heading to the lodge, you’ll make a brief stop at the Top of Murchison Falls, where the mighty Nile River squeezes through a 7-meter-wide gorge and plunges 45 meters into the Devil’s Cauldron below. The raw power and misty roar of the falls make this one of the most spectacular sights in East Africa. After soaking in the views, you cross the new Nile bridge into the park’s northern sector and head to your lodge for check-in, dinner, and overnight stay.

Day 2: Early Morning Game Drive & Afternoon Nile Boat Cruise Your second day begins with an early wake-up call and a hot cup of African tea or coffee before heading out on a morning game drive in the park’s northern savannah plains. This is the best time to spot predators such as lions, leopards, and hyenas as they return from their night hunts. You’ll also see large herbivores including African elephants, Cape buffalo, Nubian giraffes, and various antelope species such as Uganda kobs, bushbucks, topi, and Jackson’s hartebeest. Bird enthusiasts will enjoy sightings of some of the park’s 450+ bird species, including the Abyssinian ground hornbill, saddle-billed stork, and secretary bird. The game drive also takes you near the Albert Nile Delta, an important habitat for both aquatic and savannah species. After the game drive, return to the lodge for a hearty lunch. In the afternoon, transfer to the Paara jetty for a boat cruise on the Victoria Nile, one of the park’s most iconic experiences. The cruise heads upstream toward the bottom of Murchison Falls and offers excellent wildlife viewing opportunities along the riverbanks. You’re likely to see hippos, Nile crocodiles, and a variety of animals coming to drink, including elephants and giraffes. Birdlife is abundant, with frequent sightings of the African fish eagle, kingfishers, bee-eaters, and Egyptian geese. As the boat approaches within 10 meters of the thunderous base of the falls, you’ll enjoy one of the best photographic moments of the trip. After the cruise, return to the lodge through another brief game drive, followed by dinner and overnight.

Day 3: Murchison Falls to Budongo Forest for Chimpanzee Tracking Enjoy a relaxed breakfast and a final short morning game drive as you exit the northern sector of the park and head south to Budongo Central Forest Reserve, located within the larger Murchison Falls Conservation Area. The drive to Budongo takes about 1.5 to 2 hours, offering scenic views of forest patches and savannah grasslands. Arrive at Budongo Eco Lodge in time for lunch and a short rest before heading out for your afternoon chimpanzee tracking adventure. Budongo Forest is part of the vast Ituri Forest system and is the largest natural forest in Uganda. It is home to over 800 chimpanzees, and several groups have been habituated for tourism and research, particularly through the Jane Goodall Institute, which has worked in the area since the 1990s. After a short briefing, you'll venture into the forest with expert guides and trackers. The hike is moderate and accessible to most fitness levels. Once you locate a chimpanzee group, you’ll spend up to one hour observing them in their natural habitat—watching them feed, play, groom, and communicate. Budongo is also home to other primates such as black-and-white colobus, red-tailed monkeys, and olive baboons, as well as diverse flora and over 360 bird species. Return to the lodge in the evening for dinner and an overnight stay surrounded by the tranquil sounds of the forest.

4: Budongo Forest to Kampala or Entebbe After breakfast, you check out of the lodge and begin the return journey to Kampala or Entebbe. The drive takes approximately 5–6 hours. Along the way, enjoy the changing landscapes and perhaps make a few brief stops for photos, local craft shopping, or refreshments. Arrive in Kampala in the afternoon, where your guide will drop you off at your hotel, residence, or directly at Entebbe International Airport for your onward flight, marking the end of your memorable Ugandan safari experience.

Safari Highlights:

Game drives in Uganda’s largest national park

Boat safari to the base of the world’s most powerful waterfall

Rhino tracking at Ziwa Sanctuary (optional)

Chimpanzee tracking in Budongo Forest

Scenic views, rich birdlife, and a wide variety of mammals

Cost of Safari

The cost of this safari will vary depending on date of travel, type of accommodation, transport mode, and number of people on the safari.

Price Start: $600.00

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