Nile's Source to Safari Adventure Uganda safari itinerary

Nile's Source to Safari Adventure

Jinja City

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Murchison Falls National Park

Duration
5 days
Destinations
3
Decorative Wave Shape

Itinerary overview

Did you know that the world’s river, The Nile, starts from Uganda? This trip will give you an opportunity to visit the source of river Nile as it exits Lake Victoria, the biggest fresh water body in Africa.

Timeline

  • Entebbe > Kampala City

    Start / Day 1
  • Jinja City

    Day 2
  • Ziwa Sanctuary

    Day 3
  • Murchison Falls National Park

    Day 4
  • Murchison Falls National Park > Entebbe

    Day 5 / End
Locations

Jinja City

Jinja is the second largest city in Uganda, located in the Eastern part of the country. It’s a city of adventure, with many activities to do like white water rafting, bungee jumping, quad biking, boat cruises, etc. Jinja is also the source of River Nile, the world’s longest river. A visit to Jinja is a must for any tourist visiting Uganda.

Jinja City on this Uganda safari itinerary
Locations

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is the only place with Rhinos in the wilderness, in Uganda. Due to high poaching in the 1970s & 1980s, all Rhinos in Uganda where killed for their horn. In 2004, a program was established to reintroduce Rhinos in the country. 4 Rhinos from Kenya & 2 Rhinos from USA, where imported into the Uganda and settled in Ziwa Sanctuary for breeding. This program has been successful, the Rhinos settled in well, did breed and gave birth to different generations to a tune of 37 Rhinos at present. A visit to this sanctuary gives you a memorable experience of tracking these Rhinos, on foot. Plus your entrance fees supports the conservation program of breeding more Rhinos, which will later be reintroduced in some savannah parks of Uganda.

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary on this Uganda safari itinerary
Locations

Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park is the biggest park in Uganda and the most visited because of its diversity in nature (Budongo Forest, River Nile and Savannah grass), many wildlife species that include Elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, lions, Leopards, hippos, crocodiles, etc plus over 500 species of birds. The icing of this park is the Murchison falls, the world’s most powerful water fall as the whole of River Nile squeezes itself through two rocks just 9meters apart. It’s a breathtaking safari whenever you visit this park.

Murchison Falls National Park on this Uganda safari itinerary

Day-by-Day Itinerary Breakdown

Day One (1)
  • Arrive at Entebbe Airport.

  • Pick up from the airport by our driver guide.

  • Transfer to Kampala City which is 1 hour drive.

  • Check in a hotel for the night.

Day Two (2)
  • Early morning. – Pick up from your hotel after breakfast.

  • Set for Jinja. Have a stopover in Mukono to visit Ssezibwa falls.

  • Proceed to Jinja. Lunch at Jinja Sailing Club.

  • Have a boat cruise to visit the source of River Nile.

  • 5 pm Return back to Kampala. Check in at the same Kampala hotel as the previous night.

Day Three (3)
Day Four (4)
  • 6 am Breakfast.

  • 6:30 am Game drive in Murchison falls N P. Animals likely to be seen are elephants, buffaloes, lions, giraffes, leopard, antelopes, etc

  • 10:30 am Back to the lodge, relax, swim, etc.

  • 12 pm Lunch

  • 1 pm Transfer to River Nile.

  • 2 pm Have a 3 hour safari boat on River Nile seeing animals like Hippos, crocodiles and many bird species. You will also be able to see the bottom of Murchison falls.

  • 5 pm Drive to visit the top of the magnificent Murchison water falls.

  • Later transfer back to your lodge. Dinner, camp fire and sleep at leisure.

Day Five (5)
  • Have enough rest.

  • 9 am Breakfast.

  • 10 am check out and transfer back to Kampala.

  • Drop off at the Entebbe Airport.

Accommodation

Options in Kampala City

Budget

Eliana Hotel

Hotel Eliana, situated on Ntinda-Kiwatule Road in Kampala, Uganda, offers guests a blend of comfort and convenience. The hotel features elegant rooms, including Executive, Twin, Deluxe, and Standard options, each equipped with modern amenities such as free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and flat-screen TVs.

Mid-range

Fair Way Hotel

Fairway Hotel & Spa, located on Kafu Road in Kampala, Uganda, offers guests a tranquil retreat with expansive lush gardens and an outdoor pool. The hotel provides a variety of rooms, each equipped with air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and private balconies overlooking the gardens.

High end

Serena Hotel

The Kampala Serena Hotel, located on Kintu Road in central Kampala, Uganda, is a 5-star establishment set amidst 17 acres of landscaped grounds and water gardens. The hotel features 186 guest rooms, including 14 suites, each adorned with African artwork and private balconies offering garden views.

Options in Murchison Falls National Park

Budget

Ikorom Safari Lodge

Ikorom Safari Lodge lies near Murchison Falls National Park, offering a tranquil safari retreat. Its comfortable cottages feature modern amenities and African-inspired decor. Locally sourced cuisine pairs perfectly with panoramic savannah views. Guests can enjoy game drives, Nile boat cruises, and guided hikes to spot abundant wildlife. Warm hospitality and a commitment to conservation define this unforgettable Ugandan escape.

Mid-range

Sambiya River Lodge

Sambiya River Lodge sits amid the lush greenery of Murchison Falls National Park, offering thatched cottages with modern comforts. Guests can explore the park’s abundant wildlife on guided safaris, scenic boat tours, or nature walks. With warm hospitality and panoramic views, it promises an unforgettable jungle escape.

High end

Paara Safari Lodge

Paara Safari Lodge stands along the River Nile in Murchison Falls National Park, offering breathtaking views and comfortable accommodations. Guests can explore the park’s wildlife on thrilling game drives and boat tours. With warm hospitality and modern amenities, it provides a memorable base for an authentic Ugandan safari experience.

Transportation

Safari vehicles

Transport will either a Toyota tourism Van or a Toyota tourism Landcruiser according to the fee option, you will choose.

The Toyota tourism Van is a 4x4 minivan that can accommodate up to 6 passengers. The Toyota tourism Landcruiser is a 4x4 SUV that is ideal for 7-8 passengers. Both vehicles are equipped with pop-up roof, fridge, charging ports and AC. The vehicles are well maintained and have a professional driver. They are also equipped with a first aid kit and fire extinguisher.

Toyota tourism safari van viewed from the frontToyota Land Cruiser safari vehicleSafari vehicle driving through the Ugandan landscapeToyota Land Cruiser configured for safari travel
Important Travel Information

What to carry

To ensure a comfortable and enjoyable trip, we recommend packing the following items:

Comfortable closed shoes
A pair of open shoes
Light clothes for the sunny days
A few warm clothes because sometimes it gets a bit cold at night
Insect repellent
Sun glasses / hat / cap
Sun creams
Emergency pills in case you have any medical conditions
Camera or good smart phone with storage space
Anti – malaria drugs

Frequently asked questions

During Your Trip

Rest assured — we’re with you every step of the way! Before your trip begins, we’ll create a dedicated WhatsApp group to connect you directly with our ganzaadventure.com support. Whether you have a question, need to adjust your itinerary, or require assistance during your journey, you’ll have direct access to our team at all times. You can also contact us anytime via WhatsApp (+491637075997) or e-mail (team@ganzaadventure.com).

ganzaadventure.com is your go-to platform for discovering and booking the perfect safari in Uganda. We collaborate with top local operators to ensure a seamless travel experience. After your booking is confirmed, you’ll receive comprehensive details about your itinerary, including the contact information for your guides and hosts.

Your transport vehicle will either be a Toyota Tourism Van or a Toyota Tourism Landcruiser according to the fee category you choose. They are both great options to ensure the most comfortable safari. You will find pictures of the vehicles in the itinerary pages.

Lodges & Accommodation

The accommodation options include lodges in the budget, mid-range and high-end categories. You can make your choice during your booking.

A safari lodge is a nature-focused accommodation near wildlife-rich areas, offering a blend of comfort, modern facilities, eco-conscious design, and access to safari activities such as game drives and guided walks.

Absolutely! Safari accommodations prioritize safety, often featuring security measures such as fences, night guards, and protocols for wildlife encounters. If you specifically prefer a fenced lodge, please let us know when booking, and we will do our best to accommodate your request.

Most high-end and mid-range lodges provide electricity, usually through solar power or generators. Budget lodges may use lanterns or have limited generator hours. In more remote areas, lodges may not offer 24-hour electricity and may turn off their generators between midnight and dawn or while guests are on game drives. If you need 24-hour electricity, please specify this when booking, and our team will assist you accordingly.

Most mid-range and high-end lodges offer Wi-Fi, though it is often limited to common areas and may be slower in remote locations.

This depends on your group size. For a small group (up to 4 people) accommodation can be booked in a short notice offering more flexibility. For larger groups it is recommended to book 3 months in advance if you plan traveling during the low season and 6 months in advance during the high season. High seasons are from Dec - Feb and Jun - Aug, while low seasons are from Mar - May and Sep - Nov. In general, though, we will try to accommodate all requests. Just talk to us.

No. After receiving your booking request, our local partners have 24 hours to confirm availability or provide an alternative option.

Yes - all partner lodges have bathrooms in the rooms.

Usually our bookings include full board i.e. breakfast, lunch and dinner. If anything else is the case it will be clearly stated in your itinerary.