Rhinos & Rapids: The Murchison Adventure Uganda safari itinerary

Rhinos & Rapids: The Murchison Adventure

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Murchison Falls National Park

Duration
4 days
Destinations
2
Decorative Wave Shape

Itinerary overview

This is the best short Uganda safari itinerary because it gives you an opportunity to see the Big5 Wild animals of Africa. These are Rhinos, Elephants, Lions, Leopards and Buffaloes.

Timeline

  • Entebbe > Kampala city

    Start / Day 1
  • Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

    Day 2
  • Murchison Falls National Park

    Day 3
  • Murchison Falls National Park > Entebbe

    Day 4 / End
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)
Day Three (3)
  • 6 am Breakfast.

  • 6:30 am Game drive in Murchison falls National Park. 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 Four (4)
  • 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, located near the Tangi Gate of Murchison Falls National Park in Uganda, offers a blend of traditional African design and modern comfort. The lodge features 12 grass-thatched cottages, each with en-suite facilities, providing options for single, double, twin, triple, and family accommodations.

Mid-range

Sambiya River Lodge

Sambiya River Lodge, situated in the heart of Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda, offers guests a serene retreat amidst lush landscapes. Located just a 20-minute drive from the top of the iconic Murchison Falls, the lodge provides convenient access to the park's main attractions.

High end

Paara Safari Lodge

Paraa Safari Lodge, established in 1954, is located in Murchison Falls National Park in northwestern Uganda. The lodge overlooks the Victoria Nile, where the river narrows to a six-meter-wide gorge and cascades 43 meters down at Murchison Falls.

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.