How to spend 7 days in Murchison Falls National Park. Game Drives and Boat Safaris in Murchison Falls 

How best can you spend 7 days in Murchison Falls National Park in northern Uganda? The seven-day safari to Murchison allows you enough time to completely bathe in the smells of the Kew Gardens and zoo combined on the infinite scale as described by Winston Churchill.

While on a safari in this national park, see the wonderful treasures of the River Nile emerge right before your eyes—aquatic creatures, abundant bird life, the cool air, and so much more. Indeed River Nile is a caretaker straight from its origins in Jinja via Murchison Falls Park to the delta in Egypt, where it is called the heart of Egypt.

Safari Summary

Day 1: Drive to Murchison  National Park Pass Via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.

Day 2 Game Drive and Boat Trip

Day 3: Game drive and visit the top of the falls

Day 4: Trekking with chimpanzees in Budongo Forest

Day 5: Nature Trek in Budongo Forest

Day 6: Community Visit or Spot Fishing.

Day 7 Departure

Short Background about Murchison Falls National Park

Comprising 3893 sq km of territory and bisected by the Victoria Nile, Murchison Falls National Park is the biggest preserved national park in Uganda. Especially during the June to September dry season, the temperature could reach 38 degrees centigrade.

Early adventurers John Speke and James Grant’s travels to the park in 1862 helped to make it well-known. Later, Sir Samuel Baker and his wife discovered all the beauty of Murchison, a name derived from the then-president of the Royal Geographic Society to which he belonged.

Many visitors, including foreign dignitaries, are motivated by Murchison Falls National Park’s rich legacy to go on safaris and spend time on the same grounds where early explorers created history.

Activities to Do Over 07 Days in Murchison Falls National Park

Driving to Murchison Falls National Park and Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary fon the irst day

The road drive to Murchison Falls National Park takes around five hours and forty minutes if you spend the night in Kampala. A break at Ziiwa Rhino Sanctuary allows you to help the Rhino restoration effort in Uganda while still having fun.

While some were hunted by residents to gather the horn, which is said to have natural powers, the Rhinos sank into extinction during Uganda’s civil conflicts.

Look at your lodging within your means and be set to fully enjoy Murchison Falls National Park. Among the many accommodation options for every budget are Paara Safari Lodge, Murchison River Lodge, Sambiya Lodge, Heritage Safari Lodge, Amuka Safari Lodge, and Bwana Tembo Safari Camp.

The Second Day comprises game drives and a launch trip to Murchison Falls.

Rising early before dawn to move to the Northern side in case your overnight was on the southern side provides you opportunity to meet early risers as they leave their night hideouts. Usually, Murchison Falls National Park game drives take place on the Northern bank in an open savannah where hyenas, lions, leopards, and jackals may be seen in action.

From this vast savannah with average-sized grass where they can also look out for hunters, several herbivores, including Uganda kobs, hartebeest, and waterbucks, spend most portion of the day eating. Following the Buligi path provides the most likely opportunities to see the game in action. Look for beautiful species like black-bellied bustards, silver birds, yellow-headed tinkerbirds, shoebills, and so much more.

Following lunch, the Launch ride to Murchison is exciting on top of an ice cake that takes around three hours. Two launches per day start from the pier in the morning at 0900h and in the afternoon at 1400h. Look for outstanding sights like the high plateau overlooking the River Nile Valley, where many Robins have built nests. One may organize private launch excursions upon request.

One cannot miss the crocodile restaurant near the banks, where large Nile crocodiles often hang around tanning in the sun, waiting to grab victims. Elephants’ herds may also be seen washing and drinking to try to offset the heat of the day. Schools of hippos cannot be excluded since they resemble boulders buried under water.

At last, water turbulence will shift as the boat approaches the huge falls. Slowly visible on the lake surface are foamy forms. As you get closer, you can plainly hear the roar from strong Victoria Nile water slamming through a 7-meter-wide canyon.

One bright, sunny day, you could see a lovely rainbow forming just in front of you. Photographs from the boat are great, but avoid trying to enter the water since it is inhabited by vipers and crocodiles. See the lovely Murchison Falls continuing their path down the 43-meter high cliff to the bottom. Back to your lodge before evening.

Third Day Game Drive and Hike to the top of the falls

Trying your lucky charm to capture a moment with wild creatures you could have missed, Uganda game safaris in Murchison Falls National Park have you yearning for another game drive day.

Look out, giraffes, lions, rare leopards, oribi, herds of elephants, Topis, hartebeests, hyenas, wild dogs, warthogs, birds, and a breathtaking view of the Nile valley.

Later, go to the top of the falls to get a greater perspective of the active Victoria Nile stumbles on pebbles buried beneath before racing around the little curve. Photographs standing at the point of view here. Try to remain a safe distance as this place could induce some adrenaline, particularly for those who are terrified of heights. Get back to the lodge to unwind.

 Fourth Day: Chimpanzee Trekking In Kaniyo Pabadi Forest

Great chimpanzees call the Kaniyo Pabidi woodland inside Murchison Falls National Park home. With about 98% human DNA, chimps are the closest cousins of man in the animal world. Under a democratically chosen Alpha male, they live in communities.

With a distance of around 8 meters away from the chimpanzees and so much more, the ranger guide leads you through the chimpanzee trekking guidelines, including avoiding feeding the chimps. Although these rules are meant to shield the chimpanzees from human illnesses or human habitation, they are wild creatures who have to fend for their food.

See also more magical troupes of monkeys like black and white colobus, olive baboons, grey-cheeked mangabey, vervet monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and so many more. The amazing birdlife the woodland has keeps you constantly turning from side to side. For avid birders, particularly, the bird songs add to the enjoyment of the tour. Among the birds you could find there are the secretary bird, Abyssinian hornbill, Malakite Kingfisher, red-throated bee-eaters, and others.

Day five nature trek in Rabongo Forest

One of the popular nature treks in Murchison Falls National Park is the tropical Rabongo forest because of its special character. Look for many birds that spend most of their waking hours building nests and looking for food. Apart from the sausage tree, said to be an energy booster, some tree species that have highly medical value to the people also exist.

Many freshwater streams serve as water reservoirs from which the woodland dwellers get their nourishment. Particularly in the breeding season, beautiful butterflies abound throughout the forest. You could get up close to giraffes, elephants, Uganda Kobs, olive baboons, black and white colobus, red-tailed monkeys, and more throughout the walk.

Day Six of 7 days in Murchison Falls: Community Walking or Sport Fishing 

A stroll around the nearby towns while ona  Uganda Safari to Murchison Falls National Park provides an understanding of the livelihood of common people. Those who live in this region are the Acholi. Still, you have to leave the limits of the park.

Spending time in nearby villages to hear their folk stories—like the Acholi origin, which they say to be descended from Gipiri and Labongo. If you reserve early, you might experience local dance groups performing beautiful music from African Instruments as “Akogo,” Tube Fido, and “Adungu.”

Spend some time with the remains of the tragic Konyi battle of the 1990s, which took many local people, leaving them physically crippled or earless. Though the wounds of this civil war still show in the neighborhood, the residents are attempting to return to their normal way of life.

Alternatively, you might engage in sport fishing onthe  River Nile, but this comes with a certain price. Depending on their luck, anglers may capture some rather large Nile perch, tilapia, cut fish, and mudfish. Everyone is expected to have their own lure. This setup requires advanced scheduling as sport fishing has certain spots and restrictions. In advance, one pays for a fishing permit; furthermore, a private boat is reserved with a skipper.

Day Seven: Departure day after safari in Murchison Falls National Park 

Return to Entebbe Airport for your departing aircraft after running through all the breathtaking events on safari to Murchison Falls National Park.

How To Visit Murchison Falls National Park for 7 days in Murchison Falls

The most often used way to reach Murchison Falls National Park is via road. From Kampala, one may reach the park without stopping in approximately five hours. The park may be accessed by Wankwar Gate near Purongo, Tangi Gate in Pakwarch, Chobe Gate over Karuma Falls,

Daily flights from Entebbe or Kajjansi airport go to Bugungu or Pakuba Air Strip. Planning allows charter flights to Murchison Falls National Park to be arranged.

An hourly car ferry crossing is available to help you in case you are overnighting at Paraa Lodge, the Northern bank location of the River Nile.

What To Bring For Murchison Falls National Park Uganda Safari

The park is rather hot during the dry seasons, which run from June to September, hence carry light, comfortable clothing like sleeveless with flip flops. Like Khaki, the color of clothing you bring has to be dirt-friendly.

This is how certain vivid colors might seem suspicious to some wild creatures and set them off in a fury against you. At times, the park is also muddy and dirty, which would not be ideal for bright colored apparel. The Ugandan government does not approve military camouflage; so, try to avoid bringing and wearing it unless you are a security agent.

a camera to capture pictures and save special events you experienced on a Murchison Falls national park Uganda safari

In case of one blackout, an alternative completely charged battery should be switched in.

Two binoculars can help you to get a better view of far-off wild creatures.

Since you can anticipate coming across stinging insects in the forest, insect repellent is appropriate for your skin and should be used before a game safari or a chimpanzee trek.

When is the ideal time for a 7 Day Murchison falls Safari?

Uganda safaris to Murchison are available all year long, although the dry months of June through September are more sought after as the grass is shorter and wild animals are easier to see. March through May’s wet months provide a great opportunity to see more infants, as there is enough food for them.

Even hotels in the park are less busy during the shoulder season, which runs from March to May. Plus, game paths within the park have less rivalry for prime locations for wild animals.

Please email Katland  Safaris or check our travel adviser website for the most recent evaluations about our service to get more information on how to spend 7 days in Murchison Falls National Park.