3-Day Murchison Falls Safari: Big 5 and Rhino Tracking

Track rhinos on foot, then hunt the Big 5 across Uganda's largest park

A 3-day safari in Murchison Falls National Park combines a walking rhino track at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary on day one with game drives and a Nile boat cruise in the park itself. You'll search for lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo and rhinos across three days, stay two nights in a lodge near the park, and end at the top of Murchison Falls, the world's most powerful waterfall, before transfer to Entebbe.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Drive and Walking Safari to Rhinos

• Drive west to Murchison Falls Park
• Walking safari to track White Rhinos
• Have lunch along the way
• Game drive to lodge

Day 2: Game Drives and Boat Cruise

• Early morning game drive
• Search for elephants, lions, leopards
• Lunch at lodge
• Boat cruise to bottom of Falls
• Optional evening game drive or relax

Day 3: Top of Falls and Transfer

• Breakfast at lodge
• Drive to top of Murchison Falls
• Walk to bottom of Falls
• Drive to Entebbe International Airport

The experience

Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda's largest protected area, and this tour moves through it in stages. Day one takes you west by road to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, where you walk among white rhinos on foot before a game drive carries you into the park itself and on to your lodge. The walking safari is the only chance on this trip to track rhinos on the ground. The rest of the park you cover by vehicle and by water.

Day two splits between an early morning game drive (the hour when lions and leopards are most active), and an afternoon boat cruise upstream on the Nile to the base of the falls. The river journey passes through a narrow gorge where elephants, hartebeests, antelopes and waterbirds gather at the water's edge. You can add an evening game drive or rest at the lodge. The choice is yours. On day three, after breakfast, you drive to the top of Murchison Falls itself, walk to the viewpoint and then head to Entebbe International Airport.

A private guide leads the whole trip in English. Transport, park entry, game drive fees, the boat cruise, rhino tracking and two nights' accommodation are all included, so there are no surprise costs once you're on the road. The lodge is budget-tier but centrally placed for the park's best wildlife viewing.

What’s included

• Private transportation throughout.
• rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
• game drive fees in Murchison Falls.
• boat cruise on the Nile to the base of the falls.
• park entry fee.
• two nights' accommodation in a budget lodge.
• English-speaking safari guide.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 05:30

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (15 and older) · Under 15: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Big Apes Africa Safaris

Is this one for you?Book this 3-day version to combine rhino tracking on foot with multiple game drives and a boat cruise up to Murchison Falls. Each activity gets its own dedicated time rather than being compressed into a single day.

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Top questions

What animals can I actually see on a 3-day Murchison Falls safari?

The Big 5 (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo) are the target, though sightings depend on where the animals are on the day you visit. Early morning game drives give the best chance of lions and leopards. Elephants, hartebeests, antelopes and numerous bird species are seen regularly. The rhino walk at Ziwa on day one is the only guaranteed close encounter with rhinos.

How does the rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary work?

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is a separate reserve you visit on day one before entering Murchison Falls. You walk on foot with a guide to track white rhinos in the sanctuary. It's the only place in Uganda where you can see rhinos, and the walking format lets you approach them closer than you would in a vehicle.

What is the boat cruise on the Nile actually like?

The afternoon boat cruise goes upstream on the Nile to the base of Murchison Falls. You travel through a narrow gorge where wildlife congregates at the water's edge: elephants come down to drink, and you'll see crocodiles, hippos and waterbirds. The cruise ends at the foot of the falls themselves, the site where the 1951 film The African Queen was shot.

Is the top of Murchison Falls worth the visit on day three?

Murchison Falls is the world's most powerful waterfall, and the top viewpoint is the most scenic part of the park. Day three includes a walk to the falls and time to take in the views before your transfer to Entebbe begins, so you see it without backtracking.

Do I need to be fit for the walking safari at Ziwa?

The rhino walk at Ziwa is suitable for all physical fitness levels. It's a guided walk on foot, not a strenuous hike. The minimum age for the whole trip is 15, and the tour is not recommended for pregnant travelers.