3-Day Murchison Falls Safari from Kampala: Rhinos & Big Five

Walk among rhinos, track the Big Five, and watch the Nile plunge through a gorge

A 3-day safari from Kampala that combines a guided walking tour at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary with game drives and a boat safari in Murchison Falls National Park, where you'll spot elephants, giraffes, lions, buffalo and antelope. Includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Kampala, two nights' accommodation, an English-speaking guide, and all park entry fees.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Rhino tracking & the mighty Murchison Falls

• Drive from Kampala to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
• Walk with guide to see rhinos
• Travel to Murchison Falls National Park
• Visit the top of Murchison Falls
• Check into lodge and relax

Day 2: Game safari and Boat safaris

• Morning game safari in 4x4 vehicle
• Spot elephants, giraffes, lions, buffalos, antelopes
• Afternoon boat safari on Victoria Nile
• See hippos, crocodiles, and birds
• Return to lodge for rest

Day 3: Morning game safari and back to Kampala

• Optional morning game safari
• Drive back to Kampala
• Arrive in Kampala and transfer to airport or hotel

The experience

The tour starts with a transfer from Kampala to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, where you walk with a guide to see rhinoceros up close and learn about the conservation work happening there. From there you continue to Murchison Falls National Park, a sprawling reserve with tall trees, rivers and dense wildlife. On arrival you visit the Top of the Falls, where the Nile River surges through a narrow gorge: the ground shakes and the scale of it hits you immediately.

Day two is built around two safaris. In the morning you traverse the park's diverse habitats in a 4x4 vehicle with your guide, spotting elephants, giraffes, lions, buffalo and various antelope species. In the afternoon you board a boat on the Victoria Nile, where hippos, crocodiles and a rich diversity of bird species move through the water around you. The boat also takes you to view the falls from the river itself, a different angle on the same dramatic sight.

The final morning offers an optional game safari before you return to Kampala, arriving in the evening. You can be dropped at your hotel or the airport. Accommodation is at Bwana Tembo Safari Camp for two nights, and your guide speaks English throughout the tour.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off within Kampala.
• English-speaking guide throughout the tour.
• two nights' accommodation at Bwana Tembo Safari Camp on a sharing basis.
• all national park entry fees.
• game drives in a 4x4 vehicle.
• boat safari on the Victoria Nile.
• guided walking tour at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:00 and 22:30

AgesAdult (35 to 60 years) · Senior (61 to 80 years) · Youth (18 to 34 years) · Child (6 to 17 years) · Infant (2 to 5 years)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French and German

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 4 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 12 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Dark Hills Uganda

Is this one for you?Your guide speaks English, Spanish, French or German, so choose the language that suits you best. The 3-day length fits travelers who want to see both the rhino sanctuary and the full range of Murchison Falls (the game drives, the boat safari and the falls themselves) without committing to a longer trip.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French and German.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (18 to 34 years); Child (6 to 17 years); Infant (2 to 5 years).

What animals will I actually see on the game drives in Murchison Falls?

Murchison Falls is home to elephants, giraffes, lions, buffalo and various antelope species. The park's diverse habitats (tall trees, rivers and open areas) support different wildlife, and your guide knows where to find them. Hippos and crocodiles appear on the boat safari along the Victoria Nile.

Is the rhino walk at Ziwa difficult or dangerous?

The rhino sanctuary offers a guided walking safari where you encounter rhinoceros up close and learn about conservation efforts. The tour requires at least a moderate level of physical fitness. It is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or pregnant travelers.

What's included in the accommodation, and where do I stay?

Two nights' accommodation is included at Bwana Tembo Safari Camp on a sharing basis. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Kampala, all park entry fees, and an English-speaking guide are also included. Tips for the guide are optional.

What is the Top of the Falls, and why is it on the itinerary?

The Top of the Falls is a viewpoint where the Nile River plunges through a narrow gorge at Murchison Falls. You visit it on day one to witness the power of the falls from above, and the boat safari on day two shows you the same falls from the river itself, offering two perspectives on the same natural feature.