Murchison Falls Safari: Game Drives & Nile Boat Tour

Three game drives and a 43-metre waterfall, squeezed into one park

A 3-day safari tour from Kampala to Murchison Falls National Park with private transportation, live guide, and accommodation at lodge stays. The itinerary includes a hike to the top of the falls on day one, morning and evening game drives on day two to spot lions, elephants, giraffes and hippos, a boat ride on the Victoria Nile to watch the falls from the water, and a final game drive on day three before returning to Kampala by midday. The tour operates in English, Spanish, Italian, French and additional languages.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Transfer and hike at Murchison Falls

• Transfer to Murchison Falls
• Hike to top of the falls
• Enjoy lunch with African aroma
• Have dinner prepared by local chefs

Day 2: Game drive and boat ride

• Morning game drive in national park
• Boat ride on Victoria Nile
• Stay overnight at Hornbill Safari lodge

Day 3: Morning game drive and return

• Early morning game drive
• Check out and lunch in Masindi town
• Drive back to Kampala or preferred destination

The experience

The Murchison Falls hike sets the tone on day one. You climb to the overlook where the Nile forces through a gap less than ten metres wide, drops 43 metres, and roars into a gorge on its way to Lake Albert. The water volume, around 300 cubic metres per second, makes the scale of the falls impossible to miss from the rim.

Day two splits between land and water. The morning game drive covers the park's largest terrain, where you watch for the 76 mammal species and 450 bird species the park holds: lions, bush elephants, Rothschild's giraffes, buffaloes, leopards, hippos and monkeys move through the acacia and grassland. The afternoon boat ride on the Victoria Nile runs three hours along the riverbanks where elephants, giraffes and buffaloes drink at the water's edge, and hippos and Nile crocodiles stay submerged or half-visible in the shallows. The boat passes directly under the falls.

Day three begins with an early game drive to add to your sightings before checkout around 11:00 am. The drive back to Kampala includes a lunch stop in Masindi town, with arrival at your Kampala hotel or Entebbe airport by afternoon. Private transportation runs throughout, and your guide travels with the group in English, Spanish, Italian, French or one of five additional languages.

What’s included

• Private transportation from Kampala to the park and back.
• accommodation at Heritage lodge on night one and Hornbill Safari lodge on night two.
• a live guide throughout the tour.
• three game drives across the park.
• a hike to the top of Murchison Falls.
• a three-hour boat ride on the Victoria Nile.
• a lunch stop in Masindi town on the return journey.

Options for this experience

3 options

BudgetUp to 7 per booking · Guide in 9 languages · No fixed timeHeritage lodge, with pickup included

Mid-rangeUp to 7 per booking · Guide in 9 languages · No fixed timePakuba safari lodge in Murchison, pickup is included

LuxuryUp to 9 per booking · Guide in 9 languages · No fixed timeThe Paraa Safari Lodge sits north of the park, right on the edge of the Nile, offering wide views of the park and its wildlife. Rhino tracking is an optional extra that can be added to the package for 50 USD per person. Includes all 3 lunches and 2 dinners. The route runs through Kampala, Luwero and Masindi before arriving at Murchison Falls National Park. Vehicle: depending on group size, we use a 4x4 open-roof safari jeep, also called a Landcruiser. Pickup is included.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesUp to age 90

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Danish, Dutch, Japanese and Swedish

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 29 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by African Adventure Travellers

Is this one for you?Choose the Budget option if you want the core safari experience (game drives, the falls hike and the Nile boat) without premium lodge upgrades. Pick Mid-range or Luxury if you prefer more comfortable accommodation and amenities at the lodges. All three options follow the same 3-day itinerary and include the same activities and guide.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Swedish, Japanese, Danish and Dutch.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What animals am I likely to see on the game drives?

Murchison Falls holds 76 mammal species, including lions, bush elephants, Rothschild's giraffes, buffaloes, leopards, hippos, monkeys and hyenas. The Victoria Nile riverbanks add permanent residents like Nile crocodiles and aquatic birds, plus elephants and giraffes that come to drink.

How long is the boat ride on the Nile?

The boat ride on the Victoria Nile runs three hours and passes directly under the Murchison Falls, letting you observe and hear the water from the river itself.

What does the hike to the top of the falls involve?

The hike takes you to the overlook at the top of Murchison Falls, where you stand above the point where the Nile squeezes through a gap less than ten metres wide and drops 43 metres into a gorge below.

Do I need to arrange my own transport from Kampala?

Private transportation is included throughout the 3-day tour, with pickup from your Kampala hotel and return to Kampala or Entebbe airport on day three.