Murchison Falls Safari: Rhino Trek & Nile Gorge

The Nile forces through a 7-meter gorge and drops 45 meters in a single, thunderous plunge.

A 2-day safari from Kampala to Murchison Falls National Park with private transport, guide and meals, combining rhino trekking at Ziwa Sanctuary on day one with morning game drives and the Top of the Falls viewpoint on day two. You track 22 southern white rhinos on foot, then hunt lions, elephants and over 450 bird species across the park's circuits before standing at the Nile's most dramatic moment.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Transfer and Rhino Trekking

• Transfer to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
• Track wild rhinos on foot
• Overnight at Heritage Safari Lodge

Day 2: Game Drive and Murchison Falls

• Early morning game drive
• Visit Delta Point for wildlife
• See Top of Murchison Falls
• Return to Kampala

The experience

You leave Kampala and drive north to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the only place in Uganda where wild rhinos roam. Twenty-two southern white rhinos live here after reintroduction in the 1980s: extinct in the country for decades. You trek on foot to find them, a rare close encounter with an animal most visitors never see in the wild. Overnight at Heritage Safari Lodge puts you in position for an early start the next morning.

Day two begins around 6 AM, when lions and leopards are still active before the heat drives them to shade. The game drive takes you through several circuits of the park, including Delta Point where the Nile flows into Lake Albert: a magnet for birdwatchers and wildlife. You'll spot elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, antelopes and possibly hyenas. Over 450 bird species live in the park. Shoebill storks, Goliath herons, African fish eagles and kingfishers are common sightings. The park holds 76 mammal species in total, and the early hour is when you're most likely to see them.

The drive concludes at the Top of Murchison Falls, where the Nile is squeezed through a gorge only 7 meters wide and plunges 45 meters down with raw force. It's a photographer's moment and the climax of the safari. You begin the return to Kampala in the afternoon, arriving in the evening.

What’s included

• Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• a live English-speaking guide.
• rhino trekking at Ziwa Sanctuary.
• game drive through Murchison Falls National Park.
• breakfast and dinner.
• snacks and soft drinks on board.
• overnight stay at Heritage Safari Lodge.
• access to the Top of Murchison Falls viewpoint.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (8 and older) · Under 8: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Kitenji Uganda Safaris and Tours

Is this one for you?Book this 2-day version if you have a weekend or a short break from Kampala and want both the rhino encounter and the full park experience without the time commitment of a longer safari. The two days fit the main attractions (Ziwa, the game circuits and the Falls themselves) into a single trip.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

1 verified traveler review

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What are the 22 rhinos at Ziwa Sanctuary like when you get there?

Ziwa Sanctuary's southern white rhinos were reintroduced after extinction in Uganda during the 1980s. You track them on foot for a close, up-close encounter: a conservation success story and a wildlife moment most visitors never get anywhere else in the country.

What time does the game drive start on day two?

The morning game drive starts around 6 AM or earlier, when big cats like lions and leopards are most active before retreating from the sun. This timing gives you the best chance to spot them and other wildlife.

What birds can you see at Murchison Falls?

Over 450 bird species live in the park. Common sightings include the iconic shoebill stork, Goliath heron, African fish eagle, Abyssinian ground hornbill, and colorful kingfishers, bee-eaters and weavers, especially at Delta Point where the Nile meets Lake Albert.

How does the Nile look at the Top of the Falls?

The Nile is forced through a narrow 7-meter gorge and plunges 45 meters down in a dramatic, thunderous display. It's the park's star attraction and a photographer's paradise.

What happens on the drive back to Kampala?

After the Top of the Falls, you begin your return journey to Kampala in the afternoon, arriving in the evening. The drive gives you time to process the two days and the wildlife you've seen.