Murchison Falls safari: Wildlife & boat cruise (2-day)

Two days chasing the big five across 75 mammal species

A 2-day private safari from Kampala to Murchison Falls National Park with a driver-guide, overnight accommodation and meals included. Day one brings a four-hour drive, lunch at the park, an afternoon boat cruise to the base of the falls, and an evening game drive. Day two starts before dawn for a morning game drive when lions are most active, followed by breakfast and the return to Kampala, with an optional stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary if time allows.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Travel and afternoon boat ride

• Pick up from hotel at 5:30 am
• Drive to Murchison Falls National Park
• Have lunch at the park
• Afternoon boat ride to bottom of falls
• Evening game drive to lodge
• Check into lodge for dinner and overnight

Day 2: Morning game drive and return

• Early coffee at 6:00 am
• Morning game drive at 6:30 am
• Full breakfast at lodge
• Check out and drive to Kabalega diners
• Lunch at Kabalega diners
• Drive back to Kampala
• Optional stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

The experience

The itinerary runs you out of Kampala at 6 am to reach Murchison Falls in about four hours. After lunch at the park, you board a boat on the Victoria Nile and cruise downstream to the base of the falls, the park's signature moment, then head out on an evening game drive before checking into Heritage Safari Lodge for dinner and the night. The park holds 75 mammal species and 420 bird species, so the drives are built around real sightings rather than a fixed route.

Day two wakes you at 6 am for coffee, then a game drive starting at 6:30 am when the big five are most active. Lions, giraffes and elephants move through the park. The early timing is what makes the difference. After a full breakfast back at the lodge, you check out and stop for lunch at Kabalega diners before the drive back to Kampala, dropping you at your hotel or another destination you choose. If the schedule allows, the route can include a detour to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for rhino tracking on foot.

Your guide speaks English throughout, and the private transport means the pace and stops follow what you want to see. Bottled water travels with you, and the boat cruise, park entry, accommodation and all meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) are built into the price.

What’s included

• Airport pickup and drop-off services.
• visit to the top of the falls and boat cruise on the Victoria Nile.
• one night accommodation at Heritage Safari Lodge.
• breakfast, lunch and dinner.
• bottled drinking water on board.
• private transportation throughout the park.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (8 to 79 years) · Under 8: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

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

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Simba African Expeditions

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a private guide and set itinerary so you can move at your own pace, with an early morning game drive timed to when lions are most active rather than fixed departure times.

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Top questions

What animals will I actually see on the game drives?

Murchison Falls is home to lions, giraffes, elephants and many other species across 75 mammal types in the park. The early morning drive at 6:30 am on day two is when lions are most active and sightings are most likely, though no wildlife encounter is guaranteed on any given departure.

How far is Murchison Falls from Kampala?

The drive from Kampala to Murchison Falls National Park takes about four hours, covering the distance on day one after your 6 am pickup from your hotel.

What happens on the boat ride?

The afternoon boat cruise on the Victoria Nile takes you downstream to the base of Murchison Falls, where you see the falls from the water. It is one of the park's main attractions and happens on day one after lunch.

Can I add the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to this trip?

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary can be included as a stopover on the drive back to Kampala on day two if time permits. It offers a guided rhino tracking experience on foot, separate from the vehicle-based game drives.

What is included in the price?

The package includes private transportation from Kampala, park entry, one night at Heritage Safari Lodge, all meals (dinner on day one, breakfast and lunch on day two), a boat cruise on the Victoria Nile, and bottled drinking water. Your driver is also your guide and speaks English.