5 Days Murchison falls national park and Queen Elizabeth national park
5 Days safari in Murchison falls national park and Queen Elizabeth takes you to two of Uganda’s most visited and amazing wildlife conservation areas. Expect to spot all of the big 5 (Lions, Rhinos, Buffaloes, Leopards, Elephants), warthogs, giraffes and the Jackson’s hartebeests. Apart from the mammals, you will get a chance to visit the top of the great Murchison falls and also have stops at the equator for memorable photos.
Murchison Falls National Park is found in the northwestern part of Uganda. It is part of the wider Murchison Falls Conservation Area which includes Karuma and Bugungu Wildlife Reserves. A key feature of the park is the famous Murchison falls. The falls are formed when the Nile river flows through a narrow gorge before dropping down in a thunderous roar. The park consists of woodlands, riverine forests and savanna which are home to chimpanzees, giraffes, lions, elephants, hartebeests, leopards, Uganda Kobs, Oribis and other antelope species.
Queen Elizabeth National Park on the other hand is found in Western Uganda. The distance to the park from Kampala is 400 kms. The park is famous for its beautiful landscape including deep craters, crater lakes and salt lakes. Queen Elizabeth national park is home to chimpanzees, lions, leopards, crocodiles, hippopotamus, Uganda Kobs, buffaloes, elephants and several antelope species. Queen Elizabeth national park is also famous for its tree climbing lions. While at Queen Elizabeth National Park, you will see more or evn missed mammals during the game drives, expect to spot them during the boat cruise at Kazinga Channel.
Safari Highlights
Day 1: Pick up and transfer for Murchison Falls National Park – Rhino tracking and top of the falls visit
Day 2: Morning game drive and launch cruise on River Nile
Day 3: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park
Day 4: Morning game drive (Optional lion tracking experience) and afternoon boat cruise.
Day 5: Transfer back to Kampala/Entebbe
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Pick up and transfer for Murchison Falls National Park – Rhino tracking and top of the falls visit
Depending on your location in Kampala, you will meet your driver guides and depart to connect to Murchison falls national park. It’s a 5 hours’ drive with en route lunch, en-route Ziwa rhino trekking sanctuary for rhino trekking. Proceed to enter Kichwabanyobo gate and proceed to the top of the falls. Dinner and overnight at Pakuba safari lodge (Mid-range)/Tilenga Safari lodge (Budget)
Day 2: Morning game drive and launch cruise on River Nile
After an early breakfast at the lodge, you will go for a morning game drive. The activity takes about 3-5 hours depending on animals available, and you will find animals including elephants, Rothschild giraffes, buffaloes, lions, Hartebeest, Uganda Kobs, Oribis and waterbucks.
After the drive, you will return to the lodge for lunch. Later afternoon at 2 pm, go for a launch cruise on the along the Nile which will give you an exciting panoramic view at the bottom of the mighty Murchison falls. Along the cruise, you will encounter crocodiles, hippos, and birds on the river banks like kingfisher, cormorants and bee-eater. You will spend take viewing the falls at the bottom while taking pictures then later return to meet your drive and connect back to your lodge and a relaxed evening. After viewing the bottom of the falls, sail back to meet your driver who will transfer you back to your lodge with en route evening game drive for any missed animals. Dinner and overnight stay at lodge as above
Day 3: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park
After breakfast, check-out and transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park. The park is located in the western part of the country, it’s a 6 to 7 hours’ drive with en-routes lunch and several stops to refresh and sightseeing. You will proceed and check in your lodge for relaxation. Dinner and overnight stay at Bush Lodge for budget/Elephant Hub Lodge for mid-range
Day 4: Morning game drive (Optional lion tracking experience) and afternoon boat cruise.
You will wake up early, have breakfast and embank for an early morning game drive and optional lion tracking experience if interested. While on the game drive, expect to see other game including lions, elephants, buffaloes, hyenas, leopards, antelopes, warthogs and white Colobus monkeys just to mention a few although some of them are not guaranteed. After the game drive, return to the lodge for lunch.
In the afternoon, you will go for a launch cruise along Kazinga channel where you will get an opportunity to see a number of bird species, elephants and buffaloes, hippos and crocodiles at the lake shores. After the boat cruise, drive back to your lodge with en route game drive. Dinner and overnight stay at lodge as above.
Day 5: Transfer back to Kampala/Entebbe
After breakfast, check-out and embark on your drive back to Kampala/Entebbe. which is about 6-7 hours’ drive with en-route stop at the Uganda Equator and en-route lunch. Upon arrival, you will be dropped off at a location you advise.
End of the 5 Days Murchison falls national park and Queen Elizabeth national park
