3-Day Affordable Murchison Falls Park Wildlife Safari in Uganda
Our Most Affordable Private 3-Day Value+ Midrange Murchison Falls Park Wildlife Safari
Here is our affordable, Private 3-Day Value+ midrange Murchison Falls Park Wildlife Safari in Uganda’s most visited and largest National Park. The Park is the only Park where the historic Nile River runs through it, and the most powerful waterfall in the world is found here. If you want to visit one wildlife park in Uganda, Murchison Falls Park should be on top of your list since the Park is the best all-around wildlife Park in Uganda.
For over seventy years, Murchison Falls Park has been a significant tourist attraction in East Africa. The first tourists were Sir Samuel and Lady Florence Baker. They first laid eyes on what is now Murchison Falls National Park which they named after Roderick Murchison, the President of the Royal Geographical Society. During the times of Idi Amin (he often visited here), the name of the Park was changed to Kabalega Falls Park but reverted to Murchison Falls Park under President Museveni.
Since then and before you, Sir Winston Churchill visited the Park and did some hunting here, as recorded in his 1907 book “My African Journey” before he continued his journey to Khartoum and then Egypt. America’s First conservation President, Teddy Roosevelt, and his party visited the Park with blazing guns. John Huston shot portions of the “African Queen” here, starring Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn. Ernest Hemingway was the first fly-in visitor to Murchison Falls Park when his airplane crashed.
In the 21st Century, Murchison Falls Park is looking forward to your visit to the Park on our 3-Day Value+ Murchison Falls Park Wildlife Safari. There is much to do and see here. Easily stay at the Park for five days or even longer, and we can continually extend your 3-day Safari here.
If you are a first-time visitor to Uganda, our 3-Day Value Plus, moderately priced Safari is the perfect primer to introduce your African Wildlife, Birds, and scenery.
There is a strong possibility that you will see the “Big Five,” Lions, Elephants, Leopards, Rhinos, and Buffaloes on this Safari. Additionally, vast herds of Giraffes, countless hippos, and enormous Nile Crocodiles.
Your 3-Day Value+ \Midrange Murchison Falls Park Wildlife Safari Highlights
- Three Game Drives: Where you see Elephants, Giraffes, Buffaloes, Antelopes, Lions, Leopards, Warthogs, and more.
- Wildlife Boat Cruise on the Nile: This is undoubtedly the best Wildlife Boat Cruise in East Africa.
- Top of the Falls Hike: This is a 45-minute hike up to the top of the falls.
- Rhino Tracking on Foot: Track Rhinos guided by Rangers. Enjoy lunch at Amuka Lodge.
- Stay at the best Wildlife Location Lodge: You will spend two nights at Pakuba lodge- AC – A swimming pool is available.
- Lunch at the Historic Masindi Hotel: Uganda’s oldest hotel.
- Private Safari Vehicle: The 4×4 vehicle is just for you. Bottled water is available in the vehicle.
- Experienced – Professional Driver-Guide: It is best to go on a Safari with a local.
This Wildlife Safari includes all activities listed, a safari vehicle with a pop-up roof, bottled water in the car, all entrance fees, an entire- board except drinks, such as sodas, beer, and wine, tips, and laundry.
Your 3-Day Value+ Midrange Murchison Falls Park Wildlife Safari in Detail
Day 1 – Travel to Murchison Falls Park:
Depart Kampala on your Murchison Falls Park Wildlife Safari at 6:30 am, heading for the largest National Park in Uganda – Murchison Falls Park. It is 6 hours from Kampala, but the trip is well worth the drive. As you head north through towns such as Luweero and Masindi, see the green landscape, hamlets, villages, small towns, and roadside vendors selling their food and drinks. It just does not get boring.
Lunch at the historic Masindi Hotel
Enjoy an early lunch at the Masindi Hotel, Uganda’s oldest hotel, built-in 1923. In its heydays, the hotel was the overnight for travelers who stayed here on their flights by Seaplane from Cairo to Cape Town.
They were bussed from Butiaba on Lake Albert to the hotel, where they rested for the night. Notable Guests were the filming crew that filmed portions of the movie, the African Queen.
Ernest Hemingway, his wife, Mary, and their pilot recovered a few days after two air crashes. One inside of the Park where they were stranded near Murchison Falls with no food, a few beers, and a partial bottle of scotch.
After lunch, we continue driving to Murchison Falls National Park, reaching Pakuba Lodge in the afternoon.
Pakuba Lodge – Moderately Priced
Pakuba Lodge is where everyone goes to see the wildlife in the Park, and it is isolated from other lodge locations on the east bank of the Albert Nile. From your balcony, you will see lots of wildlife, such as Giraffes, Uganda Kobs, Leopards, and other games that make their way into the lodge area.
You have a sizeable, air-conditioned room with a king-size bed or Twin Beds. All rooms are self-contained with en-suite. Sumptuous meals are served in the lodge’s dining area, and there is a swimming pool for you to enjoy after the drive from Kampala or Entebbe.
The Chief attraction is the wildlife location. It is the closest lodge to the Buligi circuit, and you are only 45 minutes from the Boat Cruise starting point. The Bradt Guide to Uganda writes, ” There are more stylish and slicker options in Murchison, but nothing offers such good value in the thick of the Wildlife action.”
Pakuba Lodge – a favorite retreat for Idi Amin
Near the present Pakuba Lodge, you will find some ruins of the original Pakuba Lodge, a favorite retreat for Idi Amin during his rule of Uganda. It became like an informal State House for Idi Amin in northern Uganda, where he conducted many state businesses.
Though Idi Amin closed down Tourism, he came to Pakuba Lodge and enjoyed the wildlife around him. He enjoyed boat rides on the Nile and used to like to harass the Nile Crocodiles that are found on the banks of the Nile.
He even gave a lengthy interview to a French News crew, part of which was filmed at Parkuba Lodge and even on a boat ride on the Nile.
Today you can see some ruins of Uganda’s troublesome past that involved Idi Amin.
Sunset Game Drive
We take you on a late afternoon game drive with an Uganda Wildlife Authority Ranger on board the vehicle. The vehicle has a pop-up roof that allows you to stand up to see the game we will encounter on the drive along one of the tracks on the Buligi Circuit.
Your driver-guide and the ranger will point out wildlife and birds that you might otherwise miss. On the drive, you will see elephants, buffaloes, antelopes of all kinds, lions, and leopards.
Hopefully, the late afternoon will be most successful regarding game viewing. The drive will be about two hours long.
When you return to the lodge, we suggest having a traditional Safari Sundowner while you sit on your veranda and gaze out at the wildlife and scenery before you.
Meal Plan: Lunch – Dinner
Day 2 – Murchison Falls Park:
Morning Game Drive:
You can either have breakfast or a cup of coffee and head out. Dawn comes around 6:30, and the sun rises at about 6:45 am. At this time, you see the carnivores return from the hunt that took place during the night. You see the savannah awaken to another day. Additionally, you will see a lot of birds during the early morning hours.
Keep your camera in your hands if the occasion arises for a great photo. We suggest using a bean bag to rest your camera and get a steady picture of the lion or leopard.
After the morning game drive, about three hours long, we suggest spending some leisure time at the lodge. Enjoy time at the pool, stay in touch with family and friends via the internet or make some new acquaintances and share Safari tales. The next activity will be the Wildlife boat cruise on the Nile after lunch.
Wildlife Boat Cruise to the Bottom of the Falls:
After lunch, it is one of the highlights of your Murchison Falls National Park Safari, the boat safari trip up the Nile River. You are slowly moving along the river bank, viewing crocodiles, an abundance of hippos, elephants, buffaloes, 
antelopes, and many birds, including the fish eagle, storks, and so much more. The boat moves gently up the river and stays on the left-hand side so that you see most of the animals who come to the river. Herds of Elephants cooling off, Hippopotamus frolicking, crocodiles just dozing in the African sun.
Then before you is Murchison Falls – the most powerful waterfall in the world. The River Nile is 50 meters wide above the falls, moves down through a 6-meter gorge, and falls 43 meters, the sound is loud, and the sight makes one realize how dynamic nature can be.
Close by. There is a bank on the river filled with Nile crocodiles basking in the afternoon sun. Just down from there, you can see a group of hippos frolicking in the water of the Nile. There are thousands of hippopotami to be found here, birds in abundance.
At the bottom of the falls, disembark and take the guided hike up along the most powerful waterfall in the world – Murchison Falls. You will be cooled down with some fall mist to keep you comfortable. At the top of the falls, you are met by your driver’s guide, and you will cross the Nile by ferry and head back to Pakuba Lodge for dinner and rest.
This is the same trail that Winston Churchill used in 1907 when he visited the Falls and came down it.
Meal Plan: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Day 3 – Murchison Falls Park – Return to Kampala or Entebbe:
Morning Game Drive:
Early Morning breakfast and your last morning game drive. Each game drive is different since you are in the African Wilderness. Hopefully, you have spotted four of the big-5 since soon you will see the Rhinos while you track them on foot.
Rhino Tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
We drive toward Kampala and stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. This is a very large fenced, and heavily guarded area where you will find about 33 Rhinos and a lot of other wildlife.
Lugogo Swamp is an excellent place to see the ancient appearing shoebill while on a boat ride in the swamp. There are also many trails where you can hike with rangers and spot wildlife and birds.
You are here for Rhino Tracking, a one-of-a-kind activity offered here.
Here with a Ranger, you go on foot for a Rhino Trek- this is about 1 1/2 hours long, and you come into proximity with the Rhinos.
Before or after Rhino tracking, you will have a pleasant lunch at the Amuka Lodge inside Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
It is onward to Kampala or Entebbe, where the Safari ends in the late afternoon.
Meal Plan: Breakfast – Lunch
-Lunch
What is included in your 3-Day Value+ Midrange Murchison Falls Park Wildlife Safari?
- Full-Board stays at safe, secure quality Lodges: We choose welcoming, friendly, and hospitable quality lodges for your Safari.
You have your private ensuite bathroom. Many Lodges in Savannah Parks have swimming pools, including midrange lodges.
- Vegetarian and Vegan Meals: We can accommodate vegetarians and vegans on a safari. Additionally, there are kid-friendly meals for families with children. Kosher Friendly meals can also be provided, while strict kosher requirements cannot be met.
- Private 4×4 Safari Vehicle equipped with Pop-Up Roof: You have an experienced driver-guide that will guide you on a Safari through the Pearl of Africa. The vehicle has a refrigerated unit, and bottled water and fruit snacks are available on longer drives.
- WiFi Router: We can make arrangements for a MiFi Router for you, which would give you access to the internet even in your cottage since, at most lodges, WiFi is available only in the leading club. You would incur a small charge for the use and data of a MiFi Router.
- AMREF-Flying Doctors Medivac Insurance: Your Well-being is foremost on our mind, and we automatically include emergency air-evac insurance.
I have not included: Visas, Travel Insurance, Laundry, Tips, drinks at lodges such as Alcoholic drinks and sodas, and optional listed activities.
For over a Decade since 2008, we have offered Hakuna Matata – No-Worries Safaris:
Our private Hakuna Matata – No-Worries Safaris are full-service Value+ Midrange and Luxury Safaris that come with all needed for a successful Safari in Uganda. You have your own Safari Vehicle with an experienced driver. You stay at a quality midrange or luxury Lodge, and all the activities listed are included. The outcome of your safari is more important to us than income.
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