Our 6 Days Murchison Falls Wildlife and Budongo Chimpanzee safari takes you on a fascinating wildlife and primate exploration in Uganda. The Uganda safari will take you to Uganda’s largest National Park and the home to the world’s most powerful waterfalls (Murchison Falls) – Murchison Falls National Park. The national park was established in 1952 by a government act passed during the colonial administration. The falls are found on the Victoria Nile which divides the Park into two, thus the Northern and Southern banks. The falls are a result of the Nile’s powerful waters squeezing through a narrow gorge before plunging about 45 meters down a cliff. Covering a total area of 3,893 square kilometers, the park stretches into four districts in North-western Uganda. And it is approximately 280 kilometers from Kampala. Murchison Falls is home to over 76 mammal species and more than 450 bird species. The Park also has the highest concentration of wildlife in the country.
Furthermore, the 6 Days Murchison Falls Wildlife and Budongo Chimpanzee safari will find you trekking chimpanzees in Budongo Forest. Enjoy visiting chimpanzees in their natural habitat in Uganda’s largest natural forest. Located at the top of the Albertine Rift in the Murchison Falls Conservation Area, the forest is a famous haven for chimpanzee trekking, nature walks, and birding. It is also the only natural forest in Uganda that has existed for centuries. Budongo is home to more than 700 habituated chimpanzees, 10 other primate species, and over 350 bird species.
In addition, this 6-day Murchison Falls wildlife and Budongo chimpanzee safari will include rhino trekking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. This sanctuary was established in 1998 to protect Uganda’s last wild rhinos. Though they were extinct due to widespread poaching, the sanctuary was established as a home and a breeding place for the rhinos. And with over 30 rhinos, the sanctuary has taken on the responsibility of protecting the rhinos and increasing their numbers. So as to be reintroduced into Uganda’s national parks.
Safari Highlights;
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival and pick-up at Uganda’s Entebbe International Airport
Following your arrival at Entebbe International Airport, your driver/guide will welcome and transport you to your hotel in either Entebbe or Kampala. Dinner and overnight stay at your hotel as you look forward to your Uganda safari at Karibu Guest House. Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Travel to Murchison Falls – Trek Rhinos en route at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
After your breakfast at 8:00 a.m., the guide will pick you up and drive you to the Murchison Falls National Park. But before that, he will brief you shortly about your 6-day Murchison Falls wildlife & Budongo chimpanzee safari and its highlights. Enjoy the 5-hour journey traveling through several towns such as Luwero and Nakasongola, and observing life in the countryside. On the way, branch off Masindi Road and make a stopover at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for rhino trekking.
On arrival, you will be welcomed to the sanctuary and briefed about rhino trekking. Thereafter, you will be accompanied by a sanctuary ranger to trek the enormous mammals. Throughout the trek, the ranger will share with you about the rhinos, information about the breeding program at the Centre, and their outreach activities with communities near the national parks. The sanctuary is also ideal for nature walks, bird watching, and viewing primates.
Have lunch at the sanctuary and proceed to Murchison Falls National Park. Marvel at various sights of olive baboons and the verdant vegetation as you drive to the top of the falls. Watching the thick cloud of mist and sharp ray of a rainbow form while the Nile gushes through a narrow gorge, offers the most tremendous feeling. From, drive to your lodge in the booked lodge and relax. Dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Early Morning Game drive & Boat Cruise on the Nile
As you prepare for a game-filled day, get up early and have a brief cup of coffee/tea. The driver will come and pick you up for an early morning game drive via the park’s most exciting tracks. Early in the morning, is often the best time to spot wild animals in the Park. They are most active during this period because the sun is not too hot and they are eager to go out and feed. It is also the perfect time to catch the nocturnal animals and birds returning to their dens and hiding places. Expect to see leopards, hyenas, jackals, lions, elephants, giraffes, Uganda kobs, buffaloes, oribi, and several antelopes, among others.
The game drive will last approximately three hours. After that, you’ll return to your lodge for breakfast and later lunches before the afternoon boat safari. During the boat ride, you will encounter one of the largest collections of Nile crocodiles and hippos. The river banks are also a favorite drinking spot for many of the park’s animals, and you can see most of the big mammals, including elephants, there. This is also one of Uganda’s best birding locations, with thousands of water birds seen swimming and mounting above the waters. The highlight is when the boat approaches the bottom of the magnificent Murchison Falls. If your trip to the top of the falls on the first day was uneventful due to fatigue, the view of the falls down the river will astound you. Return to your lodge later. Have dinner and rest at Pakuba Safari Lodge. Meals: Full board
Day 4: Budongo Forest Chimpanzee Trekking
After seeing the majority of the park’s mammals and the stunning Murchison Falls, it’s time to explore the primates. Get up early, have breakfast, and embark on your excursion to Budongo Forest for chimpanzee trekking. On arrival in the forest, drive to Budongo Eco Lodge for briefing. Budongo Forest is one of the best places to see chimpanzees in Uganda after Kibale Forest National Park. After the briefing, follow your assigned ranger on a guided walk to find the chimps. Budongo is also an amazing bird paradise, therefore get your binoculars ready for some impressive bird encounters.
When you find the chimpanzees, you will be given an hour to spend time in their presence, watching and learning about their daily life routines. Enjoy the company of these impressive primates and take photos before trekking back to the starting point. Thereafter, drive back to your lodge in Murchison Falls National Park. Have dinner and rest at Pakuba Safari Lodge. Meals: Full board
Day 5: Enjoy Leisure, Relaxation, and Optional activities
As today is intended for you to relax, you can also participate in a range of optional activities activity. Wake up at your leisure and have breakfast. You can ask the driver to take you on a game drive in the park, or you can simply relax at the lodge. You can also take on a hot air balloon over the park’s savannah, participate in a cultural encounter, or visit one of the nearby communities. Whatever you like. Have dinner and rest at Pakuba Safari Lodge. Meals: Full board
Day 6: Return to Kampala/Entebbe
Wake up and have a relaxed breakfast. Then, check out of your lodge and travel back to Kampala with a few stopovers for lunch and or grabbing bites. You will arrive in Kampala in the late afternoon and either transfer to your hotel or Entebbe Airport to fly back home. This is the en of your 6-day Murchison Falls Wildlife and Budongo chimpanzee safari.
Safari Inclusions;
Safari Exclusions;
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