5 Day Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth Safari
A 5 day Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth safari is a strong Uganda wildlife route for travellers who want rhinos, big game, waterfalls and boat cruises in one short itinerary. The safari combines northern Uganda’s Murchison Falls National Park with Queen Elizabeth National Park in the west, giving you two different wildlife landscapes in five days. The journey starts from Kampala or Entebbe with rhino tracking on foot at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary before continuing to Murchison Falls for game drives, a Nile boat cruise and views of the falls. You then travel south towards Queen Elizabeth National Park for Kasenyi plains wildlife viewing and the Kazinga Channel boat cruise. This safari works well for couples, families, photographers and first-time Uganda visitors who want a balanced wildlife experience without extending into a longer gorilla or chimpanzee itinerary. 
Safari highlights
- Rhino tracking on foot at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
- Game drives in Murchison Falls National Park
- Nile boat cruise to the base of Murchison Falls
- Visit to the top of Murchison Falls, depending on timing
- Game drive in the Kasenyi plains for lions, elephants, buffaloes and Uganda kob
- Kazinga Channel boat cruise for hippos, crocodiles, elephants and birds
- Optional Kyambura Gorge chimpanzee tracking
- Private 4×4 safari vehicle with English-speaking driver guide
- Good for couples, families, photographers and first-time Uganda travellers
Detailed itinerary
Day 1, Ziwa Rhino Tracking and Transfer to Murchison Falls
Your driver guide will pick you up early from your hotel, residence or Entebbe International Airport and begin the journey north towards Murchison Falls National Park. The first major stop is Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, where you join a ranger for rhino tracking on foot. This guided activity gives you the chance to see southern white rhinos in a protected wild setting. The walk is usually calm and manageable for most travellers, making it a good start for couples, families and first-time safari guests. After rhino tracking, continue for lunch, then drive through Masindi towards Murchison Falls National Park. Arrive in the evening and transfer to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay. Accommodation options: Luxury option: Nile Safari Lodge, Mid-range option: Pakuba Safari Lodge
Day 2, Murchison Falls Game Drive and Nile Boat Cruise
After an early breakfast, head out for a morning game drive on the northern bank of Murchison Falls National Park. This area has open savannah, Borassus palms and strong wildlife viewing opportunities. Your guide will use the Buligi tracks and nearby wildlife areas to look for lions, leopards, elephants, Rothschild giraffes, buffaloes, Uganda kob, Jackson’s hartebeest, oribi and other wildlife. The early morning hours are best because animals are more active before the heat of the day increases. Return to the lodge for lunch and a short rest. In the afternoon, board a boat for the Nile cruise to the base of Murchison Falls. The cruise takes about three hours and gives close views of river wildlife. Along the riverbanks, you may see large groups of hippos, Nile crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes and many water birds. The boat stops at a safe distance near the base of the falls, where the Nile forces through a narrow rock gap before dropping into the river below. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3, Transfer from Murchison Falls to Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast, leave Murchison Falls National Park and begin the scenic transfer towards Queen Elizabeth National Park. This is a longer travel day, but it adds value through changing landscapes. The route passes through Hoima, rural towns, farmland, tea-growing areas and the Fort Portal region. Depending on the route and weather, you may see views towards Lake Albert, the Rwenzori foothills and the Albertine Rift landscape. Lunch is usually arranged in Fort Portal or another suitable town along the way. After lunch, continue towards Queen Elizabeth National Park and arrive in the evening. Check in at your lodge for dinner and overnight stay. Accommodation options: Luxury option
Mweya Safari Lodge, Mid-range options: Elephant Plains Lodge or Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge
Day 4, Kasenyi Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
After an early breakfast, transfer to the Kasenyi plains for a morning game drive. Kasenyi is one of Queen Elizabeth National Park’s strongest wildlife viewing areas because of its open grassland and high concentration of Uganda kob, which often attracts predators. Your guide will search for lions, elephants, buffaloes, warthogs, antelopes and, with luck, leopards. The morning hours are best for game viewing because wildlife is more active before the heat rises. Return to the lodge for lunch and a short rest. In the afternoon, take a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel. This natural channel connects Lake George and Lake Edward and is known for relaxed wildlife viewing from the water. During the cruise, you may see hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes, elephants, waterbucks and many bird species, including African fish eagles and kingfishers. The boat is stable and suitable for couples, families and travellers who prefer a slower wildlife experience after the morning game drive. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 5, Kyambura Gorge Chimpanzee Tracking and Return to Entebbe
After an early breakfast, you may visit Kyambura Gorge for optional chimpanzee tracking, depending on permit availability and final itinerary timing. Kyambura Gorge is a deep forested valley inside Queen Elizabeth National Park, often called the Valley of Apes. You enter the gorge with a ranger guide to search for a habituated chimpanzee community. The walk can be steep in some sections, but it gives a strong forest contrast to the savannah and boat safari experiences of the previous days. Chimpanzee sightings are not guaranteed because the group moves through the gorge, but the walk is still valuable for forest scenery, primates, birds and the unique landscape. After the activity, begin the drive back to Kampala or Entebbe, with a possible stop at the Uganda Equator for photographs and souvenir shopping. Arrival is usually in the evening, depending on road conditions and traffic. For same-day international flights, choose a late evening or night departure to allow enough time for the return drive.
Inclusions and Exclusions
Included
- Pickup and drop-off in Kampala or Entebbe
- Private 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof and fuel
- English-speaking driver guide
- 4 nights accommodation
- Meals as stated in the itinerary
- Murchison Falls National Park entrance fees
- Queen Elizabeth National Park entrance fees
- Nile boat cruise to the base of Murchison Falls
- Kazinga Channel boat cruise
- Kyambura Gorge chimpanzee permit
- Bottled drinking water during transfers and game drives
Excluded
- International flights
- Uganda visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Tips for driver guide, rangers and lodge staff
- Alcoholic and premium drinks
- Laundry and personal expenses
- Optional activities not included in the final quote
- Extra accommodation before or after the safari
