Murchison is where the Nile stops being polite. The river that has meandered for a thousand kilometres suddenly hits the Rift Valley escarpment, funnels through a gap seven metres wide and drops 45 metres in white chaos.
Around it is classic African savanna country — big herds, big cats and big skies — with enough water to make boat safaris genuinely worthwhile rather than a novelty.
Drive north through Luwero and Nakasongola, arriving at Ziwa in time for an afternoon walk with the southern white rhinos — the only wild rhinos in Uganda.
An early morning canoe through the Lugogo papyrus in search of the prehistoric shoebill stork, then continue to Murchison Falls National Park and cross the ferry at Paraa.
A dawn game drive on the Buligi peninsula for lion, leopard and giraffe, followed by the famous three-hour launch cruise to the foot of Murchison Falls.
Walk to the top of the falls where the entire Nile squeezes through a seven metre gap, then take the delta boat trip for elephant, buffalo and more shoebill sightings.
One last early drive along the Buligi tracks before the return journey to Kampala or Entebbe, arriving in the evening.
Meals: B, L
What’s included
Private 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-top roof
Professional English-speaking driver-guide
4 nights accommodation, full board
All park entrance fees and activities listed
Rhino tracking permit at Ziwa
Both boat cruises
Bottled water
Not included
International flights and visa
Travel insurance
Drinks at the lodge
Balloon safari (bookable on request)
Tips
Hot air balloon safari<span class="kalika-price">$380.00</span>
Single room supplement<span class="kalika-price">$180.00</span>
The Paraa ferry runs on a published timetable and we always build in a buffer. When the new bridge is busy we use it instead, so there is never a risk to your schedule.
No honest operator can guarantee wildlife, but the delta trip has a very high success rate, particularly between December and March.