What To Do On Uganda Safari To Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth National Park

The Uganda safari to Queen Elizabeth National Park and Murchison Falls National Park is one of the rewarding adventure tours in Africa. This Uganda safari holiday is a combination of game tours, water activities, primate experience, birding and so much more.

Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s largest wildlife conservation sanctuary covering an area of approximately 5000 square kilometers. Murchison Falls National Park is at the tip of the Albertine rift valley. It is bisected by the River Nile which is the lifeblood of the park. A number of animals are residents of Murchison Falls National Park including elephants, hartebeests, lions, cape buffaloes, Oribi, waterbucks, bushbucks, leopards, giraffes, warthogs, schools of hippos, crocodiles and others.

Queen Elizabeth National Park seats on the floor of the rift valley and is one of the best wildlife spectacles of Uganda. This vast park covers about 2000 square kilometers dotted with crater lakes and backed by the rolling Rwenzori range. The Kazinga channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park is the link that connects Lake George to Lake Edward and is the magnet for most Wild animal that reside in this park. Some of the animals that live in Queen Elizabeth National Park include lions, leopards, waterbucks, bushbucks and others.

Popular Uganda Safari Packages

3 day Uganda Safari To Queen Elizabeth National Park

3 day Uganda safari To Murchison Falls National Park

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6 Day Gorilla and Game Safari in Uganda

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How to Plan A Uganda safari to Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth National Park

Note

Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth National Park are both mainly wildlife parks in Uganda

They both operate exciting launch trips

Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth National Park are some of the largest animal conservation centers of Uganda and also have beautiful unique features.

The distance from Murchison Falls National to Queen Elizabeth National Park about 486 kilometers but very scenic as you pass by the Uganda oil city.

Both accommodations for Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth National Parks may sellout in the peak season due to high demand so advance booking is necessary.

Detailed itinerary of Uganda safari to Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls National Parks

Day 1 Drive to Murchison Falls National Park

Wake up early for breakfast and drive to Murchison Falls National Park which is about 305 kilometers away from Kampala the main capital of Uganda. On the way, you cross River Kafu and may stop for some photos.

Murchison Falls National Park was called the kew garden and zoo of un limited scale by Winston Churchill on a visit to this park because of its game rich plains the truth it still holds to date. Murchison Falls National Park is bisected by River Nile where several animals quench thirst from especially during the drought period. The Murchison Falls are the highlight of this park where river Nile drama is experienced at full capacity as the entire course staggers on a bed of rocks, squeezes through the 6 meters wide gorge, to thunderously bursts out and produce a cloudy appearance.

The drive time from Kampala or Entebbe to Murchison Falls National Park is about 4 to 5 hours.

Optional visit to the Ziiwa rhino Sanctuary

On the drive to Murchison Falls National Park, you may stop at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary where they are being rehabilitated after all the Uganda Rhinos were wiped out by the past conditions in the country. The Uganda Rhinos were poached for witchcraft, were victims of the past civil wars in the country and much more. At the moment, the Rhinos are being reintroduced in Uganda at Ziwa Rhino sanctuary

Accommodations in Murchison National Park Murchison River lodge, Paara safari lodge, Sambiya lodge, Redchillis

Meal Plan Full Board

Day 2 Game Drive And Launch Trip In Murchison Falls National Park

Wake up for an early morning game drive in Murchison Falls National Park where you may get chances to meet the early risers as they emerge from the night hide outs. The park has several tracks but the Buligi trail offer a better opportunity to witnessing lion drama because several herbivores love spending time here.

During in the game drive in Murchison Falls National Park, you may spot animals like lions, hyenas, cape buffaloes, giraffes, oribi, waterbucks , warthogs, bushbucks, hartebeests and others. An array of birds flock Murchison Falls National Park each day and over 350 bird species have been registered as residents of this park

The afternoon launch trip on River Nile is relaxing and the highlight of activities in Murchison Falls National Park. As you sail, look over for the several birds that roost on the banks of the River. By pass the crocodiles restaurant where serried crocs await to grab a meal for the day like logs embedded in the water or at the banks.

As you draw closer to Murchison Falls, you feel a change in the launch turbulence as the river roughens a beat. You hear the loud roars and feel the effect of violent River Nile as it cascades down the 43 meters cliff to the bottom.

Finally when faced with the stunning Murchison Falls, witness the best point of the entire River Nile course and on a bright day, a rainbow may form right before your eyes.  Get back to your lodge to relax.

Day 3 Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Start your drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park from Murchison Falls National Park early as it is quite along drive but very scenic. By pass the growing Uganda oil city in Hoima and enjoy the stunning views you pass by.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is the congregation of wildlife diversity in Uganda. The unique sceneries in Queen Elizabeth National Park are present to delight any visitor. The park has stunning sceneries which you can enjoy on a scenic drive between volcanic crater area north, chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge, game drives, nature walks in Maramagambo forest and others.

Arrive in the late afternoons to enjoy dinner and overnight

Accommodation in Queen Elizabeth National Park Mweya safari lodge, Jacana lodge, Bush lodge, Katara lodge, Simba safari Camp,

Meal Plan Full Board

Day 4 Game Drive and launch trip in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Start the game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park early morning through the tracks like the Kasenyi grasslands known for hosting sneaky lions that prey on large herds of Uganda kobs. Driving in the further south of Queen Elizabeth National Park opens more opportunities to spotting the tree climbing lions that love spending sometime up in the branches of fig trees.

Other animals that may cross your way while on game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park include herds of cape buffaloes, topis, waterbucks, bushbucks elephants, leopards, hyenas and others.

The launch trip on Kazinga channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park is relaxing and unforgettable as this is the best part of the park to enjoy the stunning view on the floor of the Rift valley. Several hippos and crocodiles are usual suspects in the Kazinga channel but other animals regular visitors from the rift valley plains. Watch the sun hide behind the horizons as day time give way for night to take charge.

Get back to the lodge

Day 6 Chimpanzees Trekking In Kyambura Gorge

Chimpanzee trekking in Queen Elizabeth National Park happen in the Kyambura gorge. Kyambura gorge is a result of the erosion of River Kyambura as it makes its way towards Kazinga channel. A community of habituated chimpanzees live in the forested part of this gorge so you are required to hike down to find them.

Before finding the chimpanzees, you may spot other primates like olive baboons, vervet monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, red tailed monkeys and others. A plethora of birds are also residents of Kyambura forest in the gorge.

Chimpanzees are close relatives to humans with characteristics similar to those of humans you may get to notice the time you get you spend with these primates. Finally after an hour, get back to the lodge to relax.

Day 7 Departure

After visiting Queen Elizabeth National Park and Murchison Falls National Park drive to Entebbe Airport to catch up with your flight back home.

How much is the cost of Uganda safari to Queen Elizabeth National Park and Murchison Falls National Park

The cost of Uganda safari to Queen Elizabeth National Park and Murchison Falls National Park starts with purchasing the entrance fees. The current cost of Park entrance fees to Queen Elizabeth National Park and Murchison Falls National Park is between $40 and $45 per person.

Other logistics that may support this Uganda safari adventure include cost of accommodation, transport, driver guide hire and many others. it is a combination of all these Uganda safari logistics that safari package are made.

At Arch safaris And Tours, we package our safaris according to Up-Market, mid-range and basic. Our team of safari consultants are always ready to work with you to make your safari interesting, memorable and within your budget.

When is the best time to Do A Uganda safari to Queen Elizabeth National Park and Murchison Falls National Park

The best time for a Uganda safari to Queen Elizabeth National Park and Murchison Falls National Park is the dry season even though these parks are open all year. The atmosphere is brighter and grasslands shorter in this period making it quicker to navigate the wilderness and discover the parks hidden treasures.

The tracks in these parks are quicker to navigate in the dry season although there is more dust especially during the peak season when more vehicles are expected in the wilderness. For clearer visibility and locations when taking photos and filming the dry season is a better timing.

Be sure to find more people on safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park and Murchison Falls National Park so you need to make advance bookings. The options of accommodations in Queen Elizabeth National Park and Murchison Falls National Park also get slimmer as the season unfolds.

The wet season is not bad for a safari to Queen Elizabeth National Park and Murchison Falls National Park but not that the grass is taller and may obstruct you from clear visibility of these parks. Chances of witnessing new births or finding infants in this park are more possible in the wet season. For Murchison Falls National Park, the volume of water at the falls is higher in the wet season.

What Is The Pack List For A Safari To Queen Elizabeth National Park And Murchison Falls National Park

Safari attire in colors that are wilderness friendly like brown and Khaki because the wilderness is dusty or muddy sometimes and bright colors may be stained . Some colors like blue, back , white may attract insects like tsetse flies.

Foldable safari hat to cover your hair from buzzing insects that wander in this area.

Warmers as this area gets so cold early morning and late evening so you need to get warm.

Insect repellant to keep away stinging insects that may harm you as the wilderness has some stinging insects.

A torch as solar energy is the main source of power in this area yet the sun doesn’t normally sun bright all the time.

Hard cash to exchange into local currency in case you need in ground purchase. Credit cards are not commonly used in Africa because of the lengthy process of collecting money from them.

Extra clothes but a few that are relevant to your safari as over packing may be an inconvenience to you.

A pair of sneakers to use when walking through the different parts of Queen Elizabeth National Park and Murchison Falls National Park especially if you are on activities like chimpanzees trekking.

A light waterproof backpack in which you carry some safari gears so as not to scatter them while on the walk.

The camera where to store the memories of your Queen Elizabeth National Park and Murchison Falls National Park experience .

Extra fully charged batteries which you can exchange with when one runs low.

Rainproof gears as it falls any time without warning.

Toiletries as some times the lodges do not provide.

First aid kit with emergency items that can be used when necessary because finding help in case of an emergency may delay.

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