3-Day Budget Murchison Falls Safari | Real Prices and Daily Schedule
You want to see the Big Five and the world’s strongest waterfall without overspending. Many travelers worry that a “budget” label means poor service or missing out on the best wildlife spots. This three-day trip is built to prove otherwise. We focus on smart logistics, using the right gates to save on fuel and staying at high-value lodges that keep you close to the action. Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s largest conservation area, covering 3,840 square kilometers. It is the only place in the country where you can see the Nile River squeeze through a seven-meter gap. This package covers the essentials: rhino tracking, savanna game drives, and the famous boat safari to the base of the falls.
The Cost of Your Murchison Falls Safari
Price is the first thing most travelers look for. A budget safari in 2026 typically ranges from $550 to $750 per person when two people are traveling together. This price changes based on the group size and the specific month of travel.
What your money covers:
Park entrance fees ($40 per 24 hours for international adults).
Vehicle and fuel (4×4 safari van with a pop-up roof).
Rhino tracking permits at Ziwa ($50 per person).
Boat cruise fees ($30 per person).
Budget lodge accommodation and three meals a day.
What is not included:
Tips for your driver (usually $10 to $20 per day).
Personal drinks and laundry.
The optional hike to the top of the falls ($15).
Safari highlights
Rhino Tracking at Ziwa: A guided walk on foot to see Uganda’s only wild white rhinos.
The Big Four Safari: Seek out Lions, Leopards, Elephants, and buffalo in the northern savanna.
The World’s Strongest Waterfall: Witness the Nile River squeeze through a tiny 7-meter gorge.
Private Boat Safari: A 3-hour cruise to the base of the falls, passing giant crocodiles and hippos.
Rothschild Giraffes: Encounter the world’s largest population of these rare, towering mammals.
Top of the Falls Hike: Stand at the crest where the Nile thunders down into the Devil’s Cauldron.
Day 1: Kampala to Murchison Falls via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
The journey starts at 6:30 am to beat the thick Kampala traffic. Leaving early is not just about time; it is about reaching the rhinos before the midday heat makes them hide in the thickets. The Drive to Nakasongola (3 Hours). We drive north through Luweero. The road is paved and smooth. You will see local markets and charcoal sellers along the way. Around 10:00 am, we pull into the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. This is a 70-square-kilometer ranch and the only place in Uganda to see southern white rhinos in the wild. Rhino Tracking on Foot: You will meet a ranger who explains the safety rules. Then drive or walk to where the rhinos were last seen. Tracking usually takes 1.5 to 2 hours. Seeing these 2,000kg animals from just 30 meters away is a highlight that many people prefer even over the lions. After the trek, we have lunch at Amuka Lodge or a nearby local restaurant to keep costs down. After lunch, we continue to Murchison Falls. We enter through the Kichumbanyobo Gate. The landscape changes from wooded shrubs to thick mahogany forests. We arrive at your lodge by 5:00 pm.
Accommodation: We stay at Red Chilli
or Hornbill Bush Lodge.
Red Chilli is located inside the park at Paraa. It uses safari tents with shared or private bathrooms. Its location is the biggest advantage because you are already at the river crossing for the next morning.
Hornbill Bush Lodge is just outside the Tangi Gate. It offers clean, thatched rooms with private bathrooms and a view of the park boundary.
Day 2: Sunrise Game Drive and the Nile Boat Safari
This is the day you see the most wildlife. We start at 6:00 am. Animals are most active when the air is cool. The Morning Game Drive (4 Hours). We focus on the northern bank of the Nile. This is where the Borassus palm trees and open grasslands are. Your driver will look for lions, leopards, and the endangered Rothschild giraffes. Murchison has the largest population of these giraffes in the world. You will also see thousands of Uganda kob, Jackson’s hartebeest, and big herds of Cape buffalo. Lunch and Midday Rest. By 11:00 am, the sun is high, and the animals move to the shade. We head back to the lodge for lunch. If you stay at Fort Murchison, you can sit on the terrace and watch the river. The Nile Boat Cruise (2:00 pm – 5:00 pm). This is a three-hour return trip to the base of the falls. You will see more hippos than you can count. Nile crocodiles line the banks, often with their mouths open to cool down. Elephants frequently come down to the water to drink and bathe in the afternoon. The boat stops a safe distance from the “Devil’s Cauldron,” where the water foams white. The sound is loud. If you have the energy, you can be dropped off at the base to hike to the top of the falls. This hike takes 45 minutes and costs an extra $15. The view from the top allows you to feel the ground shake from the water’s power. Your driver will meet you at the top and take you back to the lodge
Day 3: Morning Views and the Return to Kampala
We don’t rush the final morning. You have a choice: a short morning game drive to catch anything you missed or a visit to the top of the falls if you didn’t hike the day before. The Journey Home. We leave the park by 10:30 am. The drive back to Kampala takes about 5 to 6 hours. We stop in Masindi town for a quick lunch at New Court View Hotel. We expect to reach Kampala or Entebbe by 5:00 pm. If you have a flight on this day, ensure it is scheduled for 9:00 pm or later to account for any road delays.
