5 Day Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth Safari in Uganda
This 5-day Uganda wildlife safari combines Murchison Falls National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park, designed for travellers who want strong game viewing, iconic landscapes, and relaxed pacing without rushing. You start in the north with rhino tracking at Ziwa, then explore Murchison for early morning game drives and a Nile boat cruise where hippos, crocodiles, and elephants gather along the riverbanks.
The journey continues south through changing scenery toward Queen Elizabeth, home to open savannah, crater lakes, and the famous Kazinga Channel boat cruise, one of the best ways to see wildlife from the water. Your itinerary includes two nights in each park, giving you prime hours for sightings and time to enjoy your lodge. With a private safari vehicle, an experienced local guide, and all key activities arranged in advance, you can focus on the experience, not the logistics.
Safari highlights
- Best for couples and families
- Start and end in Entebbe, private safari vehicle
- Key experiences, rhinos, big game, boat cruises
- Rhino tracking on foot at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
- Morning game drives in Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth
- Nile boat cruise to the base of the falls, about three hours
- Kazinga Channel boat cruise, hippos, crocs, elephants, birds
- Optional Kyambura Gorge chimp tracking in Queen Elizabeth
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Entebbe to Murchison, rhino tracking, lodge
Your trip starts early. We pick you up from your hotel or the airport. We head north through the Luwero Triangle. The first major stop is the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. This is the only place in Uganda where you can see wild rhinos.
Tracking Rhinos on Foot
This is a safe and quiet walk. A ranger leads you through the bush to find the southern white rhinos.
You can get within 30 feet of these giants. It is a great start for families because it is not a long hike. Afterward, we have lunch and continue to Murchison Falls National Park.
Where you will stay:
Luxury: Nile Safari Lodge (Rooms overlook the river).
Mid-range: Pakuba Safari Lodge (Often has giraffes and elephants on the grounds).
Day 2: Morning game drive, Nile boat cruise
Murchison Falls is Uganda’s largest park. The Nile River divides it into two. We spend the morning on the Northern Bank. This is where most of the animals live.
Morning Game Drive in the Buligi Tracks
We head out at 6:30 AM. This is the best time to see lions and leopards before they hide from the sun. You will see large herds of Rothschild’s giraffes. Murchison holds the largest population of these giraffes in the world. You will also see Jackson’s hartebeest, buffalo, and Oribi.
The Boat Cruise to the Base of the Falls
At 2:00 PM, we board a boat for a three-hour trip. This is a highlight for couples. You sit back with a drink and watch the river banks. You will see hundreds of hippos and huge Nile crocodiles. Look out for elephants coming down to drink. The boat stops near the “Devil’s Cauldron,” where you can see the water exploding through a small gap in the rocks.
Day 3 Transfer to Queen Elizabeth, crater lakes and rift views
This is a travel day, but we make it part of the experience. We leave Murchison Falls and drive south. We pass through Hoima and head toward the town of Fort Portal.
Landscapes of the Albertine Rift
You will see the landscape change from flat savannah to rolling green hills. To your right, you will see the blue waters of Lake Albert. We stop for lunch in Fort Portal, a clean and quiet town at the foot of the Rwenzori Mountains. We then drive another 2 hours to reach the gate of Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Where you will stay:
Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge (On a peninsula with water views).
Mid-range: Elephant Plains Lodge or Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge.
Day 4 Kasenyi plains game drive, Kazinga Channel cruise
Queen Elizabeth National Park has a very different feel. It is greener and filled with volcanic crater lakes.
Lions in the Kasenyi Plains
Our morning drive is in the Kasenyi area. This is the main breeding ground for the Uganda Kob. Because there are many Kobs, there are many lions. We look for them in the tall grass or under the thick trees. If you are lucky, you might even see a leopard on a branch.
The Kazinga Channel Boat Safari
This is often called the best boat trip in Africa. The channel connects Lake Edward and Lake George. It has the highest concentration of hippos in the world. For families, this is perfect. The boat is large and stable. You will see elephants, waterbucks, and many birds like the African Fish Eagle. It is a very close and safe way to see wildlife.
Day 5: Kyambura Gorge chimps, then return to Entebbe
On your last day, we will visit the Kyambura Gorge. This is a deep forest hidden in the middle of the flat savannah. It is known as the “Valley of Apes.”
Finding the Chimps
You will walk down into the gorge with a ranger. The forest is cool and loud with bird calls. You will track a family of habituated chimpanzees. Seeing them swing through the trees is a great way to end your trip. After the trek, we begin the drive back to Entebbe, stopping at the Equator for photos.
Best Time to Visit
June to September: The best time for game viewing. Animals gather around the water.
December to February: Also very good and dry.
March to May: The wet season. The parks are green and beautiful, and it is a great time for bird watchers.
What to Pack for Your Safari
Clothes: Neutral colors like khaki, brown, or green. Avoid blue or black as they attract tsetse flies.
Shoes: Comfortable walking shoes for rhino tracking and the gorge. Sandals are fine for the boat and lodge.
Protection: A wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and high-factor sunscreen. The sun is strong near the equator.
Gear: Binoculars are a must. Most animals are close, but binoculars help you see the birds and lions in the trees.
Health: Bring insect repellent with DEET. Consult your doctor about malaria medication before you travel.
Inclusions and Exclusions
Included:
A 4×4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof.
A professional local driver.
All park entrance fees for Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth.
Rhino tracking and Chimpanzee permits.
Boat cruise fees on the Nile and Kazinga Channel.
Full board accommodation (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).
Bottled water in the vehicle.
Excluded:
International flights and Visa fees.
Tips for guides and lodge staff.
Alcoholic drinks and laundry.
- Travel insurance.
