What animals can I see in Lake Mburo National Park?

Lake Mburo is home to 69 mammal species and 332 bird species, including zebras, giraffes, elands, buffaloes and several antelope species. It is the only park in Uganda with impalas, and the only one in western Uganda with Burchell's zebra and eland. Leopards and hyenas are present, and lions have recently been sighted again after years of absence.

How do I get to Lake Mburo National Park from Kampala?

Lake Mburo is about 228 km (roughly 3.5 hours by road) west of Kampala, on the main road toward Bwindi and the Rwandan border. The park has three entrance gates: Nshara Gate, Sanga Gate, and Kyanyanshara Gate.

Is Lake Mburo National Park worth visiting?

Yes. It is one of the few places in Uganda where you can safari on horseback or by boat, not just by vehicle, and its smaller size means closer, more intimate wildlife encounters than in larger parks.

What is the best time to visit Lake Mburo National Park?

The dry months (June-August and December-February) offer the best wildlife viewing, as animals gather near water sources. The wetter months (March-May and September-November) are better for birdwatching and come with discounted lodge rates.

Can I combine Lake Mburo with gorilla trekking in Bwindi?

Yes. Lake Mburo is commonly combined with Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for gorilla trekking, or with Queen Elizabeth National Park for a longer wildlife circuit.

Is Lake Mburo National Park safe for tourists?

Yes. All game drives, nature walks, and forest walks are led by an armed Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger, and walking alone in the park is not permitted for safety reasons.

What activities are available in Lake Mburo National Park?

Game drives, boat cruises, guided nature walks, birdwatching, cultural visits with the local Banyankole community, and, through partner lodges, horseback safaris and mountain biking.

3 Days Murchison Falls National Park Safari

3 Days Murchison Falls National Park Safari

Murchison Falls National Park is one of Uganda’s top tourism destinations, offering a spectacular blend of wildlife and natural beauty. It is the largest national park in the country and is uniquely connected by the mighty River Nile, the world’s longest river. The park is home to an incredible array of wildlife, including 75 species of mammals and 451 bird species, making it a prime location for year-round African safari experiences. The park is divided into two sections: the southern section, which includes Budongo Forest, and the northern section, which serves as the main tourism hub. These sections are separated by the Nile, with a ferry facilitating the transport of vehicles, luggage, and visitors across the river.

One of the park’s most breathtaking attractions is the powerful Murchison Falls. Here, the Nile waters are forced into a battlefield with rocks by nature and gravity, Nile forces its way through a narrow seven-meter gorge before plunging down with immense force, creating a misty spray that extends over a 50-meter radius up to a place known as the Devil’s Cauldron, produces a continuous roar and a permanent rainbow over the cascade, making it a truly mesmerizing and spectacle sight visit.

Another place to visit during this Uganda safari Itinery is the Ziwa Rhino Ranch which is located in Nakasongola district 176km from Kampala on the Gulu Highway heading towards Murchison Falls National Park. The Ranch features woodland, swamps, savannah, and it is the only natural home for 42 white Rhinos in Uganda, as well as over 300 species of birds, Rothschild Giraffe, Jackson’s Hartebeest, Plains Zebra, Antelope, Warthogs, Pangolin and Wild cats. It offers the opportunity to tourists for Rhino tracking experience on foot with rangers.

Highlights

Pick up and transfer to Murchison Falls National ark
Rhino Trekking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Game drive and boat cruise at The Nile
Chimpanzee Trekking in Budongo Forest
Transfer back to Kampala or Entebbe International Airport

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Kampala to Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch – travel to Murchison Falls

Our driver picks you up from Entebbe International Airport or your hotel or place of residence in Kampala early in the morning and begin the drive towards north-west through the famous Luwero Triangle and Masindi town. You will branch off for a visit to Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch. Where you will be escorted by ranger onto Rhino trek to see white rhino and other variety wildlife like Rothschild giraffes, Jackson’s hartebeests, plains zebras, various antelope species that exist at the Ranch. And have lunch.

You will set off for Murchison Falls National Park, continues to Masindi where you will make park entry, continue and travel towards the top of the Murchison falls where you will enjoy the battle of nature, watch the magnificent falls squeezing through the rocks in gorge. and later enjoy the Ugandan sunset experience as you are heading to your lodge.

Dinner and overnight: Pakuba Safari lodge/Paraa Safari lodge/Fort Murchison lodge/Heritage Safari Lodge/Nile safari lodge.

3 Days Murchison Falls National Park Safari — Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Day 2: Game drive, boat cruise at the Nile

In the morning after breakfast, you will proceed for a game drive in the park where you will be able to see various animals such as warthogs, baboons, Hartebeest Uganda Kobs, buffaloes, giraffes, elephants, antelopes, water bucks and birds are common sighting, you may also spot oribis, bushbucks, Bohor reedbucks, bush duiker, warthogs and bush pigs. Large carnivores that include lions, leopards and hyenas can also be spotted.

After lunch, you will go for a boat safari upstream the calm Victoria Nile to the base of Murchison Falls stopping just 10 meters from the Devil’s Cauldron. After viewing the falls at the bottom, you will marvel at the toothsome hippos, crocodiles, elephants, waterbucks and kobs, over this 17 km stretch. This is also a zone of many bird species such as Goliath heron, Egyptian goose, pelican bee-eater, kingfisher, hornbill, cormorants and the rare shoebill stork., as you will be transferred back to your lodge where you will have your Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 3: Murchison Falls – Kampala Entebbe

Wake up early in the morning, have breakfast and get prepared to travel back to Kampala; along the way, you will make a stop for an epic Chimpanzee tracking at Kaniyo Eco tourism site in Budongo forest which is the biggest Mahogany forest in East Africa and a home of 80 habituated Chimpanzees. You will arrive very early so that you can start the forest walk in search for chimps which will take around 2-4 hours depending on their movement. After finding them you will spend one hour watching them while eating, playing and resting.

After this experience you will meet your driver who will connect you to Masindi for lunch and then you will continue with your journey, be dropped off to a place of your residence or Entebbe Airport for your flight to the next destination or back home.

End of 3 Days Murchison Falls National Park Safari

3 Days Murchison Falls National Park Safari Includes:

Full-time English-speaking driver/guide
Rhino tracking permit
Chimpanzee tracking permit
Park fees and any ferry crossings
Boat cruise
Park guide/Ranger
Hiking
Bottled water
Transport in 4X4 vehicle and fuel
All meals in-between journeys
Full board accommodation while on safari

3 Days Murchison Falls National Park Safari Excludes:

International flights
Visas
Kampala accommodation
Personal expenses like laundry, crafts, drinks, cigars, souvenirs, personal insurance and tips