5 Days Murchison Falls & Chimpanzee Tracking
Tour Details
If you are in the mood for a good safari tour on an epic river Nile adventure, then Murchison Falls National Park is a good place to visit. Spreading inland from the shore of Lake Albert around the Nile, Murchison Falls National Park forms part of the Murchison Falls Conservative Area (MFCA). Come see four of the ‘big five’ (elephant, lion, leopard, and Cape buffalo) just above the Nile. Then have a peek at the famous Murchison Falls where the waters of the Nile squeeze through a narrow gorge to make a beautiful waterfall.
One of the most exciting animals to see on a safari in Uganda is the chimpanzee. Next to gorillas these are the most popular primate species among tourists. Uganda has a population of close to 5000 chimpanzees distributed in the various forests and game parks. The chimpanzee population in Uganda used to be much higher than it is today. It used to number in tens of thousands but poaching and an unstable political environment led to the continual decline in population. Chimpanzees were even hunted for food or sold as pets.
Before the civil and political unrest in the region, Ugandans never ate chimpanzees as food or even reared them as pets, but they learned these habits from people who migrated into the country or fled the political instability in the Democratic Republic of Congo into Uganda.
Sometimes chimpanzees have been caught in snares meant for other animals such as antelopes, and many of these snares are deadly enough to kill the clueless chimpanzees.
Trip Highlights
- Murchison Fall N.p
- Budongo Forest Reserve
- Chimpanzee tracking
- Kanyiyo pabidi forest
- River Nile adventure
- Wild Expeditions Uganda
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: ENTEBBE – MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK
Today we will depart for the most beautiful protected area in Uganda: Murchison Falls National Park. En route, we will make a stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, home to the only wild rhinos in Uganda. The reserve was created to reintroduce rhinos to the country which have been extinct since 1982. Together with a guide you will track the rhinos and observe them in their habitat at a very close and safe distance. After this activity continues to Murchison Falls. Dinner and overnight at Para lodge
Day 2: MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK
After an early breakfast, we start the day with a game drive on the northern bank of the Nile, with chances of seeing giraffes, elephants, lions, hartebeest, and different species of birds. In the afternoon the safari will be continued with a boat cruise on the river Nile for game viewing at close quarters. Upon reaching the bottom of the waterfalls we will depart the boat and climb our way up to the Top of the Falls where we will be rewarded with amazing views of the Nile. Dinner and overnight at Para Lodge.
Day 3: Lake Albert
After breakfast, you will head out downstream to the delta point. A boat trip downriver from Para towards Lake Albert is favored by birdwatchers. Since it offers the best opportunity to see shoebills anywhere in Africa, particularly during the rainy season. Massive crocodiles can also be seen at the banks of the Nile, as enormous schools of hippos which are known to be Africa’s biggest killers if threatened, birds like the pied kingfishers, the rare shoebill, beautiful long Goliath Heron and papyrus Gonolek are a common sight downstream the Nile and best times are the morning hours. You will later return to the lodge in time for lunch. Later in the evening, you head out for an evening game drive in search of more games returning back to the lodge in time for your dinner. Dinner and overnight at Para lodge.
Day 4: Kanyiyo Pabidi Forest
After breakfast, you will head for chimpanzee tracking in the Kanyiyo Pabidi forest. The 268sqkm Kanyiyo Pabidi forest is the second largest of the four forest blocks within the Budongo forest reserve. Kanyiyo Pabidi forest harbors a similar though not identical fauna and flora to Budongo and because it has never been logged it contains a far higher proportion of large buttressed mahogany and ironwood trees. Common sights in this forest are chimpanzees, Black and white colobus and Blue Monkey, large troops of olive Baboon, herds of elephants, buffalos, and occasional wandering lion supplements the resident leopard populations. Chimpanzee tracking is the top priority and these guided walks can take from 30 minutes to a full day to locate the chimps. The morning walks offer the highest chance of success, especially with an early start because the guides usually know where the chimps nested the previous night. Dinner and overnight at Budongo Eco lodge.
Day 5: Back to Entebbe
After your calm breakfast, you will proceed back to Entebbe in time for your flight or a drop-off place within the city center.
End of Safari
Mugisha Henry
Hotel Information
- Murchison River lodge
- Nile Safari Lodge
- Sambiya Lodge
- Masindi Hotel
The price includes
- Ground transportation in a safari customized 4WD Toyota Land Cruiser with gasoline/fuel, Mineral water in the vehicle, services of an English speaking Driver/guide, Accommodation as shown at the lodges mentioned in the itinerary; Meals as shown (B-breakfast, L-lunch, D-dinner), all Park Entrance Fees, Rhino tracking, Lunch on the way, Chimpanzee tracking, Top of the falls, Game drives, Boat cruise, Delta Cruise on the Nile, and transfer to the Airport.
The price excludes
- International Airfares; Excess baggage charges; Ugandan Entry Visa Fees; fees for International travel Vaccinations and Inoculations; Items of personal nature such us Room service, Beverages, Communications charges (telephone, fax, internet), Laundry, etc.; Postage fees, Porterage fees, Tips and Gratuities for your Driver/guide and Hotels staff, Shopping charges for Curios and Crafts, International Airport Departure Taxes, Optional activities unless specified as included, Any other services not expressly shown in the itinerary or indicated as included.
NB: Prices are current, net and subject to change. Availability of accommodations and activities is not guaranteed; reservations will be made after receiving confirmation of the final itinerary and the requested deposit. Should any of the included accommodations not be available, we reserve the right to substitute it with alternative suitable accommodation, which might affect the final quoted price. Gorilla and Chimp permits can only be secured after receiving the requested deposit. The estimated travelling hours are based on the actual hours of driving. Stops for lunch and photos are not included.