TOUR UG8: WILDLIFE, CHIMPS AND BIRDS IN MURCHISON FALLS (4 Days)

This safari starts and finishes in Kampala

This Conservation Area, about 7,000 sq. km in size, the largest in Uganda, consists of Murchison Falls National Park, Karuma Game Reserve and Bugungu Game Reserve among others. Budongo and Kaniyo Pabidi Forests, with their chimps and birds, are within the Area.

It is a stunning habitat for wildlife, birds and vegetation. Crocodiles, hippos, elephants and birds including the rare shoebill stork, can be found on the banks of the Nile. With over 1000 chimpanzees in Budongo and Kaniyo Pabidi Forests, Murchison is thought to have the largest chimp numbers in the region.

The launch trip to the bottom of the Falls, lasting about 3 hours, is unforgettable – look at birds, elephant, buffalo, crocodile, and hippo on The Nile banks; experience this mighty river. On the game drive, Buffalo, leopard, antelope, Rothschild's giraffe, hartebeest, waterbuck and lion can also be seen. Over 450 bird species have been recorded.

Perhaps the frothiest attraction in the Area are the sterning Murchison Falls. For about 80 kms from Karuma Falls in the East, The Nile is a rushing torrent of water that drops about 300 metres. It spills over the ancient rocks that form the Western Rift Valley wall, gushing through a 7 metre gorge and into the cauldron of turbulent water below, forming the fall.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Entebbe airport. Meet, greet and transfer to Imperial Resort Beach Hotel for overnight (BB).

Day 2: Leave for Murchison Falls National Park through Luwero Triangle, an area that was crucial in returning peace to the country. Lunch en route and continue to the park. Visit the top of the stimulating Murchison Falls, crashing through a mere 7 metre gorge. Game viewing in the evening, time permitting. [Approximate driving time: 5 hours] O/N: Paraa Safari Lodge or Nile Safari Camp (FB).

Day 3: An early morning game viewing north of the Nile. Launch trip to the bottom of the mighty exciting Falls, with crocodiles, hippos and a vast array of birds including the rare shoebill stork, lounging on the banks of the Nile. Evening game drive. O/N: Paraa Safari Lodge or Nile Safari Camp (FB).

Day 4: An early start. Game drive on your way to Pabidi in Budongo Forest. Go for a guided nature walk to track chimpanzees. Budongo is also known for its many plant and bird species. Lunch. Return to Kampala (HB). [Approximate driving time: 5 hours]. Tour ends.

More Uganda Tours

TOUR UG1 GORILLAS & WILDLIFE - BWINDI & LAKE MBURO (5 Days)	TOUR UG2 GORILLAS IN BWINDI & MGAHINGA (7 Days)
TOUR UG3 GORILLAS AND GAME BWINDI, QUEEN ELIZABETH & LAKE MBURO PARK (7 Days)	TOUR UG4 BIRDS & GAME IN QUEEN ELIZABETH PARK (4 Days)
TOUR UG5 CHIMPS & BIRDS IN KIBALE FOREST (4 Days)	TOUR UG6 CHIMPS ON NGAMBA ISLAND (3 Days)
TOUR UG7 WILDLIFE, CHIMPS & BIRDS IN KIBALE & QE (6 Days)	TOUR UG8 WILDLIFE, CHIMPS & BIRDS IN MURCHISON FALLS (4 Days)
TOUR UG9 BIRDING IN UGANDA (15 Days)	TOUR UG10 JEWELS OF UGANDA (14 Days)
TOUR UG11 CLIMBING THE RWENZORI MOUNTAINS (11 Days)	TOUR UG12 CLIMBING MOUNT ELGON (8 Days)
TOUR UG13 ECO TOURISM IN THE PEARL (16 DAYS)	TOUR UG14 CULTURAL TOURISM IN UGANDA (14 Days)
TOUR UG15 BUTTER FLIES IN UGANDA (17 Days)	TOUR UG16 BIRDING UGANDA (8 Days)
TOUR UG17 BIRD WATCHING IN UGANDA (15 Days)	TOUR UG18 BEST FOREST BIRDING (20 Days)

For all categories of accommodation, ALL drinks (except bottled water) are excluded in the safari cost and clients are to pay for them direct to the hotels/Camps / Lodges. Clients could choose to fly out the following day in cases where there are no flights for their departure on the last day of the itinerary. A supplement for the extra night will be required.

Flights

Merit Safaris will advise the most appropriate airlines to use to fly to Uganda. We could book your flights; alternatively you can contact your tour operator or travel agent.

Safaris start and end either in either Entebbe or Kampala in Uganda; or Kigali in Rwanda.

For those who wish, a visit for an extra three days by air, to the Karamojong nomadic farmers/cattle rustlers in the North, can be arranged. Please contact us for details.

Unless otherwise stated, prices quoted include a safari car for the itinerary stated, accommodation on a shared basis and meals (in Kampala/Kigali bed and breakfast only and on safari full board), 1 boat/launch trip, park fees, chimpanzee permits and one gorilla permit.

Prices do not include airfares to Uganda/Rwanda, entry visas and airport taxes, all personal expenditure such as tips, telephone calls, laundry and drinks. For single rooms, the supplement (SRS) has to be paid. Fees for mountain climbing, fishing and other specialist activities will attract an extra charge where not stated.

Prices are quoted in US Dollars. At the time of booking, clients should confirm with us the prevailing exchange rates for Pounds and Euros, if they wish to pay in those currencies. At the time of booking, the client(s) will need to pay for all gorilla permits needed in full otherwise a deposit equivalent to 20% of the cost of a safari paid, whichever is higher.

Key to Itineraries: