5 Day Big 5 Safari To Murchison Falls Conservation Area

Murchison Falls National Park is the largest component of the greater Murchison Falls Conservation Area (MFCA) which incorporates the collectively managed 750 SQ kilometer Bugungu and720 Square Kilometer Karuma Wild life reserves to its south. The most important feature of Bugungu and Karuma is the Kaniyo Pibidi forest which harbors chimpanzee community habituated for tourists.

Day One: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary - 170 kms 2hrs

On this Day, your guide/ Driver will pick you from your location. After briefing, you will set off for Ziwa Rhino sanctuary via Gulu road. Ziwa Rhino sanctuary is located west side of Gulu Road at Nakitoma about 170kms North of Kampala, 8kms before the Kafu bridge. Upon arrival at Ziwa, your guide will help you get your tracking permits, after briefing from the UWA guides, you will embark on this exciting exercise. after the tracking experience, you will have lunch at kabalega dinner and letter head to Masindi. Check at the hotel, have dinner and overnight at the lodge. Meal Plan L&D

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is the only place in Uganda where Rhinos can be seen in a more or less wild state. The sanctuary’s main attraction is its population of 32 white rhinos, which can be tracked on foot by day in the company of an experienced ranger. Ziwa is also home to 20 other large mammal species and over 300 bird species including the famous shoebill.

Day Two: Travel to Murchison Falls National Park, game drive 1hr 30mins 90kms

On this day, after your early breakfast at the lodge, your guide/ driver will pick you up and you set off driving towards kichambanyobo gate to Paraa where you will cross the Nile by ferry to the northern part of the park for your game drives. On this early game drive, your guide will help you spot elephants, lions, buffalos, Rothschild’s giraffe, hartebeests, waterbuck, Oribi, Bohor reedbuck, hyena, if you are lucky leopard. After the morning game drive, you will head back to the lodge, check in and have lunch. After lunch, you can decide to go for an afternoon game drive or rest at the Lodge. Dinner and overnight at the lodge. Heritage safari Lodge FB.

The Murchison Falls conservation area supports at least 144 Mammal species, 556 bird species, over 51 reptile species and over 51 Amphibian species. It supports the world’s largest population of the endangered Rothschild’s giraffe. The lion Population is estimated around 150-200 individuals split across 15-20 prides.

Day Three: Murchison Falls National Park

On this day, after your breakfast at the lodge, your guide will drive you through Tangi gate, head to paraa for a boat Safari upstream the Victoria Nile to the base of the falls a few meters from the “Devil’s Cauldron” En-route, Marvel at the toothsome hippos, crocodiles and over this 17km stretch you may see elephants, waterbucks and Uganda Jobs. At the bottom of the falls, you leave the boat and start your quite heavy hike to the top of the falls (aprox 1hr) towards the top, you will see the world’s longest river explode violently through a narrow cleft in the rift valley escarpment to pluge into a frothing pool 43m below. Your guide will be waiting for you to bring u back to the lodge. Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

This boat launch is a highlight of any visit to Murchison Falls National park. The boat trip follows the Victoria Nile from Paraa. Game viewing along this boat trip is excellent, expect to see hippos, crocodiles, herds of buffalo, water bucks, Uganda kob, Giraffe, bush buck just to mention but a few.

Day Four: Transfer to Budongo Forest reserve (2hrs 30mins 120Km)

After your morning breakfast at the lodge, your guide will brief you about the day’s activities. You will check out of the lodge and transfer to budongo forest reserve. On Arrival in Masindi, you will drive 30 km west of Masindi to arrive at Budongo forest reserve. On arrival, you will be briefed by the guide at the game reserve and you will engage on the royal Mile walk. Probably the best place to do a guided bird walk, the royal mile stretches 2.5 km north from Nyabyeya forestry college to budongo conservation station. After this forest birding and primate experience, your driver/ guide will drive you back to Masindi and you will check in at the hotel. Meal Plan FB

Day Five: Travel Back to Kampala (3hrs 30mins 220 kms)

On the final day of your trip, you will wake up at the hotel, have breakfast and check out of the hotel. Your driver will then pick you up and you embark on your journey back to kampala. Arrival in Kampala and end of our service.

Tour price in US Dollars per person (Net & Non-Commissionable – Valid for 2024)

Number of Pax	Per Person
Travelling with 3 pax (FNR)	USD 950
Travelling with 4 pax (FNR)	USD 870
Travelling with 5 pax (FNR)	USD 820
Travelling with 7 pax (FNR)	USD 680
Extra for Upgrade from Bugdet. With this budget you upgrade from new court view hotel to Masindi Hotel, From Heritage Safari lodge to Pakuba Safari Lodge
Number of pax	Per person
Travelling with 3 pax (FNR)	USD 1,550
Travelling with 4 pax (FNR)	USD 1,460
Travelling with 5 pax (FNR)	USD 1,410
Travelling with 7 pax (FNR)	USD 1,200

Included in the price:-

Ground transport per private 4WD safari vehicle
English speaking driver/guide
Accommodation in places mentioned in the itinerary, based on a twin/double room
Meals as described in the itinerary
Bottled mineral water in the safari vehicle
Entrance fees and ranger fees for national parks
Activities and excursions mentioned in the program
VAT for upcountry hotels and lodges

Exclusions:-

⇛ International flight
⇛ Visa application fees
⇛ Optional activities
⇛ Meals and drinks not mentioned above
⇛ Items of personal nature
⇛ Tips
⇛ Entry visa into Uganda
⇛ All kinds of drinks except water

⇛ Activities not mentioned in the itinerary
⇛ Phone calls and bar bills
⇛ Personal/travel insurance
⇛ Driver guide’s gratuity (recommended)
⇛ All Other Services of a personal nature
⇛ All air/flight tickets
⇛ Any activity stated as “OPTIONAL”

Terms and conditions:-

The rates are in US dollars and subject to change.
Availability of accommodation, permits and activities is not guaranteed until confirmation by your contact person of Footprints Safaris. Permits are sold on ‘first come first serve’ basis.

Note

⇛ Prices are 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 an alternative suitable accommodation, which might affect the final quoted price.
⇛ The budget option for this safari is based on very basic accommodation.
⇛ Private bathrooms cannot be guaranteed which means showers and toilets (or pit latrines) have to be shared in some places.
⇛ The estimated travelling hours are based on the actual hours of driving, stops for lunch or photos not included.