Overview
Rhinos and Chimpanzee Tour. The 3 Days Murchison Falls, Rhinos and Chimpanzee Safari offers a rewarding wildlife adventure in northern Uganda. This tour combines savannah wildlife, river experiences, and primate tracking. The journey begins with rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the only place in Uganda where rhinos live in the wild.
The safari then continues to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest national park. Here you explore the savannah plains during a game drive and search for lions, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, and other wildlife. A boat cruise on the Victoria Nile brings you close to hippos, crocodiles, and many water birds near the base of the powerful Murchison Falls.
Safari ends with an exciting chimpanzee tracking experience in Budongo Forest at Kaniyo Pabidi. Budongo Forest hosts a large population of chimpanzees as well as many monkeys and forest birds. This short safari offers wildlife viewing, primate encounters, and scenic landscapes in one memorable trip.
Tour Highlights
Day 1: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park with rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
Day 2: Morning game drive and afternoon boat cruise on the Victoria Nile.
Day 3: Chimpanzee tracking in Budongo Forest and return to Kampala or Entebbe.
Day 1: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park and Rhino Tracking
Your driver guide meets you in Kampala or Entebbe early in the morning. The journey heads north through the countryside and the historic Luwero Triangle. A short stop allows you to buy fresh fruits such as pineapples, oranges, or passion fruits from roadside markets.
The drive continues to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Nakasongola District. At the sanctuary, rangers brief you before the tracking activity begins. You walk through the savannah with a ranger and search for white rhinos. The experience takes about two hours and gives you a close view of these powerful animals in their natural habitat.
After the rhino tracking experience, the journey continues to Masindi town for lunch at Masindi Hotel or Court View Hotel. After lunch you drive to Murchison Falls National Park and continue to the lodge for relaxation and dinner.
Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Lunch & Dinner
Travel Time: About 6–7 hours
Day 2: Game Drive and Boat Cruise on the Victoria Nile
You start the day with an early breakfast at the lodge. Your guide then drives to the northern sector of Murchison Falls National Park for the morning game drive. This area holds the highest wildlife concentration in the park.
During the drive you search for elephants, lions, buffaloes, Rothschild’s giraffes, Uganda kobs, Jackson’s hartebeests, waterbucks, and warthogs. Leopards sometimes appear along the game tracks, especially in the early morning.
After the game drive you return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation.
In the afternoon you head to the Victoria Nile for a boat cruise to the base of Murchison Falls. The three-hour cruise offers excellent wildlife viewing. You often see large groups of hippos, Nile crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes, and many bird species along the riverbanks. The boat approaches the base of the falls, where the Nile crashes through a narrow gorge with incredible power.
You return to the lodge later in the evening.
Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3: Chimpanzee Tracking in Budongo Forest and Return to Kampala
You enjoy breakfast early in the morning before driving to Budongo Forest Reserve. The forest lies on the southern side of Murchison Falls National Park and protects one of Uganda’s largest chimpanzee populations.
At Kaniyo Pabidi, park rangers give a short briefing before the chimpanzee tracking begins. You walk through the forest with a ranger and search for chimpanzees. The trek may take one to two hours depending on where the chimpanzees move. Once you find them, you watch their behavior as they feed, call, and move through the forest canopy. Budongo Forest also hosts monkeys, baboons, and many forest birds.
After the tracking activity, you drive to Masindi town for lunch before starting the return journey to Kampala or Entebbe. Your guide drops you at your hotel or at the airport in the evening.
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch
Travel Time: About 6 hours
Safari Inclusions
Transport in a private 4×4 safari vehicle
Professional English-speaking driver guide
Rhino tracking experience at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Chimpanzee tracking permit in Budongo Forest
Park entrance fees to Murchison Falls National Park
Boat cruise on the Victoria Nile
Game drives in the park
2 nights accommodation at Pakuba Safari Lodge
All meals as indicated in the itinerary
Bottled drinking water during the safari
Safari Exclusions
International flights
Uganda visa fees
Travel insurance
Personal expenses such as tips, drinks, laundry, and souvenirs
Optional activities not included in the itinerary