5 Day 4 Nights Murchison Falls & Budongo Chimp trekking safari
This 5 Day 4-Night Murchison Falls & Budongo Chimp trekking safari offers a complete wildlife experience combining rhino tracking, savannah game drive, and chimpanzee trekking experience. Murchison Falls National Park, located in the Northern part of Uganda, is the largest national park traversed by River Nile and has the world’s most powerful waterfall. Murchison Falls National Park has several vegetation types that range from swamps, tropical rainforests of Budongo, Savannah woodland, and grassland that harbour a variety of wildlife that include chimpanzees in Budongo forest, lions, hyenas, buffaloes, leopards, hippos, crocodiles, the rare shoebill stock, small primates like red-tailed monkeys and other savannah, marine and forest species.
Typical 5 Day 4 Nights Murchison Falls & Budongo Chimp trekking safari itinerary
Day 1: Drive to Murchison Falls National Park via Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
- Morning/Transfer: You will be picked up from your hotel by your driver guide and will give you a short briefing about your 5 Day Murchison Falls and Budongo Chimp Trekking Safari and then start your drive of about 5-6 hours to Murchison Falls National Park.
- En-route: You will stop at Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary to track both the white and black Rhinos at the sanctuary. Rhinos had become extinct due to poaching in the 1970’s but the government and other non-government organizations have tried to restore them back at the Sanctuary.
- Afternoon/Lunch: You will continue your drive to Masindi for lunch and later proceed to Murchison Falls National Park and visit the top of the falls and then later head to the lodge for check-in, dinner and relaxation
Meal plan: Lunch and Dinner
Drive time: 5-6 hours
Lodging: Pakuba Safari lodge(Midrange) or Paraa safari lodge/Nile safari lodge(Luxury)
Day 2: Morning game drive and afternoon boat cruise to the bottom of the falls
- Morning game drive: After an early morning breakfast, you will cross the ferry to the northern part of Murchison Falls National Park for your early morning game drive. The northern part of Murchison Falls National Park, known as Paraa, is rich in wild game that include lions, buffaloes, elephants, several antelopes, leopards, and so much more. The delta region is also rich with water animals such as hippos, crocodiles, and the rare shoebill stock.
- Afternoon/Lunch: You will then drive back to your lodge for lunch and then head back for the afternoon boat cruise to the bottom of the falls. This boat cruise to the bottom of the falls is seen as the highlight of all activities at Murchison Falls National Park since many water and land animals can be sighted while on the cruise. Expect to see lots of Buffaloes, elephants, crocodiles, and many water birds as you cruise upstream to the base of the falls, where water squeezes itself into a narrow gorge to later explode as it flows downwards.
- Evening: Return to the lodge for relaxation, swimming, dinner, and overnight.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Lodging: Pakuba Safari lodge(Midrange) or Paraa safari lodge/Nile safari lodge(Luxury)
Day 3: Delta Cruise and Afternoon game drive in Paara
- Morning: After breakfast, you will be dropped off at the boat for the delta cruise. While this boat cruise is not popular with tourists visiting Murchison Falls National Park, it offers a chance to see lots of wildlife species that include buffalo, elephants, crocodiles, hippos, and the rare shoebill stock. You will also observe the Nile's reduced speed as it deposits waste before entering Lake Albert.
- Afternoon/Lunch: You will return to the lodge for lunch and then prepare for your evening game drive to look for animals you might have missed on the first game drive. Later, head back to the lodge for dinner and relaxation.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Lodging: Pakuba Safari lodge(Midrange) or Paraa safari lodge/Nile safari lodge(Luxury)
Day 4: Chimpanzee trekking in Budongo Forest
- Morning: After your breakfast, you will drive approximately 1-2 hours southward to Budongo Forest, where you will spend one night. At Budongo forest, you will do chimpanzee trekking either in the morning or the afternoon, depending on your choice and availability of chimpanzee permits.
- Briefing and trek: Before your chimpanzee trek, you will be briefed by your ranger guide of the day about the rules and regulations while with chimpanzees and then set off to the forest to look for our closest relatives. The walk will also expose you to other primates, plants and shrubs in this vast forest.
- Afternoon/ Lunch: After your chimpanzee trekking experience, you will return to the lodge for Lunch and relaxation, later dinner and overnight.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Lodging: Budongo Eco Lodge
Day 5: End of safari
- Morning/Transfer: After having breakfast, you will drive back to Kampala or Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight out.
- Afternoon: You will stop for Lunch enroute, also at craft shops to grab some souvenirs, and then proceed to end the trip in Kampala or Entebbe
Drive time: 5-6 hours’ drive
Meal plan: Breakfast and Lunch
Key Details for this 5 Day 4 Nights Murchison Falls & Budongo Chimp trekking safari
Highlights: The top of the falls, Big five i.e. (Rhino, Lion, Leopard, Elephant & Buffalo), Chimpanzee trekking and game viewing.
Best time to visit: The best time to travel for this safari is usually December- February and June- September, which are the dry seasons for easier trekking and game viewing.
Activities: Game drives, Chimpanzee trekking, Boat cruise, Rhino tracking, and birding.

Accommodation: Ranges from Midrange( Pakuba Safari lodge) or (Paraa safari lodge) to Luxury (Nile safari lodge).
Safari Inclusions
- 4x4 safari vehicle
- Professional guide
- Park fees
- Accommodation
- Chimpanzee Permits
- Drinking water
Packing list for this 5 Day 4 Nights Murchison Falls & Budongo Chimp trekking safari
- Long-sleeved shirts and trousers to protect you from thorns, ants, and the sun
- A waterproof jacket in case of sudden rain in the Budongo forest
- Sturdy hiking boots are comfortable for walking on uneven terrain
- Garden gloves that help to grab onto branches during chimp trekking
- Hat & sunglasses for protection against the strong sun.
- A waterproof backpack to carry some essentials like snacks, water, etc
- Binoculars for wildlife viewing and bird watching
- Extra camera batteries and a memory card
- Sunscreen to protect against sunburns
- Cash in local currency for tips and buying souvenirs
Contact our team today for more information and bookings.