Overview

This 5 Day Murchison hot air balloon, boat and budongo chimp safari is designs for those that have enough time to spend in the Murchison Falls Conservation area. With the introduction of Hot Air balloon safaris, one can have an aerial view of the park as well as wildlife. This trip combines wildlife viewing, boat cruise to the base of the falls as well as chimpanzee trekking in Budongo Forest.

5 Day Murchison Hot air balloon, boat and budongo chimp safari-Summary

• Day 01: Start your 5 Day Murchison Hot air balloon, boat and budongo chimp safari
• Day 02: Morning Murchison Falls Hot air balloon safari and afternoon boat cruise to the base of the falls
• Day 03: Morning delta cruise and afternoon Game drive
• Day 04: Drive to Budongo forest for afternoon chimp trekking
• Day 05: Drive back to Kampala/Entebbe

Tour Summary

• You’ll go to Uganda
• This tour starts and ends in Entebbe (Uganda)
• You’ll visit Murchison Falls National Park
• Activities: Hot Air Balloon Safari, Boat cruises and Budongo Chimp trekking
• Getting around: open-sided 4×4 vehicle & pop-up roof 4×4 vehicle
• A transfer from and back to the airport (or hotel) is included
• Additional accommodation before the tour departs and on the last day can be arranged for extra cost

Things To Consider

• Accommodation is Inclusive
• Small Group Safari: Max 6 People per group
• Tour Can Depart any day
• Tour can be customized
• Solo travelers can join this tour
• Age Limit: 15 years and above

Detailed Itinerary

Arrival

• You’ll be picked up from the airport (or hotel)
• Accommodation before the tour departs can be arranged for extra cost

DAY 1: Start your 5 Day Murchison hot air balloon, boat and budongo chimp safari

You will be picked by Encounter Africa safaris guide who will first brief you about your 5 Day Murchison Hot air balloon, boat and budongo chimp safari. You will then drive north wards through small towns, Nakasongola plains and if you so wish visit Zziwa Rhino sanctuary to track the few remaining Rhinos in this place. Lunch will be served en route  and then proceed to Murchison Falls National Park.

Drive time: Approximately 5-6 hours

Lodging: Baker’s Lodge/Paraa Safari Lodge/Murchison River Lodge

Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner

DAY 2: Murchison Falls hot air balloon safari and Boat cruise to the base of the falls

You will be picked up to start your Hot Air Balloon safari on the Paraa side of Murchison Falls National Park. If you are staying on the southern bank of River Nile, you will be picked by boat at about 5:00am to join others on the Paraa side. It’s at Paraa Lodge that all will assemble to start your journey to the starting point of your balloon. You, the pilots and the whole crew will be transported to the starting point of your hot air balloon safari. As the Balloon is being assembled, you will be offered a cup of tea or coffee. Once this is done, the pilot will give you a short briefing, get on board and start your hot air balloon safari. Imagine experience of observing all these animals the beautiful rivers, trees and the sun setting some meters above. This whole experience may take from 45 minutes to one hour exploring Murchison Falls National Park. After landing, you will be given certificates and those that would have paid a full hot air balloon package be treated to a full bush breakfast. Transfer to your Lodge for relaxation, lunch and an afternoon boat cruise to the base of the falls. You will set of from Paraa jetty up stream to the base of the falls where water squeezes itself through a small gorge exploding to create what has been called the strongest waterfall on planet earth. The journey to and from the base of the falls will provide an opportunity to see many water and land animals that include buffaloes, crocodiles, hippos, several water birds, elephants among others. Retire to your Lodge of Dinner and overnight

Lodging: Baker’s Lodge/Paraa Safari Lodge/Murchison River Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

DAY 3: Boat to the Delta area and game drive

After breakfast, you will be picked by boat from your lodge to start your cruise to the Delta area. While a boat cruise to the base of the falls is popular among tourists, the boat to the delta area provides an exceptional and different experience of wildlife viewing all together. A lot of animals can be seen crossing the Nile while others are swimming. The Delta area is also a nice place for bird lovers since chances of spotting birds such as the rare shoebill stock are high. This delta cruise takes up to 2 hours and if you still want to explore Murchison, you may proceed with a game drive on the Paraa Side.

Lodging: Baker’s Lodge/Paraa Safari Lodge/Murchison River Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

DAY 4: To Budongo Forest via top of the falls

After breakfast, you will drive to Budongo Forest via the top of the falls to see Victoria falls from above so that you compare the experience with that of the bottom of the falls.  Proceed to Budongo forest and check in at Budongo Eco Lodge. Proceed to the headquarters for briefing and then chimpanzee trekking walk in the forest. Once a community/Party of chimpanzee is found, you will be allowed to spend one hour of photography and observation. Retire to the lodge for Dinner and overnight.

Drivetime: Approximately 2 hours

Lodging: Budongo Eco Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

DAY 5: Drive back to Kampala/Entebbe

After breakfast, you will drive back to Kampala/Entebbe at leisure. Lunch will be served en route arriving Kampala/Entebbe in the afternoon.

Drive time: Approximately 5-6 hours

Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch