Murchison hot air balloon, boat and budongo chimp safari
5 Days 4 Nights, Rates In USD Upon Request
Rates are per person (pp) and based on 2 people sharing 1 room
Excluding international flights (from/to your home country)
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
This is a private safari and can be booked by an individual or a group of people. Please contact our Safari consultants for a quote
Lodge Options
Cost Includes
- Airport transfers
- Transport in a 4×4 Vehicle
- Services of an English speaking local driver guide
- Fuel for this round trip
- All park entry fees
- One Hot air balloon safari
- Boat cruise to the base of the falls
- Visit to the top of the falls
- Drinking water in the vehicle
Cost excludes
- Visa fees at USD50, plus all expenses of personal nature.
STANDARD: 4X4 SAFARI VAN
Our standard mode of transport is by road and we use 4×4 Safari Vans customized for game viewing and photography. Each safari van comes with a professionally trained driver guide and fuel for the whole safari. Our Safari vans have viewing hatches and each client is entitled to a window seat. Our Vans can take up to eight people. We also have 4×4 Super Customs very comfortable and stable on the road. These carry up to 5 people with their luggage. We also have 4×4 RAV 4 for a group of two people
UPGRADE: 4X4 LUXURY SAFARI LANDCRUISER
We have luxury latest Land cruisers each driven by professionally trained driver guides and fuel. They have pop-up roofs for proper game viewing and photography. They come with a small fridge for cooling your drinking water while on safari (which is always included while IN THE VEHICLE). They have inverters for charging small gadgets such as your smartphones and cameras. They can seat five to a maximum of seven people and each client is guaranteed of a window seat.