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Murchison Falls Budget Safari Tours
Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda's most alluring destination for those seeking a short budget safari that doesn't include gorilla trekking. This scenic park is also a great add-on to a longer holiday itinerary that does incorporate a visit to Uganda’s gorillas. Attractions include the explosive waterfall for which the park is named and the wildly tropical stretch of the Nile River that bisects the park as it flows toward Lake Albert. When it comes to wildlife viewing, an itinerary that combines Murchison Falls with the nearby Budongo Forest and Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch provides you with a decent chance of seeing all the Big Five (lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino) as well as chimps and shoebills in the course of one short, affordable trip.
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Best Seller
10-Day Tailor-Made Holiday & Tour in Uganda –Big 5 Safari
$3,040 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetLodge & Guest House
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Entebbe Airport (Entebbe), Murchison Falls NP, Kibale NP (Chimps), Queen Elizabeth NP, Bwindi Impenetrable NP (Gorillas), Lake Mburo NP, Entebbe (End)
Home To Africa Tours and Travel
5.0/5 – 301 Reviews
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9-Day Murchison, Kibale, Queen, Bwindi & Mburo Lake Tour
$3,702 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetLodge & Resort
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Murchison Falls NP, Kibale NP (Chimps), Queen Elizabeth NP, Bwindi Impenetrable NP (Gorillas), Lake Bunyonyi, Lake Mburo NP, Entebbe Airport (End)
Safari Vacations and Travel Services
5.0/5 – 40 Reviews
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3-Day Murchison Falls Wildlife Trip, Ziwa Rhino Tracking
$750 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetLodge
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Murchison Falls NP, Entebbe (End)
Moroka Expeditions
5.0/5 – 68 Reviews
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8-Day Uganda Wildlife Adventure Safari with Gorillas
$3,850 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetLodge & Hotel
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Kampala (City), Murchison Falls NP, Kibale NP (Chimps), Queen Elizabeth NP, Bwindi Impenetrable NP (Gorillas), Entebbe Airport (Entebbe), Kampala (End)
Bugoli Adventures
5.0/5 – 30 Reviews
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![3-Day Murchison Falls National Park & Big 5 Safari Tour]()
3-Day Murchison Falls National Park & Big 5 Safari Tour
$897 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetLodge
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Murchison Falls NP, Entebbe (End)
Galactic Safaris
4.9/5 – 10 Reviews
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![3-Day Murchison Fall Wildlife Wilderness Safari]()
3-Day Murchison Fall Wildlife Wilderness Safari
$561 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetLodge
You Visit: Kampala (Start), Ziwa Rhino Ranch, Murchison Falls NP, Entebbe Airport (Entebbe), Kampala (End)
Travelmonke Tours and Travel
5.0/5 – 15 Reviews
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![3-Day Big 5 Sighting Safari Tour to Murchison Falls NP]()
3-Day Big 5 Sighting Safari Tour to Murchison Falls NP
$675 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetLodge
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Murchison Falls NP, Entebbe Airport (End)
Semu Gorilla Safaris and Tours
4.9/5 – 31 Reviews
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![3-Day Murchison Falls NP Budget Tour]()
3-Day Murchison Falls NP Budget Tour
$675 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetTented Camp
You Visit: Kampala (Start), Murchison Falls NP, Kampala (End)
Kafu Safaris
5.0/5 – 20 Reviews
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![3-Day Days Murchison Falls Safari Experience]()
3-Day Days Murchison Falls Safari Experience
$792 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetLodge
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Murchison Falls NP, Entebbe Airport (End)
Mooi Adventures Uganda
5.0/5 – 6 Reviews
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![3-Day Murchison Falls Wildlife Safari Experience]()
3-Day Murchison Falls Wildlife Safari Experience
$990 to $1,155 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetLodge
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Murchison Falls NP, Entebbe (End)
Safari 62
5.0/5 – 5 Reviews
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![3-Day Breathtaking Uganda Safari to Murchison Falls NP]()
3-Day Breathtaking Uganda Safari to Murchison Falls NP
$715 to $935 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetLodge
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Murchison Falls NP, Entebbe Airport (End)
Kubwa Five Safaris
4.9/5 – 188 Reviews
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![6-Day Karamoja Cultural Experience & Big Five Safari]()
6-Day Karamoja Cultural Experience & Big Five Safari
$2,459 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetLodge & Tented Camp
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Sipi Falls (Highlight), Kidepo Valley NP, Murchison Falls NP, Entebbe Airport (End)
Musana Tours And Travel
4.9/5 – 18 Reviews
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![3-Day Budget Friendly Murchison Falls National Park Tour]()
3-Day Budget Friendly Murchison Falls National Park Tour
$799 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetLodge
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Ziwa Rhino Ranch, Murchison Falls NP, Entebbe Airport (End)
Renai Venture Safaris and Tours
4.9/5 – 16 Reviews
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![3-Day Murchison Falls Safari]()
3-Day Murchison Falls Safari
$644 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetLodge
You Visit: Kampala (Start), Ziwa Rhino Ranch, Murchison Falls NP, Entebbe Airport (Entebbe), Kampala (End)
African Adventure Travellers
5.0/5 – 22 Reviews
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12-Day Gorillas, Big 5 and Kidepo, Private Overland Style
$6,050 to $6,353 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetCamping & Lodge
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Lake Mburo NP, Bwindi Impenetrable NP (Gorillas), Ishasha Sector (Queen Elizabeth NP), Queen Elizabeth NP, Kyambura Gorge (Chimps), Murchison Falls NP, Kidepo Valley NP, Pian Upe WR, Sipi Falls (Highlight), Jinja (Town), Entebbe (End)
Meanda Uganda
5.0/5 – 31 Reviews
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![10-Day Western Uganda Gorilla and Wildlife Budget Safari]()
10-Day Western Uganda Gorilla and Wildlife Budget Safari
$3,736 pp (USD)
Uganda: Shared tour (max 4 people per vehicle)BudgetLodge
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Murchison Falls NP, Kibale NP (Chimps), Queen Elizabeth NP, Bwindi Impenetrable NP (Gorillas), Mgahinga Gorilla NP (Gorillas), Lake Mburo NP, Entebbe Airport (End)
Bamboo Ecotours
5.0/5 – 144 Reviews
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![9-Day Murchison, Queen Elizabeth, and Lake Mburo Safari]()
9-Day Murchison, Queen Elizabeth, and Lake Mburo Safari
$2,182 pp (USD)
Uganda: Shared tour (max 6 people per vehicle)BudgetLodge & Hotel
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Kampala (City), Murchison Falls NP, Queen Elizabeth NP, Kyambura Gorge (Chimps), Lake Mburo NP, Entebbe (End)
Allanblackia Safaris
5.0/5 – 18 Reviews
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![3-Day Murchison Falls Big Five, Rhino & Giraffe Tour]()
3-Day Murchison Falls Big Five, Rhino & Giraffe Tour
$638 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetLodge
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Ziwa Rhino Ranch, Murchison Falls NP, Kampala (City), Entebbe (End)
Friendly Gorillas
5.0/5 – 21 Reviews
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![3-Day Unforgettable Murchison Falls Budget Safari Tour]()
3-Day Unforgettable Murchison Falls Budget Safari Tour
$924 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetLodge
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Ziwa Rhino Ranch, Murchison Falls NP, Entebbe (End)
Kyooma Gorilla Safaris
4.9/5 – 23 Reviews
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![5-Day Murchison Falls NP and Kibale Chimp Trekking Tour]()
5-Day Murchison Falls NP and Kibale Chimp Trekking Tour
$1,518 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetLodge
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Murchison Falls NP, Kibale NP (Chimps), Bigodi Wetland (Kibale NP), Entebbe (End)
Frena Adventures
5.0/5 – 100 Reviews
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6 Questions About Murchison Falls Budget Safaris
Answered by
Philip Briggs
Philip is an Africa-specialized travel writer who first visited Uganda in 1988. He has returned on numerous occasions to research his Bradt Guide to Uganda (first published in 1993 and now in its 10th edition) and to lead wildlife tours and bird-watching safaris.› More about Philip
6 Questions About Murchison Falls Budget Safaris
Philip Briggs
Are affordable budget trips available to Murchison Falls National Park?
“Yes. Murchison Falls National Park is a popular destination for budget safaris out of the capital Kampala or nearby Entebbe International Airport. Stand-alone Murchison Falls safaris generally range in duration from 2 to 4 days. They often include chimp trekking in Budongo Forest and/or a visit to Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch, both of which can be done en route to or from the park. Also available are longer itineraries (7 to 14 days) that travel more widely in Uganda and incorporate a visit to Murchison Falls.”
1How many days are recommended for a budget Murchison Falls trip?
“The most usual duration for a stand-alone Murchison Falls budget tour is 3 days, but 2-day and 4-day itineraries are also offered by many operators. Given that the drive there and back requires at least 6 hours, a 2-day safari will be very rushed and is not recommended unless you absolutely cannot extend the trip any longer. A 3-day safari will be more relaxed as it effectively doubles the time you spend in the park. In our view, 4 days is even better, especially if you want to track chimps and visit Ziwa en route.”
2What animals might I see on a Murchison Falls budget safari?
“You can expect to see a good variety of African wildlife on a Murchison Falls budget safari. The national park is home to four of the Big Five (no rhino). You are almost certain to see elephant and buffalo, along with hippos, crocodiles and waterbirds, on the popular boat trip to the base of Murchison Falls. Lions are regularly observed on game drives north of the Nile, and leopards are present but more secretive. Other common wildlife includes Rothschild’s giraffe, defassa waterbuck, Uganda kob, oribi, patas monkey and olive baboon. For bird-watchers, the boat trip to the delta formed by the Nile as it empties into Lake Albert provides one of the best opportunities anywhere in Africa to see the rare shoebill. Farther afield, the main road to Murchison Falls bisects Budongo Forest, one of the most reliable chimp trekking sites in Uganda. A worthwhile short diversion en route to Murchison Falls is Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch, where rhino (the only member of the Big Five not present in the national park) can be tracked on foot.”
3Can you describe a typical day on a Murchison Falls budget trip?
“Every day will be different. On the first day of your budget safari, an early start from Entebbe or Kampala should allow you to reach your lodge by lunchtime. In the afternoon, you'll probably join a boat trip on the Nile upstream to the base of Murchison Falls. The next morning it’s typical to do a game drive, setting off as early as possible to improve your chances of seeing big cats. On a 2-day safari, you will return to Entebbe or Kampala after your game drive, possibly stopping en route to look for rhinos at Ziwa. On a longer safari, you will have time to do other activities over the next day or two. These might include a visit to the spectacular viewpoint at the top of Murchison Falls, a morning boat trip to the Nile delta, additional game drives, or chimp trekking in Budongo Forest.”
4What is the best time of the year for a Murchison Falls trip?
“Murchison Falls is a year-round destination and there is no truly bad time to visit. In terms of wildlife viewing, marginally the best time for a budget safari is the main Dry season, which runs from December to February. These months are also good for bird watching, as Palearctic migrants from Europe and Southeast Asia are present in Uganda from November to April. However, January and February can be uncomfortably hot, with midday temperatures routinely soaring above 33°C/91°F. The Wet season, which usually starts in March and runs to November, tends to be more comfortable climatically, and the scenery is lusher and greener from June onward. June and July are optimal in terms of relatively low temperatures and rainfall. If you will also be tracking gorillas and/or chimps while in Uganda, you might want to factor in the best months for these activities. Gorilla trekking is best from December to February and June to August. Chimps are easiest to track from December to March and June to July.”
5How much does a Murchison Falls budget safari cost?
“The typical price of a cheap 2- to 4-day Murchison Falls safari is around US$230 to US$300 per person per day. This will usually include accommodations at a simple rest camp or tented camp, meals, transport, and park entrance and activity fees. It will exclude drinks, tips and any activities listed as optional. Expect to pay slightly more for a package that includes chimp trekking in Budongo Forest or rhino trekking in Ziwa.”
6Murchison Falls Reviews
Philip is an acclaimed travel writer and author of many guidebooks, including the Bradt guides to Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya and South Africa.
Thundering Waters and Smirking Shoebills
I don’t recall who it was that described Murchison Falls as the most spectacular thing to happen to the world’s longest river en route from Lake Victoria to the Mediterranean, but I’d have to agree with them. This truly spectacular...
Stephen is a travel writer and avid conservationist whose work appears in prestigious magazines such as Africa Geographic and Travel Africa.
Thundering Waterfalls and Decent Wildlife
Like Kidepo, this park in northwest Uganda is a beautiful and wild place with plenty of wildlife still remaining. In my opinion the ultimate highlight must surely be the boat cruise up Africa’s longest river to view the mighty Nile as it...
TR
Where I found and felt the 'safari' aspect of the tour with an early morning game drive and an afternoon Nile boat cruise with an abundance of hippos in the water and along the shores with elephants, various hooved species, and other...
Murchison Falls National Park is home to a wide range of wildlife, including elephants, giraffes, lions, leopards, buffaloes, hippos, and crocodiles. Game drives on the northern bank offer classic savannah safari experiences with high...
Really big place with beautiful nature an wildlife.
We went in July and were really lucky with good weather. At first we went to visit the waterfalls itself which was absolutely stunning - although you should not bother getting a little bit wet. We did two park rides and saw buffallows,...
Beautiful and loud! Rainbows! Hot temps but the showers from the falls helped to cool us. Saw Termite kingdom and black neck cobra baby snake with our guide Lawrence. Beautiful pictures. The Nile is so powerful. We did do a cruise up the...