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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 Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch and Budongo Forest provides you with a decent chance of seeing all the Big Five as well as chimps and shoebills in the course of one short, affordable trip.
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Best Seller
9-Day Uganda Vacation -Big 5 Safari and Gorilla Trekking
$2,932 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetLodge & Tented Camp
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch, Murchison Falls NP, Kibale NP (Chimps), Queen Elizabeth NP, Bwindi NP (Gorillas), Lake Mburo NP, Entebbe Airport (End)
Home To Africa Tours and Travel
4.9/5 – 278 Reviews
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3-Day Breathtaking Uganda Safari to Murchision Falls NP
$825 to $990 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetLodge & Hotel
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch, Murchison Falls NP, Entebbe Airport (Entebbe), Kampala (End)
Kubwa Five Safaris
5.0/5 – 122 Reviews
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3-Day Big 5 Safari Murchison Falls National Park Uganda
$715 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourTented Camp
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Murchison Falls NP, Entebbe Airport (End)
Pamoja Tours and Travel (Entebbe, UG)
4.8/5 – 48 Reviews
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3-Day Murchison Falls Wildlife Trip, Ziwa Rhino Tracking
$723 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetLodge
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Murchison Falls NP, Entebbe (End)
Moroka Expeditions
4.8/5 – 11 Reviews
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7-Day Best of Uganda Gorilla, Chimp Tracking & Wildlife
$3,025 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourLodge & Hotel
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Murchison Falls NP, Hoima (Town), Queen Elizabeth NP, Bwindi NP (Gorillas), Lake Mburo NP, Entebbe (End)
Lulu Safaris Uganda
5.0/5 – 75 Reviews
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10-Day Uganda Gorilla, Chimpanzee and Wildlife Safari
$3,300 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetLodge & Resort
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Murchison Falls NP, Kibale NP (Chimps), Queen Elizabeth NP, Bwindi NP (Gorillas), Lake Bunyonyi, Lake Mburo NP, Kampala (City), Entebbe (End)
Native Africa Tours
5.0/5 – 16 Reviews
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3-Day Murchison Falls Royale
$1,012 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetTented Camp
You Visit: Kampala (Start), Murchison Falls NP, Entebbe (End)
Bushman Safaris
5.0/5 – 40 Reviews
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9-Day Kidepo, Pian-Upe, Murchison Falls and Ziwa Tour
$2,588 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourLodge & Tented Camp
You Visit: Kampala (Start), Pian-Upe WR, Kidepo Valley NP, Murchison Falls NP, Kibale NP (Chimps), Entebbe (City), Kampala (End)
Bujo Safaris Uganda
5.0/5 – 13 Reviews
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3-Day Murchison Falls Classic Wildlife Experience
$825 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetTented Camp
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Murchison Falls NP, Entebbe Airport (End)
Green Zones Safaris
5.0/5 – 10 Reviews
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3-Day Murchison Falls Wildlife Trip
$671 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetLodge
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Murchison Falls NP, Entebbe (End)
Katsam Adventures
4.8/5 – 25 Reviews
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18-Day Uganda Total Life Time Experience
$4,697 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetLodge & Tented Camp
You Visit: Kampala (Start), Entebbe Airport (Entebbe), Jinja (Town), Sipi Falls (Highlight), Kidepo Valley NP, Murchison Falls NP, Kibale NP (Chimps), Queen Elizabeth NP, Bwindi NP (Gorillas), Lake Bunyonyi, Lake Mburo NP, Kampala (End)
Bright Safaris Uganda
5.0/5 – 47 Reviews
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12-Day Ugand Budget Primate and Gorilla Wildlife Safari
$3,425 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetCamping & Lodge
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Entebbe Airport (Entebbe), Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch, Murchison Falls NP, Kibale NP (Chimps), Queen Elizabeth NP, Ishasha Sector (Queen Elizabeth NP), Bwindi NP (Gorillas), Lake Bunyonyi, Lake Mburo NP, Entebbe (End)
Beautiful Safaris Uganda
5.0/5 – 36 Reviews
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14-Day Uganda Rwanda Study Tour & Gorilla Trekking Trip
$5,500 pp (USD)
Rwanda & Uganda: Shared tour (max 9 people per vehicle)Lodge & Guest House
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Entebbe Airport (Entebbe), Kampala (City), Jinja (Town), Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch, Lira (City), Gulu (City), Murchison Falls NP, Kibale NP (Chimps), Queen Elizabeth NP, Mgahinga Gorilla NP (Gorillas), Bwindi NP (Gorillas), Kigali, Kigali Airport (End)
Safari 2 Gorilla Tours
4.8/5 – 47 Reviews
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3-Day White Rhinos & Wildlife of Murchison Falls Safari
$670 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetTented Camp
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Murchison Falls NP, Entebbe Airport (End)
Ecovic Tours & Travel Uganda
5.0/5 – 37 Reviews
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10-Day Western Uganda Gorilla and Wildlife Budget Safari
$3,736 pp (USD)
Rwanda & Uganda: Shared tour (max 4 people per vehicle)BudgetLodge & Tented Camp
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Murchison Falls NP, Kibale NP (Chimps), Queen Elizabeth NP, Bwindi NP (Gorillas), Mgahinga Gorilla NP (Gorillas), Lake Mburo NP, Entebbe Airport (End)
Bamboo Ecotours
5.0/5 – 101 Reviews
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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 Wetlands, Entebbe (End)
Frena Adventures
4.8/5 – 91 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
4-Day Murchison Falls and Jinja Safari
$1,265 pp (USD)
Uganda: Shared tour (max 8 people per vehicle)Lodge & Hotel
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Murchison Falls NP, Jinja (Town), Entebbe (End)
East African Jungle Safaris
5.0/5 – 136 Reviews
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7-Day Kidepo Valley & Murchison Falls National Parks
$2,255 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetCamping & Hotel
You Visit: Kampala (Start), Kitgum (Town), Kidepo Valley NP, Murchison Falls NP, Kampala (End)
Pearl Afric Tours & Travel
5.0/5 – 64 Reviews
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3-Day Murchison Falls Big 5 Safari
$770 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetLodge
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Murchison Falls NP, Entebbe (End)
Kaara Adventures
5.0/5 – 44 Reviews
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9-Day Best of Uganda Value for Money Safari
$2,688 pp (USD)
Uganda: Shared tour (max 7 people per vehicle)BudgetLodge & Resort
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Murchison Falls NP, Kibale NP (Chimps), Queen Elizabeth NP, Kalinzu FR (Chimps), Bwindi NP (Gorillas), Lake Bunyonyi, Entebbe Airport (End)
Big Apes Africa
4.9/5 – 64 Reviews
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 9th edition) and to lead wildlife tours and bird-watching safaris.› More about Philip
6 Questions About Murchison Falls Budget Safaris
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, and you are almost certain to see elephant and buffalo – along with plentiful 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 elusive. 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 conventional 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 at Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch en route. 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 onwards. 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$190 to US$250 per person per day. This will usually include accommodation 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.”
6Murchison Falls Reviews
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 Ugandan 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...
The park has some diversity of settings but the main area's we explored were the savanna habitat and the area along the river leading to Murchison Falls. There is a good diversity of antelope species and therefore predators. We saw lions...
Loved - did the hike to the top of he falls which was so amazing - at one stage it was like we were being rained om we were so close.
Plus on the boat trip we got to see crocodiles and birds and hippos
Nature... Close-up
This was a trip for 16 workmates for a company retreat. The first day we took a drive through a long thick forest, had a delicious local dish served for lunch as we interacted with baboons that came from the forest to steal our eggs and...
The game drive was spectacular - such varied terrain and many different animals! The boat tour was lovely and the falls were majestic! I also really enjoyed staying at Murchison River Lodge - it was very nice and relaxing.