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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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8-Day Gorillas, Big 5 plus, Private Overland Safari
$4,356 to $4,576 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, Murchison Falls NP, Ziwa Rhino Ranch, Entebbe (End)
Meanda Uganda
5.0/5 – 27 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
4.9/5 – 52 Reviews
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7-Day Wildlife, Lake Bunyonyi, Chimps & Gorilla Safari
$3,113 to $3,157 pp (USD)
Rwanda & Uganda: Private tourBudgetLodge & Resort
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Murchison Falls NP, Kibale NP (Chimps), Queen Elizabeth NP, Ishasha Sector (Queen Elizabeth NP), Bwindi Impenetrable NP (Gorillas), Lake Bunyonyi, Kigali (End)
Abunda Discoveries Uganda
5.0/5 – 10 Reviews
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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 – 11 Reviews
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3-Day Big 5 Sighting Safari Tour to Murchison Falls NP
$671 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetLodge
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Murchison Falls NP, Entebbe Airport (End)
Semu Gorilla Safaris and Tours
4.9/5 – 14 Reviews
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3-Day Murchison Fall Wildlife Wilderness Safari
$704 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 – 9 Reviews
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9-Day Primates Treks & Classic Africa Wildlife Safari
$3,504 pp (USD)
Uganda: Shared tour (max 3 people per vehicle)BudgetLodge & Tented Camp
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Murchison Falls NP, Kibale NP (Chimps), Queen Elizabeth NP, Bwindi Impenetrable NP (Gorillas), Lake Mburo NP, Entebbe (End)
Epic Uganda Vacation
5.0/5 – 47 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
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 – 298 Reviews
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10-Day Gorillas, Chimps (Kibale) & Big 5 Wildlife Safari
$2,949 pp (USD)
Uganda: Shared tour (max 7 people per vehicle)BudgetCamping & Lodge
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Murchison Falls NP, Kibale NP (Chimps), Queen Elizabeth NP, Bwindi Impenetrable NP (Gorillas), Lake Mburo NP, Entebbe (End)
Big Apes Africa
4.9/5 – 130 Reviews
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7-Day Best of Uganda Gorilla, Chimp Tracking & Wildlife
$3,025 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetLodge & Hotel
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Murchison Falls NP, Hoima (Town), Queen Elizabeth NP, Bwindi Impenetrable NP (Gorillas), Lake Mburo NP, Entebbe (End)
Lulu Safaris Uganda
5.0/5 – 159 Reviews
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15-Day Ultimate Uganda Safari
$5,162 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetLodge & Tented Camp
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Kampala (City), Ziwa Rhino Ranch, Kidepo Valley NP, Murchison Falls NP, Kibale NP (Chimps), Queen Elizabeth NP, Bwindi Impenetrable NP (Gorillas), Lake Bunyonyi, Lake Mburo NP, Entebbe (End)
African Sacred Ibis Adventures
5.0/5 – 3 Reviews
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10-Day Uganda Deluxe Safari
$3,410 to $3,630 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetCamping & Lodge
You Visit: Kampala (Start), Murchison Falls NP, Kibale NP (Chimps), Queen Elizabeth NP, Kazinga Channel (Queen Elizabeth NP), Bwindi Impenetrable NP (Gorillas), Entebbe (End)
Bushman Safaris
5.0/5 – 42 Reviews
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10-Day Highlights of Uganda Safari with Big Five Mammals
$3,410 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetLodge & Tented Camp
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Ziwa Rhino Ranch, Murchison Falls NP, Kibale NP (Chimps), Queen Elizabeth NP, Bwindi Impenetrable NP (Gorillas), Lake Mburo NP, Entebbe (End)
Yaneta Safaris
4.7/5 – 43 Reviews
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3-Day Budget Friendly Murchison Falls Tour
$694 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetLodge
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Ziwa Rhino Ranch, Murchison Falls NP, Entebbe Airport (End)
Renai Venture Safaris and Tours
5.0/5 – 4 Reviews
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11-Day Most of Uganda's Major Game Parks Safari
$3,559 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)
Pamba Tours Uganda
5.0/5 – 4 Reviews
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3-Day Chimpanzee Trekking & Murchison Falls NP
$1,051 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetLodge
You Visit: Kampala (Start), Murchison Falls NP, Kampala (End)
CPN Consultants
4.8/5 – 16 Reviews
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20-Day Primates and Wildlife Uganda Safari
$9,878 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetMountain Hut & Camping
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Ziwa Rhino Ranch, Murchison Falls NP, Budongo Forest (Chimps), Kibale NP (Chimps), Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range), Queen Elizabeth NP, Bwindi Impenetrable NP (Gorillas), Lake Bunyonyi, Lake Mburo NP, Entebbe Airport (End)
Pamoja Tours and Travel (Entebbe, UG)
4.9/5 – 64 Reviews
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3-Day Murchison Falls Classic Wildlife Experience
$935 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetTented Camp
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Murchison Falls NP, Entebbe Airport (End)
Green Zones Safaris
5.0/5 – 13 Reviews
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10-Day Mgahinga-Queen-Murchison-Jinja
$4,356 to $4,792 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetLodge & Hotel
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Kisoro (Town), Mgahinga Gorilla NP (Gorillas), Lake Mutanda, Queen Elizabeth NP, Kalinzu FR (Chimps), Murchison Falls NP, Jinja (Town), Lake Victoria, Entebbe (End)
Santaviva
5.0/5 – 27 Reviews
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3-Day Murchison Falls Safari
$704 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 – 16 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 10th 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 (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...

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...

Murchison Falls is simply incredible I remember we were a little bit behind schedule so I ask Our Guide Musafaru its just a water fall we can skip it so we can catch up Musafaru said the that will be a big mistake so he convinced us and...

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