Uganda Safari: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary und Murchison Falls

A Uganda safari with Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and Murchison Falls is the best short route in the north: you track rhinos on foot on the way up, then spend two or three days in Uganda's largest national park, with a boat trip on the Nile, game drives and a hike to the top of the falls. The route can be done in four days and is more comfortable in five or six.

This guide describes what each part of the trip involves, how long it takes and how to compare tours, so that you can choose with a clear idea of what you are paying for.

Murchison Falls National Park covers about 3,800 square kilometres of savanna, woodland and river, with the Nile running through the middle. At the falls, the river squeezes through a gap only a few metres wide and drops about 43 metres, producing a loud and powerful display. Around it live elephants, giraffes, buffalo, lions, hippos, crocodiles and many birds. The park combines wildlife, scenery and a boat trip, which is why it suits first-time visitors well.

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary lies on the road to the park, so the two form a natural pair. Read can you see rhinos in Uganda for the sanctuary and is Murchison Falls worth visiting for the park.

The shortest version is a loop from Entebbe or Kampala:

1. Day one. Early start, rhino tracking at Ziwa, and drive on to the park.
2. Day two. Morning game drive, then the boat cruise to the base of the falls.
3. Day three. Hike to the top of the falls or a second game drive, then drive south.
4. Day four. Return to Entebbe.

It is a full schedule, with a lot of driving. It works for travellers who are short of time and accept the pace.

An extra day gives you a lie-in, a second game drive and a calmer final transfer. A five-day route lets you spend two full days in the park: one on game drives and one on the boat and the falls. A sixth day can add the Budongo Forest for chimpanzee tracking, which is on the way. See the 5-day Uganda rhinos and Murchison Falls safari and the 6-day Uganda Murchison Falls tour.

The cruise leaves from the Paraa area and runs upstream along the Nile for about two to three hours. You pass hippos, crocodiles, elephants and a great deal of birdlife, ending near the base of the falls. It is the most relaxed activity in the park and a highlight for most travellers.

Most of the open savanna lies on the north bank, where you find elephants, buffalo, giraffes, antelope and lions in some seasons. Drives are usually at dawn or in the late afternoon.

A guided walk climbs to the top of the falls, where the Nile narrows and roars through the gap. The path is steep in places, but the view is worth it.

The Budongo Forest, on the southern approach, is home to chimpanzees and many forest birds. It makes a good add-on for a six or seven-day route.

Compare tours on these points, not just price:

• Days in the park. Two full days are a minimum for the boat and two drives.
• Where you sleep. North of the river saves a ferry crossing on game-drive mornings.
• Vehicle and fuel. A 4x4 safari vehicle with a driver guide is essential, and fuel should be included.
• Activity fees. Check whether the boat cruise, the falls hike and Ziwa rhino tracking are included.
• Group size. Smaller groups mean more space in the vehicle.

The northern route joins well with other parts of Uganda. You can add Kibale and Queen Elizabeth in the west, or Bwindi for gorillas. The 10-day Uganda Murchison Falls, gorilla and chimpanzee safari combines both regions. For a birding extra, see the 8-day chimpanzee tracking, big game and shoebill safari.

The launch leaves from the Paraa area and runs upstream along the Nile for two to three hours. The banks are alive with wildlife: hippos in groups, crocodiles basking on sandbars, elephants coming down to drink and buffalo wading. Birdlife is rich, with kingfishers, herons, egrets and, if you are lucky, the rare shoebill. As you approach the falls, the roar grows, and the boat stops in the spray close to the base of the cascade. It is the best-value activity in the park, suited to every age, and it gives photographers a stable platform.

Some operators offer a delta cruise towards Lake Albert, which is longer and aimed at birders searching for the shoebill. Ask which is included.

The northern bank has open savanna and woodland, and the drives are among the most rewarding in Uganda. You can expect giraffe, buffalo, elephants, many antelope and, with luck, lions. The Rothschild's giraffe, a rare subspecies, is a speciality of the park. Early morning drives start around 6:30, when the light is good and the animals active, and the afternoon drive finishes at sunset. Because the park is large, the tracks can be long, and the sightings depend on patience. A good driver guide who knows the territory makes all the difference.

Yes, for those who like a walk with a view. The hike starts at the bottom, climbs through a forested path and ends at the top of the falls, where the Nile squeezes into a very narrow gap and thunders down. The path is steep in places and can be slippery, so wear shoes with good grip. The walk takes about an hour or more with stops, and you feel the spray at the top. It can be combined with the boat trip, in either order. Take water and a camera with a protective cover.

Accommodation is on either side of the Nile. Lodges on the northern bank save the ferry crossing on game-drive mornings and are closer to the savanna. Lodges on the southern bank are quieter and nearer the forest, and some offer views of the river. A night near the Budongo Forest adds chimpanzee tracking. Think about where your first and last nights fall, because the ferry timetable and road conditions affect the schedule. We choose the lodges to match your route, so that you spend your time in the park, not on the road.

The dry months, December to February and June to September, give the best game viewing, because the grass is shorter and animals gather by the river. The roads are easier, too. March to May and October to November are wetter and greener, with fewer visitors. The boat trip and the falls are good all year, though water levels differ. Read the best time to visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for the first stop.

• First-time visitors who want big game, a boat trip and a walk with rhinos
• Families and older travellers who prefer easy activities
• Travellers who want a short safari from Entebbe

• Travellers whose priority is gorilla trekking
• Visitors who dislike long drives of five hours or more

• Booking only one night in the park. Two nights give you both the drive and the boat.
• Skipping Ziwa. It is on the way and breaks the journey.
• Underestimating the road. The final stretch to the park is slow.
• Not asking what is included. Boat and rhino fees can be extras.

About 300 kilometres, which takes five to six hours by road, plus the stop at Ziwa.

The dry months, December to February and June to September, are the easiest. The park is open all year.

Yes. Small aircraft fly from Entebbe or Kajjansi to airstrips near the park, saving hours on the road.

Yes. The activities are suitable for families, and we plan the days to match.

Yes, a short flight from Entebbe or Kajjansi to an airstrip near the park saves a long road trip and gives an aerial view.

Crossing the Nile by ferry is part of the logistics for some lodges. We organise it for you.

Tell us your dates and how many days you have, and we will propose the route and the nights. Talk to Our Tour Specialist, or read Uganda safari tours from Entebbe Airport.