How many days do you need in Murchison falls?

December 9, 2024
uganda safaris

How many days do you need in Murchison falls? – The number of days you should spend in Murchison Falls National Park in Uganda depends on the activities you want to do and the level of exploration you’re interested in. However, most visitors typically spend 2 to 3 days in the park to experience its highlights.

Here’s a breakdown of what you can do in Murchison Falls National Park, and the time it would typically take:

1. Game Drives (1–2 days)

Murchison Falls is one of Uganda’s top wildlife destinations, offering opportunities for classic safari game drives in its vast savanna and woodland areas. You can spot the “big five” (lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, and rhinos – the latter at the nearby Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary), as well as giraffes, antelopes, and many bird species.

Morning and evening game drives are recommended to maximize your chances of spotting wildlife, as animals are most active during these times.
Duration: A full-day game drive or a half-day in the morning or afternoon, depending on how much you want to explore.

2. Boat Safari and Nile Delta (Half to Full Day)

The boat ride to the base of Murchison Falls along the Nile River is one of the park’s main attractions. You’ll see an abundance of wildlife, including hippos, crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes, and a variety of birds, such as the African fish eagle and kingfishers. The boat ride lasts about 3–4 hours.

A boat safari up the Nile to the base of the falls is one of the must-do activities. There’s also an option to continue by boat to the Nile Delta, which takes a full day.
Duration: Half a day for the boat safari to the falls, or up to a full day if you also do the Nile Delta tour.

3. Murchison Falls Hike (1–2 hours)

For a more active experience, you can hike to the top of Murchison Falls, where you’ll have a fantastic view of the powerful falls as the Nile River squeezes through a narrow gorge. The hike takes about 1 to 2 hours, depending on your fitness level.

Duration: 1–2 hours for the hike.

4. Optional Activities (Half a Day)

Chimpanzee Tracking in Budongo Forest: If you’re interested in seeing chimpanzees, a visit to the nearby Budongo Forest for chimp tracking can be added to your itinerary. This can be done in a half-day trip.
Fishing: Murchison Falls is also a popular spot for fishing, particularly for Nile perch. If you’re an angler, you can spend a day fishing on the Nile.
Cultural Visits: There are opportunities to visit local communities around the park, such as the Kibiro Salt Works or a village tour. These can be done in a few hours.

Sample Itinerary for Murchison Falls:

Day 1: Arrive at Murchison Falls, hike to the top of Murchison Falls and game drive in the afternoon
Day 2: Morning game drive, and evening boat safari to the base of the falls.
Day 3: Optional chimpanzee tracking, Game drive or Nile Delta boat trip, then return to Kampala or your next destination.

Conclusion: How Many Days?

2 days : This is sufficient if you’re primarily interested in doing a game drive, a boat safari, and the Murchison Falls hike.
3 days: If you want to add more activities like chimpanzee tracking, fishing, or a full Nile Delta boat trip, 3 days would allow for a more relaxed pace and a richer experience.

If you’re short on time, you can certainly fit the highlights into a 2-day trip, but for a more leisurely and thorough experience, 3 days would be ideal.