Private • Uganda
3 Day Murchison Falls Safari & Ziwa Rhino Safari
The Nile, the falls, and Uganda's returning rhinos
Overview
About this safari
- Region
- East Africa
- Duration
- 3 days
- Departures
- All year round
- Party size
- Up to 6
At Murchison Falls, the entire force of the Nile squeezes through a seven-metre gorge and drops forty-three metres — the sound reaches you before the spray does. Over three days you track white rhino on foot at Ziwa Sanctuary, scan the north bank savannah for lions and Rothschild's giraffe, and drift the river at dusk watching open-billed storks lift off the papyrus. This is Uganda's largest park at its most elemental.
Highlights
What you'll experience
Rhino Tracking at Ziwa Sanctuary
Uganda's only wild white rhinos range across Ziwa's open grassland. You follow a ranger on foot, close enough to hear the animals tear at the grass, watching a species that was hunted to local extinction slowly reclaim its ground.
Murchison Falls from the River
The two-hour launch cruise up the Nile ends with the falls filling your entire field of view — a white curtain of water punching through ancient rock, Nile crocodiles motionless on the bank below. No photograph quite captures the volume of sound.
North Bank Game Drive
The north bank circuit holds some of the densest concentrations of Uganda kob in Africa. Lions move through the tall grass in the early morning, and Rothschild's giraffe — one of the world's rarest subspecies — browse the acacia line at eye level with the vehicle roof.
Hike to the Top of the Falls
A forty-five-minute trail through fig and wild date palms brings you to the lip of the gorge, where the water vanishes underfoot into the roar below. The view downstream — braided channels, sandbanks, and the distant blue of Lake Albert — is worth every step.
Birding Along the Nile
The riverine corridor packs in an extraordinary list: African fish eagle, Goliath heron, shoebill in the ox-bow swamps, and the vivid flash of a malachite kingfisher on every low branch. Dedicated birding walks can be arranged at dawn.
Why choose us
Why choose a Private Safari?
Murchison Falls is one of those places that rearranges your sense of scale — the Nile is enormous, the falls are overwhelming, and the wildlife is simply everywhere. Here is why this particular three-day itinerary works.
Two landscapes, one trip
Ziwa's open conservancy and Murchison's vast floodplain offer genuinely different ecosystems — and very different wildlife encounters — without requiring you to cover excessive ground.
Conservation you can witness
The Ziwa rhino population grew from six animals in 2005 to over thirty today. Walking with them connects you directly to a restoration story that is still unfolding.
Private guiding throughout
Your Arrive Africa driver-guide is with you from Kampala to the falls and back — no shared vehicles, no fixed group pace. The itinerary bends around what the morning shows you.
Itinerary
Your safari, day by day
Day 1
Transfer from Kampala to Murchison Falls National Park – Rhino Tracking and Visit to the Top of the Falls
Your driver-guide collects you from your Kampala or Entebbe hotel at 7:00 am. The drive north takes you through rolling banana plantations and the red-earthed hills of Luwero before the landscape opens into the broader savannahs of northern Uganda. A lunch stop in Masindi breaks the journey.
In the early afternoon you arrive at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary — a private conservancy that has been restoring the northern white Rhino to Uganda since 2005. A ranger leads you on foot through the bush, reading tracks and dung, until the animals themselves appear: broad-shouldered, unhurried, utterly indifferent to your presence. It is a rare thing to stand this close to an animal that nearly vanished.
From Ziwa you continue into Murchison Falls National Park, arriving at the lodge in time for dinner as the sky over the Nile turns copper.
Stay · Sambiya River Lodge Meals · Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 2
Morning Game Drive and Afternoon Boat Cruise on the River Nile
Wake up early and enjoy breakfast before setting out for a morning game drive at approximately 7:00 am. Accompanied by your driver-guide, explore the park’s vast savannah plains, where wildlife is often active during the cooler morning hours.
Look out for elephants, lions, Rothschild’s giraffes, buffaloes, Uganda kob, waterbucks, and other antelope species. You may also encounter a variety of birds as you explore the park’s rich natural habitats.
After the game drive, return to your lodge for lunch and some relaxation before the afternoon boat cruise.
In the afternoon, head to the River Nile for a memorable boat cruise towards the base of Murchison Falls. As you travel along the river, watch for hippos resting in the water, Nile crocodiles along the banks, and elephants and buffaloes coming to drink. The riverbanks also provide excellent opportunities for birdwatching, with possible sightings of kingfishers, bee-eaters, herons, and the remarkable Shoebill in suitable habitats.
The cruise offers a wonderful perspective of the surrounding landscape and brings you close to the base of the magnificent falls. You can admire the powerful cascade from the river and appreciate the beauty of the Nile as it flows through the park.
Depending on your preference and the arrangements made, you may opt for a guided hike from the base towards the top of the falls, where your driver-guide can meet you for the return journey.
Return to your lodge in the evening for dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation options:
Stay · Sambiya River Lodge Meals · Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3
Morning Game Drive and Return to Kampala
Enjoy breakfast at your lodge before beginning your return journey to Kampala. Depending on your departure time and the arrangements made, you may enjoy a final morning game drive in the park, offering another opportunity to spot wildlife you might have missed on the previous day.
As you travel through the savannah, look out for elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, antelopes, and other animals grazing in the open grasslands. The early morning is also a rewarding time to observe birds and appreciate the park’s beautiful scenery.
After leaving the park, proceed to Masindi for lunch before continuing towards Kampala. Enjoy the changing landscapes and rural communities along the way as you reflect on the memorable wildlife encounters and spectacular views experienced during your safari.
You will arrive in Kampala in the evening, marking the end of your 3-day Murchison Falls safari.
Meal plan: Breakfast and lunch.
End of safari.
Meals · Breakfast, Lunch
Inclusions
What is and isn't included
Included
- Private transport in a customised 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- Professional driver-guide for all three days
- 2 nights' accommodation (lodge tier as booked)
- All meals as specified in the itinerary (Day 1: B/L/D; Day 2: B/L/D; Day 3: B/L)
- Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary entry and guided rhino tracking on foot
- Murchison Falls National Park entry fees
- Two-hour launch cruise on the Victoria Nile
- Morning game drives on Days 2 and 3
- Bottled water throughout
- Airport or hotel pick-up and drop-off in Kampala or Entebbe
Not included
- International flights to and from the region
- Entry visas and any transit visas
- Gorilla and chimpanzee permits, unless listed as included
- Travel and medical insurance, which is mandatory
- Alcoholic drinks and premium beverages
- Laundry, telephone and other items of a personal nature
- Tips and gratuities for your guide, drivers and lodge staff
- Optional activities not listed in the day-by-day itinerary
Lodges
Lodges on this safari
Sambiya River Lodge
One of 10 private cottages set under the forest canopy inside Murchison Falls National Park, 15 minutes from the Falls.
- Tier
- Mid-range
Pricing
Available all year round
A private itinerary with no fixed departure dates. Rates are per person in USD.
Safari Details
Essential information
Minimum Age
6 years (rhino tracking on foot: 12 years)
Safari Duffel
Soft-sided bags recommended; 15 kg luggage limit if combining with light aircraft transfers
First Group Event
Driver-guide briefing at hotel pick-up, 7:00 am on Day 1
Last Group Event
Drop-off at Entebbe International Airport or Kampala hotel, approximately 5:00 pm on Day 3
Guaranteed Departures
All dates operate as private departures and are guaranteed from 1 guest
Alternate Sightseeing
The hike to the top of the falls (Day 2) and dawn birding walks can be arranged on request. Hot-air balloon flights depend on the operator and the weather.