wildlife5 Days

Queen Elizabeth & Murchison Falls Safari

Two iconic parks, one unforgettable journey through Uganda's wild heart

Duration

5 Days

Group Size

1-10 People

Starting From

$2,150pp

Book This Safari

Tour Overview

This 5-day expedition links two of Uganda's flagship national parks in a single action-packed itinerary. Begin in Queen Elizabeth National Park, where the Kazinga Channel boat cruise brings you within arm's reach of hippos, elephants, and flocks of vibrant waterbirds, while the Ishasha sector offers the rare chance to spot tree-climbing lions draped across fig branches. Then head north to Murchison Falls National Park, where the entire Nile forces itself through a 7-metre gap and plunges 43 metres in a thunderous curtain of spray. Morning and afternoon game drives across Murchison's savannah reveal lions, giraffes, herds of buffalo, and the occasional leopard. A boat cruise upstream to the base of the falls is the grand finale—an experience that stays with you forever.

Tour Highlights

Game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park's diverse ecosystems

Kazinga Channel boat cruise with hippos, elephants, and over 600 bird species

Search for the famous tree-climbing lions of Ishasha

Murchison Falls boat cruise to the base of the world's most powerful waterfall

Morning and afternoon game drives on the Buligi Peninsula

Scenic drive through the Great Rift Valley escarpment

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Kampala to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Depart Kampala after breakfast and drive westward through lush farmland, crossing the equator at Kayabwe for a photo stop and a fascinating water-hemisphere demonstration. Continue through the dramatic western rift escarpment with panoramic views of Lake Edward. Arrive at your safari lodge inside Queen Elizabeth National Park by late afternoon. Enjoy a sundowner drink as the African sun sets over the savannah.

Day 2: Queen Elizabeth Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Cruise

Rise early for a sunrise game drive along the Kasenyi Plains, one of the best spots in the park for spotting lions, Uganda kob, warthogs, and elephants. Return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation. In the afternoon, board a boat for the legendary Kazinga Channel cruise—a 32-kilometre natural waterway connecting Lake Edward and Lake George. Expect close-up encounters with hippo pods, Nile crocodiles, buffalo, and a dazzling variety of waterbirds including pelicans, African fish eagles, and malachite kingfishers.

Day 3: Ishasha Tree-Climbing Lions & Transfer to Murchison Falls

After an early breakfast, drive south to the Ishasha sector—famous for its tree-climbing lions. Spend the morning scanning fig trees for these magnificent cats lounging on broad branches. After a picnic lunch, begin the scenic transfer northward to Murchison Falls National Park, stopping en route for fuel and refreshments. Arrive at your riverside lodge in the evening and settle in with the distant roar of the falls as your soundtrack.

Day 4: Murchison Falls Game Drives & Boat Cruise

Cross the Nile by ferry at dawn and embark on a morning game drive through the Buligi Peninsula. The northern bank teems with Rothschild's giraffes, elephants, hartebeests, oribis, and predators on the prowl. Return for lunch, then board a boat for the unforgettable upstream cruise to the foot of Murchison Falls. Watch the Nile squeeze through the narrow cleft and explode into a thundering cascade while hippos surface around your vessel and African fish eagles soar overhead.

Day 5: Top of the Falls & Return to Kampala

Start the day with a short hike to the top of Murchison Falls for a bird's-eye view of the Nile's fury. Feel the spray on your face and capture unforgettable photographs. After breakfast, begin the drive back to Kampala (or Entebbe) with a lunch stop along the way. Arrive in the evening with a memory card full of photos and stories to last a lifetime.