Murchison Falls tours from Kampala
Most tours start in Kampala or Entebbe and drive north-west to the park. The distance is about 305 km. The road to the south gate takes 4 to 5 hours, and many lodges are another 1 to 2 hours beyond the gate. Tours differ in length, in what they include and in which side of the Nile they use.
Departure days, pick-up points and prices vary by operator. The cards below show live offers. Use this page to decide on the length first, then compare the offers.
Our picks: popular Murchison Falls tours
For most people a two- or three-day trip with a night in a lodge is the right size. The tours with rhino or chimpanzee tracking add a second park or forest, so they suit travellers who want more than the falls.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
4-day safari with Ziwa rhinos, Murchison Falls and Kibale chimps
- All activity entry fees
- Ziwa rhino trekking
- Kibale chimpanzee trekking
A private air-conditioned vehicle and guide for three nights, with meals and snacks as listed. A sighting of the chimpanzees cannot be promised.
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3-day Murchison Falls tour with rhino and chimp tracking
- Rhino and chimp permits
- Park and ranger fees
- Nile boat and falls hike
Travel in a 4WD tour van with pickup and drop-off. The accommodation is bed only.
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2-day Murchison Falls safari with a night in a lodge
- Park fees
- Boat to the base of the falls
- One night and meals
An air-conditioned minivan and a guide for a private group. The two days cover the Top of the Falls, the Nile boat and a game drive.
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3-day Murchison Falls safari with a Nile boat cruise
- Park entry
- Two nights with board
- Boat to the base of the falls
Game drives, the walk to the top of the falls and a boat trip of about two hours, with pickup and return from Kampala or Entebbe.
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2-day Murchison Falls safari with a Nile boat cruise
- Park fees
- Boat to the base of the falls
- Top of the Falls walk
A private 4x4 from Kampala or Entebbe, one night in a lodge and meals as listed. A short first look at the park, without a chimpanzee or rhino activity.
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2-day Murchison Falls safari with Ziwa rhino trek
- Guided rhino trek in Ziwa
- Boat to the base of the falls
- Top of the Falls hike
One night and meals as per the itinerary, in a small group of up to two. Ask whether park fees and the rhino entry are included before you book.
Check availability →Murchison Falls tours from Kampala
Two and three day tours and safaris to the park, with live prices and availability.
Two days or three: what fits
The road decides how much time is left for the park.
| Length | What fits | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Day trip | The road and perhaps one activity | 8 to 10 hours of driving to the south gate and back, before the park |
| 2 days | Travel, one game drive and the boat trip | A tight but workable plan if you leave early on day one |
| 3 days | A morning game drive, the river and the road | Leaves time for a Ziwa stop or a longer game drive |
| 4 days or more | Both sides of the Nile and the Top of the Falls hike | Room for Budongo Forest or a night drive |
For most visitors, three days is the first length that gives the park real time. Two days work if the road is your only compromise.
Murchison Falls day trip: honest numbers
It can be done, but it is a long day.
A day trip from Kampala means a very early start. The round trip to the south gate takes 8 to 10 hours before you reach any activity. Add the drive inside the park, a game drive or a boat trip, and you will be in the car for most of the day. A day trip is not a short outing with a full safari programme. If you want the falls and the animals, stay at least one night.
See the lodges page for the two sides of the river and the getting there page for road and air options.
Stops you can add on the way
Time is the limit, not interest.
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
The sanctuary lies about 176 km from Kampala on the Gulu highway, with a turn-off at Nakitoma. Rhino trekking takes 1.5 to 2.5 hours, depending on where the animals are. Adults from abroad pay $60 and children up to 12 pay $30, trekking included. Do not plan it as a quick photo stop.
Ziwa guide →Budongo Forest
Chimpanzee tracking is a separate activity with its own fee. Do not assume a tour includes it. Ask before you book.
Budongo guide →Masindi
The town lies on the southern route to the park. It is about 85 km from Paraa.
Masindi guide →What to check before you book
The same tour name can mean different things.
Park fees and permits
Ask whether park entry per person, the vehicle fee and activity fees are in the price. UWA charges them separately.
Park fees →Which activities
Check for a game drive, the falls boat trip, the delta cruise and the Top of the Falls hike. Each has its own fee and time.
Boat cruises →Where you sleep
North or south of the Nile, inside or outside the park. A night drive needs a night inside the park.
Pick-up and return
Pick-up points and times differ by operator. Confirm them in writing, including the return to Kampala or Entebbe.
If your plans include gorillas, they are a separate trip: see tours to Bwindi.
Murchison Falls tours: frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Kampala to Murchison Falls?
The distance is about 305 km. Plan 4 to 5 hours to the south gate, and often 1 to 2 hours more to a lodge. Travel times depend on traffic and road works.
Is a 2 day tour enough?
It works if you accept that most of the first day is travel. You get one game drive and one boat trip. Three days feel less rushed.
Are park fees included in a tour price?
That depends on the operator. Ask directly whether entry, the vehicle fee and the activities are included. The park fees page lists each charge.
Can I see rhinos on a Murchison Falls tour?
Rhino trekking happens at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary on the road north, not in the park. Some tours stop there, others do not.
Can I fly instead of driving?
Yes, scheduled flights serve the park from Entebbe, but not in March, April, May and November, and a minimum of 4 passengers applies at each airstrip. See the getting there page.