7-Day Murchison Falls Safari & Mount Rwenzori Hiking Tour – This seven-day wildlife and hiking safari is a great way to experience the world’s two most natural wonders – Murchison Falls and the Rwenzori ranges. It also offers a chance to spot Uganda’s only surviving white rhinos in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and explore Uganda’s tourism city, Fort Portal.
7-Day Uganda Wildlife & Rwenzori Hiking Tour Highlights
- Day 1: Entebbe to Murchison Falls National Park via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
- Day 2: Game Drive and Boat Cruise to the Bottom of Murchison Falls
- Day 3: Murchison Falls N/Park to Fort Portal
- Day 4: Town Tour & Crater Lakes Hike in Fort Portal. Overnight Stay at the Base of Mount Rwenzori
- Day 5: Sine Camp
- Day 6: Samalira Camp
- Day 7: Descend and Departure or Overnight Stay at Rwenzori Base Camp
Detailed 7-Day Uganda Wildlife & Rwenzori Hiking Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Entebbe to Murchison Falls National Park via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Early morning at 8 am on this first day of your 7-Day Murchison Falls Safari & Mount Rwenzori Hiking Tour, your driver guide will pick you up from your accommodation or the airport and embark on a 5-hour trip to Murchison Falls National Park, undoubtedly the biggest national park in Uganda and certainly the most beautiful. It overlooks the magnificent Albertine Rift escarpments and is home to the world’s most powerful waterfalls located along the scenic Victoria Nile, which bisects the park at Paraa.
Drive until you reach Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for a 2-hour Rhino trekking experience, where you have a chance to encounter Uganda’s only surviving family of southern black rhinos. Continue after lunch, passing via Masindi town or Karuma Falls, depending on the booked place of accommodation.
Upon arrival in the park, visit Murchison Falls from the top, driving through the woodland sector of the park. This is arguably the world’s most powerful falls by the volume of water emitted. Take as many pictures as you can before driving back to your lodge for an overnight stay and dinner.
Day 2: Game Drive and Boat Cruise to the Bottom of Murchison Falls
Have an early breakfast and get ready for a sensational day re-exploring Uganda’s largest conservation area, with a sunrise game drive and an afternoon leisurely boat cruise along the Victoria Nile.
Depending on your lodge, a game drive in Murchison Falls National Park happens on the northern side of the River Nile and is best done before sunrise to comfortably spot early risers and nocturnal animals returning to their shelters after their night hunting sessions.
The park shelters numerous savannah-based animals like mammals and cats, all dwelling harmoniously in a common habitat. The 3-hour game drive in the park’s interior exposes you to vast herds of buffaloes, elephants, giraffes, and smaller mammals such as oribis, kobs, warthogs, hartebeests, topis, and more.
After a delicious picnic lunch, head out for a 3-4-hour boat trip upstream to the bottom of Murchison Falls. This boat cruise provides endless opportunities to spot rare and beautiful animals that dot the riverbanks in search of a cool environment and drinking water. Common animals include buffaloes, elephants, waterbucks, crocodiles, hippos, and numerous bird species.
The journey to the bottom ends near where Ernest Hemingway’s plane is believed to have crashed in the 1950s, marking a perfect starting point for your hike to the top of the falls.
This is a 45-minute hike that gives you an opportunity to view the falls from the top and see a permanent rainbow across the raging waters.
Your driver guide will pick you up from this point and drive through the park’s southern sector, characterized by woodland savannah, up to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 3: Murchison Falls N/Park to Fort Portal
Enjoy an early breakfast in Uganda’s most famous and beautiful park, then embark on a 6-7-hour transfer southwards to Fort Portal. Traverse the overlooking Albertine Escarpments, the verdant green countryside, extensive plantations, lush forests, and homesteads. Arrive in Fort Portal town in the evening, ready for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 4: Town Tour & Crater Lakes Hike in Fort Portal. Overnight Stay at the Base of Mount Rwenzori
Wake up to a sensational Fort Portal town excursion. This colonial, historical town is located on the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains and is one of Uganda’s most beautiful towns, surrounded by evergreen gardens, tea plantations, conical hills, and a vast array of craters and ancient caves.
During the town tour, visit numerous historical and modern places, including the King’s palace, the Royal tombs, the local market, or go to the nearby Amabere Ganyinamwiru caves.
After this town tour, have lunch, refresh, and embark on an afternoon trip to the legendary Rwenzori Mountains located on the outskirts of Kasese. If time permits, upon arrival, you may go for a nature walk in Rwenzori Mountains National Park to explore magnificent flora, a variety of birdlife, and breathtaking scenery.
Overnight stay at a camp on the foothills of Mount Rwenzori as you prepare for the next day’s epic adventure.
Day 5: Sine Camp
This is the first day of the Rwenzori adventure and it commences at an altitude of 1,450 meters above sea level. Accommodation will be at 2,596 meters at either Sine Hut or Kalalama Hut (3,134 meters). Hiking to Kalalama Camp, however, is recommended only for fit and experienced hikers.
The hike between Sine and Kalalama Huts is a great section presenting unequaled views of the low ranges of Rwenzori, Lake Edward, and the Savannah ranges of Queen Elizabeth National Park.
The hike starts with an ascent via the valley floor, characterized by afro-montane forest zone marked with various tall trees typical of such altitudes. A walk in the forest offers opportunities to sight blue monkeys, abundant species of birds and primates, as well as enjoy pleasant views of Enock’s Falls.
Sine Camp is perched at an altitude of 2,596 meters amidst tall afro-montane vegetation along a narrow ridge. While here, visitors have the chance to sit outside and admire the lush forest views, waterfalls, and a campfire at night.
Day 6: Samalira Camp
Leave Sine Camp early in the morning and climb through a lush bamboo forest region. This involves quite a steep ascent, but the efforts are soon rewarded with adorable and alluring views below. En route to the climb, there are small pockets of alpine forests and a huge population of birds, including the endemic Rwenzori Turaco, which can be heard singing and seen seeking shelter and feasting on berries and fruits.
At an altitude of 3,000 meters is the heather zone, marked with giant heather trees that can grow to a height of 15 meters. If you stayed at Sine Hut, walk through Kalalama Hut at 3,147m where you have views of Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake George, and the valleys below.
Further on the climb, you will find a mossy ridge and more heather vegetation at 3,515m, and then descend to the magnificent valley filled with lobelia. After that, ascend to Kyravilla and then descend through a ridge covered with moss until you reach Samalira Hut.
Day 7: Descend and Departure or Overnight Stay at Rwenzori Base Camp
This last day begins with a descent through the bamboo region and then passes through the afro-montane forest vegetation, teeming with primates and bird species. Pass through Omusita Rest Center and continue down until you reach the R. Nyamwamba trail. This place is engulfed with lush flora, forest mammals, and birds.
The journey leads you down to the park headquarters, where you will have some snacks, join your guide, and transfer to your lodge or proceed to Kampala or Entebbe airport (time permitting) for your departure flight.
This marks the end of your 7-Day Murchison Falls Safari & Mount Rwenzori Hiking Tour.
