February 24, 2023
Either because of limited time or having a very limited budget, of late a number of travelers have been inquiring about doing a one day safari trip to Murchison Falls National Park from Kampala. That is to say, drive to the park for a safari and return to Kampala in just one day!
And well some people have traveled to and from the park in just one day, so maybe it is possible?
Even though Murchison Falls National Park is located about 5 hours’ drive from Kampala, it is not surprising that travelers are willing to make a dash there for a safari however short it could be. Murchison Falls National Park – Uganda’s biggest park, is arguably the best place in Uganda to see a wide variety of wildlife and the spectacular Murchison Waterfalls that are located on the Nile that runs through the park.
When you visit Murchison Falls National Park, you cannot miss the visit to the top of the Murchison Falls, and the 3 hour boat trip on the River Nile which starts at 2pm. Could you then make it to the park in time to do a game drive to watch the animals, visit the top of the falls and do a boat trip, and be able to get back to Kampala or Entebbe?
Looks like a tall order, right?
Yes it is!
It may be possible to do all those activities in the one day but you would have to leave Kampala way before sunrise and be would returning late in the evening way after sunset.
Ideally, a one day trip to Murchison Falls National Park would run like this: 4am – leave Kampala; 9am – 3 hour game drive in the north the of the park; 12.30 – lunch; 2pm – boat safari; 5.30pm – top of the falls; 6.30pm – travel back to Kampala arriving by around 11pm
It is a very tight schedule that puts you at risk of driving at a bad speed, and also in case of any eventuality along the way it would be difficult to recover and do all the activities. You would also have to drive in the night which is not advised for safety reasons.
I would therefore advise NOT to do a one a day trip from Kampala because of the risks shown above.
You should instead plan for at least one night in the park. At worst travel the evening before and sleep in a nearby town, Masindi town would be perfect, so that by 7am the following day you are at the park gate going in to start the safari.
In addition, it would be better to forego an activity, such as the boat trip, so that you will only visit the top of the Murchison Falls and then do a game drive to explore the savannah and watch plenty of animals.
The Murchison Falls Park trip requires more than one day
2 days/ 1 nights should be the minimum for a short trip to Murchison Falls National Park
The trip to Murchison Falls Park should include at one night in the park. You can look at this 2-day Murchison Falls trip.
Even the 2 day is a little rushed but much better than a one day tour.
The 3 days /2 night Murchison Falls National Park Big Five tour should be the ideal if your budget and time allows. This allows for slow paced trip that enables you enjoy all activities without panicking or rushing to keep within the time. The 3 days also gives you an opportunity to add extra activities such as a stopover at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for the walk to see the Rhinos. After seeing the rhinos, you stand a chance of seeing all the famous Big Five, as the other four (Buffalo, Leopard, Lion, Elephant) are all found in Murchison Falls National Park.
If you want to add the chimpanzee tracking to the Big Five safari experience, there is the 4 day / 3 night Murchison Falls tour.
