5-Day Uganda Safari: Murchison Falls and Kidepo Valley

Five days in Uganda's north: white rhinos on foot at Ziwa, the Nile thundering through Murchison Falls, and the wild, empty valleys of Kidepo, one of Africa's most remote parks.

What You Need to Know: This 5-day private safari from Kampala covers Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Murchison Falls National Park and Kidepo Valley National Park. It costs from US$2,410 per person for 2 travelers at mid-range lodges, with park fees included; Kidepo is far, so a flight back to Entebbe is recommended.

5-Day Uganda Safari: Murchison Falls and Kidepo Valley
Duration5 days
CountriesUganda
Start / endKampala
PriceFrom US$2,410 per person

Is the 5-Day Uganda Safari Right for You?

It is a savannah trip for travelers who want wilderness and few other vehicles.

This trip suits you if… Consider another trip if…
You want remote parks with few visitors You want primates: see the 7-day Uganda safari
You are happy with long drives, or will fly You want short transfers: see the 4-day Uganda safari
You have seen gorillas already, or will on another trip You want gorillas on this trip: see the 3-day Bwindi safari

The 5-Day Uganda Safari Route at a Glance

Two nights at Murchison Falls, two in Kidepo.

Day Route Travel Overnight
1 Kampala to Murchison Falls via Ziwa Drive 6–7 hours, rhino walk Murchison Falls
2 Game drive and boat cruise at Murchison Falls Game drive and boat cruise Murchison Falls
3 Murchison Falls to Kidepo Valley Drive 7–9 hours, or charter flight Kidepo Valley
4 Full day in Kidepo Valley Full-day game drive Kidepo Valley
5 Kidepo to Kampala or Entebbe Fly about 2 hours, or drive 10–12 hours —

5-Day Uganda Safari Itinerary, Day by Day

The route heads north from Kampala and returns by air or by a long road.

  1. Day 1: Kampala to Murchison Falls via Ziwa

    Pickup from your hotel in Kampala or Entebbe at about 6:00. Drive north to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and track southern white rhinos on foot with a ranger, the only wild rhinos in Uganda, then continue to Murchison Falls National Park.

    Drive 6–7 hours, rhino walkMurchison FallsBreakfast, lunch, dinner
  2. Day 2: Game drive and boat cruise at Murchison Falls

    Cross the Nile at dawn for a game drive on the northern bank, among Rothschild's giraffes, elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kob and, with luck, lions. In the afternoon a boat cruise runs upriver to the foot of Murchison Falls, past hippos and crocodiles; you can get off for the hike to the top, where the whole Nile squeezes through a 23 ft (7 m) gorge.

    Game drive and boat cruiseMurchison FallsBreakfast, lunch, dinner
  3. Day 3: Murchison Falls to Kidepo Valley

    A long drive north-east through Gulu and Kitgum to Kidepo Valley, arriving in the afternoon; a charter flight from Pakuba airstrip saves most of the day.

    Drive 7–9 hours, or charter flightKidepo ValleyBreakfast, lunch, dinner
  4. Day 4: Full day in Kidepo Valley

    Game drives in the Narus Valley, where lions, buffaloes, elephants, cheetahs and ostriches live below the mountains, and a visit to a Karamojong village if you wish.

    Full-day game driveKidepo ValleyBreakfast, lunch, dinner
  5. Day 5: Kidepo to Kampala or Entebbe

    Take the scheduled flight from Kidepo to Entebbe, about 2 hours, or drive back to Kampala, a 10–12 hour day.

    Fly about 2 hours, or drive 10–12 hoursDepartureBreakfast

What You Can See on the 5-Day Uganda Safari

  • Ziwa: southern white rhinos, tracked on foot
  • Murchison Falls: Rothschild's giraffes, elephants, hippos, crocodiles and the falls
  • Kidepo Valley: cheetahs, lions, zebras, ostriches and species found nowhere else in Uganda

How Much Does the 5-Day Uganda Safari Cost?

From US$2,410 per person, for 2 travelers sharing at mid-range lodges, with the private vehicle and driver-guide, accommodation and meals as listed, park fees included. This is a starting price: your final price is the one in your written quotation, worked out for your dates, group size and lodge level.

What changes the price

  • Group size: the vehicle and guide are shared, so the price per person falls as your group grows
  • Lodge level: budget lodges lower it, and luxury lodges and tented camps raise it
  • Season: lodges charge more from June to October and at Christmas
  • Flights: the flight from Kidepo to Entebbe, which we recommend, is quoted with your trip

Park fees and permits on this route

Park, permit or fee 2026 rate
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary rhino tracking Paid at the sanctuary, shown in your quotation
Murchison Falls National Park (UWA) About US$45 per adult per 24 hours
Kidepo Valley National Park (UWA) About US$40 per adult per 24 hours

What the 5-Day Uganda Safari Price Includes

  • Private 4x4 safari vehicle and English-speaking driver-guide
  • 4 nights' accommodation at the level you choose, with meals as listed in the itinerary
  • All park entry and conservation fees, and government taxes
  • Airport pickup and drop-off
  • Drinking water in the vehicle

Not included

  • International flights
  • Optional flights, such as a fly-in instead of a long drive
  • Visas
  • Travel insurance with medical evacuation
  • Tips for your guides, rangers and porters
  • Drinks, laundry and personal items

How the 5-Day Uganda Safari Compares with Our Other Trips

Our Uganda safaris compared:

Trip Days From (per person) Focus
Bwindi gorillas 3 US$2,246 Gorilla trek only
Queen Elizabeth and Kibale 4 US$2,178 Chimps and savannah
Murchison and Kidepo 5 US$2,410 Remote savannah, no primates
Uganda highlights 7 US$4,424 Falls, chimps, savannah, gorillas
Kibale to Lake Mburo 8 US$4,906 Chimps, gorillas, Lake Mburo
Grand Uganda 10 US$5,870 Everything, at an easier pace

Combine it with Bwindi's gorillas for a full Uganda trip.

How to Book the 5-Day Uganda Safari

When you cancel Refund
60 days or more before arrival 100%
30–59 days 90%
15–29 days 60%
10–14 days 25%
Less than 10 days, or a no-show No refund

What Else to Read Before You Book

In Uganda this trip is run on the ground by trusted local partner operators. We plan and book it, send one written quotation, and stay your contact from arrival to departure.

This page covers what is particular to the 5-Day Uganda Safari. The parts that work the same way on our other trips are explained once, in these guides:

Common Questions About the 5-Day Uganda Safari

Is Kidepo worth the journey?

Yes, if you like wilderness: you may have whole valleys to yourself. It is also one of the few places in Uganda to see cheetahs.

Can children join?

Yes. There is no minimum age for game drives; the rhino walk at Ziwa has its own age rules, which we check when we book.

How much does the 5-Day Uganda Safari cost?

From US$2,410 per person for 2 travelers at mid-range lodges, with park fees included. Your written quotation gives the final price for your dates, group and lodge level.

The Bottom Line

Five days for Uganda's wild north: rhinos, the Nile and Kidepo. Fly back to keep the last day easy.

Send us your dates, the number of travelers and your lodge level through the booking form, on WhatsApp +255 678 992 599 or by email to jaynevytours@gmail.com, and we will reply with a written quotation.

Ready to plan your trip?

Tell us your dates and interests and our team in Moshi will send a written quotation with the itinerary and price.