Murchison Falls safari cost

How much does a Murchison Falls safari cost?

A Murchison Falls safari cost is given by Steady safaris limited travel company that will lead you to take you to Murchison Falls National Reserve one of the best wildlife reserves in Uganda and indeed the world, famously known for wildlife safaris.

In 1962 Murchison Falls national park becomes a wildlife game reserve. To arrange your visit to Murchison falls in Uganda, our offices are located in Masoli off Gayaza road, Kasangati town council, Wakiso district in Uganda.

Many tourists planning to visit enquire how much a Murchison Falls Safari costs. Well, there are many factors that determine the total cost of your safari tour. Some of these factors include the type of accommodation, the number of people travelling, the preferred mode of transport (by road or by air), the duration of your trip, the time of the year and the inclusion of additional activities.

For instance, full package prices vary considerably from USD 350 per person for a budget 3-day tour (with a group of 6 persons in a vehicle) staying in a budget camp, up to USD $1500 per person for luxury accommodation for a similar Murchison Falls safari. Below we will discuss each of these factors in detail.

Accommodation

Your choice of accommodation has the biggest influence on your Murchison Falls safari cost. The reserve offers an extensive range of accommodation options that cater for every budget. The different categories of accommodation range from adventure budget camping to mid-range tented camps to super luxurious safari lodges.

Apart from the type of accommodation you choose, your accommodation price is also determined by the number of days you plan on staying and the time of the year you visit ( during the peak season from July to October the prices are higher).

A luxurious Tented Camp such as Governors Camp or Murchison Falls Explorer will cost roughly US$ 300+ per person/night during low season and US$ 600+ per person per night during the peak season.

A mid-range luxury safari lodge such as Pakuba Safari Lodge will cost roughly US$ 150 per person per night during low season and US$ 250 per person per night during peak season.

There are also budget-tented camps that you can find for US$ 100 or less per person per night. You may also opt for camping in tents which is way cheaper still but then this is a basic campsite with your own tents and very basic facilities.

Typical tent interior at Luxurious Governor’s Camp, Murchison Falls

Typical tent interior at Fort Murchison Lodge, Murchison Falls

Mode of Transport

The other factor that greatly influences your Murchison Falls Safari cost is the mode of transport to the reserve. Flying to Murchison Falls from Entebbe is more expensive compared to travelling by road, but also more convenient and quicker especially for shorter safaris such as overnight or two-night trips. For solo travellers flying to the Murchison Falls works out cheaper than driving there unless one manages to join a group on a road safari which lowers the pricing.

There are several reliable local airlines that offer daily scheduled flights to Murchison Falls from Entebbe Airport, including Air Uganda, AreoLink and MAF among others.

The flying time from Entebbe to Murchison Falls is usually one hour though the actual time depends on how many interim stops the flight will make, ( known as ”hops”) as they land to drop off or pick up passengers from various airstrips. A one-way flight ranges from US$ 250 – 350 per person while a return flight will cost anything from US$ 500- 700 per person including taxes, depending on the season and availability.

For road transport, there are normally two types of vehicles that are used for safaris i.e 4×4 Toyota Land cruiser Jeep or Safari Tour Vans that carry up to 7 persons per vehicle. Tour Vans are the most common mode of transport for safari tourists as these cost less compared to the other vehicle type. The 4×4 Toyota Land cruisers are more expensive than the Tour Vans understandably so these are larger, four-wheel drive vehicles that make rough road travel slightly more comfortable.

Note that the price is based on the full occupancy of the vehicle. For instance, if there are only two people in the vehicle it will cost US$ 80 per person/day for transport in a safari tour van. Therefore, the larger the group the lower the cost per person sharing. A Land cruiser safari vehicle costs anything from US$ 250 to 300 per vehicle/day depending on the season and availability.

Note: Transport on your safari is priced per vehicle and not per person. The drive from Entebbe to Murchison Falls takes approximately 5-6 hours. The road from Entebbe up to the main gate is now paved/tarred all the way.

Safari Tour Minibus (Van)

Landcruiser Jeep 4×4 vehicle

Number of People Travelling (Group Size )

As a general rule, the larger the group travelling the cheaper it is for everyone, as you get to share the costs compared to when one or two persons are travelling. Also for family travel, the ages of children affect the cost of your safari as children under the age of 12 years pay a reduced price while children under 3 years of age are allowed for free in almost all lodges and camps in Murchison Falls.

Duration of Your Safari

The cost of your Murchison Falls safari is also dependent on the number of days you plan to be on safari. It is therefore advisable for clients on a limited budget to spend the minimum recommended time of 3 days in the reserve. Low season (April to early June) will probably allow you to spend less for a longer safari as accommodation prices are significantly lower and the reserve as well is less crowded with tourists as compared to peak season. Keep in mind that the wildebeest migration takes place from July to September and this is peak season.

Budget permitting, we recommend a minimum of 4 days ( 03 nights ) in Murchison Falls to allow you to fully explore the park. This will include enough safari game drives to see plenty of wildlife at a relaxed pace and give you enough time for leisure time at your camp. Travelling ‘Slow’ really does have its advantages in the African wilderness. It also provides you with a chance to see chimpanzees in the Budongo forest as long as you are 15 years and above.

Time of The Year

Your Safari cost is also dependent on your travel dates. Prices tend to be higher during the Peak season which is normally when the dry months attract large numbers of visitors to Murchison Falls making it more expensive to secure rooms due to the high demand. The Peak season runs from July to October. Clients on a limited budget are advised to avoid the peak season and plan on visiting during the low or the shoulder season (Jan to March) when the prices are lower and rooms are readily available.

Park Entry Fees

To enter Murchison Falls National Reserve, one is required to pay an Entry Fee at the gate. The Park Entry Fee is determined by the location of the lodge or camp at which one is staying in the reserve and also the visitor’s residence status i.e Citizen, Resident and Non-resident.

Citizens of Uganda have to show proof of status such as a valid National ID / Passport. Residents refer to persons residing in Uganda with valid documentation from the Ugandan government while non-residents refer mainly to overseas tourists. Please note that proof of identification is required before entering into the Reserve.

If staying at accommodation located inside the main National Reserve, the entrance fee is USD 45 per adult per 24 hours and USD 30 per child under 12 years of age.
If staying at accommodation outside the main reserve there is no entry fee. This applies to all park entry gates of the main reserve as well as Murchison Falls Conservancy in the western corridor of the Murchison Falls national park.

CATEGORY	FOREIGN NON RESIDENTS	EAST AFRICAN CITIZEN	FOREIGN RESIDENTS
Adult	US$ 45	UGX 25,000	US$35
Child	US$ 25	UGX 10,000	US$15

Additional Activities

Apart from the standard Murchison Falls Safari package which usually includes transport from and back to Entebbe or Kampala, safari game excursions, accommodation and meals as well as the park entry fees, some clients opt to include other activities which may include a Ziwa rhino Visit, Hot Air Balloon Flight, Night Game drives, Bush breakfast and dinners, Nature Walks and Guided Safari Walks as well as Village visits. These activities are quite exciting and enhance your tour but come at an added cost.

Hot Air Balloon ride price ranges from US$ 415 per person to US$ 500 depending on which camp or lodge you will fly from in Murchison Falls.

Community Village Visit price ranges from US$ 30 to US$ 50 per person and the cost is inclusive of return transfers from your overnight Safari Lodge or Camp, Services of an English-speaking Driver-guide and Village Contribution Fees.

Hot Air Balloon Ride, Murchison Falls

Other Factors

Apart from the above-listed factors, there are other factors to consider when costing your Murchison Falls Safari such as Travel Visa, Insurance, International Flight Tickets, Tips, Laundry, Souvenirs, drinks and beverages.

In conclusion, with some basic planning in line with the above factors, we can customize your Murchison Falls Safari costs to meet your budget while still ensuring you have an unforgettable experience whether you are a solo traveller or a part of a group.

To book this trip. Call us on +256 752 643809 or send us an email: info@steadysafaris.com