Embarking on a walking safari in Uganda, particularly in the untouched wilderness of Murchison Falls National Park, is an extraordinary adventure in Uganda’s largest and oldest park. Bush Wonderers offers a truly immersive experience, connecting you to nature like never before. Imagine traversing savannahs, crossing riverbeds where hippos and hyenas wandered just hours before, and camping under a canopy of stars, serenaded by the sounds of the wild.
While overnight walking safaris are a common activity in Zambia, South Africa, Kenya, and Tanzania, they are relatively new in Uganda, making the multi-day walking safari experience even more unique.
The Essence of a Walking Safari in Uganda
Unlike traditional game drives, a mobile walking safari in Uganda offers an intimate, sensory experience. You’ll notice every sound, smell, and movement—from fresh elephant tracks to the fluttering of bee-eaters nesting along the riverbank, and the call of colobus monkeys in the morning. Expert guides and UWA rangers like George Okot and Taban Bruhan bring the park to life with their knowledge and passion, teaching you to read the land and its wildlife.
The thrill of spotting Jackson’s hartebeest in the tall grasslands, observing a dung beetle at work, admiring a termite hill, or seeing a leopard cross the river at dusk makes every step unforgettable.
Walking alongside wildlife fosters a profound respect for Murchison Falls’ ecosystem, as with every step, you observe animal tracks, vibrant flora, and sounds often missed during game drives in Uganda.
Walking Trails in Murchison Falls National Park
Bush Wonderers’ expertly crafted walking trails in Murchison Falls National Park explore diverse habitats, from riverine landscapes with hippo and hyena tracks to Borassus palm savannahs and acacia woodlands.
These walking safaris in Uganda’s largest national park, typically 2-12 km long, are primarily in the park's northern sector, where short grasses make navigation easier. Every area has its unique charm, from Nyamsika, to Pendero, Te-Okot, and the River Nile.
Wildlife Encounters on the Trails
During these walking safaris in Murchison Falls, you may encounter Nubian giraffes, herds of elephants, buffaloes, Jackson’s hartebeest, oribi, Ugandan kobs, reedbuck, waterbuck, bushbuck, and more.
Sundowners on scenic cliffs offer breathtaking views, and lucky moments—like spotting a leopard crossing the river—create memories that last a lifetime.
With a bit of extra luck, you will spot black and white colobus monkeys close to the campsite or baboons alongside the semi-dry riverbed.
On our 3-night walking safari adventure, we didn’t come across lions or hyenas on foot, but we could hear their sounds after sunset. One day, we drove back from our sundowner spot by car and were lucky to find a lioness and a hyena – not very far from our Nyamsika camp.
Safety and Expert Guidance
The Walking safaris in Murchison Falls have been carefully crafted by Juraj Ujházy (owner of Bush Wonderers) in partnership with the Uganda Wildlife Authority to provide year-round accessibility and showcase the park's stunning natural beauty. Each safari is guided by an experienced expert and accompanied by a skilled and armed UWA ranger, ensuring a secure and enriching experience.
Safety is their top priority, and before the adventure starts you will get a briefing about Bush Wonderers’ procedures and safety measures, ensuring everyone feels confident and at ease throughout the journey.
Camping in Murchison Falls Uganda: A Deeper Connection
For those seeking a deeper connection with the wild, Bush Wonderers' walking safaris Uganda include camping within Murchison Falls National Park, balancing comfort with adventure.
Spending a minimum of three nights inside Uganda’s largest and oldest park, allows you to fully embrace the wilderness.
Drift off to sleep to the distant laughter of hyenas and the call of a leopard. Awaken to the symphony of birds and enjoy a morning coffee as the sun rises over the savannah.
Fresh and Locally Sourced Meals from the Bush Kitchen
Enjoy a hearty breakfast with freshly baked bread, cake, oats, cereals, pancakes, fresh fruits & veggies like tomato and avocado with eggs cooked to order; made in the bush kitchen, fueling your day of exploration.
All meals are prepared with locally sourced ingredients and reflect the warmth of Uganda's hospitality. For dinner, expect various delicious soups as a starter, pasta salads, a buffet with (fillet) meat, vegetarian options, and tasty desserts.
Glamping, Where Comfort Meets Nature
The spacious twin walk-in Gemsbok Bow tents offer comfort with thick mattresses and cotton bedding, solar lighting, thoughtful touches like purified drinking water, a whistle for emergencies, chairs, and an outdoor hand wash station with a mirror.
The staff makes your bed every day and there’s a laundry bag if you need your safari clothing to be washed. Maybe I would rather call it glamping!
Though bucket showers (with warm water) are shared and toilets are eco-friendly, simplicity and sustainability enhance the connection to nature.
Magical Evenings in the Wild
Evenings are magical, with sundowners overlooking valleys, campfires under starlit skies, and reflections on the day’s adventures while yellow-winged bats are flying around.
Disconnect to Reconnect: Embrace Uganda’s Tranquility
The absence of Wi-Fi and limited reception encourage you to disconnect from daily life and fully embrace the tranquility of Uganda’s wilderness. This harmonious blend of adventure and relaxation ensures a holistic safari experience that stays with you long after the trip ends.
5 Reasons Why Bush Wonderers’ Multi-Day Walking Safari in Uganda Stands Out
A walking safari in Uganda with Bush Wonderers is more than an adventure—it's a journey that awakens your senses and connects you to Uganda’s raw beauty. With expert guides, friendly staff, incredible wildlife encounters, and the thrill of camping in the heart of the park, this experience promises a lasting bond with nature that you’ll cherish forever.
# 1 The Pioneer of Walking Safaris in Uganda
Bush Wonderers is the first and only company offering mobile walking safaris in Uganda, carefully crafted in partnership with the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Led by expert guides and UWA rangers, the journeys are thoughtfully curated to balance physical activity with relaxation.
# 2 Small Groups for a Personalized and Intimate Safari Experience
The small-group nature of the tours ensures a personalized and intimate experience.
The meticulous attention to detail—whether in guiding, gourmet meals, or campsite ambiance—ensures your safari is unforgettable.
# 3 Safe and Secure with a Professional Team and UWA Rangers
If you book a mobile walking safari with Bushwonders there’s a whole professional and friendly team welcoming you to give you the best wilderness experience! Expect to meet the manager and team leader Lindiwe Sibanda, guides, cooks, waiters, attendants, drivers, and two to three UWA Rangers for security & guidance.
Even at night, when you are sleeping in your tent, one of the rangers is awake.
# 4 A Walking Safari in Uganda is More Than Just an Adventure
Murchison Falls National Park is renowned for its iconic wildlife and breathtaking views, but exploring it on foot with Bush Wonderers adds a thrilling dimension to the experience. By choosing this walking safari in Uganda, you’re not just witnessing the wild–you’re part of it.
On a walking safari tour in Murchison Falls, you will experience diverse landscapes, from palm-studded plains to a small hidden salt lake. Each step brings a new discovery, whether it's tracking an elephant herd, spotting birds of prey like the Bateleur, or enjoying the beauty of untouched nature.
Evenings offer magical moments in the wilderness with sundowners atop cliffs and nights under a blanket of stars, accompanied by the distant roars of lions and the haunting laughter of hyenas.
# 5 Off the Beaten Path explorations with Bush Wonderers
For anyone seeking to truly immerse themselves in Uganda's wild heart, a walking safari with camping is a must. Step off the beaten path, embrace the wild, and let Uganda's magic envelop you. This is more than a safari, it's an experience that truly feeds the soul.
Best time to do a walking safari in Murchison Falls
Although Bush Wonderers offers walking safaris year-round, the best time to do a walking safari in Murchison Falls National Park with Bush Wonderers is during the dry seasons, which typically occur from mid January to March and June to September. These months offer favorable conditions for walking safaris, as the trails are less muddy, and the grass is shorter, improving visibility for spotting wildlife. Additionally, water sources dry up during these periods, concentrating wildlife around rivers and waterholes, making sightings more frequent and rewarding.
Although the dry seasons are the best time to do a walking safari in Murchison Falls National Park, there's a distinct difference between these two dry seasons:
- Mid January to March tends to be hot and dry as the wind blows from the north and visibility is not too good (smoke and the wind from Sudan/Sahara). It may not be hot the whole time but certainly this is the hot season. Grasses are short as it burns down. This dry season lasts usually longer than the dry season in June to September.
- June to September is cooler (the wind blows from the South) and greener as there is no burning of the grass in the park. The grass is also already longer from July onward.
During these months, the weather is warm and less humid, providing a comfortable environment for multi-day walks and camping experiences. Morning and evening hours are particularly ideal for walking safaris, as animals are more active, and temperatures are cooler.
We had a 3-night walking safari in Murchison Falls at the end of November. We had some rain showers during the day and at night, and in some parts, the grass was still a bit high. Overall, I liked this period because it was so green and I loved the dramatic skies. By opting for the dryer months, you’ll enjoy optimal conditions for exploring Murchison Falls’ stunning landscapes and wildlife diversity with Bush Wonderers, making it a truly memorable experience.
Book your walking safaris in Murchison Falls, Uganda
Murchison Falls National Park, a true gem of East Africa, boasts breathtaking landscapes ranging from roaring waterfalls to vast savannahs. To fully immerse yourself in its raw beauty, few experiences compare to the multi-day walking safaris in Murchison Falls offered by Bush Wonderers. These safaris go beyond mere exploration; they are a holistic journey into Uganda’s extraordinary biodiversity, tranquil landscapes, and awe-inspiring wilderness.
Various multi-day walking safari tours in Murchison Falls
Choose from a variety of options tailored to your preferences: a 3-night Murchison Falls Bush Getaway, a 4-night Savanna Wonders adventure featuring two mobile camps, or a 5-night untamed roaming expedition with ample time to explore different areas of the park on multiple walking safaris.
Uganda's Walking Safaris: A Quiet Escape Into the Wild
Walking safaris in Uganda allow you to connect deeply with nature, guided by expert rangers and trackers who share their insights into animal behavior, tracks, and the ecosystem's complexity. With Bush Wonderers, you’ll traverse diverse terrains, from savannah plains to palm-fringed riverbeds, encountering elephants, antelopes, vibrant birdlife, and even elusive predators like lions or leopards. Every step unveils a new discovery, far removed from the noise of vehicles.
Other walking safaris in Uganda are done in parks like Lake Mburo National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Kidepo Valley. Unlike the overnight walks in Murchison Falls, these are mostly 2-4 hour walking safaris only.
Ready to Feel the Heartbeat of Africa?
Bush Wonderers’ multi-day walking safaris in Uganda are your ultimate gateway to the wilderness. Book now and experience why this is one of the best things to do in Murchison Falls National Park.