A fishing trip at Murchison Falls National Park in Uganda involves fishing in the Nile River, often from the rocks at the base of the falls or from a boat. The trip may also include a boat cruise on the Nile delta.
What to expect:
• Fishing: Catch Nile perch and catfish by casting lures or using live bait. Some say the best time to fish is early in the morning and late in the day, or when the water level is low.
• Boat cruise: See animals, water birds, and local people fishing.
• Weather: Temperatures can be high, especially in the middle of the day.
• Safety: Be aware of hippos and Nile crocodiles, especially when fishing at the river banks. Bring sun protection, long-sleeved shirts, long trousers, and insect repellant.
What to bring:
• Sun tan lotion, hats, sunglasses, and creams
• Hiking or safari boots
• Lightweight, light-colored clothes
• Long-sleeved shirt and long trousers
• Lightweight rain jacket and sweater
• Mosquito spray
• Spare batteries for electronic equipment and cameras
On this trip, anglers get a thrilling challenge as they take part in the catch and release sport fishing excursion along the Nile River banks.
The Nile perch will be the target fish species to be caught during your challenge but there are also other species including tilapia, tiger fish and more.
You will have a combined boat cruise and fishing excursion. First, you will take a boat up to the base of Murchison Falls where the sport fishing experience will be enjoyed. As you connect to the base of the falls, keep eyes on myriad of aquatic species including hippos, crocodiles and water birds.
Besides sport fishing, you will also have a game drive to explore the big game that freely roam in Murchison Falls. En-route, you will have the best of rhino trekking in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
A Murchison and Kibale safari is a wildlife tour in Uganda that includes visits to Murchison Falls National Park and Kibale National Park. The tour typically includes fishing, game drives, boat cruises, and chimpanzee trekking.
Itinerary:
• Day 1: Travel to Murchison Falls National Park, stopping at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
• Day 2: Full day fishing
• Day 3: Full day fishing
• Day 4: Full day fishing
• Day 5: Travel to Kibale National Park
• Day 6: Go chimpanzee trekking and take a Community tour
• Day 7: Return to Kampala/Entebbe or flight departure
What to see:
• Murchison Falls National Park
Catch the biggest Nile perch at the most powerful waterfalls. See the Nile River as it squeezes through a narrow gorge. You can also see a variety of animals, including elephants, rhinos, lions, leopards, buffaloes, and hippos.
• Kibale National Park
See endangered chimpanzees in their natural habitat. You can also take a swamp walk to see mammals, birds, and other wildlife.
Detailed Itinerary:
Day 1: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park, Ziwa Rhino trek en-route.
After a hefty breakfast, set off to Murchison Falls National Park about 4 hours’ drive. En-route to Murchison Falls NP, expect to make a stopover at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary where you will walk in the wild in search for rhinos. Ziwa happens to be the only location in Uganda where rhinos can be seen in their natural habitat and today, you will be accompanied by an experienced guide.
Once you have finished observing how rhinos behave and taking pictures, begin trekking back. From Ziwa, you will be transferred to Masindi town where lunch will be enjoyed and then you head off to Murchison Falls National Park.
Drive at the stipulated speed and do not miss the playful olive baboons and other monkeys, plus other wildlife as they roam around. Before you connect to the lodge, you will have incredible photography experience at the top of the falls.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 2-4: Boat cruise to Murchison Falls & fishing excursion.
After breakfast, you will be picked up by the driver guide and today, you will have the entire days dedicated for fishing excursion. This dramatic experience is entirely for you to challenge yourself with catch of heaviest Nile Perch.
At the base, take the best shot of the waterfalls and then dock at the point where your fishing excursion will begin from.
The past anglers have had incredible catches of the Nile Perch weighing up to 113kg and you too can make it. You will have lunch in between the sessions and after the long day challenge, you will have dinner and relaxation at the pre-booked lodge.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Kibale Forest National Park
The safari heads south today with a 400km/7- 8hrs drive down the Escarpment of the Albertine Rift to Kibale Forest. The journey is broken up for a picnic lunch at a scenic spot. Fort Portal sits near the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains and is your springboard into the Kibale Forest.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 6: Kibale Forest National Park
After an early breakfast, make your way to the nearby Park HQ for the pre-tracking briefing, after which you will walk or drive to the trailhead for the start of your chimpanzee trekking adventure. As you walk deeper into the forest, you’ll learn about the flora and fauna of Kibale from your trekking guide.
Once contact is made, you’ll spend one hour with the chimpanzees as they go about their daily life – feeding, playing, grooming, and taking care of their young, howling and screeching. Return back to the lodge for lunch.
In the afternoon, enjoy a guided nature walk through the Bigodi wetlands. The Bigodi Swamp Walk is an initiative of the local community. It’s a gentle trek with local community guides that takes your through 4km (3-4 hours) of wilderness where you’ll encounter a rich diversity of birdlife and primates. All proceeds from eco-tourism go back to into the community, a conservation project well worth supporting.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 7: Kampala or Entebbe flight departure
After breakfast, depart Kibale Forest National Park for Entebbe. Stop for lunch along the way. The journey is 370km and will take about 7 hours. Connect with your international flight home.
Meals: Breakfast
Price: $4650 per person
Inclusions:
• Fishing permits
• Fishing boat and guide
• Park entry fees
• Boat cruise
• Game drives
• Fishing excursion
• Chimpanzee trekking permits
• All activities on this trip
• Transportation to and from the park
• Rhino trekking
• Guide or driver services
Exclusions:
• Tips
• Laundry services
• Cigars
• Accommodation and meals
• Optional activities
• Telephone bills
Essentials for your fishing excursion
• Get rods that measure about 8-12ft with a multiplier reel, hooks, lines, lures and others.
