Global Staci

Having started my journey in Uganda in the south trekking for mountain gorillas in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, then to help build houses with the Fuller Center Uganda, some from the team headed still further north to explore the Murchison Falls area.

Day 1 | Saving the Rhinos

In the morning, we embarked on another long and dusty drive northward toward Murchison Falls. Along the way we stopped at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for a very special rhino trek.

Established in 2005 with the goal of reintroducing southern white rhinos back to their natural habitat in the area, the sanctuary began with just six southern white rhinos. At the start of 2023, and after many successful births, the total rose to 42 rhinos, with numbers expected to grow. Ziwa is the only place in Uganda where you can see rhinos in the wild. And you’ll see them ON FOOT! Walking so close to these huge and amazing animals with a guide was truly incredible. After a delicious lunch we got back into the bus and continued our journey.

Murchison Falls, also known as Kabalega Falls, is a waterfall located in the Murchison Falls National Park, the largest park in Uganda, at the apex of Lake Albert and the White Nile. It is the world’s most powerful waterfall, as the Nile forces 11,000 cubic feet of water per second through the narrow gap, fewer than 33 feet wide, over the rocks before crashing down into Lake Albert. Samuel and Florence Baker, the first Europeans to lay eyes on the falls named them after Roderick Murchison, President of the Royal Geographical Society.

A well-marked trail leads to the falls and at dusk it was a nice opportunity to enjoy an easy hike at the end of a long drive. After hiking to the falls, we checked into Pakuba Safari Lodge, enjoyed the buffet style dinner and hit the hay!

Day 2 | Game Drive and Boat Ride

In the morning my travel companions went on a game drive, which I opted out of, feeling the need to sleep in, eat a leisurely breakfast, look for birds at the lodge and read a book. After lunch, we all headed out on another boat ride, this time to the bottom of Murchison Falls, spotting many birds and aquatic animals along the banks of the Nile River.

These grey crowned cranes, the national bird of Uganda, were especially majestic in flight.

Day 3 | Observing One of the World’s Rarest Birds

After breakfast we headed out early for another boat cruise to the delta in search for the rare shoebill. This was my favorite day of our safari. It’s true we saw hippos and Nile crocodile but there were so many birds! And our guide seemed to know them all. But we came in search of one of the world’s most elusive and rare birds—the shoebill.

We were so lucky! We saw several of these prehistoric creatures, and a mating pair. Uganda is one of the only places in the world where you can see these birds in the wild. That afternoon we had a delightful game drive, but for me, the birds stole the show.

Day 4 | Departure

There was nothing exciting about our long drive back to Entebbe, but I was able to book at room at the Airport View Hotel for a few hours in preparation for my evening flight home.

UGANDA IS AMAZING! Check out my post on my PRE-BUILD Gorilla Trek!