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kornspitz01:09 UTC24 Nov 2009

Hi everyone,

yet another Murchison Falls NP question! :)

I've used the search function and found heaps of info on the park, as well as the budget safari tour offered by Red Chili. I had a look at their webpage and think this tour is a pretty good deal - BUT.

We have 'plenty' of time in Uganda, or, let's put it this way: Money is more of a constraint than time. We also have our own camping equipment and ideally we'd like to spend more time in/around the park.

I saw that Red Chili operate a lodge/campsite thingee at MF. My idea is now to just get there by myself, stay a few nights and do activities from there as opposed to having just one full day (if you do their tour from Kampala). Does that make sense?

Can you get toe there hide away by public transport?
Can you organise game drives, boat trips, game walks and so on from there?
Are there any other operators that are worth considering?

Cheers!

bigbri04:03 UTC24 Nov 2009

I have not looked at recent prices, but last time I checked the Red Chili trip was an unbelievable deal and hard to beat for what you get.

Getting to Murchison by public transport is not easy. It is the last bit that is difficult, and you would probably have to hitch a ride. Red Chili started doing these trips because they saw a niche market to help backpackers access the park.

Without a vehicle you will not be able to explore the park on your own. You will be hard pressed to organize a car for game drives cheaper than going with one of the hostel trips. You could still arrange a boat trip to the base of the falls, a must in my opinion. We were able to split the cost with some other travelers, but it was still probably more expensive than going with a group.

I believe that the Backpacker hostel in Kampala does a similar trip, and I am not in a position to say which is better.

If you want more time in the area, then you can arrange to be dropped off, rather than returning to Kampala with the group. The rest of the west is easier to access with public transport, and you should be able to do it on your own.

Hope this helps,

kornspitz07:39 UTC24 Nov 2009

Hi Bri,

thanks a lot for your detailled reply, that was a very clear and useful answer.

Being dropped off sounds like a good idea!

We'd still have to pay entrace fees into the park, right, if we stayed at the Hideaway after the tour?
Is the Red Chili Hideaway actually IN the park?

Am I right in assuming, though, that in order to travel onwards to the west of the country, it's easier and better to go back to Kampala from MF NP and start heading west from there?

Cheers!

bigbri14:12 UTC24 Nov 2009

"We'd still have to pay entrace fees into the park, right, if we stayed at the Hideaway after the tour?
Is the Red Chili Hideaway actually IN the park?"

This website gives pricing and info on the Hideaway: http://www.redchillihideaway.com/paraa.htm

I am not sure if you need to pay park fees just to stay there. Best to contact them.

"Am I right in assuming, though, that in order to travel onwards to the west of the country, it's easier and better to go back to Kampala from MF NP and start heading west from there?"

No reason to backtrack all the way to Kampala. Better to get dropped in Masindi and go from there.

kornspitz19:48 UTC10 Dec 2009

thanks everyone.

I've read in a different thread that there is also 'The Backpackers Hostel' (not sure if that's the correct name tho) in Kampala that organises pretty much the same tour as Red Chili. Any experiences with them? And what's the hostels exact name?

Cheers!

jonmw23:14 UTC13 Jan 2010

I went by myself a couple of summers ago and stayed at Red Chili's camp with my own tent. It is easy but the accommodation books out early so make sure you've got a tent if you're winging it.

Take a minibus to Masindi and head to the park office there to ask if they have a truck going to the park. They might but don't count on it. If not, spend the night in Masindi and early next morning get a boda-boda to take you to the park entrance for a few dollars. There you will pay the entrance fee (yes, Red Chili's is in the park) and hitch a ride to the camp. It did not take me long. Boat trip is also popular and I was lucky to get the last spot.

To leave the camp ask the camp managers or bartender about vehicles heading back. If you want to go to Fort Portal, try to get a ride to Hoima (the road to Kampala was much newer via Hoima anyway) instead of going all the way back to Kampala.

I also met a dude at the park who went from Mbale via Soroti, Lira, and Pakwach. Sounded great.

Jon

How to visit Murchison Falls NP Country forums / Africa / Uganda
kornspitz01:09 UTC24 Nov 2009	Hi everyone, yet another Murchison Falls NP question! :) I've used the search function and found heaps of info on the park, as well as the budget safari tour offered by Red Chili. I had a look at their webpage and think this tour is a pretty good deal - BUT. We have 'plenty' of time in Uganda, or, let's put it this way: Money is more of a constraint than time. We also have our own camping equipment and ideally we'd like to spend more time in/around the park. I saw that Red Chili operate a lodge/campsite thingee at MF. My idea is now to just get there by myself, stay a few nights and do activities from there as opposed to having just one full day (if you do their tour from Kampala). Does that make sense? Can you get toe there hide away by public transport? Can you organise game drives, boat trips, game walks and so on from there? Are there any other operators that are worth considering? Cheers!
bigbri04:03 UTC24 Nov 2009	I have not looked at recent prices, but last time I checked the Red Chili trip was an unbelievable deal and hard to beat for what you get. Getting to Murchison by public transport is not easy. It is the last bit that is difficult, and you would probably have to hitch a ride. Red Chili started doing these trips because they saw a niche market to help backpackers access the park. Without a vehicle you will not be able to explore the park on your own. You will be hard pressed to organize a car for game drives cheaper than going with one of the hostel trips. You could still arrange a boat trip to the base of the falls, a must in my opinion. We were able to split the cost with some other travelers, but it was still probably more expensive than going with a group. I believe that the Backpacker hostel in Kampala does a similar trip, and I am not in a position to say which is better. If you want more time in the area, then you can arrange to be dropped off, rather than returning to Kampala with the group. The rest of the west is easier to access with public transport, and you should be able to do it on your own. Hope this helps, BB	1
kornspitz07:39 UTC24 Nov 2009	Hi Bri, thanks a lot for your detailled reply, that was a very clear and useful answer. Being dropped off sounds like a good idea! We'd still have to pay entrace fees into the park, right, if we stayed at the Hideaway after the tour? Is the Red Chili Hideaway actually IN the park? Am I right in assuming, though, that in order to travel onwards to the west of the country, it's easier and better to go back to Kampala from MF NP and start heading west from there? Cheers!	2
bigbri14:12 UTC24 Nov 2009	"We'd still have to pay entrace fees into the park, right, if we stayed at the Hideaway after the tour? Is the Red Chili Hideaway actually IN the park?" This website gives pricing and info on the Hideaway: http://www.redchillihideaway.com/paraa.htm I am not sure if you need to pay park fees just to stay there. Best to contact them. "Am I right in assuming, though, that in order to travel onwards to the west of the country, it's easier and better to go back to Kampala from MF NP and start heading west from there?" No reason to backtrack all the way to Kampala. Better to get dropped in Masindi and go from there.	3
kornspitz19:48 UTC10 Dec 2009	thanks everyone. I've read in a different thread that there is also 'The Backpackers Hostel' (not sure if that's the correct name tho) in Kampala that organises pretty much the same tour as Red Chili. Any experiences with them? And what's the hostels exact name? Cheers!	4
jonmw23:14 UTC13 Jan 2010	I went by myself a couple of summers ago and stayed at Red Chili's camp with my own tent. It is easy but the accommodation books out early so make sure you've got a tent if you're winging it. Take a minibus to Masindi and head to the park office there to ask if they have a truck going to the park. They might but don't count on it. If not, spend the night in Masindi and early next morning get a boda-boda to take you to the park entrance for a few dollars. There you will pay the entrance fee (yes, Red Chili's is in the park) and hitch a ride to the camp. It did not take me long. Boat trip is also popular and I was lucky to get the last spot. To leave the camp ask the camp managers or bartender about vehicles heading back. If you want to go to Fort Portal, try to get a ride to Hoima (the road to Kampala was much newer via Hoima anyway) instead of going all the way back to Kampala. I also met a dude at the park who went from Mbale via Soroti, Lira, and Pakwach. Sounded great. Jon	5

How to visit Murchison Falls NP