What to Pack for a Murchison Falls Safari

Travel documents

Valid passport (minimum 6 months remaining, at least one blank page)
Printed Uganda e-Visa approval letter
Yellow fever vaccination certificate (mandatory — see Visa & Entry Requirements)
Travel insurance documents
Printed copies of lodge/itinerary confirmations
Photocopies of key documents, stored separately from the originals

Anti-malarial medication (consult your doctor before travel)
Insect repellent, ideally DEET-based
First aid basics: pain relievers, plasters, anti-diarrheal medication, any personal prescriptions
Hand sanitiser and wet wipes
Sunscreen (high SPF) and lip balm

Lightweight, neutral-coloured clothing — khaki, olive, beige (avoid bright colours and pure white/black, which can disturb wildlife or attract insects)
Long-sleeved shirts and long trousers for sun and insect protection, especially at dawn/dusk game drives
A warm layer or light fleece — early morning game drives and evenings can be cool, even in the dry season
A waterproof/rain jacket, particularly in the wet seasons (Mar–May, Oct–Nov)
Comfortable closed-toe walking shoes; sturdy boots if doing chimp trekking in Budongo Forest
Sandals or light shoes for relaxing at your lodge
A swimsuit, if your lodge has a pool

Binoculars — genuinely useful on Murchison's open savanna, where distances are longer than in forest parks
Camera, with extra batteries/memory cards and a dry bag or rain cover (useful on the boat cruise and at the falls, where spray reaches viewpoints)
A wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses
A reusable water bottle
A small daypack for game drives and activities
A torch or headlamp — useful at camps and lodges after dark, especially budget properties

A mix of cash (USD in good condition, and some Ugandan shillings) and a card for properties accepting cashless payment
A universal power adapter (Uganda uses UK-style plugs)
A basic phrasebook or translation app, though English is widely spoken
Books, journals, or entertainment for downtime and evenings without WiFi

Pack light but don't skimp on layers — mornings, midday, and evenings vary more in temperature than most first-timers expect
If flying between parks by charter, check baggage weight limits before packing — small aircraft have stricter limits than road transport
Avoid camouflage-patterned clothing, which has military associations in Uganda and can cause issues at checkpoints