Embark on a one-of-a-kind classic African safari in Murchison Falls National Park. Known for the world’s most powerful waterfall and immense wildlife, Murchison Falls is one of Africa’s legendary parks and an exceptional stop for any traveler interested in experiencing one of Africa’s pristine wilderness destinations.
Expect to hike to the top of Murchison Falls to admire its incredible power, take a boat cruise on the Nile for a different perspective, and explore the rich wildlife ecosystem within this elite park.
About Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s most popular and largest wildlife park, located in the northwest, approximately 285 kilometres from the capital, Kampala. It spans over 1,500 square miles, stretching inland from the shores of Lake Albert up to the Karuma Falls.
The park consists of woodland, riverine forest, and savannah in the northern section, the swamp-like delta along the shores of Lake Albert, and the dense forests in the southern section.
Along with the adjacent Bugungu Wildlife Reserve which spans 748 km2 (289 sq mi) and the Karuma Wildlife Reserve which spans 720 km2 (280 sq mi), the park forms the larger Murchison Falls Conservation Area.
The Murchison Falls
The dramatic Murchison waterfall is the park’s crowning glory and the highlight of any safari in Murchison Falls National Park. The Victoria Nile River, which bisects the park, eventually tumbles over the Rift Valley escarpment above Lake Albert after forcing its way through a narrow gorge less than seven paces wide, creating a thunderous waterfall with such intensity that the ground trembles.
The cascading water then plunges 43 meters below into the Devil’s Cauldron draining the river’s final energy and transforms into a broad, placid stream that gently flows across the rift valley floor into Lake Albert.
Wildlife in Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park is home to diverse wildlife, including four of the Big Five (only rhinos are absent and can be tracked en route at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary). Expect to see vast herds of elephants and buffalo, a significant concentration of lions, and the ever-elusive leopard, which can be seen with increasing frequency.
The unique Rothschild’s giraffe (native to Murchison Falls Park), hyenas, Nile crocodiles and hippos are present. Common antelope species include Uganda kob, oribi, waterbuck, common duiker, Jackson’s hartebeest, and bushbuck.
The park has a healthy primate population split into distinct habitats: olive baboons are a common sighting even on roadsides; blue, red-tailed, and black-and-white colobus monkeys can be seen in the forested areas, while the locally rare patas monkey is much drawn to the savannah.
A decent population of chimpanzees (approximately 600) lives in the park’s Budongo and Kaniyo Pabidi forests and can be tracked on a special arrangement. Budongo Forest is the better place to track chimps in Murchison Falls as it boasts six habituated groups.
The bird life is prolific with over 451 species including 23 Albertine rift endemics. The iconic birds include the elusive shoe-billed stork, grey crowned crane, dwarf kingfisher, Goliath heron, white-thighed hornbill, great blue turaco and the red-throated bee-eater. Many of these species are waterfowl, and can be seen by the river bank.
Things to do in Murchison Falls National Park
1. Visiting the top of the Murchison Falls
You’ll hike to the top of Murchison Falls to witness the powerful cascade of water from the viewpoint. The equivalent of 200 bathtubs full of water gushes down the river through a narrow gorge every second. The mist resulting from the force combines with sun rays to form a trademark rainbow – a truly impressive sight.
2. Boat cruise at the bottom of the falls
The boat cruise lasts about 3 hours, departing from Paraa and heading upstream to Murchison Falls, allowing for breathtaking up-close views of the waterfall. It is also one of the best ways to explore the lower stretch of the river which provides one of Uganda’s most remarkable wildlife spectacles.
You will go past huge herds of grazing buffalo and elephants en route, while river regulars like hippos and crocs jostle for space at the water’s edge. Many aquatic birds can also be spotted; the shoebill stork can be seen when you head further downstream towards Lake Albert.
3. Game drives
Game drive is the best way to sight the park’s immense wildlife. The Buligi Peninsula, a grassy plain between the Victoria and Albert Niles, is a prime location for game viewing. It yields excellent sightings of elephants, buffalo, giraffes, and other herbivores. The delta area is best for spotting lions in action, while the savanna in the middle of the park is ideal for sighting herds of Uganda kob.
4. Rhino tracking in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Located en route to Murchison Falls National Park, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is the only place in Uganda where you can track white rhinos in the wild. You will embark on a guided trek with trained ranger guides to have close-up views of these highly endangered species.
5. Bird watching
Murchison Falls National Park is a top bird watching hotspot with a vast array of bird species to tick off your check list, including forest dwellers, water birds, and several Albertine Rift endemics. The prehistoric-looking shoebill stork is undoubtedly the most sought-after bird and can be sighted in the delta swamps located between Murchison Falls and Lake Albert.
Best time to visit Murchison Falls National Park
Although Murchison Falls National Park can be visited any time of year, the best time is during the dry seasons from December to February and June to September. There’s little rainfall throughout these months resulting in sparse vegetation for wildlife to hide in and the tracks leading to wildlife viewing locations remain dry and accessible, making wildlife viewing relatively easy.
However, December through to February can at times be very hot while June to September although usually a bit cooler during the middle of the day, is associated with high safari cost as it coincides with the peak season. So prepare yourself enough before traveling.
How to get to Murchison Falls National Park
International flights to Uganda usually arrive at Entebbe International Airport (EBB) located 46km/29mi from Kampala. After touching down, your local tour operator will usually arrange for you to be picked up at the airport and transferred to your lodge.
By road, Murchison Falls National Park (Paraa) is located 300km/186mi north of the capital, Kampala. The drive time is at least 6 hours via Karuma Bridge or the town of Masindi. These routes allow you to stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to track rhinos if it is included in your itinerary. From the southwestern circuit (Fort Portal), the 320km/199mi drive to Paraa via the towns of Hoima and Bulisa on tarmac roads takes at least 6 hours.
By air, charter or scheduled flights from Entebbe International Airport (EBB) or from Kajjansi Airfield near Kampala typically land at Pakuba Airfield. It is the most convenient point of arrival given the main cluster of lodges and camps around the park headquarters. Alternatively, you can equally land at Chobe or Bugungu Airfields.
Where to stay in Murchison Falls National Park
There’s a vast array of accommodation options within and around Murchison Falls National Park, ranging from budget to high-end luxury lodges. Below are our top five recommended hotels and lodges. Please contact our Exploits Travel Specialist for personal recommendations or to check availability around your travel plans.
1. Chobe Safari Lodge
A breathtaking 5-star lodge adjacent to the park’s eastern boundary and Karuma Falls, offers panoramic views of the magnificent Nile River. It is well-appointed with a tiered river-view infinity pool and a gourmet restaurant serving local and international cuisines.
2. Nile Safari lodge
A relatively exquisite property tucked away on the tranquil Victoria Nile southern riverbank offering unparalleled luxury wilderness experience in one of Uganda’s most striking locations.
3. Paraa Safari Lodge
Built in the 1950s, this high-end property has maintained its historic charm and continues to offer a classic luxury African safari experience in the heart of the savannah overlooking one of nature’s best kept secrets, the Nile River.
Sample Murchison Falls safaris
