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Murchison Falls National Park – Uganda Safari Guide
A wildlife safari in East Africa calls for a trip to Murchison Falls National Park, one of the most visited parks in Uganda. On guided safaris, you will explore Murchison Falls’ impressive array of diversity, such as wildlife, grasslands, Budongo Forest, Albert and Victoria Niles, and Lake Albert.
Table of Contents
- Murchison Falls National Park at a Glance
- Attractions in Murchison Falls National Park
- Activities in Murchison Falls National Park
- Best time to visit Murchison Falls National Park
- Getting to Murchison Falls National Park
- Where to stay in Murchison Falls National Park
- What to pack for a safari in Murchison Falls National Park
- Combining Murchison Falls National Park with other destinations
- Ready for an adventure?
Murchison Falls National Park at a Glance
Murchison Falls National Park is located in north-western Uganda, spanning the districts of Masindi, Nwoya, Buliisa, and Kiryandongo. It sits at the northern end of the Albertine Rift Valley, while the Kibanda area is about 72 kilometres (45 mi) from the nearest large town of Masindi and 283 kilometres (176 mi) north-west of the capital, Kampala.
Also known as Kabalega National Park, Murchison Falls National Park is popular for having the world’s most powerful waterfall. The park was first gazetted in 1927 and became one of Uganda’s first national parks in 1952.
The name Murchison was given by Sir Samuel Baker during his expeditions to Uganda in the 19th century. Today, it is the largest park in Uganda, sprawling 3840 sq km (1483 sq miles). It extends inland from the Lake Albert shoreline, encircling the Victoria Nile, and rising to the Karuma Falls.
Murchison Falls National Park is home to almost all of Africa’s big game and has one of the largest populations of Rothschild’s giraffes in Africa.
Attractions in Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park and the adjacent Bugondo Forest Reserve are home to more than 76 species of mammals, among which are four of the ‘big five (buffaloes, leopards, lions, and elephants). Three-quarters of the world’s population of Rothschild’s giraffes, Uganda’s largest population of Nile crocodiles, and a healthy population of herbivores thrive well in the park.
There are various primates living within its verdant forests, including over 610 chimpanzees, and about 450 recorded bird species like the rare shoe-bill stork, dwarf kingfisher, Goliath heron, white-thighed hornbill, and great blue turaco, including 23 Albertine rift endemics, and not forgetting 51 reptiles and 51 amphibians.
The Victoria Nile squeezes large volumes of water at a rate of about 300 cubic meters per second, or 11,000 ft³ per second, through an 8-metre-wide gorge at very intense pressure. It then plunges with a thunderous roar into the “Devil’s Cauldron,” producing a trademark rainbow and an impressive water fall that sends the ground quaking.
The waterfall is the centrepiece of the park and marks the final event in an 80-kilometre rapids course. The powerful cascade drains the river’s final remaining energy, transforming it into a broad, placid stream that quietly flows across the rift valley floor into Lake Albert. This stretch of river offers one of Uganda’s most remarkable wildlife spectacles.
The northern section of the park is made up of savannah, borassus palms, acacia trees, and riverine woodland, whereas the southern section is dominated by woodland and forest patches. These diverse vegetation covers support a great diversity of wildlife, which can easily be seen when you book our 3-Day Murchison Falls Safari or 5-Day Murchison Falls Wildlife and Primate Safari.
Activities in Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s most popular wildlife park, receiving the highest annual number of visitors of any park in the country. Popular safari activities Include:
1. Visiting the waterfall
Visiting the dramatic Murchison Falls is usually the highlight of any safari in this northwestern park. There are two alternatives for viewing the falls:
The first is to make your way to the top, where you can actually see where the water makes its way through the gorge, also called the “devil’s cauldron.” The hike takes about 45 minutes from bottom to top and can be undertaken by anyone with two functioning legs. In other words, it is not strenuous.
The second is to view the falls from a launch cruise, which takes you as close to the falls as possible from below. Visitors are normally recommended to view the falls from both perspectives since each one offers an entirely unique experience. However, if you must choose one, then making the short hike to the top will offer you an excellent view.
2. Visiting Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
The private non-profit project was established in 2005 to revive a population of white rhinos re-introduced in Uganda. Intense poaching happened during the 1990s, totally depleting this species from the Murchison Falls and Kidepo Valley national parks where they previously lived. Today, the sanctuary is popular for rhino tracking, with a population of 40 southern white rhinos.
3. Game drives
Game drives are conducted early in the morning and early in the evening. They offer visitors a chance to enjoy up-close views of different animals, including four of the iconic ‘big five’. The Delta area, Buligi Peninsular, and the southern sector are the main areas that offer excellent animal sightings.
4. Launch cruise
The 2-hour launch cruise starts from Paraa and offers visitors an opportunity to sight various water animals, such as giant Nile crocodiles, hippos, and various birds like the elusive shoebill stork. It offers great photographic opportunities, too.
5. Community/Cultural tours
Visitors normally embark on community visits to Mubako village, a remote community situated near the extensive savannah of Murchison Falls. While here, you will enjoy an exhilarating, lively cultural dance by the Mubako cultural dancers as you sit by a campfire, see the traditional lifestyle of the locals, and also buy souvenirs from the craft shop, which is owned by the Boomu Women’s Group.
6. Chimpanzee tracking
Within the verdant forest of Budongo is another primate world that offers some of the best chimpanzee tracking opportunities. You will enjoy up-close encounters with these close human relatives in the dense forest jungles, led by expert ranger guides. See our 5-Day Murchison Falls Wildlife and Primate Safari.
7. Bird watching
The park is another birder’s paradise that offers the most rewarding bird-watching opportunities. Avid birders have over 450 recorded bird species to spot, including Albertine Rift endemics, water birds, and savannah forest birds. Bird watching is usually conducted during the launch cruise and game drives.
8. Nature walks & hikes
The Park has various trails that may be explored on foot through the Rabongo and Kaniyo Pabidi forests to see a variety of bird and primate species.
9. Hot air balloon safari
Drift over the beautiful landscape of Murchison Falls National Park to enjoy an aerial view of the park and the large numbers of wildlife beneath. The balloon flight costs between $380 and $400.
Most travelers plan a 3-Day Murchison Falls Safari to explore the park. You can also choose anywhere between 2- and 10-day safaris to see all that Uganda has to offer, including the most sought-after gorilla trekking and visiting many of Uganda’s leading national parks.
Best time to visit Murchison Falls National Park
The best time to visit Murchison Falls National Park is in the dry season from December to mid-February, when the weather is mild and the vegetation is sparse. Animal sightings are excellent because they are more concentrated around water sources.
However, June to September is the peak season, and the scenery is more beautiful, although the park will be crowded and the rates will be forced to hike due to high demand.
Birding can best be done in the wet (low) season from March to May, when migrant birds escaping harsh winters in Europe have arrived. During this time, it is the breeding season, and birds in the park are very active. Butterflies can also be seen almost everywhere.
Getting to Murchison Falls National Park
By road
Murchison Falls National Park is located 305 km (190 mi) north of Kampala. The drive time to the southern entrance gate is between 4 and 5 hours, while the 280 km/170 mi drive from Fort Portal (southwest) takes at least 6 hours and another hour or 2 from the entrance gate to most of the lodges.
By air
The park is also connected by chartered or scheduled aircraft service from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield near Kampala. Flights normally land at Pakuba Airfield, Bugungu Airstrip, or Chobe. Pakuba Airfield is the most convenient and commonly used access point because of the main cluster of camps and lodges around the park headquarters at Paraa.
Where to stay in Murchison Falls National Park
Here, accommodation varies from budget to mid-range to luxury options. This great diversity offers a selection of accommodations for all travelers within the park, irrespective of their safari budget, as shown below.
- Budget: Boomu Women’s Group Bandaas/Red Chilli Rest Camp.
- Budget: Yebo Safari Camp/Parkside Safari Lodge.
- Midrange: Pakuba Safari Lodge/Murchison River Lodge.
- Midrange: Fort Muchison Safari Lodge.
- Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge/Nile Safari Lodge.
- Luxury: Chobe Safari Lodge
What to pack for a safari in Murchison Falls National Park
What to pack for a safari in Murchison Falls National Park: Packing for a safari in Murchison Falls National Park is fairly standard, and visitors are recommended to pack as they would for any other safari experience. Travelers visiting the park are advised to pack a number of items, as stated below.
- Try to pack comfortable safari clothing that is not brightly coloured and lightweight yet provides coverage from the sun, such as long-sleeved shirts, scarfs, trousers, and evening wear.
- You’ll also want to bring waterproof gear for your hike to the top of Murchison Falls.
- A dry bag for your non-waterproof electronics, like your phone and camera
- Pack a comfortable pair of waterproof hiking boots with ankle support, especially when going on nature walks or chimpanzee trekking. Others are insect repellent, sunglasses, caps or hats, and sunscreen, all for protection from the African elements and an adventurous spirit.
Combining Murchison Falls National Park with other destinations.
Because of its ideal location, most visitors often combine Murchison Falls National Park with other parks, like Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for a gorilla trekking tour or Kibale National Park for a chimpanzee trekking safari. This can also be combined with safaris to other neighbouring destinations like Rwanda, Kenya, and Tanzania as shared below.