Murchison Falls National Park
The iconic Murchison Falls National Park is the oldest and largest, and it is a popular safari destination in Uganda, covering a vast expanse of savannah, woodland, and riverine forest. This scenic park was originally gazetted as a game reserve in 1926, and officially designated as one of Uganda’s first national parks in 1952. Murchison Falls National Park lies at the northern end of the Albertine Rift Valley, where the Bunyoro Escarpment descends into rolling, palm-dotted plains, offering one of the most dramatic landscapes in East Africa. The park is located in northwestern Uganda.
The magnificent Murchison Falls—the world’s most powerful waterfall is the park’s centerpiece. The River cleaves through Murchison Falls National Park, creating magnificent waterfalls that tumble through a slim 7-meter gorge in the Rift Valley Escarpment into the ominously named “devil’s cauldron,” roaring with primal power. Then the Nile River drops about 45 meters on the edge of the gorge, creating a thunderous roar and a mist that nourishes the surrounding vegetation. Visitors can view the falls from various vantage points, with Baker’s Viewpoint offering a panoramic perspective of this natural wonder. As it meanders through the park, the Victoria Nile nurtures an oasis vital for the thriving of incredible wild animals. A boat cruise along the Nile River is a popular experience on a Murchison Falls Safari, allowing visitors to see wildlife up close and enjoy views of the falls from below.
Birdlife in Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park is a birder’s paradise with over 450 recorded bird species; the notable bird species include the rare Shoebill stork, African fish eagle and giant kingfisher. Other bird species include the Abyssinian ground hornbill, African darter, African fish eagle, African jacana, African quailfinch, Black coucal, Black-billed barbet, Black-headed gonolek, Black-headed lapwing, Blue-headed coucal, Denham’s bustard, Eastern grey plantain-eater, Giant kingfisher, Goliath heron, Malachite kingfisher, Osprey, Palm-nut vulture, Piapiac, Red-headed lovebird, Red-throated bee-eater, Red-winged grey warbler, Shoebill, Silverbird, Speckle-fronted weaver, Squacco heron, Swamp flycatcher, White-browed sparrow-weaver and White-crested turaco, among others.
Wildlife in Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park is a biodiversity hotspot, home to a rich variety of wildlife that includes mammals, birds, and primates. The diverse ecosystems in the Park Range from savannahs and wetlands to tropical forests, supporting over 76 species of mammals and more than 450 bird species, making it a remarkable destination for Uganda Wildlife Safaris.
Big Five in Murchison Falls National Park—The park is notable for hosting four of the “Big Five” game animals except the Rhinoceros found in the nearby Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
Other wildlife species in Murchison Falls National Park include Rothschild giraffes, Antelope species such as Uganda Kobs, waterbucks, Jackson’s hartebeests, and oribis. Aquatic wildlife in the park includes hippos and Nile crocodiles, often seen basking on the riverbanks or swimming in the river.
Murchison National Park is home to several primate species, including olive baboons, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, and black-and-white colobus monkeys. Notably, there are around 800 chimpanzees in the Budongo and Kaniyo Pabidi forests within Murchison Falls National Park
Safari Activities in Murchison Falls National Park
Game Drives
Game viewing in Murchison Falls National Park is an exciting experience in which you get to watch the park’s remarkable wildlife. The majority of game drives in Murchison Falls National Park are done on the Buligi Peninsula, where 170km of tracks cross through open savannah grasslands, woodland, acacia and riverine vegetation.
Expect to see several animals, including elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, giraffes, lions, leopards, and Uganda kobs. You may even see a leopard. The tracks converge at Delta Point, where the Nile flows north out of Lake Albert.
Birding Excursions
The southern forests of Kaniyo Pabidi are one of the best birding sites in Uganda, making it an incredible spot for birding excursions. The park’s aquatic forest and grassland habitats, the birdlife is always excellent, with the Shoebill Stork being the most remarkable bird species seen in the park.
In Murchison Falls National Park there are over 450 bird species and some of the birds you will see include the rare Shoebill stork, African fish eagle and giant kingfisher. Other bird species include the Abyssinian ground hornbill, African darter, African fish eagle, African jacana, African quailfinch, Black coucal, Black-billed barbet, Black-headed gonolek, Black-headed lapwing, Blue-headed coucal, Denham’s bustard, Eastern grey plantain-eater, Giant kingfisher, Goliath heron, Malachite kingfisher, Osprey, Palm-nut vulture, Piapiac, and Red-headed lovebird, and Red-throated bee-eater, among others.
Chimpanzee Tracking
Chimpanzee tracking in Murchison Falls National Park is done in the Budongo Forest, thanks to the center’s historical association with the Jane Goodall Institute, the interpretive guides at Budongo Forest are extremely good at telling the wider story of the chimpanzees and the forest, not just leading you to their contact.
Chimpanzee trekking in Budongo Forest normally lasts for only an hour of being in the presence of the chimpanzees and the whole excursion lasts for about 3 hours.
Boat Safaris
Boat safaris are among the most popular and rewarding safari activities in Murchison Falls National Park, providing an unusual look at the park’s stunning landscapes and incredible wildlife. Boat safaris in Murchison Falls National Park allow visitors to explore the park from the water, offering a different vantage point compared to traditional land-based game drives.
Boat safaris in Murchison Falls National Park are offered as Nile Boat Cruises to Murchison Falls, taking you to the base of Murchison Falls, where you can witness the powerful waterfall up close. And the Nile Delta Cruise—a more tranquil journey through the papyrus-dominated delta area where the Nile flows into Lake Albert. This thrilling journey takes you through the papyrus-dominated delta area where the Nile flows into Lake Albert and is a great opportunity to spot the prehistoric shoebill stork and other popular swamp animals and birds.
While on a boat safari in Murchison Falls National Park, expect to see a variety of wildlife, including hippos and Nile crocodiles that are commonly seen along the riverbanks. Elephants, buffaloes, and various antelope species often come to drink at the water’s edge.
Best Time to Visit Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park is a year-round destination; however, the best time to visit the park is during the dry season from June to September, this is the most popular time for a Murchison Falls Safari. December to February is drier but also much hotter, with an average high of 33 degrees Celsius.
During the dry season, the wildlife is forced to congregate around water sources, making for concentrated sightings. The wetter months witness the highest concentration of birdlife and the lowest number of visitors.
Getting to Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park can be accessed by road and air.
By road—The Park is commonly accessed from the south, on a day trip from Entebbe. It is best to break the journey by lunch at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. However, it is now possible to drive to or from Kidepo National Park on a journey of seven hours, opening up Karamoja in particular and northeastern Uganda in general to exploration.
By Air—There are scheduled light aircraft flights of 80 minutes to Murchison Falls National Park from Entebbe.
Accommodation in Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park has a wide range of accommodation options, from budget facilities to luxury safari lodges. Here are some of the top lodges and camps to consider for your stay on a Murchison Falls Safari
- Nile Safari Lodge
- Paraa Safari Lodge
- Murchison River Lodge
- Pakuba Safari Lodge
- Fort Murchison Lodge
- Sambiya River Lodge, among others.
