Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s largest and oldest conservation area, renowned for its dramatic landscapes, powerful waterfalls, and rich wildlife. Located in the northwestern region of the country, it spans over 3,800 square kilometers, encompassing savannah plains, tropical forests, wetlands, and the mighty Nile River. The park’s crowning jewel is Murchison Falls, where the Nile—Africa’s longest river—forces its way through a narrow 7-meter gorge and plunges 43 meters below in a thunderous display of power.
The diversity of habitats within Murchison Falls makes it one of the most rewarding safari destinations in East Africa. From thrilling game drives and boat cruises to chimpanzee tracking in nearby Budongo Forest, visitors enjoy an unforgettable blend of scenery, wildlife, and natural wonder.
The park’s vast savannah plains and riverine forests are home to a wide range of iconic African wildlife. Visitors can encounter elephants, lions, leopards, giraffes, buffaloes, and numerous antelope species such as Uganda kob and oribi. Murchison is particularly known for its large populations of Rothschild’s giraffes, often spotted moving gracefully across the open plains.
Along the Nile River, hippos laze in the water while Nile crocodiles bask on the shores. The park is also a paradise for bird lovers, with over 450 species recorded, including the rare shoebill stork, African fish eagle, goliath heron, and saddle-billed stork.
Murchison Falls National Park is a year-round destination, but the dry seasons from December to February and June to September offer the best conditions for game viewing and hiking. During the wetter months, some roads may become muddy, though birding is at its peak.
Access is possible by road from Kampala (about 5–6 hours), or via domestic flights to airstrips like Pakuba and Bugungu. Accommodation options range from luxury safari lodges overlooking the river to budget-friendly campsites and tented camps, many offering game drive and boat cruise packages.
For adventurous travelers, a guided hike to the top of the falls offers a thrilling perspective of the river’s raw power. After the boat drops you near the base, the steep trail leads up through rocky terrain and misty viewpoints until you stand beside the narrow gorge where the Nile explodes through the rock. The views from the top are spectacular and provide incredible photo opportunities and a true sense of nature’s force.
Located on the southern edge of the park, Budongo Forest Reserve is a lush tropical rainforest famous for its population of habituated chimpanzees. Guided tracking excursions take visitors deep into the forest to observe these intelligent primates in their natural habitat. Budongo is also rich in biodiversity, with over 360 bird species and an impressive variety of trees and medicinal plants, making it a rewarding detour for nature lovers and researchers alike.
The park’s vast savannah plains and riverine forests are home to a wide range of iconic African wildlife. Visitors can encounter elephants, lions, leopards, giraffes, buffaloes, and numerous antelope species such as Uganda kob and oribi. Murchison is particularly known for its large populations of Rothschild’s giraffes, often spotted moving gracefully across the open plains.
Along the Nile River, hippos laze in the water while Nile crocodiles bask on the shores. The park is also a paradise for bird lovers, with over 450 species recorded, including the rare shoebill stork, African fish eagle, goliath heron, and saddle-billed stork.
A boat cruise along the Nile is a signature experience in Murchison Falls National Park. Departing from Paraa, the launch trip heads upstream toward the base of the falls, offering close-up views of hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and countless waterbirds. As you approach the thundering cascade, the spray and roar of Murchison Falls create a breathtaking scene.
For a more extended water-based adventure, travelers can opt for a delta cruise downstream toward the Nile Delta on Lake Albert—one of the best spots in Uganda to search for the elusive shoebill and other rare wetland birds.
The northern bank of the park is where most wildlife viewing takes place, offering open savannah terrain ideal for morning and evening game drives. Guided by experienced rangers or lodge-based guides, you’ll traverse routes like the Buligi Circuit, which offers some of the park’s best sightings.
Early mornings are ideal for spotting predators such as lions and leopards, while afternoons are great for observing grazing herds and bird activity. The sweeping landscape, dotted with borassus palms and acacia trees, creates a classic safari atmosphere rarely found outside Uganda.
