Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park

The Nile’s mightiest falls and northern savannah

  • Country Uganda
  • Type National Park
  • Size 3,840 km²
  • Established 1952
  • Best months Dec–Feb, Jun–Sep
  • Malaria High
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Murchison Falls seen from the Nile in Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda

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Park guide

Murchison Falls National Park guide

Overview

Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s largest national park, covering about 3,840 km² in the northwest of the country. It was created in 1952 and is named after its centrepiece, where the entire flow of the Victoria Nile forces its way through a gap in the rocks only about seven metres wide before plunging some 43 metres into a pool below.

The Nile divides the park into two very different halves. North of the river, open savannah and borassus palms offer classic game viewing, while the south is more wooded and includes the Budongo and Kaniyo Pabidi forests, home to chimpanzees. Downstream from the falls, the river widens and meanders towards Lake Albert, where papyrus swamps form a rich delta.

Wildlife in Murchison Falls suffered badly from poaching during Uganda’s years of conflict in the 1970s and 1980s. Since then, protection has allowed elephant, buffalo, giraffe and antelope numbers to recover, and the park is once again one of East Africa’s rewarding safari destinations, with far fewer vehicles than the better-known parks of Kenya and Tanzania.

Murchison Falls combines easily with a visit to a rhino sanctuary on the road from Kampala, and with other western Uganda parks such as Queen Elizabeth and the primate forests to the south.

Wildlife

The northern savannah supports large numbers of elephant, buffalo, Uganda kob, Jackson’s hartebeest, oribi, waterbuck and the tall Rothschild’s giraffe. Lion are the main predators, and leopard and spotted hyena are present, although leopard are hard to find. Rhino are not found in the park, so Murchison Falls is not a Big Five destination.

The Nile is home to large numbers of hippo and some very large Nile crocodiles. Chimpanzees live in the southern forests, together with black-and-white colobus, red-tailed monkeys and other primates.

Birdlife is excellent, with around 450 species recorded. The Nile delta is one of the best places in Uganda to look for the rare shoebill, and the riverbanks attract goliath herons, African fish eagles, bee-eaters and many kingfishers.

Key wildlife

  • Elephant
  • Buffalo
  • Rothschild’s giraffe
  • Lion
  • Leopard
  • Uganda kob
  • Jackson’s hartebeest
  • Oribi
  • Hippo
  • Nile crocodile
  • Chimpanzee
  • Shoebill
  • Goliath heron

Best Time to Visit

Short answer: Dec–Feb, Jun–Sep. Also good: Mar, Oct.

JanpeakFebpeakMargoodAprquieterMayquieterJunpeakJulpeakAugpeakSeppeakOctgoodNovquieterDecpeak

Peak Good Quieter

The dry seasons, from about December to February and from June to September, are the best times for game viewing. Grass is shorter, animals gather near water and roads are easier to drive.

The wetter months, from about March to May and from October to November, bring green landscapes and lush scenery, and the falls are at their most powerful. Some tracks can become muddy, but birding is excellent.

The park is low-lying and can be hot and humid. Malaria is present, so speak to a travel clinic about prevention before you travel.

Getting There

Most visitors arrive at Entebbe International Airport (EBB) near Kampala. The drive from Kampala to the park takes about five to six hours, and many visitors break the journey at a rhino sanctuary along the way. Scheduled and charter flights serve airstrips in and near the park, such as Pakuba and Bugungu.

The Nile crossing at Paraa links the southern and northern parts of the park, so check the current crossing arrangements and times with your operator. Park entry and activities are booked through the Uganda Wildlife Authority, usually by your safari operator or lodge.

Fees & Access

Entrance fees

Park entrance is set by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and charged per person for 24 hours from entry. Foreign non-resident adults pay US$45 and children aged 5–15 US$25. Foreign residents pay US$35, visitors from the rest of Africa US$30, and East African citizens UGX 25,000. Children under 5 are free.

Activities are charged on top of entry; for example, the launch trip to the bottom of the falls is US$30, hiking to the top of the falls US$15 and a guided night game drive US$40 per foreign non-resident. Confirm current rates, as UWA can change its tariff without notice.

Gate hours

7:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Health

Malaria risk: High. Ask a travel clinic about antimalarials before you go.

Fees and gate times change. Check the latest rates with the park authority before you travel.

Things to Do

Launch trips to the bottom of the falls travel upstream from Paraa past hippos, crocodiles and elephants to a viewpoint below the falls.

Hiking to the top of the falls brings you to the edge of the gorge, where you can feel the force of the river as it surges through the rocks.

Game drives on the northern savannah offer good chances of elephant, giraffe, lion and large herds of antelope.

Delta boat trips towards Lake Albert are a favourite for birders hoping to see shoebill.

Chimpanzee tracking in the southern forests offers the chance to see chimpanzees in their natural habitat.

Explore other parks in the region, such as Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi, browse all safaris, or plan your safari with us.

Location

Where is Murchison Falls National Park?

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Good to know

Murchison Falls National Park FAQs

How much are Murchison Falls National Park fees?

Foreign non-resident adults pay US$45 and children aged 5–15 pay US$25 for 24 hours of park entry. Foreign residents, visitors from the rest of Africa and East African citizens pay less. Launch trips, hikes and other activities are charged separately.

How big is Murchison Falls?

At Murchison Falls the Victoria Nile squeezes through a gap only about seven metres wide and drops around 43 metres. You can see it from a boat below or from viewpoints at the top.

Can you see the Big Five in Murchison Falls?

No. Elephant, buffalo, lion and leopard live in the park, but there are no rhino. Many visitors stop at a rhino sanctuary on the road from Kampala instead.

Where can you see shoebill in Murchison Falls?

The Nile delta, where the river enters Lake Albert, is one of the best places in Uganda to look for shoebill. Boat trips into the delta give the best chance.

How do you get to Murchison Falls National Park?

The park is about five to six hours by road from Kampala, or a short flight to airstrips in and near the park. Most international visitors arrive at Entebbe International Airport (EBB).

When is the best time to visit Murchison Falls?

The dry seasons from December to February and June to September are best for game viewing. The falls are at their most powerful in the wetter months.

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