Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park is located in the northwestern Uganda, about a 6-hour drive from Kampala. It is Uganda’s oldest and largest game park, covering almost 3,900km2. Attractions include the explosive waterfall for which the park is named and the wildly tropical stretch of the Nile River that bisects the park as it flows toward Lake Albert.
Murchison Falls, named in the 19th century by a British explorer after Sir Roderick Murchison, a geologist who, incidentally, believed Africa to be a geologically boring continent, marks the Nile’s entry to the Great Rift Valley.
Here, the river, roughly 50m wide, is squeezed through a narrow gorge just 7m wide, creating a powerful 43m drop in a misty, thunderous display. These dramatic falls, perhaps the most powerful on the planet, are surrounded by lush plant life and can be viewed from above after a short drive or more leisurely from a boat below.
Beyond the falls, Murchison Falls National Park is full of wildlife. Herds of elephants roam the grasslands, lions prowl the plains, and graceful giraffes move slowly through palm trees. The Nile River and its wetlands attract unique birds like the Shoebill. Hippos gather in large groups, diving and resurfacing throughout the day, while Nile crocodiles bask on the riverbanks, their ancient forms unchanged for millions of years.
Why visit Murchison Falls National Park?
1. Walk At The Top Murchison Falls
At the top of the Murchison waterfall, you can take a walk to view this natural spectacle from different points. As you walk, you can feel the ground shake from the powerful flow of the river.
Millions of litres of water fall down through a seven-metre narrow gap, creating misty rainbows and a loud roar that makes it hard to hear anything else. Exactly 360,000 litres of water flow through it every second. You can even walk a bit further down to get a full view of the stunning waterfall! It’s a great spot for photography and one of the park’s main highlights.
2. Game Drives
The open savannah grasslands of Murchison Falls National Park make it easy to spot animals and are a great place for birdwatching, with over 400 species to see. Herds of Uganda kob graze alongside Jackson’s hartebeest and warthogs while groups of Rothschild’s giraffes move with surprising graze.
Predators like lion, often rest in the shade, blending perfectly with the golden grassland. Rare, ground-dwelling patas monkeys pick their way through the grasslands. Nowadays, the leopard is also increasingly seen during the Murchison Falls safaris.
3. Boat Safari To The Waterfalls
This boat trip upstream the Nile River gives you an intimate perspective of the falls. As you glide along, you pass pods of hippo, colorful waterbirds, and massive Nile crocodile basking in the sun. Along the riverbanks, waterbuck and buffalo graze, undisturbed by the sound of the boat. As you get closer to the 43-meter-high waterfall, the roar grows louder, and the water’s spray reaches the boat, a refreshing end to the journey.
The trip lasts about three hours, and for the best photos, sit on the left side of the boat, as you’ll be traveling along that bank. You can choose to book a private boat or a larger general boat. The private boat has a big advantage—it’s smaller, allowing you to get much closer to the wildlife. You also control the pace of the trip and can enjoy the experience with just your group.
4. Boat Cruise To Nile Lake Albert Delta
In addition to the regular boat trip to the waterfall, you can also take a boat safari to the park’s delta area. This area is where the Victoria Nile flows into Lake Albert and then into the Albert Nile.
The delta looks like a smaller version of the famous Okavango Delta in Botswana, and it’s teeming with wildlife like hippos, crocodiles, and bathing elephants. This boat safari is also a dream for bird lovers. Special birds such as the Saddle-billed Stork, African Fish eagle, African jacana, the African Giant Kingfisher and the prehistoric-looking Shoebill Stork are regularly spotted.
5. Chimpanzee Trekking in Budongo Forest
The Budongo Forest, located close to the park, offers the chance to trek and see chimpanzees in their natural home. As you walk through the forest, you’ll be surrounded by the earthy scent of wet leaves and the sounds of monkeys overhead. On a guided trek, you can watch these smart primates interact with each other and learn about their social behavior.
6. Nile perch sport fishing
Murchison Falls is a top spot for sport fishing, especially for the famous and challenging Nile perch. Fishing at the base of the falls is an unforgettable experience, with thrilling battles against these giant fish, making it one of the best places for fishing in Africa! Orugano Safaris can arrange a complete fishing safari for you, with an expert guide and all the necessary equipment.
Murchison Falls National Park Accommodation
Accommodation around Murchison Falls National Park caters to all kinds of travelers and budgets. If you’re looking for luxury, there are stunning lodges with riverside views, where you can watch elephants drinking from the Nile at sunset.
For a more mid-range experience, you’ll find comfortable options that still let you feel connected to nature, often with traditional thatched designs and eco-friendly features. There are also tented camps that offer a true wilderness experience, with canvas walls that let you hear the sounds of the wild all around. No matter where you stay, the nights are filled with the sounds of nature, from distant lions calling to the croaking of frogs in the bushes.
When is the best time to visit Murchison Falls?
Murchison Falls is a great place to visit all year round, and there’s really no bad time to go. For the best wildlife viewing, the main dry season from December to February is ideal. These months are also perfect for birdwatching, as many migratory birds from Europe and Southeast Asia are in Uganda from November to April.
However, January and February can be very hot, with temperatures often reaching over 33°C/91°F during midday. The wet season, from March to November, is usually more comfortable temperature-wise, and the landscape becomes lush and green, especially from June onwards. June and July are great months because of the mild temperatures and lower rainfall.
If you’re planning to track gorillas or chimpanzees during your trip, you should consider the best months for those activities. Gorilla trekking is best from December to February and June to August. For chimpanzees, the best months for tracking are December to March and June to July.
How much does a Murchison Falls safari cost?
A trip 2- to 4-day safari at Murchison Falls typically costs between US$230 and US$500 per person per day. This price usually covers accommodations, meals, transport, and park entrance and activity fees. However, it doesn’t include drinks, tips, or optional activities. If you want to add activities like chimp trekking in Budongo Forest or rhino trekking in Ziwa, expect to pay a little more.
How to Get to Murchison Falls National Park
The drive from Kampala to Murchison Falls takes about five to six hours, depending on traffic. As you drive, you’ll pass rolling hills, small villages, and fields of cassava and maize. Near the park, the landscape changes to open plains with acacia trees, and you might spot some wildlife.
If you’re coming from Bwindi or Kibale, the trip is longer, taking up to nine hours. The scenery changes a lot, going from misty mountains to the dry, open areas of the north. For those in a hurry, you can take a flight from Entebbe or nearby airstrips to Pakuba Airstrip near the park.
Traveling from Queen Elizabeth National Park takes around six hours by road. The journey crosses the Albertine Rift and includes some rough dirt roads, but the beautiful views from forested hills to flat plains make the trip worth it.
Questions about Murchison Falls?
We will be happy to answer all your questions about highlights, accommodations and possible travel routes!
