Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls is Uganda’s oldest and largest national park. It was a game reserve from 1926 and became a national park in 1952. The Victoria Nile runs through its heart and splits it in two.

Why go

At the falls, the whole Nile pushes through a rock gap about 8 metres wide and drops about 45 metres into a boiling pool. North of the river, the land opens into classic savannah with Rothschild’s giraffes, elephants, large herds of buffalo and Uganda kob, Jackson’s hartebeest and oribi. UWA has recorded 556 bird species in the park.

What you can do

• A launch trip of about two hours up the Nile to the bottom of the falls, past hippos, crocodiles and drinking elephants.
• A short hike to the top of the falls to feel the spray and the noise.
• Early game drives on the northern bank, where lions are seen on some days.
• A boat trip to the delta on Lake Albert to look for the shoebill, best from January to March.
• Night drives, for guests who sleep inside the park.
• Birding walks, cycling and sport fishing.
• Next to the park, Budongo Forest offers chimpanzee tracking at Kaniyo Pabidi and the Royal Mile, one of Uganda’s best forest birding trails.

The people side

Near the Kichumbanyobo gate, about 35 minutes from Masindi, the Boomu Women’s Group welcomes visitors. The group was formed in 1999. You can join a village walk, cook a meal with the women, learn basket weaving and stay in simple bandas. The income helps run a nursery school and pay school fees.

Best time to visit

The drier months, December to February and June to September, are best for game drives. The boat trips run all year. It is hot here, often 28 to 33 C by day.

Getting there

UWA gives 4 to 5 hours by road from Kampala to the southern gate, then 1 to 2 hours to most lodges; add about 1 hour from Entebbe. Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is a natural stop on the way, and Karuma Falls on the Nile is a known road stop on the northern route. Flights land at Pakuba, Chobe and Bugungu airstrips.

Good to know

There are no rhinos in the park; you track them at Ziwa on the way. The shoebill is possible on the delta trip but never guaranteed. At Paraa the Nile is crossed by ferry, and a newer bridge also exists, so we check current crossing arrangements when planning. The path at the top of the falls is short but uneven. The Bugungu and Karuma wildlife reserves next to the park have no separate visitor programme. UWA’s current prices are valid to 31 December 2026; new UWA prices start on 1 January 2027.