National Park · Northwestern Uganda
Murchison Falls National Park
Uganda's largest national park, where the Victoria Nile forces itself through a narrow gorge and plunges over Murchison Falls.
How to get there
By road from Kampala — recent road upgrades have cut the drive to well under a day — or by scheduled flight to Pakuba airstrip.
What to find
A launch cruise to the base of the falls, a hike to the top of the falls, and game drives on the savanna north of the river.
Overview
Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda's largest and oldest national park, covering about 3,840 km² of savanna, woodland and riverine forest, with the Victoria Nile cutting across its middle.
Its centrepiece is the falls themselves: the entire Nile squeezes through a rock gap only about seven metres wide, then thunders down around 43 metres. North of the river, rolling grasslands hold elephants, buffalo, Rothschild's giraffe, lions, leopards and huge herds of Uganda kob and Jackson's hartebeest.
Highlights
- Standing at the Top of the Falls as the Nile explodes through the gorge
- A launch trip up the Nile to the base of the falls, past hippos and crocodiles
- Game drives on the Buligi circuits, with giraffe, elephant and lion
- A delta boat trip in search of the rare shoebill stork
- Chimpanzee tracking in Budongo Forest, at the park's southern edge
Things to do
Nile launch cruise
A boat trip to the foot of the falls, with a lot of wildlife along the banks.
Top of the Falls hike
A short hike to the top, one of the most powerful sights in Africa.
Game drives
North of the Nile, crossing by the Paraa ferry. Best early morning.
Shoebill delta cruise
A morning boat trip to the papyrus swamps where the Nile meets Lake Albert.
Budongo chimp tracking
Chimp treks from Kaniyo Pabidi in the Budongo Forest Reserve.
Best time to visit
The dry seasons (December to February and June to September) are best for game drives, as animals gather near water and the tracks are easier. The falls are impressive all year.
Getting there
About 5 to 6 hours by road from Kampala, and many travellers stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary on the way. Scheduled flights serve the Pakuba and Bugungu airstrips.
Where to stay
Lodges sit on both banks of the Nile, from riverside tented camps to upmarket lodges with views over the water. Staying south of the river means an early ferry crossing for morning game drives.
Murchison Falls National Park
A selection of well-known options, not a complete list. See all accommodation in Uganda →
Good to know
- Combine with Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to see rhinos on foot on the way in.
- The Paraa ferry runs to a schedule, so plan game drives around it.
- Carry insect repellent. Tsetse flies can be a nuisance in wooded areas.
Permit prices, park rules and access can change. We always confirm the latest details when we plan your trip.
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