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Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park
Are you planning a safari to Uganda? One park you shouldn’t miss is Murchison Falls National Park.
It’s Uganda’s largest and oldest national park. The park is located in northwestern Uganda about a 6 bour drive (311 kilometres) from Kampala. It’s teeming with wildlife. And the scenery is breathtaking.
Murchison Falls National Park is named after its main attraction: the powerful Murchison Falls. Here, the Great Nile River is forced through a narrow gap before crashing down with thunderous roar.
The Nile continues through the park toward Lake Albert. Along this stretch, the landscape feels wild and tropical. For wildlife lovers, this area is perfect.
Combine Murchison Falls with Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch. Together, they offer a strong chance to see all of the iconic African Big Five animals. That includes lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant, and rhino. You can also see wild chimpanzees and the rare shoebill storks.
All of this can be experienced in one well-planned trip.
The park Features the world’s strongest waterfall
The Nile River, the longest river in the world, flows through Murchison Falls National Park.
Along its journey, it creates green landscapes filled with wildlife. Then something extraordinary happens. The river is forced through a narrow gap in the rocks.
This is Murchison Falls. Murchison Falls is widely considered the world’s most powerful waterfall. Not because of its height or width, but because of its force.
Here, the Nile, about 50 meters wide, is squeezed through a rock cleft only 8 meters wide. Every second, around 300 cubic meters of water surge through this narrow opening. The pressure is immense.
The ground shakes. The water explodes forward with incredible power. After passing through the gap, the river plunges 43 meters down into the Devil’s Cauldron. Mist rises into the air. The roar is thunderous. It is a raw and unforgettable display of nature’s strength.
The Murchison Falls was named in the 1800s by British explorers. They named it after Sir Roderick Murchison, a British geologist who once believed Africa was geologically boring. Standing at Murchison Falls proves just how wrong that idea was.
A super diverse landscape
Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s largest park. It covers an area of 3,840 square kilometers. It is also one of the country’s most diverse parks. The landscape changes from place to place. In the north, you find wide savanna plains. The grass is open and rolling. Along the Nile, which cuts through the park, the land turns into green swamps. In the south, the scenery changes again into tropical rainforest.
Most visitors enter the park from the north. This is also where wildlife is most abundant. As soon as you arrive, you are surrounded by open space. The views stretch far into the distance. Murchison Falls National Park feels endless. There are many tracks and trails to explore. The colors change with the seasons. In the dry months, the park glows golden yellow. During the rainy season, it turns a deep and vibrant green.
Lots of Wild Animals In Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park is famous for its rich and healthy wildlife. Most animals live in the northern part of the park. You can see lions, leopards, and hyenas. Lions are especially common here. If you miss them, you were probably relaxing too much in your safari vehicle.
There are large herds of elephants, buffalo, and antelopes. Giraffes roam the plains, including the rare and endangered Rothschild giraffe. The Nile is home to enormous crocodiles, some growing up to seven meters long. Hippos are everywhere, both day and night.
And there is more. The park hosts over 450 bird species. One of the highlights is the rare shoebill stork. For bird lovers, this park is a true paradise. During your visit, you do more than just watch animals. Your guide explains their behavior and daily life. This deeper understanding makes the safari even more special.
You can do all kinds of activities in Murchison Falls National Park
A Classic Game Drive
We will start with a no-brainer: the classic game drive. As we mentioned earlier, you will find a lot of big cats in Murchison Falls. One of the most fun things to do in Murchison Falls National Park is drive around with the roof down and spot as many animals as possible.
Boat Safari On The Nile
You will cruise on River Nile towards the bottom of the Murchison Falls. You will see the Nile crocodiles hippos, and elephants on the banks. The boat safari is a must-do activity on a safari in Murchison Falls National Park. You can do it in two ways: a private one or a shared boat.
We would always recommend a private boat cruise. It is a bit more expensive, but you get a lot of freedom in return. You have your own guide and can stop wherever you like. If a group of elephants is in the water and you want to watch them for half an hour, you can. A fun addition to your boat safari: combine it with a visit to the top of the falls.
Overnight Stay In A Bush Camp
If you are interested in a bit of adventure, you should stay overnight in a bush camp in Murchison Falls National Park. Your pop-up tent will be ready for you on the day you arrive. Facilities are limited, but comfortable nonetheless. There is a bush toilet and a bush shower. A team will be there to cook and keep a fire going. In the middle of the night, life happens around you. You are in the middle of nowhere. You hear the hyenas howl, the lions roar.
Rhino and Chimpanzee Tracking
We do have some extra tips for you. If you are driving to Murchison Falls National Park from the south, you will pass through Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch. There is a rhino reserve there: the only place in Uganda where you can see them. It is a nice, easy stopover. You can also stop in the southern part of the park, in Budongo Central Forest Reserve. Chimpanzees, among other animals, live there.
Best Lodges in murchison falls nATIONAL PARK
Safaris in murchison falls nATIONAL PARK
Questions about MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK SAFARIS
What is the best time of the year for a Murchison Falls trip?
Murchison Falls can be visited any time of the year, as there’s really no bad season. For wildlife viewing, the main dry season from December to February is slightly better, because animals are easier to spot. Bird watching is also excellent from November to April, when migratory birds arrive from Europe and Southeast Asia. Keep in mind that January and February can be very hot, with midday temperatures rising above 33°C (91°F). The wet season, from March to November, is generally cooler and more comfortable.
From June onward, the park becomes lush and green, and June and July offer the best combination of mild temperatures and low rainfall. If you plan to track gorillas or chimps, the best months are December to February and June to August for gorillas, and December to March and June to July for chimps. By planning carefully, you can enjoy both wildlife and primate trekking at the best times.
How many days are recommended for a Murchison Falls trip?
Most people spend 3 days on a Murchison Falls trip, though 2-day and 4-day options are also available. A 2-day safari can feel very rushed because the drive to and from the park takes at least six hours, so it’s only suitable if you can’t stay longer. A 3-day trip is more relaxed, giving you twice as much time to enjoy the park. A 4-day safari is even better, especially if you want to track chimps or visit Ziwa on the way.
Can you describe a typical day on a Murchison Falls Safari?
Every day on safari is a little different, but here’s a common plan. On the first day, you’ll leave early from Entebbe or Kampala and reach your lodge by lunchtime. In the afternoon, you might take a boat trip on the Nile to the base of Murchison Falls. The next morning, an early game drive is common, giving you the best chance to see lions, leopards, and other big animals.
If your safari is only two days, you’ll head back to Entebbe or Kampala afterward, possibly stopping at Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch to look for rhinos. On a longer safari, you’ll have extra time to explore. You could visit the top of Murchison Falls for stunning views, take a morning boat trip to the Nile delta, enjoy more game drives, or even go chimp trekking in Budongo Forest.
