Victoria Nile explodes through a narrow gorge
into Murchison Falls.

Murchinson Falls

Uganda’s largest park offers
safari drives, boat trips, and primates.

Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s oldest and largest national park, where the Victoria Nile violently squeezes through a 7-meter gorge before plunging 43 meters into a boiling cauldron below.

This dramatic waterfall is the park’s centrepiece, surrounded by open savannah, riverine forests, and dense woodlands that support an impressive variety of wildlife.

Visitors can see four of the Big Five here—lion, elephant, buffalo, and leopard—as well as Rothschild’s giraffes and large pods of hippos.

The park is also home to over 450 bird species and features chimpanzee tracking nearby in Budongo Forest.

From game drives across northern plains to boat cruises beneath the thunderous falls, Murchison delivers a complete and varied safari experience in one of East Africa’s most scenic reserves.

Map

Murchison Falls Highlights

Powerful river rapids, big game encounters, and sweeping savannah landscapes promise highlights revealing Murchison Falls’ dramatic natural wonder and biodiversity.

  • Watch the Victoria Nile explode through a narrow rock cleft at dramatic, roaring Murchison Falls.
  • Game drives reveal elephants, lions, giraffes, hartebeests, and abundant antelope species roaming open grasslands north of the Nile.
  • Boat cruises offer close views of hippos, crocodiles, waterbirds, and elephants drinking at the river’s edge.
  • Rothschild’s giraffes and patas monkeys are commonly seen in the northern sector’s open, palm-dotted landscapes.
  • Visit Budongo Forest for optional chimpanzee trekking and sightings of black-and-white colobus monkeys.
  • Birdwatchers can spot shoebills, kingfishers, bee-eaters, and fish eagles throughout savannahs, forest trails, and the Nile banks.

Activities to Do in Murchison Falls

From classic game drives to waterfall hikes and chimp tracking, Murchison offers land, river, and forest adventures in one park.

Best Time to Visit Murchison Falls

Wildlife is easiest to spot December to February in Murchison Falls, though lush landscapes and dramatic scenery flourish beautifully during the wetter months.

  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
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  • May
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  • Excellent
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Murchison Falls National Park Wet Season

Season Safari Guide

The best time to visit Murchison Falls National Park is during the dry season from December to February. Wildlife gathers around the Victoria Nile, and visibility improves in the thinning grass. It’s also the best time for boat cruises and hikes to the falls. Days are sunny, with average temperatures around 31°C, though midday heat can be intense.

The wet season, from March to November, brings lush green landscapes and beautiful skies, perfect for birdwatching and photography. Rain often comes in heavy afternoon storms but rarely lasts all day. Wildlife viewing remains good year-round, but tracks can become muddy, especially from April to May.

A short dry spell in June–July provides a balance between greenery and accessibility. October and November tend to be wetter, but the park is quieter, offering a more peaceful experience for adventurous travellers.

Murchison Falls National Park Dry Season

Accommodations / Where to Stay

Lodges range from luxury riverside retreats to budget camps on the savannah. Most are located near Paraa, offering easy access to boat trips, game drives, and waterfall excursions.

Uganda

Angama Mara

Luxury Lodge

Uganda

Ol Donyo Lodge

Luxury Lodge

Uganda

Sirikoi Lodge

Luxury Lodge

wildlife To See

  • Elephant

    Elephant

  • Rothschild’s Giraffe

    Giraffe

  • Lion

    Lion

  • Hippopotamus

    Hippo

  • Patas Monkey

    Monkey

Get To
Murchison Falls

Visitors usually arrive via Entebbe International Airport, 46 km from Kampala. From there, tour operators arrange transfers to Murchison Falls, a 6-hour drive via Masindi. The route is scenic and paved, with optional stops at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Alternatively, scheduled or charter flights are available to Pakuba, Chobe, or Bugungu airstrips inside the park. Self-driving is possible but less recommended during the wet season due to slippery dirt roads north of the Nile crossing at Paraa.

Murchison Falls National Park boating

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