At a glance
- Best for
- Waterfall, boat trips, game drives and birding
- Distance
- About five to six hours by road from Kampala
- Time needed
- Two to three nights
- Best season
- December to February and June to September
- Highlights
- Top of the Falls, Nile launch trip, delta shoebills
- Getting there
- Road via Masindi or domestic flight to Pakuba or Bugungu
Why visit Murchison Falls
Murchison combines three experiences in one park: a raw, deafening waterfall, a classic river safari and wide open savannah game drives. It is also a conservation success story, with wildlife numbers recovering strongly since the years of conflict in northern Uganda. Many travellers rank the boat trip to the foot of the falls among the highlights of their whole trip.
Top of the Falls
A short trail leads to the lip of the falls, where you stand beside the gorge and feel the spray. The noise and force are astonishing. Walk the path along the escarpment for views of the river below and, on clear days, a second channel called Uhuru Falls. Many visitors combine this with a hike down from the boat landing or a late afternoon visit on the way to their lodge.
The launch trip
From Paraa, boats head upstream towards the base of the falls. Expect huge pods of hippos, Nile crocodiles basking on the banks, elephants and buffalo coming down to drink, and birds everywhere, from goliath herons to bee-eaters nesting in the cliffs. The trip takes around three hours. A morning boat heads downstream to the **Nile delta** where it meets Lake Albert, the best chance in Uganda to see the prehistoric looking shoebill stork.
Game drives north of the river
Cross the Nile on the Paraa ferry to reach the **Buligi** game tracks on the northern bank. Here Rothschild's giraffes stand above the borassus palms, and you may see lions, elephants, Uganda kob, Jackson's hartebeest, oribi and buffalo. Go early in the morning, and consider hiring a ranger guide from the Uganda Wildlife Authority, who knows where the lions have been seen.
Chimpanzees and rhinos nearby
On the southern side, **Budongo Forest** offers chimpanzee tracking at Kaniyo Pabidi, in tall mahogany forest. On the drive from Kampala, the **Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary** near Nakasongola is the only place in Uganda to see wild rhinos, tracked on foot with rangers. A stop here breaks up the long journey nicely.
Where to stay
Lodges sit along the Nile and on the hills around Paraa, from simple bandas and campsites to luxury lodges with pools overlooking the river. Staying inside the park saves time for early drives. Masindi, outside the park, has simpler hotels.
Walking and fishing
Ranger guided nature walks explore the riverbanks and the Rabongo Forest in the southeast of the park, and sport fishing for giant Nile perch is possible below the falls with a permit. A hike from the boat landing up to the top of the falls is a memorable way to see the gorge from every angle.
Practical tips
Park entry is charged per day, and the boat trips, ranger guides and chimpanzee tracking are paid separately; check current fees with the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Tsetse flies can be a nuisance in wooded areas, so wear light coloured clothing and repellent. Take malaria precautions. Roads are long and some sections are rough in the rains, so allow a full day from Kampala or take a domestic flight. Plan your route with the free trip planner.
Questions about Murchison Falls National Park
How many days should I spend in Murchison Falls?
Two nights is the minimum to do the boat trip, a game drive and Top of the Falls. Three nights adds the delta or chimpanzees in Budongo.
Can I see the Big Five in Murchison?
You can see lions, elephants, buffalo and leopards in the park, and rhinos at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary on the way.
Where can I see a shoebill?
The morning boat trip to the Nile delta, where the river meets Lake Albert, gives a good chance. Sightings are never guaranteed.
Is the road to Murchison good?
Main roads are mostly paved, but park tracks are rough and can be slow after rain. Allow most of a day from Kampala or fly to an airstrip.
Facts checked . Fees, schedules and entry rules change, so always confirm the latest with the official source.
