The Murchison Falls
Stand at the top of the falls and feel the spray as the entire Nile forces itself through a 7 metre gap before crashing 45 metres below.
Uganda National Parks
Murchison Falls National Park
The mighty Nile forces itself through a narrow rock gorge and plunges into a thundering cauldron of spray, while elephants, giraffes and lions roam the savannah beyond.
- Location
- 305 km north of Kampala
- Known For
- Murchison Falls & the Nile
- Birdlife
- 451 species recorded
- Best Time
- December – February, June – September
Discover Murchison Falls
Where the Nile meets the savannah.
Murchison Falls National Park, known locally as Kabalega National Park, lies at the northern end of the Albertine Rift Valley and is Uganda's oldest and largest wildlife park. First gazetted as a game reserve in 1926, it lies around 305 km north of Kampala in the Masindi area. Its diverse wildlife, with over 76 mammal species and an impressive 451 bird species recorded, makes it one of the premier safari destinations in Uganda and Africa.
The park is bisected by the Victoria Nile, which squeezes through a gap in the rock just 7 metres wide before plunging 45 metres over the remnant rift valley wall to create the dramatic falls that give the park its name. This is the finale of an 80 km stretch of rapids; the cascade drains the last of the river's energy, transforming it into a broad, placid stream that flows quietly across the rift valley floor into Lake Albert.
Along the riverbanks, giraffes, elephants and buffaloes come to drink, while hippos and Nile crocodiles are permanent residents. The vegetation is as diverse as the wildlife, from expansive savannah and woodland to riverine forest, including the great Budongo Forest, home to chimpanzees. Further upstream, near the park's eastern edge, the Nile also tumbles over the Karuma Falls.
Why Murchison Falls
Wild landscapes, big game and the mighty Nile.
Murchison combines one of Africa's most powerful waterfalls with classic savannah game viewing, river safaris and chimpanzee tracking, making it a complete safari destination.
Nile Boat Safaris
Cruise upstream from Paraa to the base of the falls, passing hippos, crocodiles, elephants and a wealth of birdlife along the riverbanks.
Buligi Game Drives
Explore the savannah north of the river, where Rothschild's giraffes, elephants, buffaloes, lions and Uganda kob roam the grasslands.
The Shoebill
Look for the prehistoric-looking shoebill in the Nile–Lake Albert Delta, one of the most sought-after birds in Africa.
Chimpanzees of Budongo
Track chimpanzees in the Budongo Forest, home to the largest mahogany forest in East Africa.
Rhinos at Ziwa
On the way from Kampala, track white rhinos on foot at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Uganda's only place to see wild rhinos.
Location
Where is Murchison Falls National Park?
Murchison Falls National Park lies in northwestern Uganda, around 305 km north of Kampala in the Masindi area. The drive from Kampala takes roughly 5 to 6 hours to the park's southern gates and on to Paraa, the park's centre on the Nile, while travellers starting at Entebbe International Airport should allow an extra hour or so. Many journeys stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary along the way, about 3 hours from Kampala.
For a quicker journey, scheduled and charter flights connect Entebbe and Kampala with the park's airstrips at Pakuba and Bugungu. From Murchison, safaris often continue south along the Albertine Rift towards Kibale Forest and Queen Elizabeth National Park.
When to visit
Murchison Falls through the seasons.
Murchison is rewarding all year, but the dry months bring the best game viewing, while the rains turn the savannah green and are excellent for birding.
Main Dry Season
Hot, dry weather draws animals towards the Nile, giving excellent game drives and boat safaris.
Long Rains
The savannah turns green and birdlife is superb, though some tracks can be muddy and grass grows tall.
Mid-Year Dry Spell
Good game viewing and pleasant conditions, with wildlife concentrating near water.
Short Rains
Showers bring fresh grazing and fewer visitors, with good birding and boat trips still excellent.
What is the best month to visit Murchison Falls?
The dry months are best for wildlife, but the falls are impressive all year and the river cruise is excellent in every season.
Hot and dry, with animals gathering near the Nile and excellent game drives.
One of the best months for wildlife, with short grass and clear views.
Rains begin to return, and the savannah starts to turn green.
Wet and lush, with superb birding but some muddy tracks.
Rains continue, bringing tall grass and very few visitors.
Drier conditions return and game viewing on the Buligi tracks improves.
Good game viewing, with wildlife concentrated near the river.
Pleasant weather for river cruises, game drives and chimp tracking.
Rewarding wildlife viewing before the short rains arrive.
Showers return, with lush scenery and active birdlife.
Green and quiet, with good shoebill chances on delta boat trips.
Dry weather returns, bringing excellent game drives and festive safaris.
Explore the area
Explore the regions of Murchison Falls.
The Nile divides the park into north and south, each with its own landscape, wildlife and experiences.
CentralParaa & the Victoria NileThe heart of the park, where the ferry crosses the Nile and boat safaris depart upstream to the base of the falls.
The FallsTop of the FallsA short hike leads to the top of the falls, where the Nile rushes through its narrow gorge in a thunderous cloud of spray.
Northern BankBuligi Game TracksSavannah plains between the Victoria and Albert Niles, the park's best area for game drives, with giraffes, elephants, buffaloes, lions and kob.
NorthwestNile–Lake Albert DeltaPapyrus channels where the Nile enters Lake Albert, reached by boat and famous for shoebill sightings and waterbirds.
Southern SectorBudongo ForestA great tropical forest, including the Kaniyo Pabidi area, known for chimpanzee tracking, ancient mahogany trees and forest birding.
Southern SectorRabongo ForestA small, tranquil riverine forest in the south of the park, ideal for nature walks and guarded forest camping.
Wildlife
A park rich in big game and birdlife.
Murchison Falls is home to over 76 mammal species. Game drives along the Buligi tracks reveal giraffes, the world's tallest land mammal, elephants, the largest, lions, Africa's apex predators, leopards, the most elusive of the cats, buffaloes, hyenas and herds of Uganda kob, hartebeest and oribi. The river is home to hippos and Nile crocodiles, Africa's largest reptile, and chimpanzees live in the Budongo Forest.
With over 450 bird species, Murchison is a birder's haven. The shoebill is the star attraction, joined by the Abyssinian ground hornbill, Goliath heron, African fish eagle, Denham's bustard and many more. White rhinos, once lost from Uganda, can be tracked at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary on the way to the park.
12 animals to look for
Rothschild's giraffe
Chance of seeingVery common
Where to look: Buligi game tracks on the northern bank
Murchison holds one of the largest populations of this rare giraffe subspecies, a highlight of any game drive.
1 / 12
Elephant
Chance of seeingVery common
Where to look: Northern bank savannah and the riverbanks
Herds are often seen on game drives and from the boat as they come to drink.
2 / 12
Lion
Chance of seeingCommon
Where to look: Buligi tracks and the delta area
Prides hunt Uganda kob on the northern savannah and are best found on early morning drives.
3 / 12
Leopard
Chance of seeingOccasional
Where to look: Riverine woodland and the northern bank
Elusive but present, sometimes spotted resting in trees in the early morning or evening.
4 / 12
Buffalo
Chance of seeingVery common
Where to look: Riverbanks and savannah
Large herds graze the grasslands and gather near the Nile.
5 / 12
Hippo
Chance of seeingVery common
Where to look: Victoria Nile below the falls
Huge numbers live along the river, seen at close range on every boat safari.
6 / 12
Nile crocodile
Chance of seeingVery common
Where to look: Riverbanks below the falls
Some of the largest crocodiles in Africa bask on the banks of the Nile.
7 / 12
Chimpanzee
Chance of seeingCommon
Where to look: Budongo Forest, Kaniyo Pabidi
Habituated chimps can be tracked in Budongo, a great complement to savannah game drives.
8 / 12
Uganda kob
Chance of seeingVery common
Where to look: Northern bank grasslands
Abundant on the savannah and an important prey species for lions.
9 / 12
Spotted hyena
Chance of seeingOccasional
Where to look: Northern bank savannah
Often seen at dawn or dusk scavenging or hunting on the plains.
10 / 12
White rhino
Chance of seeingVery common
Where to look: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, outside the park
Tracked on foot with rangers at Ziwa, an easy stop on the drive from Kampala.
11 / 12
Shoebill
Chance of seeingOccasional
Where to look: Nile–Lake Albert Delta
A prehistoric-looking bird of the papyrus swamps, best searched for on a delta boat trip.
12 / 12
The Murchison Falls
The most powerful falls on the Nile.
At Murchison, the Nile squeezes through a gorge just 7 metres wide before plunging 45 metres into the river below, creating a spectacular mist that envelops the area. Hiking to the top of the falls is one of the park's great highlights; standing beside the roaring water and feeling the refreshing spray is an experience of pure vitality.
Many visitors combine the hike with a boat cruise from Paraa to the base of the falls, passing hippos, crocodiles, elephants and many birds along the way. For the adventurous, nature walks on both the north and south banks, sport fishing and rafting add even more ways to experience the mighty Nile.
Safaris to 中文
Tours that include Murchison Falls
Itineraries that include Murchison Falls, often combined with Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Kibale Forest and Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Uganda · 5 days
5-Day Uganda (Entebbe Start): Wildlife, Lakes, and Timeless Landscapes
Murchison Falls
Private & tailor-madePrice on requestView trip
Uganda · 7 days
7-Day Uganda (Entebbe Start): Primates, Plains & Cultural Heartbeats
Murchison Falls · Kibale Forest · Queen Elizabeth
Private & tailor-madePrice on requestView trip
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Usually replies within minutesHeritage
The story behind Murchison Falls.
The falls were named after Sir Roderick Murchison, President of the Royal Geographical Society, by the explorer Samuel Baker, who reached them in the 1860s during the European search for the source of the Nile. The park's local name, Kabalega, honours Kabalega, the celebrated king of Bunyoro who resisted colonial rule, and the surrounding area remains part of the Bunyoro Kingdom.
Gazetted as a game reserve in 1926 and declared a national park in 1952, Murchison became one of Africa's most famous safari destinations, drawing visitors from around the world. Its wildlife suffered greatly during Uganda's years of conflict in the 1970s and 1980s, but sustained conservation has since allowed elephants, buffaloes, giraffes and other species to recover strongly.
Today, conservation focuses on protecting the park's wildlife and the wider Murchison Falls Conservation Area, including Budongo Forest. At Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, a breeding programme is working to return rhinos to Uganda's national parks.
How many days do I need in Murchison Falls?
Two to three nights is ideal, allowing time for a game drive, the boat safari to the falls, the hike to the top of the falls and chimp tracking in Budongo.
What is the best time to visit Murchison Falls?
The dry months from December to February and June to September are best for game viewing, though the falls and boat safaris are excellent all year.
Can I see the Big Five in Murchison Falls?
You can see elephants, buffaloes, lions and, with luck, leopards in the park. Rhinos are found at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, which is easy to visit on the way from Kampala.
Where can I see the shoebill?
The best chance is on a boat trip to the Nile–Lake Albert Delta, where shoebills hunt in the papyrus swamps.
Can I hike to the top of the falls?
Yes. A guided hike leads to the top, where you can feel the spray and watch the Nile force itself through the gorge. It is often combined with the boat cruise.
Can I track chimpanzees in Murchison?
Yes, in the Budongo Forest at Kaniyo Pabidi, where habituated chimps live among ancient mahogany trees.
How far is Murchison Falls from Kampala?
About 305 km, roughly 5 to 6 hours by road, or a short flight to Pakuba or Bugungu airstrip.
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