DISCOVER MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK

Experience the breathtaking Murchison Falls, where the Nile is forced through a narrow gorge before plunging dramatically below, creating one of Uganda’s most spectacular natural wonders.Encounter large herds of elephants and other remarkable wildlife across the spectacular landscapes.

MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK!

THE BEST OF MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK

MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK

Uganda’s largest and one of its oldest national parks, which is located in Northwestern Uganda, extending inland from the shores of Lake Albert and following the Victoria Nile eastward toward Karuma Falls. Renowned for its dramatic landscapes, abundant wildlife and the spectacular Murchison Falls, where the Victoria Nile is forced through a narrow rocky gorge before plunging into the river below. The park lies within the northern part of the Albertine Rift Valley and forms the core of the wider Murchison Falls Conservation Area.

The area around Murchison Falls attracted European explorers during the nineteenth century. John Hanning Speke and James Grant visited the region in 1862, followed by Samuel and Florence Baker, who explored the area more extensively in 1863 – 1864. Samuel Baker was particularly impressed by the spectacular waterfall and named it Murchison Falls after Sir Roderick Murchison, a prominent geologist and then president of the Royal Geographical Society.

A major milestone came in 1952, when Uganda passed the National Parks Act. Under this legislation, Murchison Falls National Park was officially established by Legal Notice 162 of 1952, replacing the earlier Bunyoro-Gulu Game Reserve. This made Murchison Falls one of Uganda’s first national parks and established a stronger legal framework for protecting its wildlife, vegetation and spectacular natural landscapes.

WILDLIFE FOUND IN MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK

Murchison Falls National Park is one of Uganda’s premier wildlife destinations, supporting a rich variety of mammals across its open savannahs, woodlands, wetlands and riverine habitats.

Wildlife commonly encountered includes:

Lions
Warthogs
Leopards
Uganda kob
Cape buffaloes
Nile crocodiles
Patas monkeys
Giant forest hogs
Hippopotamuses
African elephants
Jackson’s hartebeest
Rothschild’s giraffes
Oribis and waterbucks
Olive baboons and other primates

The Victoria Nile is particularly important to the park’s wildlife. A game drive across the northern sector can produce sightings of elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, lions, Uganda kob and hartebeest, while a boat safari along the Nile offers excellent opportunities to see hippos, crocodiles, elephants and waterbirds.

Murchison Falls National Park is an outstanding birdwatching destination in Uganda, with more than 450 recorded bird species.

Notable Bird Species

Some of the most sought-after species include:

Piapiac
Shoebill
Grey Kestrel
African Jacana
Goliath Heron
Secretarybird
Giant Kingfisher
African Fish Eagle
Black-billed Barbet
Malachite Kingfisher
Grey Crowned Crane
Black-headed Lapwing
Red-throated Bee-eater
Abyssinian Ground Hornbill
Northern Carmine Bee-eater

The park’s dense vegetation and mountainous terrain make some species challenging to locate, but this is also what makes birding here particularly rewarding.

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS & ACTIVITIES WITHIN MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK

Major Attraction.

Murchison Falls
The park’s signature attraction, where the Victoria Nile is squeezed through a narrow gorge before plunging dramatically downstream. The falls create spectacular scenery and powerful rapids.

Activities within the park.

Sport Fishing
Game Drives
Birdwatching
Nature & Forest Walks
Boat Trip to the Nile Delta
Boat Safari to Murchison Falls

Activities outside the park.

Chimpanzee Tracking
Cultural & Community Experiences

Murchison Falls National Park offers an exceptional combination of wildlife, waterways and dramatic landscapes. Explore the vast Buligi savannahs on exciting game drives, cruise the Victoria Nile toward the mighty Murchison Falls, search for the rare Shoebill around the Nile Delta, or explore the forests and wetlands on guided nature walks.

THE BEST TIME TO VISIT MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK

Murchison Falls National Park can be visited throughout the year, but the experience changes considerably with the seasons. Because is a semi-arid savannah ecosystem crossed by numerous rivers, streams, wetlands and riverine habitats. Rainfall plays an important role in shaping the park’s landscape, influencing vegetation growth, road conditions and the distribution and movement of wildlife. Uganda Wildlife Service describes Uganda’s parks as year-round destinations, while identifying July – December and December – March generally as favorable periods for wildlife viewing; April – May is the principal long-rain period.

Best time according to Moth’s

June – October: Excellent for wildlife viewing

Generally, one of the most rewarding periods for a classic Murchison falls park safari. This is the drier part of the year, when vegetation becomes less dense and animals are often easier to spot across the open plains. As the dry season progresses, wildlife increasingly depends on the park’s permanent wetlands, marshes and other reliable water sources.

January–February: Warm and Dry

The weather offers another favorable window for visiting Murchison Falls National Park. These months fall between the main rainy periods and can provide a good balance of wildlife viewing and green landscapes. There may still be water and vegetation in the wetlands, while the surrounding plains can remain relatively open for game viewing.

March–May: Long-rain season

The long rains generally occur from March to May, transforming Murchison normally dry landscape into a much greener and more vibrant environment. Rainfall brings fresh vegetation, replenishes wetlands and creates dramatic seasonal scenery.

November – December: Best for green landscapes, birdlife and a quieter atmosphere

Bring the shorter rains, which can gradually refresh the landscape after the dry season. The arrival of rain stimulates new vegetation growth, and the plains can become increasingly green.

The best time to experience Murchison Falls National Park is throughout the year, as each season offers a unique safari experience.