The most powerful waterfall on the Nile, with elephant, lion and a boat safari to the base of the falls.
Enquire About Murchison FallsMurchison Falls National Park is Uganda's largest, a broad wedge of savannah and palm forest in the north-west through which the Nile forces itself through a seven-metre gap in the rocks, creating the most powerful stretch of rapids on the river. The combined roar and spray of the falls is something you feel before you see.
The standard itinerary runs the two main experiences back to back: a game drive on the northern bank, where elephant, buffalo, Rothschild's giraffe, lion and leopard are all well distributed, followed by a boat trip up the Nile to the foot of the falls, past hippo pods, Nile crocodiles and enormous concentrations of water birds.
The park is also the most accessible of Uganda's northern parks, connected by road or a short charter flight from Entebbe, and it makes a natural opener or closer to a western Uganda circuit that takes in Kibale and Queen Elizabeth.
Chimpanzees can also be tracked in the nearby Budongo Forest on the park's southern edge, adding a primate dimension to what is primarily a savannah and river safari.
Elephant are common on the northern bank, and the park holds Uganda's only population of Rothschild's giraffe, one of the rarest giraffe subspecies. Lion and leopard hunt the savannah, and buffalo herds are large.
The Nile itself is spectacular: hippo pods number in the hundreds, Nile crocodile bask on every bank and the concentrations of pelicans, herons, eagles and waterbirds along the river are staggering.
The shoebill stork is found in the papyrus swamps of Lake Albert's delta, and the Budongo Forest adds chimpanzees and forest birds, making Murchison one of the more varied parks in Uganda.
December to February and June to September, the two dry seasons, are the best time, with easier game viewing on the northern bank and comfortable conditions for the boat trip. The grass is shorter and game more visible.
The long rains from March to May and shorter rains in October and November bring lush scenery and good birding, with lower rates and fewer visitors, though some tracks on the northern bank can become difficult.
The historic lodge at the Nile crossing, ideally placed for both the northern bank game drives and the boat trip to the falls.
A comfortable lodge on the southern bank of the Nile with strong views and good access to the park's main activities.
A small, elegant lodge on the northern bank, the most intimate and well-positioned base for the park's game and the falls.
A comfortable lodge on a cliff above the Nile, well placed for game drives and the boat trip at an accessible price.
Simple, popular budget camps near the park entrance offer a comfortable base at an affordable rate.
Murchison offers two outstanding photo subjects: the falls themselves, best in early morning light, and the Nile boat trip, which delivers hippo, crocodile and water birds at close range on the water. The Rothschild's giraffe against the savannah backdrop is a third.
Murchison spans budget camps to comfortable lodges and is the most accessible of Uganda's main parks, making it a good opener to a wider Ugandan circuit. The boat trip and the falls are worth the journey for almost any traveller.
Murchison Falls lies in north-western Uganda, around five to six hours by road from Entebbe or a short charter flight to the park airstrip, making it the easiest of Uganda's main parks to reach.
We arrange every detail, from the right camp to flights and transfers. Tell us your dates and we will do the rest.
Plan My Safari WhatsApp UsThe entire volume of the Nile forces through a gap just seven metres wide, creating the most powerful waterfall on the river. A boat trip to the base is one of Uganda's defining experiences.
Yes. The shoebill is found in the papyrus swamps of the Lake Albert delta within the park, and is one of the most sought-after birds in Africa. Guided boat trips into the swamps are the best way to find one.
Elephant, buffalo, Rothschild's giraffe, lion, leopard and Uganda kob are all well distributed on the northern bank, the main game-drive area.
December to February is generally the best, with short, dry grass on the northern bank. June to September is also good. Both dry seasons offer the best game viewing.
The nearby Budongo Forest on the park's southern edge has a habituated chimpanzee community and is often visited on the way to or from the main park.
Murchison works well as the northern part of a Uganda circuit, combined with Kibale and Queen Elizabeth in the west and Bwindi in the south-west.
Tell us roughly when you would like to travel and what you most want to see. Every enquiry is answered personally by Jarryd, a former Sabi Sands guide and Head Ranger at andBeyond Phinda, usually within 24 hours. No set packages, no booking fees.
