Murchison Falls National Park
Uganda’s largest park covers over 4000 sq. km and is one of the most spectacular parks in Africa. Renowned for its scenic beauty and the spectacular falls from which it gets its name, Murchison Falls National Park supports an abundance of flora and fauna to delight the visitor. From rolling savannah and tall grasslands to thick bush and woodlands, the diversity of this park never ceases to amaze visitors and residents alike.
No visit to Murchison Falls would be complete without a visit to the magnificent Falls. They can be viewed from the top where the Nile River narrows from 50 meters to crash through a 7-meter gorge, falling 45 meters to the rocks below.
The three-hour cruise to the base of the Falls is also unforgettable. One can experience the majesty of the Nile while onboard, viewing abundant wildlife along the banks. The more adventurous traveler may want to hike the trails around the Falls, while the avid birdwatcher will want to seek out some of the 424 species identified in the park.
Fishermen can test their skills above and below the Falls, waiting patiently for 20-100 kg Nile Perch. Other game fish found in the Nile include Barbel, Electric Catfish and Tiger fish. Cape buffalo, Rothschild’s giraffe, Uganda kob, hartebeest and waterbuck are commonly seen on game drives. You may also spot oribi, bushbuck, Bohor reedbuck, the shy sitatunga, bush duiker, and warthog.
Large carnivores include lion, leopard and spotted hyena. Chimpanzees and olive baboons head the list of six species of primates found in the park. Crocodile and hippo will be seen along the banks of the Nile. Some of the more common birds that can be seen include Goliath heron, Egyptian geese, pelican, bee-eaters, kingfishers, hornbill, cormorant, saddle-bill stork and the rare Shoebill stork. A boat cruise to the delta is a highlight for the avid birdwatcher.
Languages spoken | English, Germany, French, Swahilli, Spanish, Chinese |
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Currency used | UGX / USD / GBP / EURO |
Area (km2) | 4000 sq. km |
Country name | Uganda |
Things To Do
Murchison Falls National Park, part of the greater Murchison Falls Conservation Area (MFCA), offers excellent wildlife viewing. The Victoria Nile bisects the park and boat trips to the spectacular Murchison Falls are a highlight – especially if you hike to the top where the immense power of the falls is best appreciated.
The Park has a variety of activities to offer to safari goers. These range from visits to the spectacular and the world's most powerful waterfalls, game safaris in the Buligi Tracks towards the Albert Delta, chimp tracking in the Budongo Forest at Kaniyo Pabidi, Birding excursions, boat trips to the bottom of the falls and to the delta, among others.
Game Safaris
The park supports four of the Big Five; only rhino are absent. Buffalo and elephant are particularly common. There is a very healthy population of lion that likes to prey on the abundant Uganda kob. Other antelope found here are oribi, Jackson's hartebeest, defassa waterbuck, grey duiker and bushbuck. The Victoria Nile teems with crocodile and hippo. Large herds of the localized Rothschild's giraffe are found in the park and leopard, though far from numerous, is most likely to be seen in the vicinity of Pakuba Lodge.
The diverse vegetation cover of the park which includes woodlands, savannah and riverine forests supports a great diversity of animals which can easily be seen. These include the Uganda Kobs, Hartebeests, lions, elephants, leopards, Rothschild giraffes, buffaloes, cheetahs, and hyenas among many others.
Game Drives are conducted in the early morning as well as in the evening hours offering you a chance to enjoy up-close views of the different animals. The Delta area, Buligi Penisular and the southern sector are the main game viewing areas.
Best Time for Wildlife Viewing
Murchison Falls National Park can be visited throughout the year, but the best time for wildlife viewing is the Dry season (from December to February) when animals congregate around the Victoria Nile and other reliable water sources.
Chimp Tracking
Following breakfast at the lodge, set out into Budongo Forest Reserve to join your team and begin your chimpanzee tracking / habituation experience. This semi deciduous rain forest, which lies within Murchison Falls National Park, boasts the largest mahogany forest in East Africa.
You will assist Budongo’s trackers in their daily habituation research and activities including “de-nesting” the chimps, following them through the forest, and recording their behaviors and movements throughout the day. Finish the day off at sundown when the chimpanzees retire to their new nests for the night.
This lifetime experience will allow you within metres of these amusing and very social apes, sharing in their daily lives and experiencing their day-to-day activities. Chimpanzees, our closest cousins, are extremely endangered with only an estimated 5000 remaining in Uganda. You will also have the opportunity to observe the many other animal species living in Budongo’s diverse habitat including black and white colobus monkeys, baboons and hundreds of native bird species.
Please note: tracking chimpanzees may be fairly strenuous as the chimpanzees are highly mobile during the day. Also, chimpanzees are wild animals and, as such, sightings cannot be guaranteed.
Birding
Murchison Falls National Park is one of the best places in Africa to find the prehistoric-looking shoebill stork. Sightings of this bird are almost guaranteed on a boat trip on the Victoria Nile towards the Lake Albert delta. This boat trip, as well as the more popular ‘launch’ trip towards Murchison Falls, are, in fact, great for checking off many water-associated birds. The park’s impressive checklist contains more than 450 species in total. Migratory birds are present from November to April.
Birding Specials–Treats for Avid Birders
- Abyssinian ground hornbill
- African jacana
- African quailfinch
- Black-billed barbet
- Black-headed gonolek
- Black-headed lapwing
- Blue-headed coucal
- Denham’s bustard
- Eastern grey plantain-eater
- Giant kingfisher
- Goliath heron
- Malachite kingfisher
- Palm-nut vulture
- Piapiac
- Red-throated bee-eater
- Shoebill
- Silverbird
- Speckle-fronted weaver
- Squacco heron
- Swamp flycatcher
- White-browed sparrow-weaver
Best Time for Bird Watching
The birdlife in Murchison Falls is good year-round, but at its best from January to March. This is the low tourist season, but there is plenty of bird activity. December to February has the least rain, while April to May and August to October have the most rain. The heavy rains might result in delays due to impassable roads and slippery hiking trails and can limit your bird-watching time. Migratory birds are present from November to April.
Best Time to Visit
Watching wildlife in Murchison Falls National Park is generally good and at its best during the Dry season, from December to February. However, January and February can be very hot and scenery is more beautiful during the Wet season from June to November.
The climate in Murchison Falls National Park is tropical and hot. Temperatures are quite uniform throughout the year. Daytime temperatures of around 31°C/88°F are common, with it cooling down at night to around 18°C/64°F.
The Wet season runs from March to November, with a drier period from June to July. There is little rain during the Dry season (December to February).
Dry Season–December to February
It is dry and hot.
- December, January & February – These are the driest months. It is mostly sunny with clear skies. These are also the hottest months, with average temperatures of 32°C/90°F during the afternoon. It cools off at night to about 18°C/64°F.
Wet Season–March to November
It doesn’t rain that much in the Wet season, but occasional heavy storms can be expected.
- March, April & May – By March the rains are starting, and there are more overcast skies. April and May experience more rainfall. Daytime temperatures average 31°C/88°F, while at night they average 20°C/68°F.
- June & July – This is a bit of a drier spell, but rain should still be expected. Average daytime temperatures are around 30°C/86°F.
- August, September, October & November – These are the wettest months, reaching a peak in October. It doesn't rain every day, but when it does, it tends to be torrential storms. Temperatures start to slowly increase by November.
Season | Months | Description |
Best Time | December to February | Easier to spot animals |
High Season | June to September | The peak time for gorilla trekking, more people visit Uganda and Murchison Falls NP |
Low Season | March, April, May, October and November | High rainfall could lead to accommodation closing in other parks, Parks are less crowded |
Best Weather | June and July | Least rain and lower temperatures |
Worst Weather | April, May and August to October | Higher rainfall, but seldom enough to interfere with your safari |
December to February –Dry Season
- Animals are found more easily since they gather at water sources
- Plenty of sun and almost no rain
- Mosquitoes are fewer, so there is less risk of malaria
- The heat in January and February can be unbearable
- Wildlife Photos
June to November –Wet Season
- The landscape is lush with greenery
- April and May are low season, so there are fewer people around, and rates may be lower
- The park offers good wildlife viewing throughout the year
- Murchison Falls lies in a dry part of the country, and the rains rarely interfere with your safari
- Some roads may become hard to travel after heavy downpours
Murchison River Lodge
Murchison River Lodge provides comfortable and relaxing mid-range accommodation in a beautiful location by the river Nile adjacent to Uganda's largest National Park - Murchison Falls National ParkUt enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip.
Nile Safari lodge
Nile Safari Lodge offers a magical escape in the most luxurious and tranquil setting in Uganda, on the banks of River Nile in Murchison Falls National Park.Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip.
Pakuba Safari Lodge
Pakuba Safari Lodge is nestled on the Eastern Bank of the Albert Nile in Murchison Falls National Park overlooking the spectacular River Nile.Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip.
Paraa Safari Lodge
The lodge is located in the north west of Uganda over looking one of nature's best kept secrets, the River Nile, on its journey from its source at Lake Victoria to join Lake AlbertUt enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip.
Sambiya River Lodge
Sambiya River Lodge is a family run eco lodge in the Heart of Murchison Falls National Park, a twenty minute drive from the top of the famous falls.Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip.
Tilenga Safari Lodge
Tilenga Safari Lodge features 13 elegant guest cottages, 2 luxury tents. The River Nile and the park are the main focus from an architect's perspective.Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip.
Twiga Safari Lodge
Twiga Safari lodge is located along the Southern Bank of the River Nile on the outskirts of Murchison Falls National Park.Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip.
4 Days African Big Five Safari
Murchison Falls National ParkVisit Uganda's Largest Protected Area that is home to the world's strongest waterfall combined with a walking Safari at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary