Murchison Falls National Park
Witness the mighty Nile River forced through a 7-meter gorge, creating one of Africa's most powerful waterfalls
Witness the mighty Nile River forced through a 7-meter gorge, creating one of Africa's most powerful waterfalls
Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda's largest protected area, spanning approximately 3,840 square kilometers in the northwestern part of the country. The park is bisected by the Victoria Nile, which plunges 43 meters through a narrow 7-meter gorge to create the dramatic Murchison Falls, the park's centerpiece.
Established in 1952, the park boasts diverse habitats including savannah, riverine forest, and woodland. It's home to 76 mammal species and 451 bird species, making it one of Uganda's premier wildlife destinations. The park forms part of the larger Murchison Falls Conservation Area (MFCA) which also includes Bugungu and Karuma wildlife reserves.
The park offers exceptional game viewing, with healthy populations of lions, leopards, elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, and hippos. The Nile below the falls contains one of Africa's densest hippo and crocodile populations, while the riverbanks attract abundant birdlife including the rare shoebill stork.
Murchison Falls National Park offers visitors an unparalleled combination of spectacular scenery and abundant wildlife. The park's diverse ecosystems support an incredible array of species, from the iconic African mammals to hundreds of bird species. The dramatic waterfall where the Nile explodes through a narrow gorge is one of Africa's most powerful natural wonders.
Game drives in the northern sector reveal vast herds of buffalo and Uganda kob, while giraffes and elephants roam the savannah. The Nile corridor provides excellent opportunities to spot lions, leopards, and hyenas. Boat cruises to the base of the falls offer close encounters with hippos, crocodiles, and aquatic birds, with the chance to see the rare shoebill stork in its natural habitat.
The park offers three main activities that showcase its diverse attractions. Morning and afternoon game drives in the delta area provide excellent wildlife viewing, particularly of predators and large herbivores. The Nile boat cruise takes visitors to the base of the falls, with spectacular wildlife viewing along the riverbanks. The hike to the top of Murchison Falls offers breathtaking views of the Nile's dramatic transformation.
For adventurous visitors, hot air balloon safaris provide a unique perspective of the park's landscapes and wildlife. Birdwatching is exceptional year-round, with special interest in the shoebill stork and other riverine species. Cultural encounters with nearby communities offer insights into local traditions and ways of life.
Murchison Falls National Park is divided into distinct areas that offer different experiences:
Main tourism hub with lodges, boat launches, and access to the falls
Prime game viewing with abundant wildlife near the Nile-Lake Albert delta
Excellent game drives with high concentrations of wildlife
More forested area with different wildlife and birding opportunities
305 kilometres (190 miles)
3,840 sq km (1,483 sq mi)
619 to 1,292 meters (2,031 to 4,239 ft)
1952 (National Park status)
Murchison Falls on the Nile River
76 mammal species including lions, elephants, and giraffes
451 bird species including shoebill stork
76 mammal species
Numerous fish and reptile species
$40 per person (Foreign Non-Residents)
$30 (Foreign Residents)
$20 (East African Residents)
UGX 20,000 (Ugandan Citizens)
See hippos, crocodiles and birds on a scenic cruise to the falls
Walk to the top of Murchison Falls for breathtaking views
Spot some of the 451 bird species including the rare shoebill
Experience local cultures and traditional ways of life
Morning and afternoon drives in open-top vehicles to see lions, elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, and more. The delta area offers particularly excellent wildlife viewing opportunities.
Scenic cruises along the Nile to the base of the falls, with close encounters with hippos, crocodiles, and abundant birdlife including the rare shoebill stork.
Hike to the top of Murchison Falls to witness the Nile's dramatic transformation as it forces through a narrow gorge, creating one of Africa's most powerful waterfalls.