Murchison Falls National Park is set suitably in Northwestern Uganda about 90kms away from Masindi Town. This pristine wilderness area forms part the vast Murchison Falls Conservation Area that also includes Karuma Wildlife Reserve, Bugungu Wildlife Reserve and Budongo Forest Reserve. It derives its name from Murchison Falls-one of the world’s powerful waterfalls on planet earth and its establishment in 1952 was mainly to conserve its iconic natural wonders making it not only one of the oldest parks but also a premier safari destination in East Africa. Murchison Falls National Park is that one exceptional safari destination you need to explore and experience while on Uganda safari if you are interested in experiencing something unique from the usual.

With about 3893sq.kms, Murchison Falls National Park is of doubt the largest national park of out of all the ten national parks in Uganda. It extends to cover the shores of scenic Lake Albert, Victoria Nile and the magical Karuma Falls. It is the only park in Northwest to explore on Uganda safari and it is bordered by the districts of Kiryandongo, Masindi, Buliisa, Nwoya. This park is bisected by the Victoria Nile from East to West approximately 115kms with the northern circuit comprising of the vast savanna, acacia trees, riverine woodland, Borassus palms whereas the southern section consists of the woodland and some forest patches.

Wildlife species in Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park boasts for its diverse wildlife species including 76 species of mammals. A Uganda safari in this park gets you the best sight at diverse savanna dwellers, especially the African bush elephants, Rothschild giraffes, warthogs, leopards, lions, antelopes including the bushbucks, Jackson’s hartebeest, waterbucks, Uganda kobs. These can be spotted while on Uganda wildlife safari along the Northern circuit of this park. Murchison Falls National Park also prides itself as a home to huge concentration of hippos, crocodiles which dwell along the River.

There are also many primate species to catch a glimpse in Murchison Falls while on Uganda safari and they thrive in the lush jungles of Budongo Forest Reserve. They include over 800 chimpanzees that thrive between Kaniyo-Pabidi and Budongo Forest, the red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, patas monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys.

Birds in Murchison Falls National Park
Over 451 bird species call Murchison Falls National Park a home making it an ideal birding safari destination in Uganda. Visitors on Uganda safari have opportunity to identify different avifaunal species, especially the elusive shoebill stork, swamp flycatcher, African jacana, Sandpiper, goliath heron which is the largest on earth, gray crowned crane, giant kingfisher, nightjars, black headed lapwing, back bellied bustard, blue napped mousebirds, weaver birds, silver birds, black billed barbet, Denham’s bustard, black headed gonolek, piapiac, red throated bee-eater, white browed sparrow weaver, African quail finch, speckle fronted weaver, malachite kingfishers, swamp flycatcher, blue headed Coucal, spotted morning thrush, spur winger geese, northern crombec, dwarf kingfishers to mention but a few.

Other attractions in Murchison Falls National Park
In addition to wildlife and birdlife, Murchison Falls National Park still has a lot more for you to discover while on Uganda safari. Other iconic tourist attractions or sites to explore include;

Karuma Falls
Discover the magical Karuma Falls while on Uganda safari to Murchison Falls National Park and you will be amazed by its breathtaking beauty. This waterfall is set in the northeastern part of Murchison Falls National Park, Chobe area. Karuma Falls features unique rock formations right from the base of the Victoria Nile and while here, you will be amazed by its white foam like water. It is perfect to explore this natural wonder while you are on Masindi-Gulu route where it crosses the mighty River Nile, 110kms. It is best described as the great spirit by locals as they believe that a strong spirit positioned the rock and water to flow.

Murchison Falls
This is iconic site worth visiting while on Uganda safari in Murchison Falls National Park. Murchison Falls is one of the powerful waterfalls on planet earth and visitors who hike to the top of the falls or drive to this point are welcomed by a powerful roar of this natural wonder as it squeezes itself into a narrow gorge of 7 meters prior plunging about 43 meters.

Activities to do in Murchison Falls National Park

Game drives
Murchison Falls National Park is by far an exceptional safari destination worth exploring while on Uganda wildlife safari. Game drives are in this park are best conducted along the various game tracks and the popular ones include the Buligi game track, Queen’s track and Albert track, north of River Nile. Game drives in Murchison Falls National Park take visitors via the Northern side with vast savanna grassland, riverine vegetation, acacia, woodland and while here, you have a chance to catch a glimpse at the Rothschild giraffes, bushbucks, buffaloes, lions, warthogs, elephants, hyenas, leopards, birds and many more. You can choose to go for morning, evening or night game drive which all reward travelers on Uganda safari with distinct experiences.

Launch trip
Launch trip/boat cruise is one of the thrilling watersport experiences offered to visitors on Uganda safari in Murchison Falls National Park. It starts at Paraa landing area at the point where the River Nile enters into Lake Albert. A launch trip in this park takes you to the bottom of Murchison Falls with a great chance to catch a glimpse at basking crocodiles, hippos, elephants, buffaloes, water birds such as bee-eaters, kingfishers, fish eagles. This watersport begins at 9:00am and 2:00pm and the cruise covers about 17kms, approximately 3 hours. Cruise from Paraa to the Delta is about 28kms about 4 to 5 hours.

Bird watching
Murchison Falls National Park is one of the important birding spots. The key areas to visit for birding in this park include Budongo Forest which is an ideal birding spot for birders who are interested in forest bird species. Over 360 bird species are in Budongo Forest and at Paras Rest Camp or while on ferry crossing, expect to spot out birds like silver bird, bluff bellied warblers, chestnut crowned sparrow weaver, black headed gonolek, green winged ptyilia, blue napped mouse bird, vitelline masked weaver, spotted morning thrush, nightjars, African skimmers, long toed plover, goliath heron, shoebill stork to mention but a few.

Sport fishing
For enthusiastic anglers on Uganda safari, Murchison Falls National Park is one of the best destinations worth visiting for sport fishing. It allows you to challenge yourself with heavy Nile perch of about 200pounds. It is best done in the lower section of River Nile just below Murchison falls.

Nature walks
Guided nature walks are the best way to get close to nature while on Uganda safari in Murchison Falls National Park. It allows you explore different wildlife species, birds, primates among others. The best sites to embark on nature walks in this park include Kaniyo-Pabidi in Budongo Forest, the top of the falls, Rabongo Forest.
Other activities to take part in Murchison Falls National Park include cultural encounters, hiking to the top of Murchison falls.

When to visit Murchison Falls National Park
When planning Uganda wildlife safari to Murchison Falls National Park the dry and wet season are two essential seasons to put in mind. The dry season is perfect for wildlife viewing safaris and it begins in the months of June, July, August, September and December, January, February. The wet or rainy season in Murchison Falls National Park is ideal for birding tours and it occurs in the months of March, April, May and October, November.

Where to stay in Murchison Falls National Park

  • Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge, Chobe Safari Lodge, Nile Safari Lodge.
  • Mid-range: Murchison River Lodge, Bwana Tembo Safari Camp, Fort Murchison.
  • Budget: Heritage Safari Lodge, Red Chili Rest Camp, Boomu Womens Group Bandas.

How to get to Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park is the only park in northwestern Uganda. It is reachable by road or by air. By road, your journey starts from Entebbe or Kampala via Luweero to Masindi which is 4-5 hours. There are many gates that take you to this park and they include Chobe gate, Kichumbanyobo gate, Wankar gate in the north, Tangi gate.

By air, flight services are available starting from Entebbe airport or Kajjansi to nearby airstrips at Murchison Falls National Park, especially Pakuba airfield in Nwoya district, Chobe airstrip, Bugungu airstrip.