Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s largest and most iconic national park, famous for the dramatic Murchison Falls, where the mighty River Nile explodes through a narrow 7-meter gorge before plunging into the Devil’s Cauldron. Located in northwestern Uganda, the park offers a classic African safari experience combining powerful waterfalls, savannah plains, riverine forests, and abundant wildlife. It is one of the best destinations in East Africa for game viewing, boat safaris, and breathtaking natural scenery.

Murchison Falls

Best Time to Visit Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park can be visited year-round, but the best time to visit is during the dry seasons from December to February and June to September. These months offer excellent wildlife viewing, easier road access, and ideal conditions for game drives and boat safaris.

The wetter months, from March to May and October to November, bring lush green landscapes and fewer visitors. While some tracks may be muddy, this period is excellent for birdwatching and photography.

Top Visitor Experiences in Murchison Falls National Park

  • Game Drives on the Savannah Plains
    Spot lions, leopards, elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, antelopes, and Uganda kobs across open grasslands.

  • Boat Safari on the River Nile
    Cruise upstream to the base of Murchison Falls, encountering hippos, Nile crocodiles, elephants, and rich birdlife along the riverbanks.

  • Murchison Falls Hike & Viewpoints
    Walk to the top of the falls for spectacular views of the Nile squeezing through the narrow gorge.

  • Bird Watching
    Discover over 450 bird species, including the rare shoebill stork, African fish eagle, and Goliath heron.

  • Rhino Tracking at Ziwa Sanctuary
    Track endangered white rhinos on foot at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, located en route to the park.

  • Nature Photography & Scenic Landscapes
    Capture dramatic waterfalls, river scenes, wildlife encounters, and golden savannah sunsets.

Information and Facts

Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s largest and most diverse national park, world-famous for the powerful Murchison Falls, where the River Nile forces its way through a narrow gorge before plunging into a roaring waterfall. The park combines open savannah, riverine forests, wetlands, and woodlands, offering one of the richest wildlife experiences in East Africa.

Most Common Wildlife

  • Elephants

  • Lions

  • Leopards

  • Rothschild’s Giraffes

  • Buffaloes

  • Uganda Kobs

  • Hippos

  • Nile Crocodiles

  • Warthogs

  • Over 450 Bird Species

  • Shoebill Stork

Facts About Murchison Falls National Park

  • Home to the world’s most powerful waterfall, where the Nile squeezes through a 7-meter gorge

  • Uganda’s largest national park, covering over 3,800 square kilometers

  • The River Nile divides the park into northern and southern sections

  • One of the best places in Africa to see shoebill storks

  • Offers unique boat safaris along the Nile to the base of the falls

  • Combines savannah, forest, wetland, and river ecosystems in one park

  • Named after Sir Roderick Murchison, a former president of the Royal Geographical Society

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Murchison Falls National Park

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