By road, the Nile river crossover at Paraa, in the center of the park, is about five hours drive from Kampala for 305km. Paraa is 85 kilometers from Masindi town using a direct route. A longer 135 kilometer alternative route goes through Budongo forest and allows for spectacular views over Lake Albert from the rift valley escarpment on top of Butiaba. Paraa can also be got to from the north, through Chobe Gate close to Karuma Falls & Tangi Gate near Pakwach for just 25km to Paraa, and Wankwar Gate close to Purongo.A car ferry crosses over the Nile at Paraa. This operates hourly between 07.00 & 19.00 with the exception of 13.00. Murchison can as well be reached by air. Charter flights can also land at strips north of the Nile at Pakuba for 19 kilometers from Paraa and south at Bugungu for 13 kilometers from Paraa).

Flora and fauna

The park is dominated by rivers, woodland,savanna, wetlands and tropical forest habitats that provide homes for 76 different mammal species and 450 different bird species. Large mammals consist of leopard, elephant, lion, hippopotamus, Rothschild’s giraffe,  hartebeest, oribi, warthog,Cape buffalo,and Uganda kobo. The Nile corridor offers permanent water for these animals and  lots of waterbirds which include the rare shoebill stork as well as Uganda’s biggest population of Nile crocodile. Kaniyo Pabidi forest also provides sanctuaries for chimpanzee and different primates along with an amazing 360 species of bird.

When the park was established in 1952, the Game Department enthused, ‘The main tourist attractions of this park was definitely the unique Murchison Falls as well as the River Nile with its streaming hippo and serried ranges of crocodile along the sandbanks, as well as large numbers of different species getting down to drink & bathe.

Presently the spotlight of a visit to Murchison is the launch trip up the stream to observe the Falls and riverbank wildlife. The launch starts at 09.00 and 14.00 every day. The round trip takes 3 hrs. Another boat trip goes downstream from Paraa down to the papyrus delta at the point were the river enters into Lake Albert. This 4-5 hr return adventure provides a good chance of discovering the shoebill stork and different varieties of wildlife.

The Nile below Murchison Falls offers exciting challenges to anglers coupled with a chance to land a huge Nile Perch (the record is 108kg). Fishing is prohibited to designated sites & places are limited so advance booking is recommended. A number of boats could be hired for sportfishing by prior booking. Do carry your own fishing equipment.

The most spectacular view of the waterfall is on the top of “where the sight & sound of the Nile crashing through”, wide chasm make a memorable assault on the senses site -can be reached either by car / a 30 minutes climb, leaving the Paraa launch.

Rabongo and Kaniyo Pabidi forests

Trails through Kaniyo Pabidi forest for 8 kilometer inside Kichumbar Gate, offer the opportunity to track chimpanzee and primates below Uganda’s largest left mahogany. Birdwatching is excellent with the opportunity of sighting rarities while the yellow-footed flycatcher, white thi hornbill and Ituri batis. Nature walks are as well offered up at Rabongo forest.

Buligi area The park’s superior savanna game viewing aspect, this grassland wilderness is located between the Victoric Albert Niles with excellent views towards the western rift valley beyond Lake Albert in the DRC. A drive from Paraa passing Delta Point takes 3 to 4 hours. Morning & late afternoon are the best times for sight game drives. A  ranger guide from UWA is recommended to help you in most of your game drive.