Murchison Falls National Park Safaris

A complete Guide to Exploring Murchison Falls National Park with detailed information on Location and size of the park, animals in Murchison Falls Parks, how to get there, attractions and activities to do, when to visit, where to stay, safari tour  packages, best recommended tour companies, map and so much more

Also known as the Kabalega National Park, the Murchison Falls National Park is popularly known for having the world’s most powerful waterfall that emits large volumes of water about 300 cubic meters per second or 11,000 ft³/s at a very powerful pressure that cause the surrounding to tremble. The park was first gazetted in 1927 and today is the largest park in Uganda covering an area of 3840 sq km / 1483 sq miles.  It is commonly visited for Uganda Safari Tours because of its diverse safari activities and rich wildlife.

The location of Murchison Falls National Park is in northern Uganda, northwest of the capital Kampala, and extends its boundaries to a number of districts within and beyond the Bunyoro escarpment including Nwoya, masindi, Kiryandongo and Buyisa. It is found on the northernmost reaches of the Albertine Rift Valley with its terrain bisected by the Victoria Nile.

When we talk about Murchison Falls National Park animals, it is home to more than 73 animals species among which are four the ‘Big Five’ including buffaloes, leopards, lions and elephants (except rhinos), has three-quarters of the world’s population of Rothschild giraffes plus a healthy population of herbivores which has recently doubled including the Uganda Kobs all of which can easily be seen on the Wildlife Safari Tours here. There are various primates living within its verdant forests like the Budongo among are over 610 chimpanzees, in addition to 451 bird species including 23 Albertine rift endemics.

The Murchison Falls

the highlight of any itinerary in Murchison Falls National Park is visiting the falls to see how large volumes of water from the Victoria Nile forces its way through an approximately 7 meter wide gorge to plunge 43 meters below into a pool. this powerful water fall creates a thunderous noise with a splashing cloud of fog offering a very breathtaking view worth enjoying

The Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

This private non-profit project was established in 2005 to revive the population of the white rhino in Uganda following the intense poaching that happened during the 1990s that totally depleted this species from the Murchison Falls and Kidepo National parks where these animals previously lived. Today there are twenty two 22 southern white rhinos found at this sanctuary.

The Rich Wildlife

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 in different safari itineraries like the 3 Days Murchison Falls Safari. These include the Uganda Kobs, Hartebeests, lions, elephants, leopards, Rothschild giraffes, buffaloes, cheetahs, and hyenas among many others. Birders as well the park has a diversity of species to see like the rare shoebill stork, the Goliath heron, the yellow footed fly catcher, African jacana, Abyssinian ground hornbill, pitta as well as the pied giant and malachite kingfisher among the over 451 species.

Launch Trip: This 2 hour launch trip begins at Paraa and offers holidaymakers an opportunity to see various wildlife including large numbers of giant crocodiles, hippos and various birds like the rare shoebill stork. This offers great photographic opportunities

Game Drives: These are conducted early morning as well as in the early evening 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. See our 3 Day Murchison Falls Safari.

Cultural Tours: Enjoy thrilling energetic cultural dances by the Mubako as you sit by a campfire, village tours to see the traditional lifestyle of the locals and the crafts shop by the Boomu Women’s Group

Chimpanzee Tracking: Within the verdant forest of budongo are some of the best Chimpanzee Tracking Tours conducted in Uganda. You will enjoy up-close encounters with these great apes.

Hot Air Balloon Safari: Enjoy an aerial view of the park’s beautiful landscape and large numbers of wildlife at day break. This ride costs between $380 and $400.

Bird Watching: With various species including Albertine Rift endemics, water birds and savanna forest birds. Birders will surely be well rewarded. Bird watching can be done during the launch cruise and game drives.

Nature Walks & Hikes: The park offers several trails that can be explored on foot through the Rabongo and Kaniyo Pabidi forests to see birds and primates

Although considered to be an all year-round destination, the best time to visit Murchison Falls National Park is in the dry season from December to mid-February, and June to July while bird watching can best be done in the wet season hen migrant birds have arrived

The park can easily be accessed easily by air and road. From Kampala to Murchison Falls it is about 4h 30 mins via Kampala – Masindi route (282 km) or 5h 30min via Kampala-Hoima. There are also charter flights from kajjansi Entebbe to chobe airstrip.

Here accommodation ranges from budget lodges, mid-range lodges and luxury lodges like the Chobe Safari lodge. This great diversity offers accommodation options for all travelers irrespective of your safari budget.

The Paraa Safari Lodge and Nile Safari Lodge are among the other luxury facilities, Pakuba Safari Lodge, Murchison River Lodge and Fort Muchison Safari Lodge are mid-range facilities while the Boomu Women’s Group Bandaas, Red Chilli Rest Camp, Yebo Safari Camp and Parkside Safari Lodge are the budget facilities. So don’t be misinformed as budget safaris in Murchison falls national park are also possible

Cost of a Murchison Falls Safari

There are a number of factors that affect the overall cost of a safari in this park, these include the park entrance to Murchison Falls National Park which is $40 and $20 for foreign non-residents, the cost of accommodation, transport and additional activities you will be engaging in

3 Days Murchison Falls & Ziwa Rhino Safari

Day 1: Arrival

Day 2: Explore Murchison Falls NP

Day 3: Departure

Cost: $620 for budget Accommodation

3 Days Murchison Falls & Ziwa Rhino Safari

Day 1: Ziwa Rhino

Day 2: Explore Murchison Falls NP

Day 3: Departure

Cost: $790 pp for Mid-range Accommodation

Cost: $1000 pp for Luxury Accommodation

5 Days Murchison Falls & Jinja Rafting

Day 1: Arrival

Day 2-3: Murchison Falls NP

Day 4: Rafting in Jinja
Day 5: Departure

Cost: $1,000 pp for budget accommodation

Popular Safari Packages
2 Days Murchison Falls Wildlife Safari

3 Days Murchison Falls Safari

4 Days Murchison Falls Tours

Because of its ideal location, most of the visitors to this great park often come from other destinations say Bwindi after a Gorilla Trekking Tour, or while going to enjoy the beautiful islands on a Ssesse Island Beach Holiday, or after visiting the capital of primates on a 3 Days Kibale Chimpanzee Safari. This can also be combined with safari to other neighboring safari options like Rwanda gorilla tours, or Kenya and Tanzania safari.

What to pack for a Safari to Uganda

All holidaymakers visiting the Murchison Falls National Park are advised to pack a number of things however, a valid passport with visa and a yellow fever vaccination certificate, camera, comfortable safari clothing that are not brightly colored, long sleeved shirts, scarfs, trousers, sunscreen, sunglasses, caps, a hat, evening wear, durable waterproof shoes with ankle support especially when going on nature walks or chimpanzee trekking.

For a more memorable safari experience you are advised to book your tour through a Tour Operators who will help you handle all your necessary reservation. Check out our list of Safari Tour Operators to see some Uganda’s highly recommended Tour Operators.

See Budget Gorilla Trekking in Uganda and Rwanda

Murchison Falls National Park is featured in African Tour Safaris, CNN, Huffington Post, Newyork Times and so much.