Murchison Falls National Park

Uganda’s largest national park is named after the powerful Murchison Falls, where the Nile River explodes through a narrow gorge, creating an awe-inspiring view. During a Uganda safari here, you can travel through palm-dotted hills, swamps, riverine woodlands, and forests to see an array of wildlife, including four of the Big Five.

Must-Visit Areas in Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls: Thundering Beauty

You’ll be stunned by the intensity of this waterfall – the large volumes of water that tumble down measure about 300 cubic metres/10,500 cubic feet per second. The immense pressure of the falls causes the surrounding area to tremble. Hike to the top (it only takes about 45 minutes) for an even better view of the falls and the surrounding national park.

Buligi Game Tracks: Hub for Game Viewing

The Buligi Game Tracks are prime areas for game drives to spot four of the Big Five: elephants, buffaloes, lions, and leopards. These routes go through open savannah grasslands and woodlands as well as acacia and riverine vegetation. Murchison Falls National Park is one of the few places in Uganda where you can see giraffes, so keep a lookout for them travelling in large herds.

Paraa: Main Tourist Centre

“Paraa” means “the place of hippos” in the local language, which gives a clue as to the main attraction here: hippos! The shores of the Nile are home to large groups of these river giants. As Paraa is situated on the southern bank of the Victoria Nile, this is the launching spot for river cruises and water-based safaris. Uganda wildlife safaris are taken to the next level by going on an adventure along the waterway – a spectacular way to go birdwatching and gain a different perspective of the resident wildlife.

When’s the Best Time to Visit Murchison Falls National Park?

If your focus during your safari in Uganda is big game viewing, plan your trip for the dry season, between December and February or June and July. Thanks to the minimal rainfall, animals are more easily found among the thin vegetation and around the last remaining precious water sources.

January to March are the best months for birdwatching safaris; migratory birds are present in the national park from November to April and the reduced rainfall makes hiking trails and roads easier to navigate.

Animals Found in Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park is home to four of the Big Five, so you have the opportunity to spot lions, elephants, buffaloes, and leopards while on your Uganda safari. Near the water, hippos and crocodiles reign, while herds of giraffes and a variety of antelope species capture your attention on the plains.

With over 450 bird species, this is an excellent destination for birdwatchers, with a highlight being the vulnerable shoebill stork. There are various primates living in this region, too, including patas monkeys and black-and-white colobus monkeys.

How to Get to Murchison Falls National Park

From Uganda’s international airport (Entebbe) in Kampala, you can take a short flight to Pakuba Airfield within the national park.