Uganda's largest national park is built around one piece of violence: the entire River Nile compressed into a gap you could throw a stone across, dropping 43 metres into a churn of white water. You can stand directly above it.
- Size
- 3,893 sq km
- Signature
- The falls, and the boat to their base
- Wildlife
- Lion, elephant, Rothschild's giraffe, buffalo
- Birds
- 450+ species incl. shoebill
- From Entebbe
- 5–6 hrs by road, ~1 hr by air
- Airstrips
- Pakuba and Chobe
The falls, and the boat
The afternoon launch runs upstream from Paraa to the base of the falls, past crocodiles the size of small boats and hippo pods that barely move for you. It stops where the spray starts. Most people then walk the short, steep Top of the Falls trail to stand at the lip, which is the part they remember.
A second boat runs downstream into the Nile delta, where the river spreads into papyrus before entering Lake Albert. This is the best place in Uganda to look for shoebill — a prehistoric, motionless, entirely improbable bird.
Game viewing on the northern bank
The Buligi tracks north of the river carry the park's big game: large elephant herds, buffalo, Jackson's hartebeest, oribi, Uganda kob and one of the world's most significant populations of Rothschild's giraffe, which was brought back from near-collapse here. Lion are regular on early morning drives; leopard are present and seldom seen.
The southern bank is more wooded and much quieter, and holds Budongo Forest.
Budongo Forest and chimpanzees
The Kaniyo Pabidi section of Budongo, on the southern approach road, has habituated chimpanzees and some of the finest mahogany forest left in East Africa. Permits are considerably cheaper than Kibale and sightings are less certain, but combined with the falls it makes an excellent extra day.
When to go
December to February is hot, dry and excellent for game. June to September is the other dry window. The rains bring lush grass that makes spotting harder, though the birding improves and the park empties out.
Getting there and where to stay
Five to six hours from Entebbe by road, usually broken at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Pakuba and Chobe airstrips are about an hour by light aircraft.
Lodges cluster around Paraa on both banks, with the top end on the Nile itself at Chobe and Baker's. Budget accommodation sits outside the southern gate at Masindi.
Questions
Frequently asked
How long do you need at Murchison Falls?
Two nights is the working minimum — one for the drive in, one full day for a morning game drive and the afternoon boat. Three lets you add the delta cruise or Budongo chimpanzees.
Can you see the shoebill at Murchison?
The Nile delta launch is one of the most reliable places in Africa to look, particularly in the dry season when the birds concentrate. It is never guaranteed. See our birding page.
Is Murchison worth the drive from Bwindi?
Only on a trip of nine days or more — they are at opposite ends of the country. On a shorter trip, pair gorillas with Queen Elizabeth instead.
Next
Keep planning
- 10-day Uganda wildlife and gorilla safari — the itinerary that includes it
- Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary — the natural overnight stop en route
- Chimpanzee trekking — Budongo, Kibale and Kyambura compared
- Birding safaris — shoebill and 450 other species