Murchison Falls National Park is definitely the largest park in Uganda that is named after the mighty river Nile that passes through the park to Lake Albert on its way to the north ending in Egypt. The river Nile that intersects this park bangs through a narrow gorge and forms the most incredible thing that has ever happened to this longest river in the world flowing down to be converted into a placid river whose banks are thronged with hippos, water bucks, crocodiles, buffaloes, elephants and much more wildlife.

The flora and Fauna at Murchison is characterized by Savannah, river-line forest and woodland. Uganda Wildlife Safari at Murchison falls national park includes, elephants, lions, leopard, giraffes, buffaloes, heartbeats, Oribi, Uganda kobs, chimpanzees, and many bird species including the rare shoebill. Several activities carried out in this national park include the following;

Chimpanzee trekking in Budongo forest, Hiking the top of the falls, Bird watching, Game drives, The Nile boat cruise, The delta cruise, Fishing and nature walks in the Budongo forest.

About Murchison Falls N.P

• Address: amuru, Lolim & Bulisa Districts
• Gazated as biggest national park Since 1952
• Coverage Area: 3,893 km²
• Featured in the the 1951 Film: The African Queen
• Bisected by the River Nile
• Inhabits Chimpanzees and Eco forest
• Great Birding destination

Highlights of Murchison Falls N.P

Game Drives

A game drive around the Buligi game tracks on the northern bank with a trained ranger guide is a fantastic way to see and photograph the wide range of animals in the Nile Valley. Your guide will have a good idea where the lions are hiding, and you may even spot a leopard at dusk! Visitors will marvel at herds of buffalos, dozens of elephants, warthogs and towering giraffes, along with bushbucks, reedbuck, duikers, kobs, oribi and the unusual-looking hartebeest.

River Nile Boat cruise

The launch trip upstream from Paraa presents an astonishing display of wildlife and culminates with the memorable frontal view of the fall.   Alternatively, a tranquil sun downer cruise offers the classic view of an equatorial sunset reflected on the river. The launch departs at 9am and 2pm daily and takes three hours.

Recommended for birders is a morning cruise downstream to the Nile-Lake Albert Delta, providing the best chance in Africa of sighting the elusive Shoebill.

Chimpanzee Trekking

Budongo Forest is home to some 600-700 chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii). A key aim of the Budongo eco forest is to study and conserve the local chimpanzee populations. The chimpanzees live in an area of forest in the north-east of Budongo. This community was habituated by the Jane Goodall Institute and is now managed by the Budongo Eco lodge. I the same forest is a large part of botany and bird species of Uganda.

Nile Delta Boat Cruise

The Victoria Nile delta, a 20km voyage downstream from Paraa, is home to rare wetland birds including shoebill and papyrus endemic species.  Scheduled delta area cruises with a “breakfast on board” option are offered in the mornings (subject to minimum numbers) departing from our jetty at Paraa on the South Bank at 07.00am.  We can also tailor make your trip with a private boat and timings to suit.

Directions to Murchison Falls National Park

The Murchison falls National Park occupies an area of 3983 sq.kms lies in the northeast of Uganda about 290kms, a 5 hours’ drive from Kampala. From Kampala direction, you can opt to use the Gulu highway till Kafu River. After Kafu River, taking your first turn on the left till Masindi and then proceed up north on a tarmacked road till the Southern entrance gate.

If your lodge or accommodation is on the northern bank, After the Kafu River, head straight after the Kafu river bridge through Karuma and take your first left turn on Pakwach Arua road, just before the Pakwach bridge is Northern Tangi Gate or preferably Using the Pulongo gate.

Murchison Falls national park can be accessed from Masindi or through the Escarpment if you are coming in from Hoima or Kibale-Kagadi side. You can either go through Masindi or use the escarpment with great views over the beautiful lake Albert and using the Bugungu Gate to Access the park.

Fort Murchison Camp: Budget & midrange outfit
Murchison Falls national park can be accessed from Masindi or through the Escarpment if you are coming in from Hoima or Kibale-Kagadi side. You can either go through Masindi or use the escarpment with great views over the beautiful lake Albert and using the Bugungu Gate to Access the park.

Built on the Eastern banks of the slow flowing Albert Nile, Fort Murchison The camp offers a variety of comfortable accommodations to suit budgets from the mid to lower market, Be it in our beautiful rooms or our comfortable thatched tents a great value for money is guaranteed.

Murchison River Lodge: Budget & midrange Outfit
Murchison River Lodge is located on the southern bank of the River Nile overlooking Murchison Falls National Park, pods of hippos and papyrus islands. With different kinds of accommodations, Murchison River Lodge offers comfortable mid-range accommodation like thatched cottages, Thatched safari tents, comfortable camping and lazy camping facilities

Bakers Lodge: High end Outfit

If You would like to spoil yourself a little, Baker’s Lodge is the right for you. This upmarket lodge is situated on the South bank of the mighty Nile River which transects Murchison Falls National Park. This intimate, safari styled lodge is set within a large private area with direct river access, large shady trees and wetland areas hosting abundant birdlife along the water’s edge.
The large, airy facilities are fan cooled, have netted windows with opening options, and customised solid wooden furniture, hanging mosquito nets and especially selected locally crafted items for the accessories. The en-suite bathrooms are open plan with solar hot water showers and baths with a view in some units. Solar lighting completes the services for this eco-friendly top quality establishment.

Camping in Murchison: Budget Outfit

Murchison falls N.P offers anyone travelling with their own camping equipment with different unique public, wilderness and private camping sites. Each camping offers a different and unique experience. Rent a car & Camping gear from Auto Rental Uganda and be rewarded exclusively with an inspirational journey. There are a number of camping sites both on the Southern and northern banks across the river. Campsite 1 on the Paraa northern bank is the nearest and overlooking the River. Private campsite around the park offers a unique experience in the wild.