At Murchison Falls, the entire Victoria Nile squeezes through a gap in the rock about 7 metres wide and plunges 43 metres with a roar that you feel in your chest. The falls give their name to Uganda’s largest national park, around 3,900 km² of savanna, riverine forest and wetland in the north-west of the country. Boat trips on the Nile, shoebills in the delta and Rothschild’s giraffes on the northern plains make it one of East Africa’s most varied parks.
At a glance
| Best time | December to February and June to September |
| Getting there | About 5 to 6 hours by road from Kampala, or fly to Pakuba or Bugungu |
| Time needed | 2 to 3 nights |
| Big draws | The falls, Nile boat trips, shoebills, giraffes, Ziwa rhinos |
| Good for | A Uganda safari circuit, birders |
Highlights
- Boat trip to the base of the falls: a three-hour cruise upstream from Paraa passes hippos, crocodiles, elephants and buffalo, ending in the spray below the falls.
- Top of the falls: a short hike or drive to the viewpoint above the gorge is essential.
- Nile delta cruise: a morning boat trip downstream to where the Nile enters Lake Albert is one of the best chances in Uganda to see the shoebill.
- Game drives north of the river: the Buligi track system has Rothschild’s (Nubian) giraffes, elephants, lions, leopards, Uganda kob, Jackson’s hartebeest, oribi and patas monkeys.
- Budongo Forest: chimpanzee trekking in the forest south of the park, including the Kaniyo Pabidi area.
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
On the way from Kampala, Ziwa is the only place in Uganda to see wild rhinos. Rhinos were poached to extinction in the country by the early 1980s, and southern white rhinos have been bred here since 2005 for eventual reintroduction. You track them on foot with rangers. See our white rhinoceros profile.
When to go
- December to February and June to September: the driest months, with the best game viewing.
- March to May and October to November: rains, lush landscapes, excellent birding and fewer visitors.
Getting there
The drive from Kampala takes 5 to 6 hours, with a stop at Ziwa. A ferry (and, in recent years, construction of a bridge) links the southern and northern banks at Paraa. Scheduled and charter flights serve the park’s airstrips.
Where to stay
Lodges line the river near Paraa and above the falls, from budget bandas to comfortable lodges with river views.
Oil development
Uganda is developing oilfields around Lake Albert, including inside parts of Murchison Falls National Park, with a pipeline to the Indian Ocean coast. Conservation groups have raised concerns about the impact on wildlife and tourism. Ask your operator how current works affect routes and experiences.
Frequently asked questions
Is Murchison Falls worth the journey? Yes. The falls are spectacular, and the combination of Nile boat trips, shoebills, giraffes and a rhino walk en route is unique in Uganda.
Where can I see shoebills near Murchison? On the delta cruise, especially early in the morning. Mabamba Swamp near Entebbe is another reliable site.
Can I do Murchison Falls as a day trip? Not really. Allow at least two nights to do the boat trips and a game drive.
Is there a ferry across the Nile? Yes, at Paraa. Check whether the new bridge is open and how it affects crossing times.
Related guides
- Shoebill safari: where to find Africa’s strangest bird
- Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Best places to see rhinos in Africa
- Animal profiles: Shoebill, Giraffe, Nile crocodile
Cover photo: Boschlech, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons