Guide to visiting Murchison Falls National Park in 2025: Murchison Falls National Park is the best wildlife viewing destination in Uganda. It is home to some of the rare wild animals in Africa and a perfect place to go on a game drive. Situated in the northern western part of Uganda. Murchison Falls National Park formerly Kabalega National Park, it was gazetted as a game reserve in 1926 and later raised to a national park status in 1952, it sits on an area of about 3,893 square kilometers, making it the oldest and largest national park in Uganda.
Murchison Falls National Park features the most powerful waterfall in the world, where the entire Nile River is forced through a narrow gorge, creating a spectacular and incredibly forceful cascade that cannot be found anywhere else in the country. It also shares boundaries with Karuma and Bugungu Wildlife Reserve as well as Bundongo Forest home of chimpanzees and various primate species
The park is home to 76 species of mammals for example four of the big five exciting animals including Elephants, buffaloes, lions, leopards, and other mammal species like, zebras, giraffes, warthogs, impalas, bushbucks lions, hyenas, and several antelopes like the bushbucks, roan antelope, Uganda Kobs. The shallow waters of Nile Delta are home to a large number of crocodiles and hippos which can best be viewed during boat rides. The park is divided into two sections by the Victoria Nile which is the northern and southern sections, the northern side is home to many wildlife animal species than the southern side.
This park is also one of the places that is not to be missed by any birder along with the great Queen Elizabeth National Park. It hosts 500 species of birds which exists in this national park. The birders who visit Murchison Falls National Park are always amazed by the large number and great diversity of the bird species that range from water birds to forest birds, and also savannah species as well as migratory bird species. There are also a number of species that are endemic to the park some of the bird species spotted here include shoebill stork, Giant kingfisher, Gray-crowned crane, Abyssinian ground hornbill, black-headed lapwing and Goliath heron among others
Memorable activities were carried out.
Murchison Falls National Park also boasts a number of interesting and fascinating activities for visitors including;
Game Drives
Game drives are one of the most popular activities in Murchison Falls National Park where tourists will have a chance to explore the park in a comfortable way in a safari with an experienced game guide. Game drives in Murchison Falls National Park are done in the northern part of the park and either the morning or evening game drives. During the game drive along, you will follow the park’s game viewing tracks, where you will have the opportunity to spot plenty of animals to see including elephants, giraffes, Uganda Kobs, leopards, buffalo, zebra, hippos, crocodiles, and many other mammal species.
On a game drive during the day, you get to be driven following the tracks, through the green savannah plains. Some other animals to be spotted out while on a day game drive such as Waterbuck, Giraffes, Buffaloes, Elephants, Lions, Warthogs, Giraffes among others.
Murchison Falls National Park also offers night game drive where visitors will be able to explore the park with the armed guide park ranger to spot the nocturnal animals especially the bush babies, serval cats, civets, hyenas, leopards. You will be guided by your flashlight and an experienced ranger and its only takes 2 to 3 hours.
Boat ride
Boat rides in Murchison Falls National Park is an interesting activity to do and ideal for your safari in Murchison falls National Park in 2025. It is done on the Victoria Nile and the Albert Nile delta. Boat ride in Murchison Falls is done in different schedules, the day trip is the morning and the evening schedule. During the boat ride you will cruise to the bottom of the falls, where you can see the falls up close and hear the roar. You can also spot wildlife like hippos and crocodiles in the waters, and see other animals like buffaloes, waterbucks, elephants, and warthog’s drinking water at the shores, among others. More so, you will also have the chance to cruise down the Nile to the Albert Nile delta, where you can see a variety of birds, especially on the morning. Some say is the best place in Africa to see the rare shoebill. Normally Launch Cruises are used and you will join other visitors and the guide will help spot and identify the animals as you take Pictures, and record videos.
Nature Walks
Murchison Falls National Park management offers nature walks in some areas of the park with a ranger guide. During the nature walks which take 2 to 3 hours you will follow different hiking trials where you will be able to more time and engagement concerning mammals, butterflies, insects and plants that you could easily miss while on a safari. You will also enjoy the cool breeze, view of the beautiful scenery and listen to nice sounds of bird species among others
Hike and Visit to the top of the fall.
Visit the remarkable falls is also among the top safari experiences on your to do in 2025 while on your wildlife safaris in Murchison Falls National Park. You will take a boat cruise to the start of the trail for the hike to the top of the falls which can take you about one hour walk. You will be able to see the amazing falls from a great view point and have clear pictures of the Murchison falls as well as the Uhuru falls.
Chimpanzee trekking
Chimpanzee tracking is a top activity you shouldn’t miss when visiting Murchison Falls National Park. This exciting adventure takes place in Budongo Forest Reserve, which is part of the park. You can choose to go chimpanzee trekking in the morning or the afternoon, and we can help you book the necessary permits and arrange the trek for you.
Budongo Forest is home to around 700 chimpanzees, and thanks to dedicated conservation efforts, their numbers have been steadily increasing over the years. The chimpanzees in this forest have been studied since 1960, and ongoing conservation work aims to protect them and their habitat. This, in turn, has made Budongo a popular destination for visitors wanting to experience these amazing primates up close.
Hot Air Balloon safaris
The hot air balloon rides above the savannah in Murchison falls National Park one of the most exhilarating, romantic and remarkable experiences to do on your safari. You will be able to view wildlife, the vegetation and the scenic beauty of the park. The Balloon carries 8 passengers and can fly up to 10,000 ft above sea level. The hot air balloon has an airworthiness certificate and is serviced after every flight and regularly maintained by a certified specialized hot air balloon Engineer as per manufacturer’s regulations and is inspected by CAA on a regular basis. You can also opt for Private Ride and sunset rides; the Hot Air balloon ride takes 60-45 minutes as you sip champagne at sunset.
Rules and regulations in the park
- You are required to present all the necessary documents at the park entry point for check-in
- Littering in the park is highly prohibited
- Pets are highly prohibited at the park such as cats, dogs, and snakes among others
- The park opens for visitors starting from 6 am to 7 pm
- Firearms are not allowed at the park
- Bush burning is not allowed but only in designated camp areas
- Driving off to designated trucks is not allowed, fine is 150$
- Do not camp on your own or make campfire outside the designated areas in the park.
- Keep in the car unless after permission from your guide and park ranger. The guide knows the park very well and can advise if it’s safe.
- When in the park, avoid making motor horns when caught will be fined 150$ …. Among others.
Best time to visit in Murchison falls National Park
The best time to visit the parks is during the dry season which typically runs from June to September. This is because during this period, the wildlife is most active, and the vegetation is less dense, making it easier to carry out excellent wildlife spotting. The park has a variety landscape including wetlands, savannah, and woodland, provide a unique backdrop for wildlife viewing and photography. Also, from mid-December to mid-February, there’s a dry spell within the wet season, which is also a good time for wildlife spotting. During this time, animals tend to concentrate around the lakes due to the thinner bush cover.
How to get to in Murchison Falls National Park
The most direct route to Murchison National Park from Kampala is through the southern gates (Kichumbanyobo and Masindi South Gate). Alternatively, the northern gates (Purongo or Takigate-Packwach) are also a great option, although longer in distance, they take you straight to the most interesting sections of the park.
Accommodation in Murchison Falls National Park
Within in Murchison Falls National Park you will surely find a place for everyone to stay. The available accommodations here range from luxury facilities, mid-range facilities and also budget accommodation facilities such as Red Chilli Rest Camp, Murchison Backpackers, Sambiya River Lodge, Twiga Safari Lodge, Nile Safari Lodge, Paara Safari Lodge, Pakuba Safari Lodge, Fort Murchison Lodge, Budongo Eco Lodge, Parkside Safari Lodge among others
