Covering a total area of about 3893 square kilometers, Murchison Falls National Park is the largest park in Uganda. When combined with Bugungu and Karuma Falls Wildlife Reserves, these three protected areas form the Murchison Falls Conservation Area.

The Park is known for the great falls. It differs itself with waters that gushes from the streaming River Nile and explodes through a narrow gorge cascading down to turn into a placid river. Its banks are roamed by hippos and crocodiles.

Murchison’s wetlands, savannah, riverine and tropical forests plays host to over 76 species of mammals and 450 species of birds. Expect to see some big mammals like Warthogs, cape buffalos, kobs, elephants, hartebeest and more.

Kaniyo Pabidi forest is home to different primates including Chimpanzees and 360 bird species. The Nile corridor of Murchison invites a large collection of water bird species.

Travelling to Murchison Falls National Park isn’t a hustle. You can get there by road. It takes about 6-7 hours to drive from Kampala to Murchison Falls National Park. The drive includes a stopover in Nakasongola for a visit to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.

Apart from road transport, you can reach Murchison by air transport. Private charters are arranged on request from Entebbe to Pakuba airstrip.

Top Activities in Murchison

Game Drives

Murchison’s Wildlife that includes Wild animals (Elephants, Buffalos, Antelopes, Lions, leopards, Warthogs, Giraffes and more), bird species, Reptiles and insects can be best viewed on a game drive. Travelers admire the views of these animals and sunset/rise from a Safari car with pop up roof.

These drives last for about three to four hours. You can do a morning or evening drive during day. Then a night game drive is arranged to see the nocturnal species.

Nile River Boat Safari

The cruise expeditions offered on the waters of the falls enchant tourists with beautiful views of the surrounding scenery.

You see plenty of hippos wallowing, Nile crocodiles with their mouths widely open. Animals like Elephants, Buffaloes and variety of Antelope species roam the banks.

Bird Watching

Birding is done from a Safari vehicle or nature walks along the Nile.

Murchison Park consists of Savannah, Riverine Forest and Budongo Forest where birders see a wide variety of bird species including Savannah, Water and Forest species.

Hiking Excursions

There are several great areas in the Park where tourists do the hiking expeditions. Rabongo Forest, a birders paradise is the number one destination to consider for hiking while in Murchison. You can spot the rare chimpanzees and various primates like colobus monkeys, baboons and more.