Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s largest and oldest national park. Bisected by the historic Victoria Nile, it features open savannahs, riverine forests, and the dramatic Murchison Falls, where the world's longest river plunges through a narrow 7-meter gorge.
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GENERAL OVERVIEW
Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda's largest national park, covering approximately 3,840 km². It forms the core of the wider Murchison Falls Conservation Area, one of the country's most important wildlife landscapes. The area was first gazetted as a game reserve in 1926 before becoming a national park in 1952.
The park takes its name from the spectacular Murchison Falls, where the Victoria Nile is forced through an extraordinarily narrow gorge before plunging approximately 45 metres into the gorge below. The resulting torrent and spray create one of Uganda's most dramatic natural spectacles.
The Victoria Nile divides the park into northern and southern sectors, with the northern bank generally offering some of the most productive savannah game viewing. The landscape ranges from open grasslands and woodland to riverine forests and wetlands, creating habitats for a remarkable diversity of wildlife.
Murchison is particularly rewarding for classic African game viewing, with elephants, lions, leopards, giraffes, buffaloes, hippos, crocodiles and numerous antelope species. The Nile adds another dimension to the safari through boat cruises and opportunities to observe wildlife gathering along the riverbanks.
The park is also an excellent destination for birdwatchers, with the Victoria Nile and surrounding wetlands supporting numerous waterbirds and savannah species.
SIZE
Murchison Falls National Park is 3,840 square kilometers (km²) in size.
Valid passport or identification document, valid UWA park entry payment, appropriate safari vehicle and driver/guide arrangements, accommodation confirmation where applicable
- Do not exceed the park speed limit of 40 km/h.
- Drive strictly on designated tracks; off-roading is strictly prohibited.
- Keep inside your vehicle at all times except at designated picnic sites or viewpoints.
- Maintain a minimum safe distance from all wildlife; do not block animal pathways.
- Do not feed, provoke, or attempt to touch any wildlife.
- Avoid excessive noise, horn honking, or playing loud music within park boundaries.
- Littering is strictly forbidden; pack out all trash and plastic waste.
- Drones are prohibited unless officially permitted in writing by UWA and civil aviation authorities.
- Night game drives are only permitted with an official UWA armed ranger guide.
- All visitors must clear park entry fees and exit before 07:00 PM unless staying at overnight lodges inside.
HOW TO GET THERE
By Road
Murchison Falls is approximately 305 km from Kampala, according to UWA's park-distance information.
Common approaches include:
Kampala → Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary → Masindi → Murchison Falls
or
Kampala → Luweero → Karuma → Murchison Falls
The park has several access gates, with Paraa being particularly important for visitors crossing the Nile.
By Air
Charter and scheduled flights can connect travellers from Entebbe or other Ugandan safari destinations to airstrips serving Murchison Falls, followed by a road transfer to the lodge.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Best time to visit Murchison Falls National Park: December to February and June to September (Dry season conditions optimize game viewing and road conditions).
WILDLIFE & LANDSCAPE
MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK GALLERY
LODGES & CAMPS - ACCOMMODATION OVERVIEW
Paraa Safari Lodge
Paraa Safari Lodge is a historic safari lodge overlooking the Victoria Nile in M...
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TRIPADVISOR REVIEWS
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