Photo Jonathan Göhner / UnsplashWhy you go
Why go to Murchison Falls
Uganda's largest national park straddles the Victoria Nile in the north of the country. Its centrepiece is the falls, where the full weight of the river is squeezed through a gap in the rock barely seven metres wide before spilling toward Lake Albert.
Below the falls, the delta and riverbanks draw elephant, buffalo, giraffe and lion to the water, and a cruise down to the Nile delta offers a chance at the shoebill. The northern savannah carries some of Uganda's strongest big-game viewing.
Signature experiences
Launch cruise to the falls
A boat upriver to the base of the gorge, past hippo and elephant.
Top-of-the-falls hike
A short walk to where the Nile thunders through the gap.
Northern-bank game drives
Lion, giraffe and buffalo on the savannah above the river.
Experiences here
In pictures
Murchison Falls, before you ever arrive
Representative photography of this destination's landscapes and wildlife — tap any photo to view it full screen.
When to go
The year at Murchison Falls, month by month
The best time for game drives in Murchison Falls is June to July and December to February. The dry months pull game to the Nile and the delta; afternoon heat peaks above 30 °C, so drives run early and late.
Best time to visit
Murchison Falls
Occasional rain
19° at night
Computed for mid-Jul (±2 min) · across Jul sunrise drifts 06:49–06:53, sunset 19:04–19:06
The dry months pull game to the Nile and the delta; afternoon heat peaks above 30 °C, so drives run early and late.
Getting there
Getting to Murchison Falls
Overland from Kampala via Masindi, or by scheduled flights to Pakuba and other airstrips in the park.
Safaris that visit
8 journeys go here
6-Day Uganda Wildlife & Gorilla Safari
A six-day Uganda safari across Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi national parks, with game drives, the top of the falls, a Kazinga Channel boat cruise and mountain gorilla trekking.
7 Days Birding in Uganda
A seven-day birding safari through northern Uganda, taking in Entebbe, Murchison Falls National Park and Budongo Forest Reserve. Designed for keen birdwatchers looking to see a wide range of savannah and forest species.
10-Day Birding at the Source of the Nile
A ten-day birding journey through Uganda's wetlands, forests and savannahs, from the Entebbe shoreline to Murchison Falls National Park, with chances to see the shoebill and many other species.
14-Day Amazing Safari in Uganda
A fourteen-day Uganda tour running from Sipi Falls and Karamoja to Kidepo Valley, Murchison Falls, Kibale, Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi. It combines game drives and gorilla and chimpanzee tracking with rhino tracking and Lake Bunyonyi.
15 Days Uganda Tour
A fifteen-day Uganda circuit taking in Lake Mburo, Lake Bunyonyi, Bwindi gorillas, Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls, with chimpanzee and rhino tracking. The tour closes with adventure activities in Jinja and a Kampala city tour.
22 Days the Best of Uganda
A 22-day tour across Uganda combining wildlife, landscapes and culture, from Kampala and Jinja to Sipi Falls, Kidepo, Murchison Falls, Kibale, Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi. Includes gorilla trekking and time with the Karamojong and Batwa communities.
24 Days the Best of Uganda Birding Safari
A 24-day birding expedition across Uganda, covering wetlands, forests and savannahs from Mabamba and Lake Mburo through Mgahinga, Bwindi, Queen Elizabeth, Kibale, Semliki, Murchison Falls, Budongo and Mabira. Targets include the shoebill and many Albertine Rift endemics.
28 Days Kenya, Tanzania & Uganda — The Great East Africa Safari
A 28-day private safari across Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. The route covers the Maasai Mara and Serengeti, a stay on Zanzibar, and Uganda's northern savannahs and western forests, including chimpanzee tracking in Kibale and gorilla tracking in Bwindi.
Good to know
Murchison Falls: questions travellers ask
- How do you get to Murchison Falls from Kampala?
- Overland via Masindi, which is a long but scenic drive, or by scheduled flight to Pakuba or one of the other airstrips inside the park. Most itineraries drive one way and can fly the other if you would rather trade the road time for a day in the park.
- What is the boat trip at Murchison Falls?
- A launch cruise up the Victoria Nile to the base of the falls, where the river is forced through a gap barely seven metres wide. A second cruise runs down to the Nile delta, which is the better one for shoebill — the two answer different questions and can both be done.
- What wildlife will I see at Murchison Falls?
- Below the falls the delta and riverbanks draw elephant, buffalo, giraffe and lion to the water, and Uganda's largest park holds big herds on the northern bank. Game drives and the launch cruise between them cover most of what the park is known for.
Build Murchison Falls into your safari
Tell us your dates and interests and we'll shape an itinerary around it.