Murchison Falls National Park – The World’s Greatest Waterfall
At the northern end of the Albertine Rift Valley, where the sweeping Bunyoro Escarpment tumbles into vast, palm-dotted savannah, lies Murchison Falls National Park. First gazetted as a game reserve in 1926, it is Uganda’s largest and oldest conservation area, hosting 76 species of mammals and 451 bird species.
Murchison Falls National Park is bisected by the Victoria Nile, which plunges 45 m over the remnant rift valley wall, creating the dramatic Murchison Falls, the centre piece of the park and the final event in an 80 km stretch of rapids. The mighty cascade drains the last of the river’s energy, transforming it into a broad, placid stream that flows quietly across the rift valley floor into Lake Albert.
At Murchison Falls, the Nile squeezes through an 8 m wide gorge and plunges with a thunderous roar into the “Devil’s Cauldron”, creating a trademark rainbow. This stretch of river provides one of the Uganda’s most remarkable wildlife spectacles.
The river bank is regularly visited by several animals including elephants, giraffes and buffaloes; while hippos, Nile crocodiles and aquatic birds are permanent residents.
Wildlife in Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park is home to 76 species of mammals including herds of buffaloes, elephants, leopards, lion, Rothschild giraffes, bushbucks, Uganda Kobs, waterbuck, warthogs among many others. Crocodiles are often times seen lurking around the River Nile in Murchison Falls National Park.
Birdlife in Murchison Falls National Park
The park is home to over 450 species of birds recorded, these include Albertine rift endemics birds, water birds and savannah birds. Some of the common, rare and occasional birds in Murchison Falls National Park include Shoe bill, African Darter, Giant Kingfisher, Osprey, Long-toed Plover, Grey-headed Kingfisher, Veracious Dove, Black-headed Lapwing, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Rock Pratincole, Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird, Black-billed Barbet, Long-tailed Nightjar bird, Weaver Birds, Yellow-billed Stork, Martial Eagle, Silver bird, Gray crowned crested crane, Sandpipers, Pied Kingfishers, Standard-winged Nightjar, Malachite Kingfishers, Blue-headed Coucal, Denham’s Bustard, Swamp Flycatcher, Giant Heron, African Jacana, Secretary Bird, Read-throated Bee eater, Saddle-billed stork, Senegal Thick-Knee and Red winged Grey Warbler among others
Uganda Safari Activities in Murchison Falls National Park
Birding
Birding safaris in Murchison Falls National Park are best done on game drives and launch trips offering an opportunity for one to come across distinct birdlife, including savannah, forest, water birds and Albertine Rift endemics. The park’s main birding attraction is the shoebill, best sighted in the dry-season from January to March.
Game Drives
A game drive around the Buligi game tracks on the northern bank with an experienced and trained guide is a fantastic way to see and photograph the wide range of animals in the Nile Valley. Your guide will have a good idea where the lions are hiding, and you may even spot a leopard at dusk.
Hiking and Nature Walks
The vast landscapes and varied scenery of Murchison Falls National Park and the surrounding Conservation Area can be explored on foot. Trails through Kaniyo Pabidi and Rubongo Forests provide sightings of many primates and birds, while around the Nile Delta 2-4 hours guided swamp walks offer possible Shoebill sightings.
Launch Trips
The launch trip upstream from Paraa presents an astonishing display of wildlife and culminates with the memorable frontal view of the falls. Recommended for birders is a morning cruise downstream to the Nile- Lake Albert Delta. Alternatively, a tranquil sundowner cruise offers the classic view of an equatorial sunset reflected on the river.
Sport Fishing
The banks of the Nile below Murchison Falls provide exciting challenges to anglers. Living within strong currents and highly oxygenated water is the Nile Perch. There is a chance to land a massive catch, the record is 108kg.
Cultural Encounters
Be entertained by energetic dancers from Mubako perform around lodge campfires, making for a magical African experience at dusk. Boomu Women’s Group offers accommodation, a craft shop and village tours, revealing the realities of life in this rural community.
Accessing Murchison Falls National Park
Roads
A number of routes can be used to reach the Nile at Paraa at the heart of the Murchison Falls Conservation Area. The river is crossed here using a vehicle ferry which runs at roughly hourly intervals throughout the day.
Southern Entrance Gates
There are two southerly approaches to Paraa leading out of Masindi town, which is a 4 hour drive (305 km) from Kampala. Along the way to Masindi is the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, home to the only wild rhinos in Uganda. You can track these rhinos on foot and support the initiative to reintroduce rhinos to protected areas.
A longer but more scenic alternative runs from 135 km from Masindi to the park’s Bugungu Gate, the route includes a passage through Budungo Forest and a memorable descent of the rift valley escarpment with views across Lake Albert towards the mountains of the Congo.
Northern Entrance Gates
Murchison Falls National Park can also be entered via the Chobe, Wankwar, Mubako and Tangi Gates north of the Nile. These are reached from the Kampala – Pakwach Road which crosses the Nile at Karuma Falls Bridge in the northeastern corner of the park, 260 km from Kampala. These gates are convenient for visitors traveling to/from Gulu Town and Kidepo Valley National Park.
By Air
Domestic flights are available from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip to Pakuba Airfield, 19 km from North Paraa, Chobe Airstrip to the East, and Bugungu near Murchison Falls to the South.