Murchison falls national park is one of Uganda’s most popular and oldest national parks which is located in the northwestern part of the country.
The National Park offers an incredible opportunity to witness the diverse wildlife and stunning landscapes of this iconic Ugandan national park. With experienced guides leading the way, visitors can expect to encounter a wide range of mammals and bird species.
What to do and see in Murchison falls national park
Murchison Falls National Park offers a range of activities for visitors, including;
Game drives
Game drives in Murchison falls national park take place in the morning and afternoon which allow visitors to explore the park’s grasslands, woodlands, and savannas in search of wildlife such as elephants, giraffes, lions, leopards, buffaloes, hyenas, and various antelope species such as Uganda kob and Jackson’s hartebeest.
There are several designated game drive routes within Murchison Falls National Park that offer different experiences. The popular routes include the Buligi Peninsula, Albert Delta, and the Victoria Nile Delta.
Boat cruise
Boat cruises provide a unique opportunity to see the park’s wildlife from a different perspective.
This activity takes about 2 hours and the trip to the bottom of the falls is takes visitors close to the powerful waterfall and they can also see different wildlife species by the water shores like elephants, buffalos, hippos and Nile crocodiles.
Top of the falls hike
Hiking to the top of the falls allows visitors to explore the park’s diverse landscapes and ecosystems.
Chobe Trail is followed by visitors to the top of Murchison Falls which is rewarding with stunning views of the Nile River and the surrounding landscape.
Apart from hiking to the top of the falls, visitors can also engage in viewing of the Murchison falls which offers panoramic views of the park.
Fishing
Fishing is allowed in certain areas of the park and offers visitors the opportunity to catch a variety of fish species in the Nile River.
Some of the fish species which can be caught in Murchison falls national park include the Nile Perch, tilapia among others.
Bird watching
Bird watching is another activity to do in Murchison falls national park due to its diversity of bird species such as egrets, herons, kingfishers, hornbills, turacos among others.
Attractions in Murchison falls national park
Murchison Falls National Park is characterized by a diverse range of physical features which include the following:
- The Murchison Falls is the key attraction of the park and one of the most impressive waterfalls in Africa. The park is named after the famous Murchison Falls, which is formed by the mighty River Nile as it forces its way through a narrow gorge before plunging down a 45-meter drop.
- The Nile River which runs through the Murchison falls national park provides a source of water for the park’s wildlife.
- Beautiful scenery is a mix of grasslands, woodlands, and scrubland, with areas of dense forest found along the riverbanks.
- Murchison Falls National Park is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including Elephants, Lions, Buffaloes, Giraffes, Hippos, Nile crocodiles as well as antelopes, such as the Ugandan kob and the defassa waterbuck.
- Bird species found in Murchison falls national park are over 400 species of birds, including the Kingfishers, the African skimmer, and the papyrus gonolek. The park’s woodland and forest areas are also teeming with birdlife. Species such as hornbills, turacos, barbets, sunbirds, and flycatchers can be spotted among the trees.
The Budongo Forest Reserve within Murchison Falls National Park is particularly renowned for its primate population but also offers excellent opportunities for birdwatching. It is home to over 360 species of birds, including the rare Puvel’s illadopsis and the chocolate-backed kingfisher.
Park entrance fees of Murchison falls national park
Park entrance fees are required to be paid by visitors in order to access Murchison falls national park. These fees help support the conservation efforts and maintenance of the park, ensuring its preservation for future generations.
The entrance fees for Murchison Falls National Park vary depending on several factors, such as nationality, residency status, and the type of activities visitors plan to engage in within the park. The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) is responsible for setting and collecting these fees.
For foreign non-residents, foreign residents and East African citizens the entrance fees for Murchison Falls National Park are as follows:
The park entrance fee for foreign non-residents is $45 per person, 35 USD for foreign residents and 25,000 Uganda shillings per day for East Africans. Children visiting Murchison falls national park are charged park entrance fee of 25 USD, 15 USD and 10,000 UGX for foreign nonresidents, foreign residents and East African citizens.
Vehicle entrance fee
In addition to the park entrance fee for individuals visiting Murchison falls national park, there is also a vehicle entrance fee. This fee applies to all vehicles entering the park, including private cars, tour vans, and buses.
The vehicle entrance fee in Murchison falls national park for Tour Company vehicles is 30,000 UGX.
Boat cruise fee
Murchison Falls National Park offers boat cruises along the Nile River, allowing visitors to witness the majestic Murchison Falls up close. The boat cruise fee for foreign non-residents is $30, 25 USD for foreign residents and 30,000 UGX for East Africans.
Other activities in Murchison falls national park costs are as follows;
Hiking to the top of the falls in the park is charged 15 USD for foreign nonresidents, 10 USD for foreign residents and 10,000 UGX for East Africans.
Viewing of the top of the falls costs 10 USD for foreign nonresidents and foreign residents while East Africans are charged 10,000 UGX.
Best time to visit Murchison falls national park
The dry season runs from December to February and June to September, is generally considered the best time to visit Murchison Falls National Park. During this time, the weather is typically dry and sunny, making it easier to explore the park and enjoy outdoor activities. The vegetation is also less dense, allowing for better wildlife sightings as animals gather around water sources.
During the wet season, numerous bird species from Europe and Asia migrate to Murchison falls national park in search of favorable breeding grounds and food sources making it a good time for bird watching.
How to get to Murchison falls national park
The fastest and most convenient way to reach Murchison Falls National Park is by air. There are several domestic airlines that operate flights from Entebbe International Airport to Pakuba Airstrip.
By road, you can reach Murchison Falls National Park from Kampala and the drive takes approximately 5 hours and is a scenic journey that takes you through the beautiful Ugandan countryside.