Murchison Falls National Park
The Nile forced through a seven-metre gap
Uganda's largest park is shaped by a single dramatic act of geography: the Victoria Nile squeezed through a gap barely seven metres wide, then falling into a calm stretch of river where hippos and elephants gather. North of the river the land opens into savannah; south of it, woodland and the Budongo Forest.
Why visit
- The falls themselves, reached by boat from below or on foot from above
- Big game on the northern savannah — elephant, giraffe, buffalo, lion
- A river cruise that puts you level with hippo and crocodile
- Chimpanzees in Budongo Forest, an easy add-on
- Uganda's largest protected area, so game drives rarely feel crowded
Wildlife
Rothschild's giraffe, elephant, buffalo, Uganda kob, lion, leopard, hippo, Nile crocodile and over 450 recorded bird species. Sightings vary by season and none can be guaranteed.
Activities
- Game drives on the northern bank
- Boat cruise to the base of the falls
- Hike to the top of the falls
- Chimpanzee tracking in Budongo
- Birding on the Nile delta
- Cultural visits to nearby communities
Halal dining here
Halal meals are arranged in advance with your lodge or camp. On full game-drive days we carry packed halal meals so you are not tied to a fixed lunch service. CLIENT: confirm which lodges you have working arrangements with.
Prayer
Game drives begin before sunrise, so Fajr is prayed at the lodge before departure. We carry prayer mats and a qibla compass in the vehicle, and stop at a suitable place for Dhuhr and Asr. CLIENT: confirm nearest mosque locations to be listed here.
Good to know
Murchison Falls in pictures
Experiences here
Questions about Murchison Falls
Uganda has four of the Big Five — rhino are not found in the national parks, though they can be tracked at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary on the drive up from Kampala. Sightings of any species vary with season and luck.
Yes. The boats are stable, shaded and take around three hours return. Life jackets are provided and we can request a private boat for families who would prefer it.
The main route is tarmac for most of the way with a graded final stretch. We use 4x4 vehicles with raised roofs, and we plan prayer and rest stops into the drive.
Add Murchison Falls to your itinerary
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