What to do in Murchison Falls National Park 2026

What to do in Murchison Falls National Park 2026

The iconic Murchison Falls National Park is the oldest, largest and a popular safari destination in Uganda, covering vast expanse of savannah, woodland and riverine forest. This scenic park was originally gazetted as a game reserve in 1926, and was officially designated as one of Uganda’s first national parks in 1952.

Murchison Falls National Park lies at the northern end of the Albertine Rift Valley where the Bunyoro Escarpment descends into rolling, palm dotted plains, offering one of the most dramatic landscapes in East Africa. The park is located in northwestern Uganda.

The magnificent Murchison Falls – the world’s most powerful waterfall is the park’s centerpiece. The River cleaves through Murchison Falls National Park, creating magnificent waterfalls that tumble through a slim 7 meter gorge in the Rift Valley Escarpment into the ominously named “devil’s cauldron”, roaring with primal power.

Then the Nile River drops about 45 meters on the edge of the gorge, creating a thunderous roar and a mist that nourishes the surrounding vegetation. Visitors can view the falls from various vantage points, with Baker’s Viewpoint offering a panoramic perspective of this natural wonder. As it meanders through the park, the Victoria Nile nurtures an oasis vital for the thriving of incredible wild animals.

Safari Activities in Murchison Falls National Park

Game Drives

Game viewing in Murchison Falls National Park is an exciting experience during which you get to watch the park’s remarkable wildlife. The majority of game drives in Murchison Falls National Park are done on the Buligi Peninsula where 170km of tracks cross through open savannah grasslands, woodland, acacia and riverine vegetation.

Expect to see several animals, including elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, giraffes, lions, leopards, and Uganda kobs. You may even see a leopard. The tracks converge at Delta Point, where the Nile flows north out of Lake Albert.

Boat Safaris

Boat safaris are among the most popular and rewarding safari activities in Murchison Falls National Park, offering a unique perspective of the park’s stunning landscapes and incredible wildlife. Boat safaris in Murchison Falls National Park allow visitors to explore the park from the water, offering a different vantage point compared to traditional land-based game drives.

Boat safaris in Murchison Falls National Park are offered as Nile Boat Cruise to Murchison Falls taking you to the base of Murchison Falls where you can witness the powerful waterfall up close. And the Nile Delta Cruise – a more tranquil journey through the papyrus-dominated delta area where the Nile flows into Lake Albert. This thrilling journey takes you through the papyrus – dominated delta area where the Nile flows into Lake Albert and is a great opportunity to spot the prehistoric shoebill stork and other popular swamp animals and birds.

While on a boat safari in Murchison Falls National Park, expect to see a variety of wildlife including hippos and Nile crocodiles that are commonly seen along the riverbanks. Elephants, buffalos and various antelope species often come to drink at the water’s edge.

Chimpanzee Tracking

Chimpanzee tracking in Murchison Falls National Park is done in the Budongo Forest, thanks to the centre’s historical association with the Jane Goodall Institute, the interpretive guides at Budongo Forest are extremely good at telling the wider story of the chimpanzees and the forest, not just leading you to their contact.

Chimpanzee trekking in Budongo Forest normally lasts for only an hour in the presence of the chimpanzees and the whole excursion lasts for about 3 hours.

Birding Excursions

The southern forests of Kaniyo Pabidi is one of the best birding sites in Uganda making it an incredible spot for birding excursions. The park’s aquatic forest and grassland habitats, the birdlife is always excellent with the Shoebill Stork being the most remarkable bird species seen in the park.

In Murchison Falls National Park there over 450 bird species and some of the birds you will see include the rare Shoebill stork, African fish eagle and giant kingfisher. Other bird species include Abyssinian ground hornbill, African darter, African fish eagle, African jacana, African quailfinch, Black coucal, Black-billed barbet, Black-headed gonolek, Black-headed lapwing, Blue-headed coucal, Denham’s bustard, Eastern grey plantain-eater, Giant kingfisher, Goliath heron, Malachite kingfisher, Osprey, Palm-nut vulture, Piapiac, Red-headed lovebird, Red-throated bee-eater, among others.

Best Time to Visit Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park is a year-round destination; however, the best time to visit the park is during the dry season from June to September, which is the most popular time for a Murchison Falls Safari. December to February is drier but also much hotter, with an average high of 33 degrees Celsius. During the dry season, the wildlife is forced to congregate around water sources, making for concentrated sightings. While the wetter months see the greatest density of birdlife and the lowest visitor numbers.