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Hot air balloon safari
Come and experience one of the best and rare ways to watch the wildlife from different directions
Murchison Falls National Park; Uncover the Hidden Mysteries.
Witness the world’s greatest wildlife spectacle across 14,763 km² of open savannah — Without a doubt, this park is Uganda’s crown jewel.
Best time to visit
Jun-Sept
Minimum stay
3-4 days
Top Sightings
Murchison Falls, Rothchild's giraffe & Nile Crocodiles
Distance from Capital
329 Kms2
Location
Bulisa, Nwoya, Kiryandongo & Masindi
Best for
Family & Couples
Murchison Falls National Park; Uncover the Hidden Mysteries.
In the heart of Uganda along the famous Nile River, lies the captivating natural wonderland that is considered the largest National Park in Uganda spanning over 3,840 square kilometers and is located in the northwestern region of Uganda in the districts of Kiryandongo, Masindi, Nyowa, and Buliisa – the Murchison Falls National Park.
The Murchison Falls National Park, named after an awe-inspiring Murchison Falls waterfall at its heart which is considered the most powerful waterfall in the whole World, is a haven with a variety of diverse eco-systems including flora and fauna which have caught the attention of nature and adventure Enthusiasts all over the World.
This is Uganda’s most popular and visited national park with the highest annual number of visitors all over the World, it was first visited by the early Europeans that is John Speke and James Grant in 1862 and this Park is located at a distance of about 350km northwest of Kampala the capital city of Uganda.
Wildlife in the Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park is well known for its unique geographic landscapes including the Savanna grassland, open plains and also wetlands which have made it possible for the park to harbor a number of unique mammals and birds.
The park harbors 76 mammal species including the big five animals such as the lions, leopards, elephants, buffalos, and Rhinos in the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, mammals in the park also include warthogs, antelopes, duikers, giraffes, hippos, hyenas, jackals, Uganda Kob, waterbucks, oribis, warthogs, the park also habors a number of primates including chimpanzees, Olive baboons, Patas monkeys.
Murchison Falls National Park is also home to unique birds harboring over 450 species of birds. This wonderland is a natural haven for birders who are interested in birding safaris. The unique bird species are classified as water birds, open land birds, grassland birds, and forest birds, the water birds category includes the shoe bill stork which is found in swampy vegetation and along the Alberta delta during the boat safari.
Other bird species include African fish eagles, Goliath herons, kingfishers, saddle-billed storks, and vulture species among others.
wildlife in the Murchison Falls.
Murchison Falls Safari activities
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Community tourism
Community tourism is one of the most interesting things you can have mostly the batwa culture
Why Visit Murchison Falls National Park
If you are asking yourself that in all national parks, why should I visit Murchison falls national park? here are some of the reasons to visit the park.
Hot balloon experience
Here in Murchison falls national park, you get to encounter the hot air balloon experience which is one of the park’s exciting activities whereby you get a lifetime opportunity to witness the waterfall from a clear view above.
Game drive
Wildlife game drive is a thrilling reason why you should visit Murchison Falls National Park. In the park, you get to encounter wild mammals and bird species in their natural habitat. The park is home to a uniquely rich array of wildlife including herds of elephants, lions, warthogs, antelopes, duikers, giraffes, hippos, hyenas, jackals, Uganda Kob, waterbucks, oribis, buffaloes, and also hippos.
The must-visit top of the falls
A hike to the top of the falls is a popular experience you get to encounter only in the Murchison falls national park. This is done by getting off the boat cruise and hiking up the rocks to the top of the waterfall as you stare at the strength of the stunning waterfalls.
Selected Murchison Falls Sightings & Attractions
African Cape Buffalo
Murchison Falls Waterfalls
Wildebeest
Zebra
African Elephant
Things to do.
Game drive
Wildlife game drive is a thrilling activity to do in Murchison Falls National Park, where you get to drive through the park’s diverse landscapes, including the savannah plains, grasslands, and woodlands. The park is home to a uniquely rich array of wildlife, including herds of elephants, lions, warthogs, antelopes, duikers, giraffes, hippos, hyenas, jackals, Uganda Kob, waterbucks, oribis, buffaloes, and also hippos.
Rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Murchison Falls National Park is home to the endangered black and white rhinos, which are mainly found in the Ziwa. This activity starts early in the morning as you embark on a guided safari through the rhino tracking area in ziwa as you learn about the interesting behaviours of rhinos and appreciate the conservation efforts by the park’s ecosystems.
Boat cruise
Partake in the boat cruise experience, which is among the thrilling activities to do in the park, and encounter the large concentration of hippos in the water and on the shores, crocodiles, and a wide variety of different bird species. Also, witness the dramatic force up close of the waterfalls as the Nile River squeezes through the narrow gorge and creates the loudest thundering water sounds.
Chimp trekking
This unforgettable thrilling activity is carried out in the Budongo Forest Reserve which is located within the Murchison Falls National Park. The activity is led by experienced tour guides where you follow the chimp trails into the lust forest in search of the endangered chimpanzees, red-tailed monkeys, and the black–and–white Colombus monkeys.
Bird watching
The Murchison Falls National Park is a natural haven for birders because it harbors over 450 bird species, making it one of the most visited tourist destinations for birding safaris. Bird species in the park include the iconic shoebill stork, African fish eagles, Goliath herons, kingfishers, saddle-billed storks, and also vultures.
Cultural encounters
This activity provides a unique opportunity to understand the local ways of life and support tourism initiatives. You can engage in such cultural encounters by visiting nearby villages, interacting with the locals, and also participating in the local dances and performances.
Hot air balloons
For a truly unforgettable safari experience in the Murchison Falls National Park, you should consider a hot air balloon safari over the waterfalls. During the activity, you drift above the savanna plains while capturing the awe-inspiring views of wildlife, landscapes, and water bodies.
Hot Balloon safaris
Nature Walks and waterfall hiking
The thrilling activities to do in the Murchison Falls National Park are nature walks and waterfall hiking. During this activity, you are led through hike trails on foot while discovering the park’s unique landscapes and learning about the natural ecosystems. The popular, unforgettable hike is the trail to the top of Murchison Falls, offering the best scenic views of the stunning landscape.
Best time to visit.
Murchison Falls National Park can be visited anytime throughout the year. However, there are best seasons to visit the park, known as the peak seasons, and there are also fair seasons to visit the park, known as low seasons.
High/ Peak seasons are months from December to February and also from June to September.
During this time, the game trails are less slippery, encouraging smooth drives in the park, and also animals like elephants, hippos, antelopes, and bird species tend to concentrate on the shores of the Nile River, thus offering you a wide wildlife view.
How to get there
Murchison Falls National Park is located in the northwestern part of Uganda, and you can access the park either by road or by air means of transport.
While using road transport, you drive from Kampala via Masindi to the park headquarters, which is a 5 – 6-hour drive.
While using air transport, you have to book a flight to Entebbe or Kajjansi airfield, and it takes less than 2 hours to reach the park’s headquarters.
Selected Murchison Falls Safari Packages
3 Days
Private
3 Days Murchison Falls & White rhino Tracking in Ziwa
from
$ 620
per person
4 Days
Private
4 Day Murchison Falls & Chimpanzee Tracking Safari
from
$ 1260
per personWhere to stay
Murchison falls national park offers a wide range of accommodation options to choose from ranging from Luxury to midrange and also budget.
Luxury accommodation comes with first-class facilities like swimming pools, spas, private balconies, and verandas and these include Baker’s Lodge, Paraa Safari Lodge, and Nile safari lodge among others.
Midrange accommodations come with include second class facilities like spas and they include, Twiga safari lodge, Pakuba Safari Lodge, Budongo Ecolodge, and Murchison River among others.
Budget accommodations also include Red Chilli Rest Camp and Sambiya River lodge among others.
Nile safari lodge
With that in-depth, Murchison falls national park is a natural wonderland to encounter the most famous and powerful waterfall in the whole world – Murchison Falls. The park is teeming with a wide range of wildlife offering lifetime opportunities for game drive and hot balloon activities. Book a safari to Uganda with us today.
Murchison Falls in Summary
Best Attractions
Murchison Falls, Rothchild's giraffe & Nile Crocodiles
Best time to visit
Jun-Sept
Best Attractions
Wildlife, river scenery and game drives
Top activities
Hike to the falls, Game drives, Boat cruise
How to Get there.
The National Park can be accessed in two different ways and one of them is by road transport for a period of 5-6 hours up to the entrances of the Natioanl Park and another way is by booking a chartered flight from Entebbe International airport or Kajjansi air strip direct to one of the air strips either in Chobe or Bugungu that takes approximately one hour
Recommended duration
Fort Murchison Lodge (Budget), Paraa Safari Lodge ( Standard), Chobe Safari Lodge (Luxury)
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the park located?
It sits in northwestern Uganda, spanning across Buliisa, Nwoya, Kiryandongo, and Masindi districts, bisected by the Victoria Nile. It is the biggest and the oldest National Park in Uganda, with Savanna vegetation and large numbers of animals. It has the biggest number of animals in all the national parks in Uganda, making it one of the most famous national parks ever to exist in Uganda
What is special about the waterfall?
The Victoria Nile squeezes through a narrow 7-meter gorge and plunges 43 meters, creating what is widely considered the world’s most powerful waterfall. This waterfall can’t be found anywhere else in Uganda and Africa except in the Murchison Falls National Park. It makes it so special since it brings a large number of visitors from across all the nations and continents
What animals can I see?
A large number of animals and different species of those animals can be seen since the National park holds the record of the highest number of animals recorded. The park hosts four of the “Big Five” that include lions, leopards, elephants, and buffaloes, alongside Rothschild’s giraffes, hippos, Nile crocodiles, and massive numbers of Uganda kobs.
Can you see all the Big Five here?
The National Park has 4 of the big 5 animals and has plenty of those animals. Lions, leopards, elephants, and Buffaloes are some of the Big Five animals that can be found in the area; however, there are no rhinos in the park itself. You can view them nearby en route at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
What are the top activities?
Murchison Falls National Park has quite a number of activities that can be done by different categories of people from different areas and different locations. Popular things to do include savanna game drives, boat cruises to the bottom of the falls, hiking to the top of the falls, bird watching, and chimpanzee tracking in the Budongo Forest. Some areas for example Sambiya River Lodge have some of the activities, for example canopy walks, zip lining, among others
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Why Choose Friendly Gorillas Safaris.
Transparent Pricing
No surprises. Your quotation explains accommodation, permits, park fees, transport, meals and exclusions before you book.
Responsible Travel
Your journey supports conservation areas, local guides, porters, lodges and communities connected to wildlife tourism.
Expert Local guides
We only work with knowledgeable guides who value wildlife, safety, hospitality and meaningful guest experiences.
With you always
You receive personal support from start to finish. Before arrival and reliable assistance throughout your safari.
Guaranteed Departures
After booking, no surprising changes. Your tours depart when, how and from the same location we mentioned it would.
Your Safari your way
All our safaris are strictly designed around your interests, travel dates, comfort level and budget shape every itinerary.
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Book your Murchison Falls adventure safari today
Tell us when you would like to travel, how many people are joining you and what you want to experience. We will help you build a private safari around your destination, accommodation preferences and available time.
Low Season
Oct, Nov, Mar, Apr, may
Peak Season
Jun, July, Aug, Sept, Dec
Recommended Stay
Buhoma Gorilla Camp,
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