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At the top of Murchison Falls, the Victoria Nile forces its way through a small gap in the rocks - only 7 meters wide - and falls dramatically 43 meters. With the mighty cascade draining the river of its substantial flow, it becomes a broad stream that weaves quietly across the rift valley floor, finally flowing into Lake Albert. This stretch of river provides a fantastic opportunity for visitors to spot the 76 mammal and 451 bird species that call this region home.
The area was first gazetted as a national park in 1926 and is Uganda's oldest and largest safari park. Murchison Falls is usually offered as an add-on to a trip involving any of Bwindi Impenetrable, Queen Elizabeth, and Kibale Forest or could certainly be a standalone destination, featuring many areas of interest and plenty of wildlife.
Activities at Murchison Falls National Park
The most popular activity is a boat trip along the quiet stretch of the river to observe the falls, with exciting opportunities for wildlife watching along the way. This area is home to Nile crocodile, hippopotamus, and a thrilling assortment of waterbirds such as shoe-billed stork, Goliath heron, great blue turaco, white-thighed hornbill, and the endearing dwarf kingfisher. Big game, including elephant, buffalo, and giraffe, is often spotted on the riverbanks, taking a long drink. Of the classic Big Five, only rhino are not found here. The forests of neighboring Bugungu are home to chimpanzee, which may be seen on chimp treks.
The falls are also worth viewing from above. Indeed, the sheer sight of the cascading water enticed quite a series of visits from famous persons throughout the twentieth century. For example, in 1907 Winston Churchill enjoyed boat cruises, hiking, and biking in the area, and the Queen Mother came to admire the falls in 1959. Ernest Hemingway intended to visit in 1954, but unfortunately, his plane crashed on the way.
With other activities in and around the park including birdwatching, community walks, and excursions to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Murchison Falls is well worth considering for your Uganda safari. Please take a look at our property pages, and contact a member of our team to start planning an exhilarating vacation.
