Murchison Falls National Park
Northern Uganda Region
Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda's largest and oldest national park, covering approximately 3,840 square kilometers in the northern region of the country. The park is bisected by the Victoria Nile, which dramatically narrows to a gorge only about 7 to 8 meters wide before plunging 43 to 45 meters at the iconic Murchison Falls, creating a spectacular natural spectacle known as the Devil's Cauldron. The park's diverse ecosystems include savanna, woodland, and riverine forests, supporting a wide array of wildlife such as over 900 African elephants, thousands of buffaloes, Uganda kobs, Rothschild's giraffes, hippos, and the largest population of Nile crocodiles in Uganda. It is also a birdwatcher's paradise with more than 550 bird species recorded, including the rare shoebill stork, white-crested turaco, and Goliath heron. The park forms part of the larger Murchison Falls Conservation Area, including adjacent Bugungu and Karuma Wildlife Reserves. Visitors can experience dramatic landscapes of the Albertine Rift Valley and enjoy excellent wildlife viewing along the Victoria Nile and its delta. The park is managed by the Ugandan Wildlife Authority and remains a top safari destination in East Africa.
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Tip: The best time to visit Murchison Falls National Park is during the dry seasons from December to February and June to August for optimal wildlife viewing and easier access. It is advisable to purchase park entry tickets in advance through the official Ugandan Wildlife Authority website to avoid delays. Visitors should prepare for early morning game drives and boat cruises near the falls to see hippos, crocodiles, and birdlife. Guided safari tours enhance the experience and provide safety. Discounts may be available for East African residents and children. Visitors should bring sun protection, insect repellent, and binoculars for birdwatching.
Interesting facts
- •Murchison Falls forces the Victoria Nile through a gorge only about 7-8 meters wide before plunging 43-45 meters, creating one of Africa's most powerful waterfalls.
- •The park hosts over 900 African elephants, making it one of Uganda's largest elephant populations.
- •More than 550 bird species have been recorded in the park, including the elusive shoebill stork and the white-crested turaco.
- •The park, along with adjacent reserves, forms the Murchison Falls Conservation Area covering over 4,200 square kilometers.
- •The Karuma Power Station near the park is Uganda's largest hydroelectric power station, operational since 2023.
History
The area now known as Murchison Falls National Park was first explored by Europeans John Speke and James Grant in 1862, with more detailed exploration by Samuel and Florence Baker in 1863–64.
The falls were named after Roderick Murchison, then president of the Royal Geographical Society.
Between 1907 and 1912, local inhabitants were evacuated due to sleeping sickness spread by tsetse flies.
The British colonial administration established the Bunyoro Game Reserve in 1910, which later expanded and was gazetted as Murchison Falls National Park in 1952 under the National Parks Act of Uganda.
During Idi Amin's regime in 1972, the park was renamed Kabalega National Park but reverted to its original name later.
The park has since become a critical conservation area and a Lion Conservation Unit since 2005.
Place Guide
Murchison Falls
The central natural attraction where the Victoria Nile is squeezed through a narrow 7-8 meter gorge before plunging 43-45 meters into the Devil’s Cauldron, producing a thunderous roar and misty rainbows.
Victoria Nile River
The river bisects the park, providing critical habitats for aquatic and riparian wildlife including hippos, Nile crocodiles, and numerous bird species. It is a prime location for boat safaris and wildlife viewing along its banks.
Savanna and Woodland Ecosystems
The northern part of the park features open savanna with Borassus palms and acacia woodlands, while the southern section includes forest patches, supporting diverse flora and fauna.
Contact
Phone: 031 2355000
