Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park: Overview

Uganda’s largest and oldest conservation area and the location of the famous waterfall where the Nile River bursts through an 8m-wide gap and tumbles into a broad, placid stream that nourishes a huge diversity of wildlife in the park. Certainly, a highlight of Murchison Falls National Park is Murchison Falls itself. This powerful waterfall is the end point of the Nile River’s 80km-stretch of rapids where the energy of the river is confined as it passes through a narrow gap, bursting into a waterfall complete with rainbow. The deafening roar of the water is astonishing to witness. From this point, the Nile flows calmly towards Lake Albert, bisecting the 3800 sq. km national park along the way and sustaining its incredible population of wildlife and birds. Picture rolling green hills dotted with game and strewn with palm trees. An emerald haven.

Murchison Falls National Park: Background Information

Murchison Falls National Park, part of the greater Murchison Falls Conservation Area (MFCA), offers excellent wildlife viewing. The Victoria Nile bisects the park and boat trips to the spectacular Murchison Falls are a highlight – especially if you hike to the top where the immense power of the falls is best appreciated. The park is divided by the very scenic Victoria Nile. A boat trip takes you to the base of the Murchison Falls where you can see the Nile squeezing through a narrow gorge before dropping down into the ‘Devil's Cauldron’. North of the river is a savannah habitat that's dominated by grassland and dotted with borassus palms. South of the river, the habitat changes to woodland with forest patches.

Four of the Big Five can be seen, but rhino are absent. Huge herds of elephant and buffalo are common, and lion are quite easily spotted. Antelope include Jackson's hartebeest, waterbuck and Uganda kob. Large herds of Rothschild's giraffe are a specialty. Chimpanzee and several other primates can be tracked in Budongo Forest, in the south of the greater Murchison Falls Conservation Area.

Wheather & Climate & Where to find the Murchison Falls National Park

The climate in Murchison Falls National Park is tropical and hot. Temperatures are quite uniform throughout the year. Daytime temperatures of around 31°C/88°F are common, with it cooling down at night to around 18°C/64°F. The Wet season runs from March to November, with a drier period from June to July. There is little rain during the Dry season (December to February).

Wildlife at the Murchison Falls National Park

The park supports four of the Big Five; only rhino are absent. Buffalo and elephant are particularly common. There is a very healthy population of lion that likes to prey on the abundant Uganda kob. Other antelope found here are oribi, Jackson's hartebeest, defassa waterbuck, grey duiker and bushbuck. The Victoria Nile teems with crocodile and hippo. Large herds of the localized Rothschild's giraffe are found in the park and leopard, though far from numerous, is most likely to be seen in the vicinity of Pakuba Lodge. Troops of the rare patas monkey can sometimes be spotted on the grassy plains, and chimpanzee can be tracked in neighboring Budongo Forest.

Giraffes at the Murchison Falls National Park

Birdlife at the Murchison Falls National Park:

Murchison Falls National Park is one of the best places in Africa to find the prehistoric-looking shoebill stork. Sightings of this bird are almost guaranteed on a boat trip on the Victoria Nile towards the Lake Albert delta. This boat trip, as well as the more popular ‘launch’ trip towards Murchison Falls, are, in fact, great for checking off many water-associated birds. The park’s impressive checklist contains more than 450 species in total. Migratory birds are present from November to April. The birdlife in Murchison Falls is good year-round, but at its best from January to March. This is the low tourist season, but there is plenty of bird activity. December to February has the least rain, while April to May and August to October have the most rain. The heavy rains might result in delays due to impassable roads and slippery hiking trails and can limit your bird-watching time. Migratory birds are present from November to April.