Murchison Falls, frequently presented as an add-on to a tour including any of Bwindi Impenetrable, Queen Elizabeth, and Kibale Forest, is found some distance from the cluster of national parks in Uganda’s far west. Usually accessed from Kampala, the capital of Uganda, visitors drive over 300 kilometers by road or fly from Kajjansi Airfield. On the other hand, it is definitely a good stand-alone site with lots of wildlife and other points of interest.

Murchison Falls National Park’s past

With the wildlife reserves of Karuma and Bugungu, Murchison Falls N.P. is part of the Murchison Falls Conservation Area. Karuma 720, Bugungu 748, and the park around 3,893 square kilometers. John Speke and James Grant were the first European explorers to reach the area in 1862. One year later, Samuel and Florence Baker came and spent most of 1863–64 learning about the area.

Roderick Murchison, President of the Royal Geographical Society for several times between 1843 and 1871, was given Murchison Falls. Given the falls are really amazing, this was a great honor for Murchison. Comprising a 45-meter drop from the leftover wall of the Albertine Rift Valley, they are the stunning fall of the Victoria Nile. Rushing toward the wall, the river creates an 80-kilometre stretch of rapids. The water calms greatly after the fall and flows peacefully into Lake Albert, which borders Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Murchison Falls became a national park in 1952; it still gets great worldwide respect nowadays.

Wildlife & activities

Naturally, the biggest draw of this national park is the falls. With thrilling chances for wildlife viewing along the route, the most common pastime is a boat journey down the calm length of the river to see the falls. Nile crocodile, hippopotamus, and a fascinating variety of waterbirds like shoe-billed stork, Goliath heron, great blue turaco, white-thighed hornbill, and the charming dwarf kingfisher all call this region home. Often seen on the riverbanks, big wildlife including elephant, buffalo, and giraffe take a long drink.

One should also see the falls from above. Certainly, the very sight of the flowing water drew many visits from well-known people all across the twentieth century. For instance, the Queen Mother visited to see the falls in 1959 while Winston Churchill liked boat rides, hiking, and cycling in the area in 1907. Though his plane crashed en route, Ernest Hemingway meant to come in 1954.

Geographically, it is a two-part area: savanna, borassus palms, acacias, and riverine woodland in the north; pockets of forest in the south. Predated by lion and leopard, the savanna supports a richness of plains species. Guests can take game drives to see all the wildlife activity. Of the traditional Big Five, only rhino are absent here. Chimpanzee live in the woods of adjacent Bugungu and could be spotted on chimp hikes.

Murchison Falls is well worth thinking about for your Uganda safari given additional park-related activities include birdwatching, community walks, and trips to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Look at our property pages and get in touch with a team member to begin organizing an exciting vacation.