Murchison Falls National Park is the largest in Uganda, and a true natural spectacle offering a unique experience amidst lush vegetation and over 500 animal species. It is generally recommended to dedicate at least two days of your trip to the safari, the Nile cruise, and the hike to the Murchison Falls viewpoints, but many animal lovers prefer to spend more days to ensure they see as many animals as possible.
Before planning your visit, it’s advisable to research the entrance requirements for the park, the entrance fee and the cost of all excursions, as well as the best time to visit. Below you can read about all these aspects and many other travel tips that will make your holiday unforgettable. You’ll see that travelling to Murchison Falls National Park isn’t cheap, and you’ll have to pay for practically everything you do.
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What are the best places to see in Murchison Falls National Park?
1. Game Drives
The park’s most popular activity is the land safaris, also known as game drives. Throughout the park, a series of trails have been marked out, allowing you to drive freely or with a guide while discovering all kinds of animals along the way. The park is home to a total of 76 mammal species and up to 451 bird species, and you can see lions, elephants, giraffes, and many other animals.
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Our recommendation is that you travel with a guide for safety reasons (remember that the lions are loose), and to guide you through the areas where there is a greater chance of seeing animals.
2. Nile River Safari
In addition to the land safari, in Murchison Falls National Park you can take a Nile River Safari, which offers the opportunity to see the animals from a different perspective, and sometimes even closer. The trip lasts 2 hours and costs around €28 per person.
This excursion is one of the most spectacular in the park, and the views are exceptional. At the end of the trip, you can also visit Murchison Falls.
3. Murchison Falls
Murchison Falls is the most famous attraction in Murchison Falls National Park. In this unique natural setting, the Nile River plunges powerfully through a narrow gorge, dropping 45 meters and producing a tremendous roar. This phenomenon creates a perpetual rainbow and allows the surrounding flora to flourish.
There are several accessible viewpoints in the area to admire the beauty and majesty of the falls. From the Nile cruise dock, there is a half-hour hike, but you will need to pay €10.
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What to see in the area surrounding Murchison Falls National Park?
1. Budongo Forest
Budongo Forest is an ecological sanctuary of great biodiversity and one of the largest mahogany forests in East Africa. Among the lush vegetation of the forest, you’ll find a community of over 600 chimpanzees and numerous bird species that you can admire as you explore its network of trails.
Located northeast of Lake Albert, the forest is a few kilometres from Murchison Falls National Park and is a popular stop when travelling from Kampala.
2. Kasese and its National Parks
About 6 hours south of Murchison Falls National Park lies Kasese, one of the most visited regions in Uganda for its diverse landscapes and rich ecosystems. Located at the foot of the Ruwenzori Mountains, Kasese is a starting point for adventurers looking to explore the snow-capped peaks and diverse ecosystems of the Ruwenzori Mountains and Queen Elizabeth National Parks.
In the area, you can also visit the Kilembe Mines and Waterfalls, the Kasenda Crater Lakes, and the Kazinga Channel.
What to see in 1 day in Murchison Falls National Park?
It is recommended to spend a minimum of two full days to have time for the land safari, the boat safari, and to visit the waterfalls. However, many animal and nature lovers prefer to spend a few more days to ensure they see as many animals as possible in their natural habitat.
Here you can see the typical itinerary for visiting Murchison Falls National Park:
- Day 1 – Arrival and Afternoon Safari: After settling into your accommodation, a 4×4 vehicle will take you to explore the park’s wildlife.
- Day 2 – Boat Safari and Visit to Murchison Falls: In the morning you can take the Nile safari, which after two hours of sailing will leave you
Where and what to eat in Murchison Falls National Park?
As you can imagine, there are no restaurants in the park. Typically, all meals are eaten at the lodge, or the safari company takes care of meals throughout the day. If you’re travelling independently, you’ll need to plan your food needs and buy it before entering the park.
The upside to this limited selection is that you’ll be able to try authentic Ugandan cuisine and discover new flavours you probably wouldn’t have chosen in a regular restaurant.
Where to stay in Murchison National Park Falls?
If you book an organized tour to Murchison Falls National Park, you won’t have to worry about accommodation, as it will most likely be included. However, if you’re going to look for it on your own, we advise you to look in the North Nile area, otherwise you’ll have to take the ferry across the river every day.
Here are some of the best campsites in the area:
- Sambiya River Lodge: This is a beautiful hotel with a garden, swimming pool, and cozy, elegantly decorated cabins. The complex features a bar, restaurant, and free parking. Prices start at €130 per night, and breakfast is included.
- Paraa Safari Lodge: This resort overlooking the park offers rooms equipped with private bathrooms, bathrobes, and linens. Some rooms have a kitchenette with a refrigerator, and others have a terrace and/or balcony. The property features fitness facilities, a restaurant, a bar, and car rental services. Prices start at over €300 per night but include all meals.
- Gipir and Labongo Safari Lodge Ltd: This 3-star hotel features a garden, shared lounge, terrace, and restaurant. It also offers room service, parking, car rental, and a 24-hour reception. Prices start from €57 and include breakfast.
How to get to Murchison Falls National Park?
Although you can go independently, it is recommended to book an organized tour to visit the park. Generally, these types of trips include airfare and airport transfers, as well as transportation within the park.
If you book the tour directly in the country, or if you decide to go independently, you will have to fly to Entebbe International Airport, and from there book transportation to the park, which is about 5-6 hours away by road.
What should I keep in mind before travelling to Murchison Falls National Park?
- The currency of Uganda is the Ugandan Shilling, but many tourist areas accept US dollars.
- Bring cash; few places accept cards.
- It is recommended to exchange money in advance, avoiding doing so at airports due to potentially higher exchange rates.
- Entrance to Murchison Falls National Park costs $40 per day per vehicle.
- It is recommended to travel during the dry season, which runs from December to February and from June to August.
- The official languages ??are Swahili and English, but many other languages ??are spoken in the country.
- In Uganda, it is best to drink bottled water and avoid ice.
- Most travellers will need to apply for a visa to enter the country.
- In Uganda, it is recommended to travel with caution, avoiding walking alone at night, and if possible, accompanied by a guide.
- Wear long-sleeved clothing to protect yourself from the sun and insects, and don’t forget your water bottle, hiking boots, and hat.
- Protect yourself against medical emergencies: travel insured.
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- What to buy in Uganda: original souvenirs and where to find them
- Travelling to Uganda in a group: experience, tips and myths
- Road trips in Uganda: itineraries and tips
- Community tourism in Uganda: how to support local projects
How to plan what to see on your trip to Murchison Falls National Park?
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- Create your own itinerary for your destination with everything you want to visit each day.
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- Save all your documents in the app to have everything at hand: reservations, boarding passes, important documents…
- Make the necessary changes, and everything will be ready for your trip.
- Share your experience with other users. Upload photos of the places you visited on your trip to the app and inspire other travellers with your experience. Additionally, you can share your experience about what to see in Murchison Falls National Park.
If you have any questions about how to do this, you can consult our post: Passporter, your travel organiser.
Frequently Asked Questions about a trip to Murchison Falls National Park
The best time to visit the park is during the dry season, from December to February and from June to September, for optimal safari conditions.
To travel to Uganda from Spain, you will need a valid passport and a visa.
The best option is to book an organized tour that includes flights and transportation from the airport to the park and within the park. Independent travel is not advisable due to the area’s poor connectivity.
In Uganda, it is best to drink bottled water and avoid ice.
You can go on a safari, take a Nile River cruise, and visit the famous Murchison Falls.
It is recommended to spend at least two full days to see as much as possible.
You don’t need to apply for any permits, just pay at the entrance. The price is €40 per day per vehicle.
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