Let one of the trained tour guides or rangers guide you through Murchison Falls National Park on a guided nature walk —a great way to learn about the biodiversity within the park. You can also learn about bush – plants and animals that inhabit the park as well as learning from local Indigenous people.
There are affordable discovery activities for everyone. Please note that guided tours have limited numbers to ensure a great experience for everyone.
A Hike to the Top of the Falls
The Hike to the top of the Murchison Falls is one of the must do activities for tourists visiting the Murchison Falls National park. The trail begins near Fajao Gorge, where the boat drops hikers off at a riverside landing. The climb takes 45 to 60 minutes, ascending through boulders and escarpments to Baker’s Point. The final viewpoint stands roughly 43 metres above the Nile, overlooking the explosive surge that forms the park’s name. The site was named after explorer Samuel Baker in 1864.
The hike requires booking. Park rangers must accompany all hikers.
Proper footwear is essential; the rocks can be slippery during wet months (March to May, and October to November). UWA does not recommend the hike for guests with limited mobility.
This activity is often paired with the boat safari below the falls, creating a combined half-day itinerary.
Forest Walks under the Mahogany Canopy
Non-primate forest walks are available in the same Kaniyo Pabidi and adjacent Busingiro zones. These walks focus on the ecological interpretation of tree species, medicinal plants, forest-floor invertebrates, and indirect signs of wildlife.
The mahogany, ironwood, and cynometra trees in Budongo reach heights of up to 50 metres. Guides often pause to show buttress roots, fungal interactions, or bird nests in high-canopy gaps.
Walks average 2 to 3 hours, with distance and depth tailored to the group’s preferences. The trail surface is relatively level but may become slippery after rainfall.
These walks offer consistent chances to see black-and-white colobus monkeys, olive baboons, blue monkeys, and forest squirrels. They are also less physically demanding than chimpanzee tracking and thus suitable for older visitors or family groups.
Bookings are arranged in advance via the Uganda Lodges desk at Budongo Eco Lodge or through UWA.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when you visit the Murchison Falls National Park, make an effort to climb to the top of the Murchison Falls that will reward you will the eye-popping views of the waters of the waterfalls, several bird and wildlife species among others.