Visiting the park can at least take three days including transfer to and from Kampala, but to fully exhaust the park’s attractions, one need at least four days.
Fixed routes, designated access zones, and strict operational timelines guide activity planning within Murchison Falls National Park.
Ferry schedules, terrain type, and ranger-guided protocols constrain movement between sectors.
Some sites require advance permits, while others involve daily visitor caps or mandatory guide accompaniment.
Availability of wildlife viewing, water access, and forest walks varies with seasonality, vegetation cycles, and park management interventions.
Understanding what is feasible on-site requires familiarity with these structural constraints. The following sections outline the core activity zones and the logistical formats through which they operate.
There are lots of things to do in Murchison Falls National Park. These include
- Game viewing
- Regular launch trips to the base of the falls offer fine game-viewing and birdwatching.
- Boat trips to the Lake Albert delta provide the best chance in Africa of sighting shoebills.
- Chimp tracking at Rabongo Forest, and en route from Masindi in the Budongo Forest.
- Game drives on a good network of roads.
Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s largest national park and the location of such a diverse habitat means the extensive wildlife, birdlife and activities available within the area are second to none. Whether you’re keen to see the big five on safari – leopard, lion, buffalo, rhino and elephant – perhaps take the leisurely boat cruise upstream to stunning Murchison Falls, or spend your afternoon sitting quietly at Murchison River Lodge with a pair of binoculars watching the wildlife…..it’s great to know that the choice is undeniably yours.
Game Drives
Murchison Falls National Park is home to Africa’s best-known plains animals including lion, giraffe, elephant, buffalo, the elusive leopard, and varied antelope including hartebeest and Ugandan kob. The number of animals found in the park has risen greatly since the days of Idi Amin and large herds of giraffe and elephant can often be found grazing the savanna lands close to the Delta, across from the Blue Mountains of the Congo. Early morning and late afternoon game drives are recommended. Please see below for information about safari vehicles.
Night Game Drives (Southern Sector Only)
Night drives are restricted to the southern sector of the park. These are operated by Uganda Wildlife Authority or approved guides using spotlight-equipped safari vehicles.
Departures typically begin at 7:30 PM and last two to three hours. Common species observed include spotted hyena, genet, bushbaby, civet, and, occasionally, leopard. Nocturnal birds like nightjars and owls are also encountered.
Night drives are not permitted in the northern sector due to high animal density and risk of vehicle-wildlife conflict.
Participation requires prior booking. Group size is usually capped at 6 to 8 people. Guests are required to remain seated throughout the drive to prevent disturbance or misidentification of animals.
Spotlights are controlled by the guide only; personal torches are prohibited.
Boat Launch to Murchison Falls
Wild Frontiers run a professional 2-3 hour boat cruise to the base of Murchison Falls. The boat departs in the afternoon at 2:30pm and travels at a gentle pace along the River Nile giving you plenty of opportunity to take photos and study the wildlife often found grazing and wallowing at the water’s edge. Large pods of hippos and crocodiles congregate en-mass around the Falls and the birdlife found in this area is breathtaking. The boat will remain close to the Falls for photos and for anyone wishing to walk to the top of the Falls, this is your exit point.
To book seats on the boat please contact Wild Frontiers +256 (0) 773897275
The UWA (Uganda Wildlife Authority) also offer a launch trip to the Falls – their information line is +256 (0) 392881348
Boat Cruise to the Delta
This beautiful 3-4 hour launch trip is simply worth doing not only for the different and contrasting scenery, but because your chances of seeing the infamous shoebill stork in their papyrus habitat are very high. To add to the relaxing nature of the 20km downstream cruise you can be collected and dropped off at Murchison River Lodge. Wild Frontier’s operate these trips and can be contacted for bookings on +256 (0) 773897275
Top of Murchison Falls
A safari to Murchison wouldn’t be complete without visiting the top of the magnificent Falls. From the rocky pathway you can stand and watch the River Nile surge through a 7mtr wide gap before crashing 43mtr into the surf below, after which it flows on towards Lake Albert. There are a few walking trails around here, the main one takes you down a winding path and along the tree covered water’s edge (this can be done in reverse should you wish to do so from the boat launch). We would encourage you to use a guide for any walks in the area.
Bird Watching
Uganda is one of the world’s best bird-watching destinations and even non-birder’s will be captivated by the incredible beauty and staggering amount of birdlife found within Murchison Falls National Park. The bird check list of around 450 includes the ground hornbill, secretary birds, black bellied busted, open billed storks and weavers. Closer the water you will find swallow tailed bee-eater, red throated bee-eater, woodland king fisher, francolins, grey heron, hornbills and at the water’s edge ducks, geese, stilts and plovers. Of course the shoebill stork is a favourite within the papyrus swamp area around the Delta.
Chimpanzee Tracking
Kaniyo Pabidi Forest is 268 squared km and is the second largest of the four forest blocks within the Budongo Forest Reserve. It is a magnificent forest and due to never having been logged it contains a high proportion of large buttreessed mahogany and ironwood trees. The Budongo forest is famous for it’s chimpanzees (between 700-800) and treks can be arranged at Kaniyo Pabidi where 6 groups have been habituated, increasing your chance of a close encounter along one of the many guided trails. Other primates present in the area – black & white colobus, blue monkey and baboons.
Community Walk
Being outside of the national park means it’s possible to take a guided walk around the local community. Your guide will be one of our staff members, passionate to show you their village, home and way of life and happy to answer any questions you may have. This gentle walk is anything from 2-3 hrs in length and can easily be arranged whilst you’re at the lodge. All donations made from the walk will go back to the community. Please always remember to ask before taking photos within the village and to dress modestly.
Fishing
The River Nile is famous for it’s fishing, particularly the enormous Nile Perch – 70-80kg fish are not uncommon. The are several experienced guides and boats for individuals or groups who are keen to fish these exciting waters. If you are patient, you can catch some really huge Nile Perch at the foot of the falls.
Rhino Tracking at Ziwa
he last of the ‘big 5′ (the incredible rhino) can be found in Uganda, at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary . This wonderful 70 squared km sanctuary now boasts 10 rhinos and the amazing work that has been achieved by all those involved in bringing the rhino’s back into Uganda (due to extreme poaching the last rhino was killed in 1982) can be enjoyed at Ziwa. We recommend the guided and informative rhino walk which often gets you up close and personal to these magnificent animals.
For more details and bookings please contact +256 (0) 772713410
Hot Air Balloon Safaris
Hot air balloon flights are operated under Uganda Wildlife Authority licensing. Launches occur from the northern sector, near the Paraa airstrip, and begin before sunrise.
The flight lasts approximately 45 to 60 minutes, depending on wind conditions. The balloon ascends above the savannah, riverbank, and escarpment edges. Post-flight bush breakfast is included.
Flights are weather-dependent and often limited to the dry season: December to February and June to August. Strong winds or low visibility will cancel flights without refund unless the cancellation is operator-initiated.
Passengers must be at least six years old. Pregnant persons and those with mobility challenges may be excluded for safety reasons.
Current pricing (2025) averages USD 380 per person. Bookings must be made through authorised agents or selected lodges. Walk-in participation is not permitted.
The other activities include chimpanzee tracking in Budongo Forest, Birding in Budongo and along the Nile river, game drives along the northern sector, Launch Cruise along the mighty Nile river, Spot Fishing on the might Nile river among other activities.