Murchison Falls National Park is the most popular destination for game viewing in Uganda. Located in North Western Uganda, this is a rewarding destination to wildlife seekers taking safaris in Uganda. Here are the most notable wildlife to see in Uganda;
Big 5 mammals
Murchison falls is home to 4 of the big 5. Herds of Elephants, buffaloes and prides of lions are very common on the Buligi game tracks and along the banks of the Nile while the elusive leopard tends to hide in thickets. If you miss to spot one during a day game drive, you can hope to see a leopard with a night game drive.
However one of the best reasons to visit Murchison falls is that you can track southern rhinos at Ziwa Rhino sanctuary home 24 rhinos which are breeding in captivity.
Other large mammals in Murchison Falls National Park include Uganda kob, the national animal of Uganda, spotted hyena, Rothschild’s giraffe, zebra, Jackson’s hartebeest, eland, Topi, bushbucks, waterbucks, reedbuck, Oribi, and duiker. Among the small mammals in Murchison you can spot warthogs, Patas monkeys, honey badger, serval cat, wild cat.
Game drives are done in the morning and in the afternoon. Night game drives are possible allowing to spot nocturnal animals in Murchison.
The best time of the year for game viewing is during the dry season from December to March and June to July. This is when you are likely to spot the big five mammals as animals spend much time around the banks of the Nile. The rainy season is good but not excellent for viewing wildlife in Murchison from June to November. However this is a green season, as the savannah turns into lush green creating beautiful photographic scenery.
The Rhinos of Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
If you want to spot the big 5 mammals, don’t miss the chance to visit Ziwa rhino sanctuary during your travel to Murchison Falls National park. As with any safari to Murchison Falls National park, it is vital to stop at Ziwa rhino sanctuary located in Nakasongora district just a few minutes off the main route to the park. You embark on the guided rhino tracking on foot with a ranger and spot the endangered rhinos. When the rhino numbers increase, Murchison falls will have rhinos reintroduced back nearly after 30 years of when they became locally extinct.
Birds in Murchison falls national park
Murchison is home to 451 species of birds. The Nile and Albert Nile delta wetlands attract migratory birds between April and October. The special birds of Murchison include shoebill stork, kori bustard the heaviest flying bird. The shoebill is always searched out by motorized boat rides in the Nile-Albert delta swamps. Best birding spot is the Nile which you explore comfortably in the launch trip. Keep your eyes out for African fish eagles, giant king fisher, lilac breasted rollers.
Primates
The rainforest block of Budongo Forest (approximately 825 km²) lies on the southern edge of Murchison Falls National Park and supports one of East Africa’s largest populations of the eastern chimpanzee. Researchers estimate between 600 and 700 chimpanzees inhabit the forest. Other primate species include the black-and-white colobus, red-tailed monkey, olive baboon, and blue monkey.
Elevation in Budongo averages 1,100 metres. Annual rainfall ranges between 1,200 and 2,200 mm.
Chimpanzees in Budongo forest reserve
While in Murchison falls, you can take a chimpanzee tracking tour at Budongo forest reserve home to about 600 chimpanzees. You can encounter the habituated troop of chimpanzees and spend one hour with them in the forest. Budongo forest is located in southern part of Murchison Falls National Park. Over 200 birds and other primates such as colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys.
Tracking Logistics and Visitor Protocol
Chimpanzee tracking takes place at ecotourism nodes such as Kaniyo‑Pabidi and Busingiro.
Permit numbers are limited; visitors may spend up to one hour observing a habituated group once found.
The typical trek duration is 2 to 4 hours on foot, though animals may relocate; physical fitness and an early start are recommended.
Essential tracking guidelines: remain with the ranger at all times, maintain a safe distance (approximately 8 metres), do not feed animals, and avoid intense colours or loud behaviour.
The chimpanzee population has been subject to extensive research since the 1960s.
Habituation of select groups enables viewing under controlled conditions while minimising stress on animals.
The presence of these primates adds a distinct dimension to the park’s offerings—careful management is required to ensure longevity.
Predators and Behavioural Ecology
The park supports a stable population of lions, estimated at 150-200 individuals. These apex predators organise into territorial prides, mainly distributed across the Buligi and Pakuba sectors.
Lion activity peaks at dawn and dusk. During the day, they rest under scattered trees or use the riverbank thickets for shade and concealment.
Spotted hyenas are widely distributed but especially active in woodland-grassland interfaces. Their vocalisations are often heard near campsites at night, although sightings are more frequent around carcass sites or shortly after sunrise.
Leopards, in contrast, are less predictable. They use drainage lines, dense shrub, and fallen logs for cover and ambush, best spotted during twilight hours near the treeline.
Predator-prey dynamics are evident in carcass locations, trailing behaviour, and avoidance strategies among herbivores.
Viewing Logistics and Conservation Considerations
The primary game-drive network lies north of the Victoria Nile, particularly in the Buligi, Queen’s, and Albert tracks.
These routes intersect major wildlife corridors and allow high visibility of most target species. During the dry months (December to February and June to September), water scarcity draws animals to river-adjacent areas, thereby increasing game-viewing success.
Game drives beginning around 6:30 am or between 4:30 and 6:00 pm yield the highest sighting probability. Midday hours are associated with reduced activity due to high temperatures and limited movement.
Conclusion
Murchison falls is a wilderness with some of the great wildlife viewing you can experience and it is not crowded with tourists. A minimum of 4 days recommended for a complete safari to Murchison Falls National Park.