Murchison Falls Holidays

Murchison Falls National Park is more than just an add-on to your Uganda itinerary, it’s a complete holiday destination in itself. Book your chimpanzee encounter before you arrive and choose a lodge which offers game drives then use the rest of your time to enjoy the many attractions on your doorstep. Cruise on the river Nile, see the park’s powerful namesake waterfalls and join a guided nature walk to explore the diverse terrain surrounded by monkeys and birds.

Track rare rhinoceroses on foot at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, cast a line into the Nile for perch, tiger fish and tilapia, or mingle with locals on a Boomu Village tour and stopover. When you’re all adventured out, retire to your luxury lodge for time by the pool, a meal under the stars, and perhaps even a well-earned massage.

At the middle of Murchison Falls National Park, the world’s longest river squeezes through a seven-metre gap in the rocks and tumbles 40 metres to create the planet’s most powerful waterfall. You’ll hear the thunder-like rumble of this dramatic feature before you see it but witnessing the cascade up close is a highlight of any trip to Uganda. See rainbows in the mist as you watch the plummeting water from above, or board a boat cruise from downriver and float right into the bubbling waters below.

Cruises come with the hidden extra of passing through some of Africa’s most concentrated populations of hippos and crocodiles while antelope, buffaloes, and elephants can be seen among the waterbirds along the banks. While on the Nile, cruises to Lake Albert are a great way to explore the park while the gentler Karuma Falls upriver are a wildlife oasis.

Kibale Forest might have become the go-to place for Chimpanzee viewing in Uganda but, if you’re looking for an all-round wildlife experience, Murchison Falls National Park offers amazing primate encounters in a true African game reserve. Hundreds of chimps live in the Budongo and Kaniyo Pabidi forests and early morning tours give you a chance to track and spend time close to these incredible creatures.

For something truly special, longer habituation experiences are often available. Also in the forest are baboons, colobuses, monkeys, and hundreds of bird species while game drives on the open savannah are an excellent chance to see lions, leopards, hyenas, buffalo, giraffes, elephants and more. If you’re not squeamish, cobras, mambos, and pythons can also be found among other reptiles such as monitor lizards. For an elevated adventure, Murchison Falls is one of the only parks in Uganda to offer hot air balloon safaris.

With all-year chimpanzee trekking and excellent game viewing throughout every season, it’s always a great time to visit Murchison Falls National Park. If you’re comfortable in the heat, which can often exceed 30°C, the dry period from December to February is an excellent time to arrive with low rainfall, easy animal spotting, sunny days, and reduced malaria risk.

The second dry period in June and July is cooler but coincides with peak holiday season so crowds are higher. March to May and August to November are officially wet seasons in Murchison Falls but downpours tend to be short and heavy leaving you plenty of time to enjoy outdoor activities while the park is at its most lush and green.