Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s oldest and largest conservation area, covering approximately 3,840 square kilometres. Located at the northern end of the Albertine Rift Valley, the park combines broad savannah plains, woodland, riverine forests and the Victoria Nile. At the centre of the destination is Murchison Falls, where the Victoria Nile is forced through a narrow gorge before plunging approximately 45 metres into the Devil’s Cauldron. The surrounding landscape provides striking views of the river and falls, while the Nile continues through the park towards Lake Albert. The northern section is characterised by open savannah, Borassus palms and acacia woodland, while the southern section has more woodland and forest patches. These different habitats support a wide variety of wildlife and create changing scenery throughout a safari. Murchison Falls is approximately 305 kilometres north of Kampala, while visitors can also access the park by scheduled or chartered aircraft, with Pakuba Airfield being a convenient arrival point for the main cluster of camps and lodges around Paraa.

Explore Wildlife, Cruise the Nile and Discover Birdlife

Murchison Falls National Park supports 144 mammal species and 556 bird species, together with a variety of reptiles and amphibians. Wildlife that visitors may encounter includes African elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, hippos and Nile crocodiles. Samton Safaris arrange game drives that provide visitors with opportunities to explore the savannah and look for wildlife in its natural habitat. The northern sector is particularly associated with open savannah and large concentrations of wildlife, while the river provides another important setting for viewing animals. Additionally, Victoria Nile offers a different way to discover the park through boat ride experiences. Visitors can cruise along the river while looking for elephants, giraffes and buffaloes around the banks, as well as hippos, Nile crocodiles and aquatic birds. The river journey also provides views towards Murchison Falls.

Murchison Falls has rich range of habitats with more than 550 recorded bird species making it a suitable destination for birdwatchers. The Albert Delta is an important area for birdwatching and provides opportunities to spot the rare and distinctive shoebill. Other notable species recorded in the park include the white-crested turaco, red-winged grey warbler, African fish eagle, Goliath heron and saddle-billed stork. With Samton Safaris, visitors can also experience the Top of the Falls, where the power of the Nile can be appreciated from above the gorge. The combination of waterfalls, river landscapes, savannah and wildlife makes Murchison Falls a varied destination for photography and nature experiences.

Book your Murchison Falls safari with Samton Safaris and discover the powerful waterfalls, wildlife-rich savannahs and Victoria Nile. Samton Safaris can help arrange a safari experience focused on game drives, the Nile, birdwatching and the park’s major natural attractions.