Murchison Falls National Park

Wildlife in Murchison Falls National Park

Animals

Murchison Falls NP hosts 76 mammal species—including four of the Big Five. For a complete Big Five checklist, add a stop at the Rhino Sanctuary en route.

• Common sightings: elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, warthogs, hartebeests, oribi.
• Best chance for lions & leopards: early morning game drives before temperatures rise.
• Primates include baboons, patas monkeys, blue monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and black-and-white colobus monkeys.
• Chimpanzees can be found in Kaniyo Pabidi (Budongo Forest section).

Birds

Murchison Falls National Park has over 450 bird species thanks to its diverse habitats—forests, swamps, riverine woodland, savanna and acacia trees. Boat trips toward the falls or the delta are excellent for waterbirds.

Species include the elusive Shoebill, Swamp flycatcher, Papyrus gonolek, Goliath heron, Abyssinian ground hornbill, Northern red bishop, Squacco heron, Red-throated bee-eater, and African quail-finch (among many others).

Safaris and Activities

Game Drives

Uganda Wildlife Authority has demarcated tracks on the northern bank of the Nile. Game drives are typically done in custom safari vehicles with pop-up roofs for easy viewing and photography.

Drives can take 4 hours to a full day depending on your schedule and interests. Expect wildlife like giraffes, Uganda kobs, elephants, buffaloes, and (with luck) lions and leopards.

Boat Safaris on the Nile (Launch Trips)

Boat safaris run along the Victoria Nile toward the falls, offering close views of hippos, crocodiles, monitor lizards, and animals coming to drink—especially elephants and buffalo.

Trips commonly run twice daily (about 9am and 2pm), and private boats can be arranged. For birders, the boat ride to the delta is recommended for possible Shoebill sightings.

Chimpanzee Tracking (Kaniyo Pabidi, Budongo Forest)

Kaniyo Pabidi is a Budongo Forest section within Murchison’s boundaries. Chimp treks typically take 3–4 hours depending on where chimps nested the previous night. Once found, you can spend up to one hour observing them.

A full-day chimp habituation experience is also available and must be booked in advance.

Sport Fishing

Sport fishing is allowed on the Nile after obtaining a permit from Uganda Wildlife Authority. The waters below the falls are famous for Nile perch (recorded catches up to 108kg). Fishing is restricted to designated sites and requires prior booking; bring your own equipment.

Birdwatching

With 450+ species, birding can be enjoyed on game drives, boat trips, and guided nature walks. Expect savanna birds, forest birds, and waterbirds—especially near the river and delta.

• Highlights: open-billed stork, Red-throated bee-eaters (cliff nests), kingfishers, herons, egrets.
• On drives: Abyssinian ground hornbill, bishops, and many raptors.

Nature and Forest Walks

Nature walks are commonly done in Kaniyo Pabidi and Rabongo forest for primates and birds. Another must-do is the hike to the top of Murchison Falls after the boat trip—watch the Nile squeeze through the gorge and thunder into the cauldron below. The hike usually takes 45 minutes to 1.5 hours.

Community Walks and Cultural Experiences

Visit the Boomu Women’s Group just outside the park for a meaningful cultural encounter—village tours, farming life, blacksmith demonstrations, basket weaving, cooking, and visits to a local school. You can stop for a few hours or stay overnight.

• Great add-on before entering the park or on your way back to Kampala.
• Activities can be adjusted depending on your time.

Accessing Murchison Falls National Park

You can access the park via scheduled/chartered flights from Entebbe International Airport or by road from Kampala (approximately 5 hours). Entry gates exist in the south (via Masindi / Fort Portal routes) and in the north (via Karuma / Gulu / Kidepo routes).