One of Uganda’s oldest conservation areas, Murchison Falls National Park sits in the northwestern region of Uganda near the peaceful shores of Lake Albert. The park is bisected by the Victoria Nile, which winds its way through the park and gives life and prosperity to the diversity of wildlife making its home in this rugged environment. Murchison Falls National Park derives its name from its own Murchison Falls waterfall where the mighty River Nile explodes through a narrow gorge to become a placid river whose banks are thronged with hippos, crocodiles, waterbucks and buffaloes, all of which are best experienced during a Murchison Falls safari.

Once home to one of the largest concentrations of wildlife in Africa, Murchison Falls National Park in Uganda is still recovering from a devastating poaching epidemic that wiped out almost all of its wildlife in the 1990s. So while its game quantities are not quite what they used to be, there are still plenteous elephant, Rothschild giraffe, lion, leopard, Ugandan kob, waterbuck, chimpanzee, buffalo, and many bird species to be found within its boundaries.

One of the highlights of a visit to Murchison Falls National Park is a boating excursion from Paraa to the foot of spectacular Murchison Falls. Paraa—a word from the local Luo language meaning “the place of hippos”—is among the most prominent attractions as it supports the largest wildlife concentration in the park. Hippos and crocodiles are abundant, as are herons, cormorants, ducks, bee-eaters, fish eagles, kingfishers, and sometimes the rare shoebill. Early game drives also offer up plenty of game viewing on the Buligi, Albert, and Queen’s tracks north of the Nile, and the Nyamusika Cliffs provide striking views of the elephants and savannah herds wandering on the grassy hillsides in the cool morning air. Murchison Falls National Park is one of the rare areas in Uganda where guests can explore the wild on foot, observing the animals, birds, and plants up close within Rabongo Forest and at the top of the falls.

Though the wildlife of Murchison Falls National Park is still recovering, a Murchison Falls safari in this remarkable park does not disappoint with its powerful falls and enchanting setting. Contact Ker & Downey to incorporate Murchison Falls National Park in Uganda into your next luxury Uganda safari.