National park · Uganda

Murchison Falls National Park

Visit Murchison Falls: check the current entry fee on the UWA website (likely USh 30 000–35 000 per adult, but confirm for foreign visitors), drive a 4WD to the park gate, and choose a short boat cruise to the falls in the dry season or a full‑day game drive in the wet season; avoid the rainy months Apr‑May and Aug‑Oct for better roads.

Not field-verified

Source checked: A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
Field checked: Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
Plan calculated: Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.

Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify

Some areas permit-onlyChecked Sep 2026

Map to the park

Google Maps Apple Maps Street View

Directions

From where I am

Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.

Area

3,840 km² (1,483 sq mi)1,483 sq mi (3,840 km²)

approximate

Established

1952

Best months

Jun–Jul

UNESCO

None

Rules in force · 12Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a mult…

Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
East Africa ↗Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a multi-country trip: Uganda and Burundi check it for all arrivals, and a stop in Kenya or Ethiopia makes the next border ask for it.
East Africa ↗Advice for Ethiopia, Somaliland, Eritrea, Somalia, South Sudan and the Congo border areas can change within days; read your government's page the week you fly and before every regional flight.
East Africa ↗Price park, reserve and permit fees before comparing lodges: they are charged per person per day, often with VAT, and are fixed whatever bed you choose.
Uganda ↗Get the Uganda e-visa or East Africa Tourist Visa on the official immigration portal before flying, and carry a yellow fever certificate: Uganda asks all arriving travellers for one.
Uganda ↗Book a travel-clinic visit several weeks ahead for malaria prevention, and check current outbreak notices: Ebola and Marburg outbreaks have occurred in the region, most recently in 2026.
Uganda ↗Book gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permits before you fix dates; the lodge booking follows the permit, not the other way round.
Uganda ↗Domestic light aircraft to the parks have strict baggage limits, usually soft-sided bags only and a low total weight (often around 15 kg); confirm the limit with your operator.
Northern Uganda ↗4WD is the practical choice for Kidepo and Ajai; diesel preferred and carry spare tyres — check the vehicle before you leave.
Northern Uganda ↗Malaria is more prevalent here than in the south; nets and prophylaxis advised.
Northern Uganda ↗A home-country driving licence is usually accepted — check with your rental company.

At a glance

Country: Uganda
Area: 3,840 km² (1,483 sq mi)1,483 sq mi (3,840 km²); Area includes the main savanna, riverine zones and the Nile corridor; figures may vary slightly (check).
Established: 1952
Best months: Jun–Jul
Permits: For some areas

Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda's largest protected area, combines a dramatic 45 m waterfall where the Nile squeezes through a 7 m gorge with extensive savanna, riverine woodlands and abundant wildlife, making it a focal point for game drives, boat cruises and birding.

Decide

Why go, which months, and what lives here when

At a glance

Status

No UNESCO listing; national park since 1952.

Size and age

3,840 km² (1,483 sq mi)1,483 sq mi (3,840 km²) · national park since 1952

Area includes the main savanna, riverine zones and the Nile corridor; figures may vary slightly (check).

Why go

Spectacular 45 m waterfall where the Nile squeezes through a 7 m gorge.
Large herds of elephants, buffalo, giraffe and lions on the savanna plains.
Boat cruises on the Nile to see hippos, crocodiles and abundant birdlife.

When to go

12-month verdict

JanGo
FebGo
MarGo
AprCaution
MayCaution
JunBest
JulBest
AugCaution
SepCaution
OctCaution
NovGo
DecGo

JanDry, good roads
FebDry, wildlife concentrated
MarDry, warm
AprShort rains; tracks can be muddy
MayRainy, roads can be muddy
JunDry, cooler evenings
JulDry, good game viewing
AugRain peaks, some tracks muddy
SepRainy, but fewer tourists
OctVariable rain; tracks may be muddy
NovDry, pleasant
DecDry, cooler

Wildlife and nature calendar

Seasons shift by weeks each year

Wildlife and nature calendar for Murchison Falls National Park
What	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Elephant, lion, buffalo, giraffe, waterbuckAll year	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes
ShoebillMar–Oct · Best on Delta cruises.	no	no	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	no	no
Hippo, Nile crocodileAll year	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes

Arrive & move

Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are

Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map

How to get there

From Kampala

Bus to Masindi (≈ 15 000 UGX), then 4WD hire or tour to park gate (≈ US$100 one‑way).

6–8 h

Open the page →

From Entebbe (Entebbe Intl)

Fly to Arua or Pakuba airstrip, then 4WD transfer to park.

≈ 2 h flight + 1 h road

Open the page →

Zones and sectors

Zones of Murchison Falls National Park
Zone	What is there	Access
Kichwamba Gate	Main entry, visitor centre, parking, ticket office.	Open with entry ticket.
Paraa area	Lodges, boat launch, short walk to the falls viewpoint.	Open; boat trips need separate fee.
Buligi circuit	Game‑drive loop through savanna and riverine woodlands.	Guided drives from lodges or self‑drive with 4WD.

Sketch map

Approximate — not for navigation

Coordinates are approximate centre of the park.

1Kichwamba Gate · Gate≈2.367, 31.817Map ↗
2Paraa Falls viewpoint · Viewpoint≈2.380, 31.830Map ↗
3Buligi circuit trailhead · Trail≈2.400, 31.850Map ↗

Take the points offline

GPX waypoints · approximate

3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.

Coordinates are approximate centre of the park.

See & do

Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking

Show Top experiencesHide

Top experiences

Boat tripsEasy2–3 hBoat cruise to Murchison Falls baseBest in dry months; watch hippos and crocodiles at the plunge pool.

TrailsModerateFull dayBuligi circuit game driveSpot lions, elephants, giraffe and the endangered Rothschild’s giraffe across savanna and riverine woodlands.

TrailsModeratecheckRabonga Forest chimp trekGuided walk in the southeast forest block to observe chimpanzees and other primates; booking details and access via park headquarters (check).

Practical

Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong

Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related

Entry fees and permits

UGX ranges · check

Fees for Murchison Falls National Park
Item	Range	Per	Note
Park entry (adult, foreign visitor)	Free	person	Check UWA’s current tariff; the amount depends on visitor category (check).
Boat cruise to falls base	Free	person	Check availability and price at the park (check).

Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.

Park entry permit or guide

Ticket at the main gate (Kichwamba or Pakwach entry points)

Park rules

Drones, guides, camping and more

Guides: Required for boat cruises and any off‑road game drives.
Camping: Only in designated campsites or with ranger permission; wild camping needs permit.
Fire: Open fires prohibited outside designated areas.

Where to stay

Near the park

Paraa Lodge

Mid‑range lodge with restaurant, pool and boat launch.

Near the park

River Lodge

Budget lodge with tents and self‑catering facilities.

Safety

Road conditions medium

Use 4WD, keep speed ≤ 40 km/h (25 mph), carry spare tire.

Hippo encounters high

Stay on marked boat routes, keep distance from water’s edge.

How much daylight do you have?

computed for this spot

Date

Time out

Finding the local time zone…

Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.

Accessibility

Main gate and visitor centre reachable by car; short walks are level.
Boat cruise involves boarding steps; not suitable for limited mobility.

Visiting lightly

Choose lodges that support community projects and employ local staff.
Avoid single‑use plastic; bring reusable water bottle.

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to enter Murchison Falls National Park?

Check the UWA website for current entry fees; they vary by visitor category (foreign, resident, citizen).

What are the best hikes in Murchison Falls National Park?

The Buligi game‑drive circuit (≈ 80 km) and the short walk from Paraa to the falls viewpoint are the main routes; both are best in the dry months.

When is the best time to visit Murchison Falls National Park?

Dry season (June–September and December–March) offers good roads and concentrated wildlife; the short rains (April–May, August–October) bring fewer tourists but can make tracks muddy.

Can I camp inside the park?

Yes, at designated campsites with a ranger permit, or at Red Chili Rest Camp (check current rates).

Do I need a guide for a boat cruise?

Guides are mandatory for all boat trips on the Nile within the park.

Deep dive

Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go

Show the detailsHide

Sources

Ask about Murchison Falls National Park

Loading…

Was this useful?