Murchison falls National Park

Located in Northwestern Uganda, Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s oldest and largest national park. Founded in 1952, it was formally called Kabalega National Park, and it acquired this name in the 1970s after Omukama Kabalega of Bunyoro and later changed to Murchison Falls after the downfall of the then President Idi Amin Dada.

It covers an area of 3,893 square kilometers. Its history dates way back to 61 AD, when it is believed that a party of Roman legionaries could have reached the Murchison Falls. Sir Samuel Baker and Florence Baker were the first Europeans to sight the Murchison Falls, after which Samuel Baker named them after Roderick Murchison, the president of the Royal Geographical Society (RGS).

A trip to Murchison Falls is worth it because at the top of the falls you get the opportunity to see the Nile waters forcing their way out of an 8-meter gorge. Murchison Falls National Park is located approximately 310 kilometres from Uganda’s capital city, Kampala. The park boasts over 560 bird species, 55 reptiles, 150 mammals, 51 amphibians, as well as buffaloes and elephants.

Both day and night game drives can be carried out in Murchison Falls. Being the oldest and largest national park in Uganda, a lot of animals can be spotted on game drives, like lions, giraffes, elephants, Uganda kobs, leopards, hyenas, warthogs, bushbucks, otters, and hartebeests. Enjoy a boat cruise to the bottom of the falls as you get to view the magnificent views of the surrounding areas. A visit to the top of the falls is an unforgettable one as you get to see the Nile River squeeze its way through an 8-meter gorge.

Accessibility to Murchison falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park can be accessed by either air or road transport.

Road

From Uganda’s capital, the national park is located in the Northwest and is approximately 310 kilometers. A 4×4 wheel drive or safari van in good shape is in position to take you to this oldest national park.

Air

Both scheduled and chartered fights can be booked in either Kajjansi or Entebbe international airport.