Murchison Falls National Park at a glance
Murchison Falls Uganda is two things at once: a waterfall and the country's largest national park. The park sits in the north-west, at the northern end of the Albertine Rift. The Victoria Nile crosses it from east to west, drops over the falls and runs on into the delta at Lake Albert. North of the river the land is mostly open savanna. South of it you find more forest and woodland.
The park covers 3,840 km² and has had national park status since 1952. The wider Murchison Falls Conservation Area, which also includes the Bugungu and Karuma wildlife reserves, comes to about 5,300 km². Most visitors come for three things: game drives in the savanna, the boat trip on the Nile and the walk to the top of the falls.
What this guide covers
Everything you need to plan the park, page by page.
You can book a Murchison Falls safari, a Nile boat trip or a tour from Kampala from the cards below. The guide explains what each option involves, how long the road takes and what the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) charges. Prices are 2026 prices. They change, so check the current amount before you book, and check whether a tour includes the permit and the park fees.
Our picks: Murchison Falls tours
The three-day trip with cottages is a solid first visit: game drives, the falls and the boat in one go. Add chimpanzee tracking with the four-day route, or take the one-day boat trip if you only have a day, which means a very early start. The three-day tour without accommodation works only if you book your own nights.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
4-day Murchison Falls safari with chimp trek and rhinos
- Chimpanzee tracking permit
- Ziwa rhino tracking
- Park fees and boat safaris
A private 4x4 over three nights, with airport transfers and meals as listed. Chimpanzees are tracked in Budongo, so a sighting cannot be promised.
Check availability →
3-day safari with Ziwa rhino walk and Murchison Falls
- Park entry
- Ziwa rhino walking safari
- Game drives and Nile boat
Two nights, a 4x4 safari vehicle and meals as per the itinerary, in a small group of up to eight.
Check availability →
3-day Murchison Falls safari with chimp trekking in Budongo
- Park entries
- Budongo chimpanzee trekking
- Two nights in a mid-range lodge
The days also take in the Top of the Falls trek, a game drive and the Nile boat. Ask whether the chimpanzee permit is included before you book.
Check availability →
3-day Murchison Falls safari from Kampala
- Park fees
- Two nights in cottages with bath
- Three game drives
An English-speaking guide with breakfast, lunch and dinner as listed. The itinerary adds the Top of the Falls and a Nile boat on day two; ask whether the boat is included before you book.
Check availability →
3-day Murchison Falls and Ziwa rhino tour without accommodation
- Murchison entry fee
- Ziwa rhino tracking fee
- Pickup and drop-off
Accommodation is not part of the price, so book your own nights near the park.
Check availability →
Murchison Falls in one day with a Nile boat cruise
- Game drive and boat cruise
- Top of the Falls
- Lunch
A long day with a very early start, pickup and return included. Ask whether park fees are included before you book.
Check availability →Murchison Falls tours, safaris and boat trips
Safaris from Kampala, Nile boat trips and multi-day tours, with live prices and availability.
Uganda safari: where Murchison Falls fits
One park out of several, each with its own character.
A Uganda safari usually combines several parks. Murchison Falls is the one with the waterfall, the Nile boat trip and open savanna with elephants, buffalo, Rothschild's giraffes (also called Nubian giraffes) and Uganda kob. The park suits classic game drives. Gorilla trekking happens elsewhere: the permits and sectors are covered by the Bwindi gorilla trekking guide. Chimpanzees can be tracked at Budongo Forest in this region, and the Kibale forest has its own trekking, described in the Kibale chimpanzee guide.
If you are planning a longer trip through Uganda's national parks, the other guides in the network are listed further down this page. Rafting and the source of the Nile around Jinja are covered by the Jinja guide. Rafting is not an option on the Murchison stretch: the tariff restricts it to professional rafters booked in advance.
Explore the Murchison Falls guide
One page for each part of the trip.
Safaris and game drives
Ranger-guided and self-drive options, night drives and what each costs.
Tours from Kampala
Two and three day trips, and why a day trip is a long drive.
Nile boat cruises
Upstream to the falls and downstream into the delta.
Top of the Falls
The hike, the viewpoint and the Uhuru Falls.
Park fees
Entry, vehicles and activities, and how to pay.
Wildlife
Elephants, giraffes, lions, hippos and more.
Shoebill
Where to look for this bird in the delta.
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Rhino trekking on the road from Kampala.
Budongo Forest
Chimpanzee tracking and birding walks.
Lake Albert
Shores, fishing and the Nile delta.
Masindi
The gateway town on the southern route.
Weather and best time
Dry and rainy months at a glance.
Lodges and accommodation
Which side of the Nile to sleep on.
Getting there
By road, by air and from Entebbe airport.
History
Samuel Baker, Hemingway and the park's recovery.
A few things to know before you go
Details that save you time and money on the way.
The tariff comes in parts
Entry per person, the vehicle fee and each activity are charged separately. Entry covers 24 hours from the time you enter. The current UWA tariff runs from July 2024 to December 2026. Check the current amount before you book; on a tour, ask what is included.
Park fees →Rhinos live at Ziwa
Rhino trekking takes place at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary on the road north from Kampala, not inside the park. Plan 1.5 to 2.5 hours there.
Ziwa guide →The falls in numbers
The river squeezes through a gorge about 7 to 8 m wide and drops about 43 to 45 m. Treat the figures as close estimates.
Top of the Falls →The crossing at Paraa
Paraa is the hub for river trips, and a vehicle bridge links the two banks. Ask your lodge or driver about the road conditions on your day before you plan a tight schedule.
Masindi and Paraa →Entry and health rules in 2026
A yellow fever certificate is no longer a general entry requirement for Uganda, and travellers fill in a traveller locator form. A tourist visa costs $50 for a single entry of up to 3 months; the East African Tourist Visa costs $100 for 90 days. Rules change, so check them before you fly.
Oil work around the park
Oil development is under way in the area. One drilling rig stands inside the park and others lie south of the Victoria Nile, with construction continuing. Safaris and boat trips run as usual.
Lake Albert →More independent Uganda guides
Separate guides from the same team.
Jinja
The source of the Nile, rafting, boat trips and Lake Victoria at Jinja.
Kalangala
The Ssese Islands on Lake Victoria: Bugala, Banda, ferries and quiet beaches.
Bwindi
Gorilla trekking, permits, the four sectors and Lake Bunyonyi in southwest Uganda.
Queen Elizabeth
Game drives, the Kazinga Channel, Ishasha's tree climbing lions and the Rwenzori.
Kibale
Chimpanzee trekking, Bigodi, the crater lakes and Fort Portal.
Lake Mburo
Zebras, boat trips and horseback safaris between Kampala and Bwindi.
Kidepo Valley
Remote savanna safaris in the Narus Valley, cheetahs, ostriches and Karamoja in the far northeast.
Murchison Falls: frequently asked questions
Where is Murchison Falls and how far is it from Kampala?
The park is in north-west Uganda. The distance from Kampala is about 305 km. The drive to the south gate takes 4 to 5 hours, and many lodges are another 1 to 2 hours beyond the gate. Plan the road as part of the trip, not as a small extra.
How much is entry to Murchison Falls National Park?
An adult pays $45 if foreign non-resident, $35 if foreign resident and UGX 25,000 as a citizen of an East African Community state. Children aged 5 to 15 pay less, and children under 5 enter free. Vehicles and activities cost extra. See the park fees page for the full tables.
Can I do Murchison Falls as a day trip from Kampala?
Technically yes, but only the road to the south gate and back takes 8 to 10 hours, before any game drive or boat trip. Two or three days leave room for the activities. The tours page compares the options.
Do I need a visa for Uganda?
Most visitors do. The tourist visa is applied for online and costs $50 for a single entry of up to 3 months. The East African Tourist Visa for Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda costs $100 and lasts 90 days. Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months. Check the rules for your nationality.
What is the best way to see the falls?
Most visitors see them from the Nile on a boat trip from Paraa, then walk to the top on another day or the same day. The boat page and the Top of the Falls page explain both.
Is murchison-falls.org the official park website?
No. This is an independent travel guide with no connection to the Uganda Wildlife Authority or a tour operator. For fees and permits, always check the current amount with the authority or the company you book with.