Murchison Falls National Park fees
The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) publishes the tariff for the park. The current Conservation Tariff runs from July 2024 to December 2026. The fee for an adult foreign non-resident is $45 a day, $35 for a foreign resident and UGX 25,000 for a citizen of an East African Community state. Everything below follows the tariff, so check the current amount before you book. On a tour, ask whether permits and park fees are included.
Entry, vehicles and activities are separate items. Entry lasts 24 hours from the time you enter, and staying longer counts as another day. If you plan a Murchison Falls boat cruise or game drives, add them to the entry fee.
Our pick: a safari with park entry included
This three-day trip lists the park entries as included, so the main cost is covered in one price.
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.
Murchison Falls tours with park fees explained
Safaris, boat trips and tours to the park, with live prices and availability.
Entry fees per person
Prices in 2026. FNR means foreign non-resident, FR foreign resident, ROA rest of Africa, EAC East African Community citizen.
| Visitor | FNR | FR | ROA | EAC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | $45 | $35 | $30 | UGX 25,000 |
| Child, 5 to 15 years | $25 | $15 | $10 | UGX 10,000 |
| Under 5 | Free | Free | Free | Free |
| Ugandan school groups | – | – | – | UGX 3,000 |
| Universities and tertiary institutions | – | – | – | UGX 5,000 |
Your status must be shown with valid documents. Living in East Africa does not make you an EAC citizen. Citizenship does.
Vehicle fees
Per 24 hours, including the Murchison Falls surcharge of $10 for foreign-registered and UGX 10,000 for Ugandan-registered vehicles.
| Vehicle | Uganda-registered | Foreign-registered |
|---|---|---|
| Saloon car | UGX 30,000 | $50 |
| Minibus or pick-up | UGX 40,000 | $60 |
| Tour company vehicle or 4x4 | UGX 40,000 | $160 |
| Overlander | UGX 110,000 | $160 |
| Bus or truck | UGX 210,000 | $210 |
The tariff makes an exception for visitor vehicles of concessionaires, who pay once per park visit. Motorcycles and certain goods vehicles are generally not allowed in the park.
Activity fees
Charged per person unless stated otherwise. There is no general child discount for activities.
| Activity | FNR | FR | ROA | EAC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UWA launch trip | $30 | $25 | $20 | UGX 30,000 |
| Top of Falls Hike | $15 | $10 | – | UGX 10,000 |
| Viewing Top of the Falls | $10 | $10 | – | UGX 10,000 |
| Guided nature or bird walk | $25 | $20 | – | UGX 20,000 |
Game drives are priced separately: a ranger in your own vehicle is $25 per guide for foreign non-residents, and a self game drive is $10 per vehicle per day. See the safari page for all options. Sport fishing needs its own permit. Rafting is limited to professional rafters booked in advance.
For most visitors, a realistic budget is entry per person, one vehicle fee and one or two activities. Add them from the tables above rather than relying on a single day price.
Uganda Wildlife Authority: how to pay
Paying the park fees.
UWA manages Uganda's national parks and sets the tariff. You can pay at the reservations office or at the park gate. Payment methods include mobile money, card payment (POS), bank transfer and an online payment portal. Prices are quoted in US dollars or Ugandan shillings. You do not have to pay everything in cash dollars, but confirm the payment method before you arrive, because card machines and mobile networks are not equally reliable everywhere.
For reservations, write to reservations@wildlife.go.ug or call +256 414 355000. Keep your receipts, as you may be asked to show them. The park gates are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and the speed limit is 40 km/h.
For activities that depend on the park, such as a falls hike, read the Top of the Falls page. For a game drive in a similar Ugandan park, the neighbouring guide to Queen Elizabeth National Park fees lists that tariff.
Murchison Falls park fees: frequently asked questions
How much is the entrance fee for Murchison Falls?
An adult pays $45 as a foreign non-resident, $35 as a foreign resident, $30 if from the rest of Africa and UGX 25,000 as an East African Community citizen. Children aged 5 to 15 pay $25, $15, $10 or UGX 10,000 in the same order.
Is the entry valid for a whole day?
Entry runs for 24 hours from the time you enter. If you stay beyond that, it counts as another day.
Do I pay the vehicle fee as well?
Yes, if you bring a vehicle. The fee depends on the vehicle type and registration and covers 24 hours. The tables above show the amounts.
Are fees included in a tour?
That depends on the tour. Ask whether entry, the vehicle fee and the activities are included, and get the answer in writing.
Can I pay by card?
Card payment is possible, along with mobile money, bank transfer and an online portal. Confirm what works at your gate or office before you travel.
Is this the official fee page?
No. This is an independent travel guide without any link to the authority. For binding amounts, check the current tariff with UWA or the company you book with.