Murchison Falls animals at a glance
The park covers 3,840 square kilometres in northwest Uganda, and the Victoria Nile cuts through the middle. North of the river the land is mostly open savanna. South of it you find more forest and woodland. That mix is why elephants, buffalo, giraffes, Uganda kob, hippos and Nile crocodiles all turn up in one park. Lions and leopards live in the wider conservation area, and chimpanzees live in Budongo Forest nearby.
Living here is not the same as being seen. Nobody can promise a lion on a given morning, so treat the lists below as good chances rather than a checklist. A guided game drive with a ranger and a boat trip on the Nile are the two usual ways to look for them.
Which animals to expect
The species you have good chances to see, and where they tend to be.
Elephants and buffalo
Both are regular sights on the savanna and along the Nile banks. Buffalo gather in herds, often between the palms.
Uganda kob and waterbuck
Male kob carry curved horns and stand out in the grass. Waterbuck stand at the edge of the bush.
Hippos and crocodiles
Hippos and Nile crocodiles live along the Victoria Nile. Crocodiles rest on sandbanks, so a boat trip is a good place to look.
Lions and leopards
Both live in the area. They are hard to find. Ask your guide where cats were seen in the last days, and ask about night drives, which are for guests who stay in the park.
Chimpanzees
Chimpanzees live in Budongo Forest near the park. Seeing them is a separate forest activity, covered in our Budongo Forest guide.
Birds
The park has about 450 to 556 bird species, depending on how they are counted. The best-known bird is the shoebill.
Mammal counts run from more than 75 to 144 species, also depending on how they are counted. Treat the numbers as the rough size of the list, not as a promise of what you will see.
Our pick: a tour with game drives and tracking
Game drives in the park are combined with rhino and chimpanzee tracking, with the permits and park fees in the 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 safaris and boat trips
Guided game drives and Nile boat trips, the two usual ways to see the animals. Compare what each tour includes before you book.
Rothschild giraffe at Murchison Falls
The giraffes here are Nubian giraffes. They are also called Rothschild's giraffes. That is another name for the same animal, not a second kind living in the park. You will hear both names on a game drive.
In 2023 an estimate put the giraffes on both banks of the Nile at roughly 2,250 together. In July 2026 a move of 12 Nubian giraffes from Murchison to Ajai began, part of efforts to spread the animals to other reserves. Giraffes also live at Lake Mburo and Kidepo.
Look for them on open ground, where their height gives them away from a distance. With luck you may even see one with Lake Albert in the background. Our safari guide explains how game drives are organised.
Rhinos: what to know
A common question, with a short answer.
Rhinos died out in this part of Uganda in the past, and a return to Murchison is a goal for the future, not something you can see today. If rhinos are on your list, go to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, a stop on the road north from Kampala. Our Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary guide covers tracking and prices.
Ziwa is also no longer the only place in Uganda with rhinos. Ajai received animals in January 2026, and Kidepo in March 2026. Safaris and wildlife in the far northeast are covered in the Kidepo guide. Neither is part of Murchison. If you plan to continue to other parks, see our sister guides on Queen Elizabeth wildlife and, for gorillas, gorilla trekking in Bwindi.
Park rules that protect the animals
The park gates are open from 07:00 to 19:00. The UWA tariff for July 2024 to December 2026 sets the rules below. They keep you and the animals safe, and your guide will remind you of them.
- Keep to 40 km/h and stay on the tracks. Driving off the track is not allowed.
- Do not hoot or crowd animals. Give them room to move.
- No pets and no litter in the park.
- Chimpanzee visits are for ages 12 and up under the general tariff, with at least 10 m distance, about 1 hour with the animals and no flash. Budongo sets the age at 15.
Adult entry is $45 for foreign non-residents, $35 for foreign residents and UGX 25,000 for East African citizens, as of 2026. Check the current amount before you book. On a tour, the listing should say whether the permit and park fees are included. Details are in our park fees guide.
Plan your wildlife days
Pages that help you turn the animal list into a plan.
Murchison Falls animals: frequently asked questions
Will I see lions at Murchison Falls?
You have a chance, but no guide can promise it. Lions live in the area. Elephants, giraffes, buffalo and kob are far more regular sights.
Is a Rothschild giraffe different from a Nubian giraffe?
No. Rothschild's giraffe is another common name for the Nubian giraffe, the population that lives at Murchison Falls.
Can I see rhinos in Murchison Falls National Park?
Not at the moment. Rhinos are not back in Murchison. The place to see them is Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary on the way north from Kampala.
Can I see chimpanzees here?
Chimpanzees live in Budongo Forest, a separate forest activity near the park. See our Budongo guide for tracking, ages and prices.
What is the best time to see the animals?
Ask your guide, who knows where animals were seen in the last days. Our weather page explains the seasons.
How fast can I drive in the park?
The speed limit is 40 km/h. Stay on the tracks, do not hoot at animals and give them room to move.