Murchison Falls National Park: Uganda’s Largest and Most Iconic Safari Destination
Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s oldest and largest conservation area, covering vast expanses of savanna, woodland, and riverine forests. Originally gazetted as a game reserve in 1926, the park was officially designated as one of Uganda’s first national parks in 1952. It lies at the northern end of the Albertine Rift Valley, where the Bunyoro escarpment descends into rolling, palm-dotted plains, offering one of the most dramatic landscapes in East Africa.
The Iconic Murchison Falls
At the heart of the park is Murchison Falls, one of Africa’s most powerful waterfalls. Here, the mighty Victoria Nile is forced through a narrow 8-meter-wide gorge, before plunging 45 meters into the Devil’s Cauldron below, sending up a thunderous roar and a permanent rainbow mist. This breathtaking natural wonder marks the final act in an 80km stretch of rapids, after which the river calms into a broad, tranquil flow as it meanders toward Lake Albert.
This stretch of river is one of Uganda’s greatest wildlife viewing spots, attracting elephants, giraffes, and buffaloes to the riverbanks, while hippos, Nile crocodiles, and aquatic birds are ever-present residents.
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Key Wildlife Highlights:
- African Elephants
– An aerial survey counted over 900 individuals, with numbers steadily increasing. - Giraffes
– Historically, these majestic animals have been exclusive to the northern sector, and their population continues to thrive. - Buffaloes
– Their numbers have soared to over 10,000, making them one of the most commonly seen animals in the park. - Uganda Kobs
– The population has grown to an impressive 35,000 individuals. - Nile Crocodiles & Hippos
– Common along the riverbanks, especially near the Albert Delta.
A Birdwatcher’s Paradise 
