Getting to Murchison Falls National Park | How To Get There

Getting to Murchison Falls National Park: Murchison falls national park is one of Uganda’s most spectacular conservation areas with the best wildlife viewing destination located in northwestern Uganda.

Murhison Falls National park oldest national parks in Uganda, covers an area of approximately 3,840 square kilometres (1,480 sq mi) which  was gazetted in 1952, making it one of the,

The park is bisected by a breathtaking river—the mighty Nile river. Murchison Falls National park is named after the breathtaking Murchison Falls, where the Nile River squeezes through a narrow gorge before plunging approximately 43 meters (141 feet) down, creating a powerful waterfall.

Murchison falls national park is a home to a variety of wildlife, including four of the big 5 animals, such as elephants, lions, leopards and cape buffaloes. Other common animals to sight in the park are giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, Ugandan kobs, hartebeests, and numerous bird species.

The park offers unique wildlife safari experiences to visitors, adding on thrilling boat trips where visitors get opportunities to observe hippos, crocodiles, and birdlife, including the rare shoebill stork.

Murchison Falls National Park is also home to chimpanzees in the Budongo Forest.  Tourists can participate in a guided chimpanzee trekking experience in the Budongo Reserve within the park.

The park is also a home to over 500 bird species, making it one of the best bird-watching spots in Uganda, including the iconic African fish eagle, shoebill stork, saddle-billed stork, and numerous kingfishers, herons, and raptors.

Getting to Murchison falls national park is very easy and convenient due to many connecting routes; the park can be accessed either by air or road transport means

Getting to Murchison Falls National Park By road

There are a number of routes that travelers can use to reach  Murchison falls national park. This depends on your starting point in Uganda (Kampala / Entebbe).  Here are some of the common routes used

Kampala to Murchison falls national park via Karuma

You will start your journey in Kampala, Uganda’s capital city and the biggest town.

Embark on the Kampala-Gulu Highway (A104) northward towards Karuma falls. Pass through Karuma and continue towards the Pakwach road and then from Pakwach, follow signs directly to Murchison falls national park and enter through the northern entrance gate.

This gate is convenient to visitors travelling from Gulu town and Kidepo valley national park

Kampala to Murchison Falls National Park via Masindi

The journey starts in Kampala. Take the Kampala-Gulu highway northward towards Masindi.

Upon reaching Masindi, take the road that leads you to the park entrance and follow signs and directions to Murchison Falls National Park.

Along the way to Masindi, you will find the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, which is a sanctuary for rhinos. The sanctuary is home to the wild Rhinos in Uganda as well as Kidepo valley. Tracking Rhinos involves walking on foot. The main route from Masindi enters the park through Kichumbanyobo gate to pass through Kaniyo Pabidi Forest to Paraa, the wildlife hub.

Kampala to Murchison Falls National Park via Hoima

The journey starts in Kampala and then heads to the Kampala-Hoima Highway towards Hoima. From Hoima, proceed towards Masindi.

Upon approaching Masindi, you can then take the road leading to Murchison Falls National Park.

Boat cruise

Getting Murchison Falls National Park By Air

One can get to Murchison falls National Park by air through using domestic flights that are scheduled or chartered. Fly from Entebbe International Airport or Kampala Kajjansi to Pakuba Airfield near Murchison Falls National Park. Pakuba Airfield is about 16 km from Paraa, which can be reached using chartered aircraft from Entebbe Airport.

 You can book the flight through a tour operator or directly through the Flight companies.

Common domestic flights in Uganda that fly to Murchison Falls National Park include Bar Aviation, Aerolink, and many more.