Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda's largest and oldest protected area, occupying … Continue reading "Murchison Falls National Park"
Northwestern Uganda, East Africa
Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda's largest and oldest protected area, occupying a vast swathe of northern Uganda in the districts of Bulisa, Kiryandongo, Masindi, Nwoya, and Pakwach a vast, sun-drenched wilderness of savannah plains, riparian forest, and the great Albert Nile that cuts through the heart of the park on its ancient journey northward toward Sudan and Egypt. At its most dramatic, the entire force of the Nile, one of the world's longest rivers, is squeezed through a narrow seven-metre gorge with a thundering roar that can be heard kilometres away and a mist that rises like smoke above the falls. To stand at the top of Murchison Falls with the earth shaking beneath your feet and the white water exploding into the Devil's Cauldron below is to feel, most viscerally and unforgettably, the raw, unstoppable power of nature. Beyond the falls, Murchison is a park of extraordinary wildlife richness, home to the largest population of Nile crocodiles in East Africa, enormous herds of elephants, Uganda's only population of Rothschild's giraffes, lions, leopards, buffaloes, hippos, warthogs, and over 450 bird species, including the rare and ancient-looking shoebill stork. The classic Nile boat safari upstream to the base of the…
Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda's largest and oldest protected area, occupying a vast swathe of northern Uganda in the districts of Bulisa, Kiryandongo, Masindi, Nwoya, and Pakwach a vast, sun-drenched wilderness of savannah plains, riparian forest, and the great Albert Nile that cuts through the heart of the park on its ancient journey northward toward Sudan and Egypt. At its most dramatic, the entire force of the Nile, one of the world's longest rivers, is squeezed through a narrow seven-metre gorge with a thundering roar that can be heard kilometres away and a mist that rises like smoke above the falls. To stand at the top of Murchison Falls with the earth shaking beneath your feet and the white water exploding into the Devil's Cauldron below is to feel, most viscerally and unforgettably, the raw, unstoppable power of nature.
Beyond the falls, Murchison is a park of extraordinary wildlife richness, home to the largest population of Nile crocodiles in East Africa, enormous herds of elephants, Uganda's only population of Rothschild's giraffes, lions, leopards, buffaloes, hippos, warthogs, and over 450 bird species, including the rare and ancient-looking shoebill stork. The classic Nile boat safari upstream to the base of the falls, watching elephants wade in the shallows, hippos yawning on the banks, and kingfishers darting over the water, is one of Uganda's greatest and most beloved wildlife experiences. Chimpanzee trekking in the adjacent Budongo Forest, the largest mahogany forest in East Africa, adds a primate adventure to the wildlife and landscape wonder that makes Murchison a truly complete Ugandan safari destination.
Wildlife highlights
Last updated: June 13, 2026
Yes. We can plan as much of your trip as you wish: we can handle everything including international airline tickets, or if you wish to make your own reservations to and from Africa, we will handle everything here. Just let us know what you need - we will do our very best to accommodate you.
Tourist visas can be bought in advance via the embassy or consulate in your country or simply purchased upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport or at any overland border.
Photos are not required and a single entry tourist visa costs US$ 50 per person for up to 90 days stay in Uganda. If you are planning to combine Uganda with a visit to Rwanda or Kenya it is recommendable to request for the East African Tourist Visa instead of a single entry visa. This special visa costs US$100 per person and allows a 90-days multiple entry to Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya. Regretfully, Tanzania is not (yet) a member of the East African community and therefore not part of this special visa arrangement.
Only a few banks accept ATM cards or Visa credit cards for money withdrawal in Uganda. While you can withdraw a limited amount of cash per day from ATM machines in Kampala, there are very few opportunities to withdraw cash once you are on safari in Uganda.
Payment by credit card in Uganda can attract additional charges of between 5–10%, occasionally more. Do check with lodges and restaurants in advance, if you plan to pay by credit card. We therefore advise you to bring cash and have money changed upon arrival in Kampala. US dollars, British pounds and Euros are easy to change. However, for some expenses, like the payment of a tourist visa at the airport/border, it is easier to have dollars available.
It is often possible to pay for tourist activities with US dollars. Please note: US dollars bills issued before 1999 are NOT accepted in Uganda. Exchanging low denomination dollar bills (anything less than a USD100 bill) attracts a lower exchange rate.
The Rwanda Government charges USD $1,500.00 for each person each day; Uganda charges USD $700.00 per person per day, Congo charges $450 per person per day. Gorilla Permits are non-refundable - we can try to resell your Permits if you need to cancel, but there is no guarantee that we will be able to find a person who will purchase a ticket for the date of permit.
Yes, You need an official Gorilla permit handled by each of the national parks to see the gorillas. You have to obtain the Gorilla permits several months in advance. We obtain the necessary Gorilla Tracking Permits for you as part of our service
We will send you all that information, long before you need it. We have been guiding visitors in East Africa for many years, so the answer to every one of your questions is probably in the material we will send you as soon as your trip is booked.
Please look through our packing list guide
You can pay using credit card - or, you can wire the money safely from your bank to ours. We strongly advise that you not send money by Money Order or any commercial money transfer company - use your credit card or your bank, they are both much safer.
The Gorilla Permits are the biggest issue - they sell out months in advance. Committing to your trip one year in advance is not always necessary, but it is not too early, either. The simplest answer - send us your dates, and we will find out if we can get Permits for you.
Yes. All Visitors to Uganda are now required to have a valid Yellow Fever Immunization Card from the world health organization – which means you must be immunized and that you should do so 10 to 30 days prior to your Ugandan Arrival. It will also help you enter other East African countries. A yellow fever immunization is good for a lifetime. Should you not have one – you will be required to have a Yellow Fever shot at the airport or another point of entry.
Once you have confirmed the final itinerary with us, you will be asked to pay a deposit of 40%. Gorilla permits must be paid for in full at the time of booking. Note that availability of accommodation and permits is not guaranteed until officially confirmed by GoExplore Safaris.
Accommodation, permit and activity reservations will be made as soon as payment has been received on our account. For your convenience, the balance payment of 60% should be settled 45 days before the start of your safari.
We accept payment by VISA credit card (please include 5% service charge) and bank transfer in either dollars or Euros to our bank account in Uganda. Please note that all bank charges are at the expense of the client.
We offer a wide range of Family Adventures around the East Africa. The minimum age (for Family trips) varies depending on destination, and GoExplore Safaris has set minimum ages to ensure that the included activities suit each age range. Additionally, you’ll notice that some of the more adventurous destinations have a higher minimum age.
Yes, You can book for your safari as a solo traveller and you will enjoy a private safari or if you prefer be joined to a group.
The minimum age for a gorilla tour is 15 Years old. Please get in touch if your kids want to track gorillas and are between 10 - 15 Years. You will need to write a letter of taking full responsibility for them during the activity.
Explore itineraries that visit this park.
Your Safari/trip Includes