Murchison Falls

Step back in time to 1952 when Murchison Falls was proudly crowned as one of Uganda's very first national parks. Here, nature's drama unfolds, starring the Nile River in a breathtaking performance.

Imagine the Nile, once a mighty river, narrowing to just 8 meters, as it hurtles into the "Devil's Cauldron" below, creating a spectacular rainbow that etches itself in memory. In this remarkable park, nature wears different costumes. Up north, savannas adorned with Borassus palms and acacia trees flirt with riverine woodlands. But down south, woodlands and patches of enchanting forests hold sway.

Did you know that the iconic 1951 film "The African Queen," starring Humphrey Bogart, was filmed on the stunning Lake Albert and the majestic Nile right here in Murchison Falls National Park? This park sits at the northern tip of the Albertine Rift Valley, where the Bunyoro escarpment dramatically descends into vast savannas dotted with graceful palms. It's a place where conservation history was written, first declared a game reserve in 1926, now Uganda's largest and oldest protected area.

At its heart lies the Victoria Nile, plunging a thrilling 45 meters over the remnants of a rift valley wall, creating the awe-inspiring Murchison Falls. This is the grand finale in an 80-km-long series of rapids. As the river tumbles, it relinquishes its energy, transforming into a tranquil stream that meanders through the rift valley floor, eventually embracing Lake Albert. This stretch of river is where wildlife's most captivating spectacle unfolds. Watch as elephants, giraffes, and buffaloes grace the riverbanks regularly, while hippos, Nile crocodiles, and water-loving birds call this place home.

Murchison Falls is nature's treasure trove, boasting over 144 species of mammals, 556 dazzling birds, 51 reptiles, and 51 amphibians. African elephants steal the show, with their numbers consistently on the rise. Giraffes take the spotlight in the north, and the buffalo population has soared beyond 10,000, while Uganda kobs have leaped to over 35,000.

Bird enthusiasts will be delighted to find a thriving community here. Keep an eye out for the majestic shoebill, a frequent guest along the river approaching the Albert delta. Other feathered wonders like the white-crested turaco and the red-winged grey warbler decorate the woodlands on the southern bank.

And just in case you didn't know, this park has been graced by some famous faces. Winston Churchill, Theodore Roosevelt, Ernest Hemingway, and even British royalty have all been touched by the magic of Murchison Falls. Will you be next?

Come, witness nature's grand performance for yourself.