Murchison Falls National Park
Uganda's largest national park, where the Nile squeezes through a narrow gap and drops in a roaring waterfall. Boat trips and game drives show elephants, giraffes, hippos and crocodiles.
Murchison Falls National Park
Elephants, giraffes and lions live in Uganda's largest park, which also offers boat cruises and a narrow gorge through which the Nile forces its way.
Attractive locations
Murchison Falls
A powerful waterfall where the entire Nile squeezes through a narrow rock gap and plunges into a pool below. Boat trips and hiking paths offer views from below and from the top.
Budongo Forest
A large tropical forest in the south of the Murchison area, famous for its habituated chimpanzees. Guided walks lead through tall mahogany trees with a good chance of seeing primates and birds.
Karuma Falls
A series of rapids on the Nile, crossed by a bridge on the road north from Kampala. The churning water and rocks make a dramatic quick stop for travelers.
Paraa
The main hub inside the park, on the Nile, where a ferry crosses to the north side and boat trips leave for the foot of Murchison Falls.
Lake Albert
A large lake on Uganda's western border, where the Nile flows in through a marshy delta. Boat trips there are popular for birdwatching, including shoebill storks, and for hippos.
Airports
Gulu Airport ULU
It is about 70 km in a straight line from Murchison Falls National Park.
Arua Airport RUA
It is about 126 km in a straight line from Murchison Falls National Park.
Scams and safe taxis
Weather by month
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
- Jan27.2 °C20 mm
- Feb28.8 °C24 mm
- Mar28.2 °C79 mm
- Apr26.0 °C120 mm
- May24.5 °C117 mm
- Jun24.0 °C92 mm
- Jul23.8 °C98 mm
- Aug23.7 °C131 mm
- Sep24.0 °C150 mm
- Oct24.2 °C163 mm
- Nov24.5 °C109 mm
- Dec25.5 °C53 mm
Driest months: Jan, Feb, Dec. Wettest months: Aug, Sep, Oct.
Costs
Prices here are about 35% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.
Who can help
Emergency
999 or 112.
local government
Uganda Police Force (emergency 999 / 112)
Helps with: Uganda's national police. Its FAQ says to dial 999 or 112 in an emergency, and its headquarters lists two landline numbers and an email for general enquiries.
Who qualifies: Anyone in Uganda, including visitors, who needs police help.
Phone: 999
Email: [email protected]
local government
Tourism Police Zonal Commanders (Uganda Tourism Board)
Helps with: Police commanders who protect Uganda's tourism destinations and the safety of travellers. Anyone facing a problem can contact the commander for their region; numbers are in a PDF on the page.
Who qualifies: Travellers, tourism operators and communities facing a safety or security problem in Uganda's tourism areas.
local government
Uganda Tourism Board (UTB)
Helps with: Uganda's national tourism board. Its tourism police page gives a general office line and email, and points visitors to the regional tourism police commanders.
Who qualifies: Anyone visiting Uganda or planning a trip there.
Phone: +256-414-560-800
Email: [email protected]
ngo
Uganda Red Cross Society
Helps with: Uganda's national Red Cross society, with headquarters in Kampala. Its contacts page lists a toll-free line and separate numbers for first aid training and commercial ambulances.
Who qualifies: People in Uganda who need to reach the Red Cross, including for first aid training.
Phone: 0800 211 088
Email: [email protected]
Address: Plot 551/555 Rubaga Road, P.O. Box 494, Kampala
un agency
International Organization for Migration (IOM) Uganda
Helps with: The UN migration agency's country office in Kampala, with sub-offices at Nakivale, Kyangwali and Kyaka II. Contact it about migration matters in Uganda.
Who qualifies: Migrants and organisations working on migration. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.
Phone: +256 31 2263210
Email: [email protected]
Address: Plot 6A Bukoto Crescent, Naguru, P.O. Box 11431, Kampala
embassy
Foreign embassies and high commissions in Uganda (official list)
Helps with: For a lost passport or serious trouble, contact your own country's embassy or high commission. The Ugandan foreign ministry attaches a diplomatic list (September 2022 edition) with contact details of missions.
Who qualifies: Citizens of each country, through their own embassy or high commission.
local government
Department of Disaster Preparedness and Management (Office of the Prime Minister)
Helps with: Uganda's national disaster management department, based at the Postel Building in Kampala. Its page on the prime minister's office site lists a toll-free line.
Who qualifies: Anyone in Uganda affected by a disaster or reporting one.
Phone: 0800 177 777
Address: Clement Hill Road, Postel Building, Kampala