Which Animals are found in Murchison Falls National Park. Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s largest and oldest national park, and one of the richest wildlife areas in East Africa. Stretching across about 3,840 square kilometers of savannah, woodland, forest and riverine wetland, it is divided by the mighty Victoria Nile, which thunders through a narrow gorge at Murchison Falls before flowing calmly west into Lake Albert. This variety of habitats supports an impressive range of animals, from elephants and lions to giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, chimpanzees and the prehistoric-looking shoebill.

At Kenlink Tours, we guide safaris to Murchison Falls throughout the year. If you are wondering which animals are found in Murchison Falls National Park, this complete guide covers the park’s mammals, primates, reptiles and birds, explains where and when to see them, and shares tips for making the most of your wildlife viewing.

Murchison Falls Wildlife at a Glance

Murchison Falls is home to around 76 mammal species and more than 450 bird species. Its wildlife is concentrated in three main areas:

• The northern bank (Buligi and Albert Delta): Open savannah grassland dotted with borassus palms, home to most of the park’s big game, including lions, elephants, giraffes, buffalo and antelopes.
• The Nile River: Hippos, crocodiles, elephants drinking at the water’s edge and an abundance of waterbirds, best seen on a boat cruise.
• The southern sector and forests: Woodland and forest, including Budongo Forest and Kaniyo Pabidi, home to chimpanzees, monkeys and forest birds.

Pick and Transfer Safaris shares a good introduction to what you can see in Murchison Falls, and their overview of Murchison Falls National Park covers the park’s history and geography.

Does Murchison Falls Have the Big Five?

Murchison Falls is home to four of the Big Five: elephants, lions, leopards and buffalo. Rhinos were wiped out in the park decades ago, but you can see southern white rhinos at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, which lies on the road between Kampala and Murchison Falls. Combining Ziwa with Murchison is the easiest way to see all of the Big Five on one short Uganda safari.

Read our guides to where to see Big Five animals in Uganda and combining Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary with Murchison Falls, and Pick and Transfer’s guide on where you can see the Big Five in Uganda.

African Elephants

Elephants are one of Murchison’s great success stories. Their numbers fell sharply during periods of poaching in the past, but they have recovered strongly thanks to conservation efforts, and herds are now commonly seen. Look for them on game drives on the northern bank, where family groups move across the grasslands, and along the riverbanks during boat cruises, where they come down to drink and bathe. Seeing elephants silhouetted against the Nile at sunset is one of the park’s most memorable sights. Always give elephants plenty of space, especially mothers with young calves, and let your driver-guide judge how close it is safe to approach.

Lions

Lions are found mainly on the northern bank, especially in the Buligi area and around the Albert Delta, where prides hunt Uganda kob and other antelopes across the open plains. Early morning is the best time to see them, when they are often active after the night’s hunt or resting in the grass before the heat of the day. An experienced driver-guide and ranger who know the pride territories greatly improve your chances. See our guide to the best places to see lions and leopards in Uganda.

Leopards

Leopards live throughout the park but, as in most of Africa, they are shy and largely nocturnal, so sightings require patience and luck. They are most often spotted resting in trees, moving through thickets along riverbanks or crossing tracks at dawn and dusk. Night game drives, where offered, increase your chances of seeing leopards and other nocturnal animals.

Cape Buffalo

Large herds of buffalo roam the northern savannah and are often seen close to the river and around wetlands. Solitary old males, known locally as “dagga boys,” frequently wallow in mud near the Nile. Buffalo are one of the most reliable large mammals to see on a Murchison game drive. Cattle egrets often follow the herds, feeding on insects disturbed by the grazing buffalo, which makes for great photographs.

Rothschild’s Giraffes

Murchison Falls is famous for its Rothschild’s giraffes, also known as Nubian giraffes, one of the most endangered giraffe subspecies in Africa. The park holds Uganda’s largest population, and giraffes are one of the highlights of any game drive on the northern bank, where they browse on acacia trees and stride gracefully across the plains. Murchison’s giraffes have also been used to start new populations in other Ugandan parks, including Lake Mburo. Read our guide to Uganda’s giraffes and where to see them.

Hippos

The Nile in Murchison Falls is home to one of the largest concentrations of hippos in Uganda. Pods of hippos crowd the river shallows, grunting and yawning as boats pass, especially on the stretch between Paraa and the base of the falls. At night, hippos leave the water to graze, and you may see or hear them near riverside lodges. Read our guide to hippo watching on the Nile.

Nile Crocodiles

Murchison Falls is one of the best places in Africa to see large Nile crocodiles. Huge crocodiles bask on the sandbanks and riverbanks, especially below the falls, where fish stunned by the turbulent water provide easy meals. Boat cruises bring you surprisingly close to these ancient predators, which can reach impressive sizes.

Antelopes of Murchison Falls

The northern savannah is full of antelopes, providing food for the park’s predators and endless photographic opportunities:

• Uganda kob: The most common antelope, often seen in large herds, with males defending breeding territories called leks.
• Jackson’s hartebeest: A distinctive antelope with a long face and curved horns, common on the open plains.
• Oribi: A small, graceful antelope found in grasslands, often in pairs or small groups.
• Waterbuck: Found near water and wetlands, recognisable by the white ring on the rump.
• Bushbuck: A shy antelope of thickets and riverine forest.
• Bohor reedbuck: Found in tall grass near wetlands.
• Duikers: Small forest antelopes, including the common duiker and forest species in wooded areas.

Our guide to the top 10 animals you can see on game drives in Uganda covers many of these species.

Other Mammals in Murchison Falls

Murchison is home to many other fascinating mammals, including:

• Warthogs, common across the park and often seen grazing on their knees.
• Spotted hyenas, mostly nocturnal but sometimes seen early in the morning.
• Side-striped jackals, found in grassland and woodland.
• Giant forest hogs and bush pigs in wooded areas.
• Mongooses, including banded mongooses, which move in noisy groups.
• Bushbabies, genets and civets, which are active at night.

Primates: Chimpanzees and Monkeys

Murchison Falls and its surrounding forests are home to several primate species. The highlight is chimpanzees, which can be tracked in Budongo Forest and the Kaniyo Pabidi area on the park’s southern edge. Budongo holds one of Uganda’s largest chimpanzee populations, living among towering mahogany and ironwood trees.

Other primates include olive baboons, often seen along the roads; patas monkeys, a long-legged savannah monkey that is one of the fastest primates; black-and-white colobus; red-tailed monkeys; blue monkeys; and vervet monkeys. Read about chimpanzee tracking at Budongo Forest and chimpanzee tracking in Murchison Falls National Park, and see Pick and Transfer’s guide to the best places for chimpanzee tracking in Uganda.

Birds of Murchison Falls National Park

With more than 450 recorded species, Murchison Falls is one of Uganda’s best birding destinations, combining savannah, woodland, forest and wetland birds in one park. Highlights include:

• Shoebill: The park’s most famous bird, sometimes seen in the papyrus swamps of the Albert Delta, best searched for on a delta boat trip.
• Goliath heron, the world’s largest heron, often seen along the Nile.
• Abyssinian ground hornbill, a large black bird that walks across the savannah in search of prey.
• Red-throated and northern carmine bee-eaters, which nest in riverbanks and add brilliant colour.
• Grey crowned crane, Uganda’s national bird.
• Saddle-billed stork, African fish eagle, Denham’s bustard and rock pratincole, among many others.

Read our guides to where to see the shoebill in Uganda and our Uganda birding safaris, and see Pick and Transfer’s 18 Days Uganda Birding and Wildlife Safari.

Nocturnal Animals and Night Game Drives

Many of Murchison’s animals are most active after dark. Guided night game drives, where available, offer the chance to see leopards on the hunt, spotted hyenas, side-striped jackals, genets, civets, white-tailed mongooses, porcupines and bushbabies, whose eyes glow in the spotlight. You may also hear lions roaring across the plains, hippos grunting along the river and nightjars calling. Night drives are led by experienced rangers using spotlights and follow strict rules to avoid disturbing wildlife, so ask us in advance if you would like to include one.

Reptiles, Butterflies and Smaller Creatures

Beyond the big animals, Murchison is full of smaller wildlife that adds to the experience. Monitor lizards bask on riverbanks, colourful agama lizards scamper over rocks and various snakes live in the grasslands and woodlands, though they are rarely seen. Budongo Forest and the park’s wooded areas are rich in butterflies, with clouds of colourful species gathering near streams and puddles. Dragonflies, beetles and other insects fill the air near the water. Your guide can point out these smaller creatures, which children in particular often find fascinating.

A Typical Day of Wildlife Viewing in Murchison Falls

A typical safari day in Murchison begins before sunrise, when you catch the first ferry across the Nile at Paraa. As the sun rises over the northern bank, you drive through the grasslands, passing herds of Uganda kob and hartebeest, families of warthogs and tall Rothschild’s giraffes browsing on acacias. With luck, your ranger guide leads you to a pride of lions resting after the night’s hunt, while elephants and buffalo graze in the distance near the Albert Delta.

After lunch back at your lodge, you board the afternoon launch for a cruise upstream towards the falls, passing pods of hippos, basking crocodiles and elephants drinking at the water’s edge, with kingfishers, bee-eaters and fish eagles all around. The cruise ends with a dramatic view of the falls, and you return to your lodge as the sun sets over the Nile. It is a day packed with wildlife, and many visitors see more animals than they expected.

Wildlife Viewing for Families

Murchison Falls is an excellent park for families. Children love the hippos and crocodiles on the boat cruise, the giraffes and elephants on game drives and the roar of the falls. Game drives and boat cruises are suitable for all ages, while chimpanzee tracking has a minimum age, usually 12 years. Read our guide to family safari holidays in Murchison Falls.

Fish and Aquatic Life

The Nile and Lake Albert support a rich variety of fish, including the giant Nile perch, tilapia and tiger fish. The waters below Murchison Falls are a famous sport fishing destination, where anglers try their luck for huge Nile perch with a permit from the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Fishing is usually catch and release, helping protect fish stocks for the future.

Where to See Animals in Murchison Falls

Game drives on the northern bank. The best wildlife viewing is in the Buligi area, reached by crossing the Nile on the ferry at Paraa. Tracks such as the Buligi, Albert and Queen’s tracks lead through grasslands where lions, giraffes, elephants, buffalo and antelopes gather. Read Pick and Transfer’s guide to a game drive in Murchison Falls National Park.

Boat cruise to the bottom of the falls. The launch cruise upstream from Paraa is the best way to see hippos, crocodiles, elephants, buffalo and waterbirds up close, ending with a spectacular view of the falls. See our guide to what to see during a boat cruise in Murchison Falls.

Delta boat trip. A cruise downstream towards Lake Albert offers excellent birding and the best chance of seeing the shoebill.

Top of the Falls. While not a wildlife hotspot, the hike to the Top of the Falls offers baboons, monkeys and birds along the trail; see Pick and Transfer’s guide to visiting the top of Murchison Falls.

Budongo Forest and Kaniyo Pabidi. Chimpanzee tracking and forest birding in the south of the park.

Best Time to See Animals in Murchison Falls

Wildlife can be seen year round, but the dry seasons, from December to February and June to September, are generally best. During these months, grass is shorter and animals gather near the Nile and permanent water sources, making them easier to find. The wet seasons, from March to May and October to November, bring lush scenery, newborn animals and excellent birding, though longer grass can make some animals harder to spot.

The best time of day for game drives is early morning, when predators are active and the light is soft for photography. Late afternoon is also rewarding, and boat cruises are enjoyable at any time of day, with afternoon cruises offering beautiful light over the river.

How Many Days Do You Need to See the Animals?

To see the main animals of Murchison Falls, we recommend at least two days, which allows a morning game drive on the northern bank, a boat cruise and the Top of the Falls. Three days gives you more game drives, a delta trip for the shoebill and chimpanzee tracking in Budongo. A one-day trip lets you see the falls and the river but leaves little time for game viewing.

See our two days tour to Murchison Falls National Park, the 3 Days Murchison Falls safari itinerary from Kampala and Pick and Transfer’s 3 Days Safari to Murchison Falls. For costs, read how much a short safari to Murchison Falls costs.

Murchison Falls vs Other Ugandan Parks for Wildlife

Murchison Falls is often compared with Queen Elizabeth National Park. Murchison offers giraffes, the dramatic falls and excellent river wildlife, while Queen Elizabeth is known for tree-climbing lions and the Kazinga Channel. Kidepo Valley offers remote wilderness and species such as cheetahs and ostriches. Read our comparison of Queen Elizabeth or Murchison Falls, our guide to which park is best for wildlife viewing in Uganda, and Pick and Transfer’s guide to which animals are found in Kidepo.

Tips for Better Wildlife Viewing in Murchison Falls

• Start early. Catch the first ferry across the Nile for the best chance of seeing lions and other active animals.
• Hire a ranger guide. Rangers know where predators have been seen and share fascinating knowledge.
• Bring binoculars. They help you spot distant animals and birds.
• Be patient and quiet. Wait at sightings and keep noise down to avoid disturbing animals.
• Stay in the vehicle on game drives unless your guide says it is safe.
• Combine activities. Game drives, boat cruises and walks each reveal different animals.
• Respect the wildlife. Keep a safe distance, never feed animals and follow park rules.

Conservation in Murchison Falls

Murchison Falls has faced serious challenges in the past, including heavy poaching that reduced elephant and other wildlife numbers. Thanks to decades of conservation work by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, partner organisations and local communities, many species have made a strong recovery. Park fees help fund ranger patrols, monitoring and community projects. By visiting responsibly, you support the ongoing protection of the park’s wildlife.

Today, the park faces new pressures from development in the surrounding region, which makes responsible tourism more important than ever. Choosing licensed operators, staying on designated tracks, respecting wildlife and supporting community-run businesses all help show that healthy wildlife populations bring lasting benefits to Uganda and the people living around Murchison Falls.

Where to Stay to See the Animals

Staying inside or close to the park makes early game drives and boat cruises easier. Murchison offers lodges for every budget, from riverside luxury lodges overlooking the Nile to comfortable mid-range lodges and budget bandas and campsites near Paraa. Read our guides to the best lodges in Murchison Falls for a luxury Nile safari and budget safari camps in Murchison Falls, and see Pick and Transfer’s list of budget accommodation in Murchison Falls.

Frequently Asked Questions About Animals in Murchison Falls

Which animals are found in Murchison Falls National Park? The park is home to elephants, lions, leopards, buffalo, Rothschild’s giraffes, hippos, Nile crocodiles, Uganda kob, Jackson’s hartebeest, oribi, waterbuck, warthogs, hyenas, chimpanzees, baboons, patas monkeys and more than 450 bird species, including the shoebill.

Are there rhinos in Murchison Falls? No, but you can track white rhinos at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary on the way to the park.

Can I see lions in Murchison Falls? Yes, mainly on the northern bank in the Buligi area, especially on early morning game drives.

Where can I see giraffes in Murchison Falls? On game drives across the northern bank savannah, where the park’s Rothschild’s giraffes are commonly seen.

Can I see chimpanzees in Murchison Falls? Yes, by tracking chimpanzees in Budongo Forest or Kaniyo Pabidi on the park’s southern edge.

Can I see the shoebill in Murchison Falls? Yes, sometimes, especially on a boat trip to the Albert Delta.

Book Your Murchison Falls Wildlife Safari with Kenlink Tours

So, which animals are found in Murchison Falls National Park? From elephants and lions on the savannah to hippos and giant crocodiles in the Nile, giraffes among the palms, chimpanzees in the forest and the rare shoebill in the delta, Murchison Falls offers one of the richest wildlife experiences in Uganda.

Learn more about Kenlink Tours, then email info@kenlinktours.com with your travel dates and wildlife interests. For a ready-made itinerary, see Pick and Transfer’s two days tour to Murchison Falls National Park, and let us plan a Murchison Falls safari that brings you face to face with Uganda’s incredible wildlife.