Murchison Falls National Park Entrance Fees

Murchison Falls National Park Fees: 2026 Entry & Uganda Safari Activity Costs

Murchison Falls National Park Entrance Fees: Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s largest protected area and one of its most visited, covering over 3,893 square kilometres of savannah, woodland, and wetland along the Victoria Nile, anchored by the spectacular falls where the entire river is compressed through a 7-metre gorge before plunging 43 metres below. For any traveller planning a visit, understanding the park’s fee structure before arrival is essential. All entrance and activity fees for a Uganda safari are standardised and managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority; operate on a strict 24-hour cycle from the exact time of gate entry; and must be paid cashlessly at the gate via Visa, Mastercard, or mobile money. There is no cash payment option at any Murchison Falls National Park entry point.

Individual Park Entrance Fees

Fees are tiered across three visitor categories: foreign non-residents; foreign residents holding valid Ugandan or East African residence permits; and East African Community citizens, including Ugandans. Children under five enter free of charge.

One important logistical note on the 24-hour rule: if a traveller enters the park on day one and conducts a morning game drive on day two that runs past the original entry time, an additional 24-hour fee applies on exit. Travellers planning multi-day itineraries should factor this into their budgeting from the outset.

Vehicle Entrance Fees

Vehicle fees are charged separately from individual entrance fees and depend on vehicle type and country of registration.

Travellers booking through licensed Uganda safari operators will typically have vehicle fees incorporated into the package cost rather than paid separately at the gate.

Activity and Excursion Fees

Murchison Falls National Park entrance fees grant access to the road network but not to the park’s guided activities and specialist excursions, each of which carries its own fee. These are among the most important costs to budget for, as several of Murchison’s signature experiences, the Nile boat cruise and the top-of-the-falls hike in particular, are genuinely unmissable.

Boat Cruises and Water Activities

• Launch Cruise to the Base of the Falls: USD 30 (Foreign Non-Residents) / USD 25 (Foreign Residents) / UGX 30,000 (East African Citizens) per person. Cruises typically run for two hours along the Nile, with exceptional sightings of hippos, crocodiles, and elephants along the riverbanks.
• Top of the Falls Hike: USD 15 per person. The standard itinerary combines the boat cruise with a hike up the ridge to the falls’ crest, one of the most rewarding short excursions in any Uganda national park.

Game Drive and Ranger Fees

• Private Vehicle Day Self-Drive: USD 10 per vehicle for independent navigation within the park.
• UWA Ranger Guide (Daytime Safari): USD 20 per vehicle. Strongly recommended, an armed ranger rides in the vehicle to track game, identify species, and navigate the park’s road network.
• Night Game Drive: USD 40 per person using a UWA vehicle, or USD 30 per person in a private vehicle accompanied by park authorities. Night drives are restricted to guests sleeping inside the park.

Specialist Activities

• Birdwatching Safari: USD 30 (Foreign Non-Residents) / USD 25 (Foreign Residents) / UGX 20,000 (East African Citizens). With over 450 recorded species, Murchison is one of Uganda’s premier birding destinations.
• Day Nature Walk: USD 15 per person.
• Sport Fishing Permit (1-Day): USD 50 per person.
• Sport Fishing Permit (4-Day): USD 150 per person.

Annual Park Passes

For frequent visitors to Uganda Wildlife Authority-managed parks, annual passes offer significant savings across multiple visits throughout the year:

The annual pass provides access to all national parks managed by UWA, making it a factor worth considering for expatriate residents, researchers, and conservationists who frequently visit the parks.

Special Category Rates

Student groups on educational visits are eligible for concessional rates below the standard East African citizen fees. Applications and permit arrangements must be made in advance directly through the Uganda Wildlife Authority offices. Conservation groups and research teams should also contact UWA directly for applicable rates.

Park Rules, Fines, and Payment

It is as crucial to know the regulations of operating in the park as it is to know the fees charged, since there are heavy fines imposed for breaking the rules, which could substantially increase the cost of visiting the park.

• Cashless payments only: All Murchison Falls National Park entrance fees have to be paid using Visa, Mastercard or mobile money transfer (MTN/Airtel). Cash is not accepted at any Murchison Falls entry point.
• Speed limit: The maximum speed limit inside the park is 40 km/hr. Crossing this limit would automatically incur a penalty of UGX 100,000.
• Off-track driving: Moving off from the designated Uganda safari tracks to chase animals comes with an automatic fine of USD 150 per individual in the vehicle.
• Animal collision: Striking a wild animal results in an immediate fine of USD 500, regardless of circumstances.

Planning Tips for Murchison Falls

Murchison Falls rewards visitors who plan the sequence of activities carefully. The classic two-day itinerary combines an afternoon game drive on arrival day, a full morning game drive on the second day through the northern savannah, where lion, elephant, giraffe, buffalo, and leopard sightings are concentrated, followed by the afternoon Nile boat cruise and top-of-the-falls hike. This sequence makes efficient use of the 24-hour fee cycle and covers the park’s three most distinctive experiences.

Travellers coming from Kampala or Entebbe should allow 5-6 hours for the overland drive or consider a domestic flight to Pakuba Airstrip or Chobe Airstrip for a faster connection. The best wildlife viewing months are in the dry seasons, December through February and June through September, when vegetation is lower, and animals concentrate around water sources.

For Uganda safari travellers combining Murchison Falls with other destinations such as Kibale Forest National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, or Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, an annual pass may represent worthwhile value depending on the duration and structure of the itinerary.

FAQ on the entry fees to Murchison Falls National Park.

• How much does it cost to enter Murchison Falls? → USD 45/day for adult non-residents, USD 35 for residents, and UGX 25,000 for East Africans. Children 5-15: USD 25, USD 15, UGX 10,000.
• Are entrance fees included in safari packages? →  Usually, yes, when booked through a tour operator; confirm with your operator. Independent visitors pay at the gate.
• Is there an annual park pass? →  Yes: USD 350 individual, USD 600 couple, USD 800 family, USD 1,500 corporate.