A scenic view of a large waterfall flowing through a lush green landscape under a partly cloudy sky at Murchsion Falls National Park.

Bottom of the Falls Cruise at Murchison Falls NP

Close-up of two smiling people wearing caps, with a body of water and cloudy sky in the background.

*all media was taken by JamPacked on our travels

Why Do It?

Can you guess the most powerful waterfall on Earth? Niagara? Victoria? Nope - Murchison Falls holds the title, where the longest river in the World, the Nile, squeezes through a 7 metre gap before dropping 45m to the ground.

And that’s why it’s one of the most iconic things to do in Uganda. Not only will you get to witness the power of the Falls, when you cruise up to the base of them, but you get a floating safari en route.

You are guaranteed to have animal sightings whilst on board, with common sightings including:

  • Hippos (thousands of them)

  • Giant Nile Crocodiles

  • Elephants

  • Buffaloes

  • Uganda kobs

  • Bush bucks

  • Water Bucks

Then keep your eyes peeled for ‘devil’s cauldron’: the point where the Falls squeeze through the 7 metre gorge, creating a bubbling mist that carries right out to the point where your boat stops.

If you’re visiting Murchison Falls National Park, this is a must do to get a different experience of the Falls.

An elephant standing in water near green and brown trees, some with leaves and some bare branches.
A crocodile lying on dry grass and leaves in a dense forest environment.
Three smiling people taking a selfie in front of a safari vehicle in a savanna environment.

Who to Go With?

Murchison Falls boat cruises start in Paraa inside the national park, so you can book a cruise with the Uganda Wildlife Authority or a number of tour agencies or rest camps in the area.

We stayed at Red Chilli Rest Camp, but you can book the cruise with the UWA for the following rates:

  • International Visitor: $30 *excluding NP entrance fees

The cruise travels eastwards from Paraa jetty for a distance of 17km for a total round trip time of 3 hours.

There are normal two departure time throughout the day:

  • Between 8am and 9am

  • Between 2pm and 3pm

The morning cruise is usually better for animal sightings (particularly the shyer animals) whereas the afternoon cruise is better for photography of the falls, with the best light at this time, as well as the sun being behind you on the outbound leg and when you reach the falls.

The alternative is to book onto a country tour. We did this on our first trip to Uganda, booking a 12-day trip with one of the leading ecotourism operators: Uganda Adventure Safaris. A local agency, we couldn’t recommend them enough for the ultimate experience at an affordable rate.

Uganda Adventure Safaris Tour
A smiling woman with long brown hair wearing a black baseball cap and black dress, holding binoculars, standing near a body of water, with green trees, bushes, and an elephant in the background, and a building with a deck on a hill in the distance.
Logo for Ooganda Adventure Safaris featuring a stylized yellow elephant, with the text "Ooganda Adventure Safaris" and the slogan "Uganda’s Best Experience" in yellow.

What To Take

If you’re planning a Murchison Falls boat cruise, you’ll want to make sure you have these on your packing list:

  • Loose-fitting clothing and a long sleeve for any mosquitoes

  • Insect repellent

  • Light shoes or boots

  • Sunglasses

  • Hat

  • Binoculars

  • Sunscreen

  • Snacks and beverages

  • A poncho or rain jacket (you never know at the Falls)

  • A camera

A woman and a man smiling for a selfie outdoors near a body of water with a cloudy sky in the background. Both are wearing baseball caps and casual clothes.

Top Tips For The Falls

Here’s a few top tips from our recent experience at the Falls:

  1. Sit on the left side of the boat. On the outbound journey, most animal spotting happens on the North of Murchison Falls NP so the left bank has the best animal sightings

  2. If you’re staying at a rest camp, combine a tour with staying for a package rate

  3. Use the bathroom before the trip, as you’re not guaranteed to have one on board

  4. Watch out for the opportunistic baboons at the launch jetty. Keep car doors shut, valuables and food close.

An elephant standing in a river with trees and cloudy sky in the background.
A baboon sitting on the ground in a wooded area, surrounded by green plants and trees, with white flour scattered in front of it.
Waterfalls flowing through a lush green landscape under a partly cloudy sky.
A baby elephant standing in a river, surrounded by lush greenery and trees, with a cloudy sky overhead.
An elephant standing in a river with lush greenery and trees in the background, some trees are barren and leafless.
A monkey sitting on the ground in a forested area with green leaves and trees, looking to the side, with some white material and trash around it.
A crocodile lying on the ground in a dry, grassy, wooded area with sparse green foliage and small trees.
A white Toyota Land Cruiser with a green Uganda wildlife safari sticker parked next to a large tree with hanging seed pods. A baboon is sitting on the hood of the vehicle. The background features green trees and a cloudy sky.
A smiling woman and man taking a selfie outdoors, both wearing blue caps, with a water body and cloudy sky in the background.

Check out all of our travel content at jampackedtravel.com or via our social links

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Check out all of our travel content at jampackedtravel.com or via our social links 〰️