Murchison Falls vs Queen Elizabeth National Park

Murchison Falls vs Queen Elizabeth National Park is the most common choice on a Uganda safari. Both offer boat trips, big game and superb birding, but Murchison has the Nile and its falls, while Queen Elizabeth has the Kazinga Channel, crater lakes and the tree-climbing lions of Ishasha.

Murchison Falls in brief

Uganda's largest park, in the north-west, is defined by the Victoria Nile: the launch trip to the foot of Murchison Falls, the hike to the top, the shoebill delta on Lake Albert and game drives on the northern grasslands with Rothschild's giraffes, lions and elephants.

Queen Elizabeth in brief

Queen Elizabeth National Park, in the south-west, covers about 1,978 square kilometres between Lakes George and Edward. Its highlights are the boat trip on the Kazinga Channel, the crater lakes, chimpanzee tracking in the Kyambura Gorge and the Ishasha sector, known for lions that rest in fig trees, though sightings are never guaranteed. Around 600 bird species have been recorded.

Wildlife compared

Both parks have elephants, buffaloes, lions, leopards, hippos and Uganda kob. Murchison has giraffes, which Queen Elizabeth does not; Queen Elizabeth has the tree-climbing lions and a larger bird list. See Murchison Falls wildlife.

Boat trips compared

The Murchison launch ends at the foot of a spectacular waterfall; the Kazinga Channel cruise is famous for dense hippo, buffalo and bird life along the banks. Both are excellent.

Distances and planning

The two parks are at least about eight hours' drive apart, so combining them takes a full travel day, usually broken at Kibale Forest for chimpanzees. Queen Elizabeth lies on the way to Bwindi for gorilla trekking, while Murchison is the natural first stop from Kampala.

Which to choose

With limited time and a focus on gorillas, Queen Elizabeth fits the route best. For waterfalls, giraffes and the shoebill, choose Murchison Falls. On ten days or more, see both, as on our ten-day Uganda waterfalls and gorillas safari. For shorter trips, see Murchison Falls safaris.