Uganda

When to go on safari in Murchison Falls

The Murchison Falls area has a significantly different seasonality to the Bwindi Forest and Kibale Forest areas with which it is most commonly combined. The Dec-Feb dry season is good in all areas, but the May-Sep period can be more challenging this far north.

Home World

Murchison Falls

is usually best visited

during Dec-Apr

the main issue in this area is the length of the grasses

Murchison Falls is usually best visited during Dec-Mar, when the long grasses should have dropped, leading to easier wildlife viewing.

The area has a surprisingly different climate to the nearby Bwindi Forest and Kibale Forest, which makes for slightly complicated trip planning when travelling through the area.

The falls themselves usually flow strongly year round, not least because of the big lakes and the dam upstream on the Victoria Nile.

is an iconic location

and important conservation area

Mar-May : Early rainy season in Murchison Falls

good for as long as the grasses remain low

The Mar-May season is a period when the Murchison Falls area usually experiences higher than usual rainfall, although showers tend to be lighter and more fleeting than those later in the year.

Temperatures during the day average around 31C/88F, so it can really be pretty hot and humid, some people may find it quite uncomfortable.

The big problem from a wildlife viewing perspective in this area is the length of the grasses. This should be fine during the start of this season, but becoming more of an issue into May.

Visitor traffic tends to be relatively light at this time, although can peak over Easter.

Jun-Jul : Wet season in Murchison Falls

the potential for serious and prolonged rainfall

The Jun-Jul season usually sees a slight lull in the rains. Although the period is rarely dry, chances are that showers will be lighter and more fleeting, with more clear skies and sunny weather in between.

Temperatures during the day average around 30C/86F, so slightly less hot and humid than in the previous period, but not by much. However lower humidities can make a significant difference to comfort.

The big problem from a wildlife viewing perspective in this area is the length of the grasses. This may be a considerable negative throughout this season, with animals being much more difficult to spot, especially on the open plains north of the crossing.

Visitor traffic tends to be relatively high at this time, typically peaking around August, so it’s best to book well in advance in order to ensure rooms at the best lodges. There may also be some traffic issues, especially on the boats around the falls and in the area around the pontoon crossing.

It is important to note that if you are planning to combine with Kidepo Valley in the far north of the country, this is the worst time of year up there.

Aug-Nov : Late rainy season in Murchison Falls

the worst time of year for wildlife visibility

The Aug-Nov season is the period when Murchison Falls experiences the majority of its rainfall, potentially with torrential downpours and (even worse) long periods of drizzle.

Temperatures during the day average around 29C/84F, so slightly less hot and humid than in the previous periods, but again not by much and, once again, humidities can be high, leading to potentially uncomfortable conditions.

Visitor traffic tends to be very light at this time.

Dec-Feb : Summer dry season in Murchison Falls

the best time of year for wildlife viewing

The Dec-Feb dry season is the period when the Murchison Falls area experiences the lowest rainfall of the year. There are still likely to be showers around, but these tend to be exceptional events in between otherwise clear skies.

Temperatures during the day average around 32C/90F, so the hottest time of year, but much lower humidities should ensure that conditions are reasonably comfortable.

The big problem from a wildlife viewing perspective in this area is the length of the grasses. This may be a slight issue during December, but past that the grasses should be dying back nicely and visibility should be much improved.

Visitor traffic tends to be very light at this time, although peaks sharply during the two weeks of the Dec-Jan holiday season. There may also be some traffic issues, especially on the boats around the falls and in the area around the pontoon crossing.

It is important to note that if you are planning to combine with Kidepo Valley in the far north of the country, this is also the best time of year up there.