Domestic flights to Murchison Falls National Park

Domestic flights to Murchison Falls National Park : At size of 3840 square kilometers, Murchison Falls National Park is the largest national park in Uganda. The park is one of the most visited and popular safari destinations in Uganda featuring some of the country’s most dramatic scenery.

Murchison Falls National Park is named after Murchison Falls – the most powerful falls in the world. The park lies at the northern end of the Albertine Rift Valley where bounding escarpments fade into north Uganda’s anonymous expanses.  The park is bisected by The Victoria Nile for 100 meters as it flows west from Karuma Falls to the Albert Nile. On the extreme edge of the rift, the Nile squeezes through a 6-meter ravine with a thundering force finally tumbling 50 meters down to form the Murchison Falls.

Location of Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park is located in the North – wester region of Uganda occupying the districts of Buliisa, Nwoya, Kiryandongo and Masindi. From Masindi the nearest town, to the Kibanda area of the park is about 72 kilometers. To this area, it is about 283 kilometers by road from Kampala – the capital of Uganda.

Murchison Falls National Park is situated adjacent to the Masindi – Gulu highway, just off at the Karuma Falls. Here it is where the 600-megawatt Karuma Power station – currently the largest power station in Uganda is found.

Getting to Murchison Falls National Park by air is the most direct and efficient way to get to Murchision Falls National Park for a Uganda wildlife safari, there are scheduled flights and private flights. The flights are operated by various companies for example Bar Aviation, Aerolink Uganda among others.

The flight companies operate daily flights departing from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip at 12:05 pm and arrive at Pakuba, Bugungu or Chobe airstrips at 13:05 pm. Flights from Pakuba, Bugungu or Chobe airstrips depart at 13:20 pm and arrive at Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip at 16:30 pm.

Scheduled flights

There are scheduled flights to Murchison Falls National Park, these flights are operated by several airlines including Aerolink, Bar Aviation. These flights are from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip to either Chobe Airstrip, Bugungu Airstrip or Pakuba Airstrip.

Private charter

Also, you can take private charter flights from Kajjansi Airstrip or Entebbe International Airstrip to one of the airstrips serving the park that is Chobe airstrip, Bugungu airstrip or Pakuba Airstrip.

Airstrips in Murchison Falls National Park

Pakuba Airstrip

Pakuba Airstrip is located in the northern sector of Murchison Falls National Park, the airstrip is the best option to use for visitors staying in the northern sector of the park.

Chobe Airstrip

Chobe Airstrip is located around Chobe Safari Lodge, this airstrip is private and owned by Chobe Safari Lodge.

Bugungu Airstrip

Bugungu Airstrip is located just at the southern sector of Murchison Falls National Park

Flight Timetable to Murchison Falls National Park

From	To	Departure	Arrival
Entebbe	Pakuba/Bugungu/Chobe	1200	1300
Pakuba/Bugungu/Chobe	Entebbe	1315	1625

Frequently asked Questions about Getting to Murchison Falls National Park

How long will it take to drive to Murchison falls from Kampala?

From Kampala, it takes approximately 4-6 hours (305km/190 miles) to drive to Murchison Falls National Park headquarters at Paraa.

What gate should I use if driving from Kampala?

If you are driving to Muchison Falls National Park from Kampala, the southern gates (KichuMbanyobi and Masindi South Gate) near Masindi are the closest. However, going via the northern gates will offer you a more scenic route.

Can I fly to Murchison Falls?

Yes, you can fly from the Kajjansi Airfield near Kampala or from Entebbe International Airport (EBB)

How often are the flights to Murchison National Park

There are daily flights from Entebbe International Airport and Kajjansi Airfield landing at the Pakuba, Chobe and Bugundu airstrips in the park

How long is the flight?

From Kajjansi and Entebbe, flights usually take one hour

Best time to Get to Murchison Falls National Park for a Uganda Safari

Murchison Falls National Park can be visited all year round, however the best time to visit is from December to February and June to September. Throughout these months, there is little rainfall which means the tracks leading you to wildlife during your game drives remain dry and accessible.

Also, the dry season attracts animals to water sources so it is easier to spot them while out on game drives.