Murchison Falls National Park Fees

Murchison Falls National Park Fees

Park fees at Murchison Falls National Park are set by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and reviewed on a fixed two-year cycle. They are not negotiable at the gate, but they are predictable — and understanding what each charge covers saves you from paying twice for the same day or missing a line item when you build a self-drive budget.

This guide lists the official Murchison Falls entrance and activity fees under the UWA Conservation Tariff valid from 1 July 2024 through 30 June 2026. It explains visitor categories, how the 24-hour ticket works, vehicle surcharges, and what stacks on top of park entry before you reach Paraa.

Why Murchison Falls Is Category A+

Murchison Falls is the only park in UWA’s Category A+ tier — a step above Category A parks such as Queen Elizabeth, Kidepo Valley and Bwindi Impenetrable. The A+ label reflects scale and infrastructure: at roughly 3,893 km², Murchison is Uganda’s largest national park, bisected by the Victoria Nile and linked by the Paraa bridge and ferry corridor that most itineraries cross at least once.

For foreign non-residents, A+ entry is US$45 per adult per 24 hours — US$5 more than the US$40 charged at Category A parks. That difference is modest relative to the wildlife density on the Buligi Peninsula, the launch cruise to the base of the falls, and the Albert Delta shoebill routes downstream. Entrance buys access to the protected area only; every activity below is charged separately.

Park Entrance Fees by Visitor Category

UWA divides visitors into four tariff bands. You must present valid identification at the gate — passport for foreign non-residents, a work permit valid at least one year for foreign residents, and national ID or EAC passport for East African citizens (Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan and DRC).

Foreign non-residents (FNR): US$45 adults, US$25 children aged 5–15. Foreign residents (FR): US$35 adults, US$15 children — requires a valid Ugandan work permit. Rest of Africa (ROA): US$30 adults, US$10 children — for African visitors who are not EAC citizens. East African citizens (EAC): UGX 25,000 adults, UGX 10,000 children.

Children under five enter free. Ugandan school groups pay UGX 3,000 per pupil with UWA pre-approval; tertiary students pay UGX 5,000. Uganda Wildlife Club members on approved visits pay UGX 2,000. Recognised tour company drivers enter free when escorting paying clients.

How the 24-Hour Ticket Works

A day’s entrance ticket runs 24 hours from the time you enter, not from midnight. Enter Kichumbanyobo Gate at 14:00 on Monday and your ticket expires at 14:00 Tuesday — not at the end of Monday night. Stay beyond that window and UWA charges an additional day.

This matters on two-night itineraries. A foreign non-resident staying two full calendar days typically pays US$90 in park entry (two 24-hour periods), even if lodge check-in spans only 48 hours. Activity fees — game drives, launch cruises, hikes — are also independent of entrance: paying US$45 does not include the US$30 launch or the US$25 day game drive ranger.

Gates operate roughly 07:00 to 19:00. Plan payment time at the boom — card terminals at Kichumbanyobo, Bugungu and Mubako can queue during peak dry-season mornings. Our Uganda money and ATMs guide covers cash backup when signal drops.

Vehicle Entry and the Murchison Surcharge

Vehicle entry is charged per 24 hours, separately from personal entrance. Foreign-registered vehicles pay by class: saloon cars US$40, minibuses and pick-ups US$50, tour-company 4×4 vehicles US$150. Ugandan-registered equivalents run UGX 20,000 to 30,000 for saloons and minibuses, with tour vehicles at UGX 30,000.

Murchison adds a park-specific surcharge on top: US$10 for foreign-registered vehicles and UGX 10,000 for Ugandan-registered vehicles. A self-drive couple in a foreign saloon therefore pays US$45 + US$45 entry, plus US$40 vehicle entry, plus US$10 Murchison surcharge — US$140 in UWA gate fees before any game drive or cruise.

Motorcycles, trailers and vehicles carrying inflammable goods, livestock or market merchandise are prohibited inside protected areas unless UWA grants express approval. Fly-in visitors landing at Pakuba, Bugungu or Chobe airstrips pay aircraft landing fees separately; passenger park entry still applies.

Activity Fees Charged on Top of Entry

The UWA tariff treats entrance and activities as distinct line items. For foreign non-residents at Murchison Falls, the most commonly booked activities under the current tariff are:

Launch cruise to the base of the falls: US$30 (US$25 FR, UGX 30,000 EAC). Day game drive with UWA ranger guide: US$25 per guide, not per person. Self game drive without a UWA or licensed private guide: US$10 per vehicle. Night game drive: US$40 per person — restricted to guests sleeping inside the park, UWA ranger mandatory. Top of the Falls hike: US$15. Viewing platform at the falls: US$10. Bird watching and day nature walks: US$25. Sport fishing: US$50 per day.

Chimpanzee tracking at Kaniyo Pabidi in Budongo Forest is managed separately by the National Forestry Authority — around US$130 for foreign non-residents in peak season — with Murchison park entry still payable if you enter the main park the same day. Delta and private boat trips run by lodge operators carry their own tariffs; see our boat cruise fees guide for launch and delta pricing.

Since the 2024 tariff update, game drive fees are mandatory whether you self-drive, hire a UWA ranger, or ride in a UWA shared vehicle. Ranger and self-drive detail sits in our Murchison guide fees guide.

Annual Passes and Long-Stay Visitors

Foreign residents with valid work permits and East African citizens can buy annual park entrance passes valid across all UWA protected areas — but vehicle entry remains separate, and passes do not cover gorilla tracking, chimp permits, mountaineering or other package activities.

Annual pass rates: US$350 individual, US$600 couple, US$800 family (maximum four children) for foreign residents; UGX 350,000 individual, UGX 500,000 couple, UGX 600,000 family for EAC citizens. Safari guides pay UGX 200,000; taxi drivers UGX 150,000. If you visit Murchison more than eight times a year, the individual pass pays for itself against US$45 daily entry — rare for holiday travellers, useful for researchers and resident naturalists.

Sample Fee Totals for Common Itineraries

One-day visit (foreign non-resident): US$45 entry + US$30 launch + US$25 ranger on a Buligi drive + US$15 Top of the Falls hike = US$115 in personal UWA activity fees, plus vehicle charges if self-driving.

Two-night, three-day safari (foreign non-resident, organised tour): US$90 park entry (two 24-hour periods) + US$30 launch + US$50 for two day game drive rangers + US$15 falls hike = US$185 in standard UWA fees. Vehicle entry for a tour-company 4×4 (US$150 + US$10 Murchison surcharge per 24 hours) is usually absorbed in your package quote — confirm with your operator.

East African citizen weekend: UGX 50,000 entry for two adults over two days, UGX 60,000 for two launches, UGX 50,000 for two ranger-guided drives — roughly UGX 160,000 before lodge and fuel. Compare full safari pricing in our safari cost guide and cost of visiting Murchison Falls.

Paying at the Gate and What to Carry

UWA accepts US dollars, Ugandan shillings, mobile money and card at major gates including Kichumbanyobo, Bugungu and Mubako. Keep receipts — rangers at Paraa and activity desks may ask for proof of payment before issuing a launch ticket or assigning a game drive guide.

Organised safaris typically pre-pay or settle fees through the operator; self-drivers should budget cash and card. Penalties for tariff defaults or prohibited behaviour — sitting on a vehicle roof, littering — carry fines from UGX 100,000 upward under the published tariff. Present your passport, yellow fever certificate if requested, and valid ID for the tariff band you claim.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is the entrance fee for Murchison Falls National Park?

Foreign non-resident adults pay US$45 per 24 hours under the UWA tariff valid to June 2026. Children aged 5–15 pay US$25. The fee covers park access only — activities, vehicle entry and ranger guides are charged separately.

Is Murchison Falls more expensive than other Ugandan parks?

Yes, by US$5 per day. Murchison is Category A+ at US$45 for foreign non-residents; Category A parks such as Queen Elizabeth and Lake Mburo charge US$40. Core activity fees — US$30 launch, US$25 day ranger — are identical across those parks.

Do children pay park entry at Murchison Falls?

Children aged 5–15 pay reduced rates: US$25 for foreign non-residents, US$15 for foreign residents, US$10 for rest-of-Africa visitors, and UGX 10,000 for EAC citizens. Under-fives enter free.

Does the park entry fee include the boat cruise or game drive?

No. Entrance and activities are independent charges. A launch cruise costs US$30, a day game drive ranger US$25 per guide, and a self-drive without a ranger US$10 per vehicle — all on top of US$45 entry.

How long is a Murchison Falls park ticket valid?

Twenty-four hours from the time of entry. Exceed that window and UWA charges another full day. Two-night stays typically require two daily entry payments for foreign visitors.

Can I pay park fees by card at Murchison Falls?

Yes at major gates, though connectivity can fail during peak queues. Carry US dollars and shillings as backup. Most packaged safaris handle payment through the tour operator.

Plan Your Safari

Murchison Falls park fees are straightforward once you know the 24-hour rule and the A+ tier — but the right itinerary still depends on which gate you use, whether your lodge sits north or south of the Nile, and how many activities fit each day. We build Murchison safaris daily and quote UWA fees transparently so nothing surprises you at Kichumbanyobo.

Browse our Murchison Falls safari packages, read how to plan your trip, or tell us your dates — we will confirm entry, activities and ferry timing before you fly.