Murchison Falls National Park in March
March at Murchison Falls National Park is the month the calendar turns — dry-season heat still holds in the first fortnight, the first proper rains arrive by mid-month and the savannah shifts from gold to green in days. Wildlife remains readable on open plains early in the month, the Victoria Nile rises toward its long-rain volume and the park feels quieter than peak season without the full mud-and-mist logistics of April.
This guide covers what March actually feels like on the ground at Uganda’s largest national park — roughly 3,840 square kilometres bisected by the Nile — from weather and wildlife to boat cruises, delta shoebill trips and chimpanzee tracking. For species-level birding detail, see our monthly birding guide; here the focus is the full safari experience.
March weather: dry heat giving way to rain
March marks the transition from the short dry season into Uganda’s long rains. Averages for the Murchison area show daytime highs around 32–34°C, nights near 20–22°C, and roughly 70–125 mm of rain across some 13 days — lighter than April’s peak. The first two weeks often feel like dry season; from mid-March onward, afternoon thunderstorms become more frequent.
Early March visitors plan around heat; late March travellers need waterproof gear and closed shoes with grip. Rain rarely shuts the park, but it changes which Buligi tracks remain passable after overnight storms.
Wildlife in March: visibility before the grass grows
In the opening weeks, elephants, buffalo, Uganda kob, hartebeest and the park’s strong population of Nubian (Rothschild’s) giraffe — more than 1,700 individuals in recent Giraffe Conservation Foundation surveys — still gather along the Nile as in February. Grass remains relatively short, and lion, leopard and hyena stay visible on Buligi, Pakuba and the Queen’s Track through the cool hours.
As rains take hold, animals disperse and antelope calving begins — young kob on open patches draw raptors and add a gentler dimension to drives. Predators remain most active at dawn and dusk. For how to use those hours, see our comparison of morning versus afternoon game drives.
The falls and the Nile as volume builds
March is when the Victoria Nile begins to swell. Average discharge at the gorge is around 300 cubic metres per second, but wet-season floods can exceed 1,000 cubic metres per second by late March — enough to shake the Top of the Falls platform where the river is forced through a cleft roughly six metres wide.
The upstream launch cruise from Paraa — about 17 kilometres each way to the base of the Fajao Gorge — grows more dramatic as the month progresses. UWA boats depart the north-bank jetty at 09:00 and 14:00; the tariff is US$30 per foreign non-resident under the July 2024–June 2026 schedule, separate from park entry. Delta channels toward Lake Albert begin to fill — expanding shoebill habitat though navigation can tighten on heavy rain days. Read our bottom-of-the-falls boat cruise guide and delta birding guide.
Planning activities across a split month
March rewards flexibility. First-half dates suit dry-season logic: early northern-bank drives, a 09:00 launch cruise and a delta shoebill outing while channels stay open. After mid-March, shift to morning-first scheduling — gates open at 07:00, close at 19:00 — and use afternoon rain for forest walks or the Top of the Falls hike.
Operators schedule the Paraa ferry early to reach the Buligi circuit before clouds build. Kaniyo Pabidi in Budongo Forest, via Kichumbanyobo Gate, offers chimp tracking under canopy that holds up in light rain. The sealed Masindi–Paraa road makes the drive from Kampala — roughly 305 kilometres and four to five hours — reliable; fly-in guests use Pakuba Airstrip.
Birding and why travellers choose March
March sits at the tail of the Palearctic migrant window — barn swallows, bee-eaters and ospreys overlap with residents before departing north from late March into April. The shoebill — a year-round delta resident — becomes easier to find as flooded papyrus spreads. With more than 450 recorded species, March combines migrant diversity with green-season breeding activity. See our guide to the best place to see shoebills in Uganda.
Many repeat visitors call early March among the best weeks of the year: green savannah, strong wildlife visibility and fewer vehicles than peak dry season. UWA park entry is US$45 per foreign non-resident adult per 24 hours year-round; gorilla permits remain at US$800 in March — the US$600 discount starts in April. See our best time to visit Murchison Falls guide for the wider picture.
Honest trade-offs
March is not uniform — your dates within the month matter more than in January or July. Late March can mean greasy black-cotton soils on remote Buligi loops, slippery falls trails and delta cruises affected by wind and rain. A high-clearance 4×4 with an experienced driver becomes important after mid-month. Build two full northern-bank days rather than one rushed loop and keep a weather contingency for shoebill outings. Compare our April guide if your dates may slip into the long rains.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is March a good time to visit Murchison Falls National Park?
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Yes — especially early March, which many guides rank among the best weeks: green savannah, strong wildlife visibility and migrant birding without April’s heaviest rain. Late March is workable with flexible scheduling but game viewing becomes harder as grass grows.
- How much does it rain in March?
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Expect roughly 70–125 mm across about 13 days, usually as afternoon showers intensifying toward month-end. Daytime temperatures stay around 32–34°C with rising humidity after mid-month.
- Do boat cruises and game drives still run in March?
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Both operate year-round. Morning drives and the 09:00 launch cruise are the most reliable slots. After mid-month, confirm delta shoebill trips daily — heavy rain can affect papyrus navigation.
- How do I get to Murchison Falls in March?
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The standard route from Kampala or Entebbe runs via Masindi and Kichumbanyobo Gate — about 305 kilometres and four to five hours on the sealed Masindi–Paraa road. Game tracks soften after mid-month rain. Pakuba Airstrip serves fly-in guests. See our Kampala to Murchison Falls routing guide.
Plan Your Safari
March at Murchison Falls is the hinge between dry-season clarity and green-season drama. We sequence early ferry crossings, dawn game drives on Buligi, launch cruises as the Nile swells and delta shoebill outings timed for your fortnight within the month. Browse our Murchison Falls safari packages or read the full fees guide to budget your trip.