History & travel
The White Nile
Alan Moorehead · 2000
Classic history of the Nile-source explorers, including Samuel and Florence Baker, who reached and named Murchison Falls in 1864.
Uganda · Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls
Kabalega Falls
The entire Victoria Nile is squeezed through a gap in the rock barely 7 metres wide before exploding into the pool below, generating a force disproportionate to its modest height. A boat safari from the base brings you past crocodiles and hippos right up to the spray.
World's most powerful waterfall by force per metre of width Essentials guide
Checked September 2026 by David Bussell
Murchison Falls drops 43 metres (141 ft) across a face roughly 7 metres wide on the Nile (Victoria Nile), inside Murchison Falls National Park. It is a plunge-type fall, and the nearest base for a visit is Masindi, with PAF the closest airport. Access to the main viewpoint is rated easy.
Murchison Falls is the second-tallest of the 8 we cover in Uganda. As a plunge waterfall, water leaves the rock entirely and falls free through the air.
What you can do here
A walk-in-and-look waterfall
No commercial adventures run at Murchison Falls itself — the experience is the approach and the view. Guided day trips from Masindi are the easiest way to combine it with the area around it.
Also good forBoat cruisesHikingPhotographyWildlife & safari
When to go
Dry seasons give clearer roads and easier boat access; the Nile itself flows year-round.
Entry: National park entry ~$45 USD per day
Getting there
- Base town Masindi
- Airport PAF
- Country Uganda
- Region Murchison Falls National Park, East Africa, Africa
- Access Easy — a short walk or roadside viewpoint
How it compares
This waterfall
Murchison Falls
Uganda
Height43 mWidth7 m
Most similar
Tolmer Falls
Australia
Height42 mWidth—
Also a plunge waterfall and of similar height
Largest curtain
Victoria Falls
Zimbabwe · Zambia
Height108 mWidth1,708 m
Largest single sheet of falling water
Tallest on earth
Angel Falls
Venezuela
Height979 mWidth—
Widest on earth
Khone Phapheng Falls
Laos
Height21 mWidth10,783 m
Measured across the whole multi-channel system
42 m
43 m
108 m
330 m
979 m
Tolmer FallsMurchison FallsVictoria FallsEiffel TowerAngel Falls
Khone Phapheng Falls
10,783 m
Victoria Falls
1,708 m
Murchison Falls
7 m
Angel Falls is 23× taller than Murchison Falls. Victoria Falls is 2.5× taller and 244× wider. Khone Phapheng Falls is 1540× wider. Tallest · widest lists.
Watch and read
Videos from Murchison Falls
19:54
1:08
20:31
Chosen from YouTube; videos belong to their creators and play from YouTube's privacy-enhanced player.
Books worth packing
UgandaPhilip Briggs, Andrew…
Guidebook
Uganda
Philip Briggs, Andrew Roberts · 2020
Briggs' Uganda guide is the standard for Murchison Falls NP boat trips and top-of-falls hike, and Sipi's trails on Mount Elgon.
On the map
2.2833, 31.6833
Quick answers
Where is Murchison Falls?
Murchison Falls is in Uganda (Murchison Falls National Park), inside Murchison Falls National Park. The nearest base is Masindi and the closest airport is PAF. Its coordinates are 2.2833, 31.6833.
How tall is Murchison Falls?
Murchison Falls drops 43 metres (141 feet), across a face about 7 metres wide. It is a plunge-type waterfall on the Nile (Victoria Nile).
When is the best time to visit Murchison Falls?
Peak flow is January to February and June to September and December. Dry seasons give clearer roads and easier boat access; the Nile itself flows year-round.
What can you do at Murchison Falls?
Beyond the viewpoints: boat cruises, hiking, photography and wildlife & safari. Access to the main viewpoint is rated easy — a short walk or roadside viewpoint.
How do you get to Murchison Falls?
The usual base is Masindi, and the closest airport is PAF. A short walk or roadside viewpoint from there. National park entry ~$45 USD per day.
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