Murchison Falls Conservation Area covering 5,072 square kilometers is one of Uganda’s largest and oldest protected areas lying at the northern end of the Albertine Rift Valley.
It is named after the breath-taking spectacular water falls on the Great River Nile which in 1864,a British explorer Sir Samuel Baker chose to christen Murchison, in honor of the distinguished  President of the Royal Geographical Society.
The dramatic waterfalls which is the mainstay of the national park is where the Nile, the world’s longest river contracts from a grand stream to  explode violently through a narrow six metre gorge  into the cauldron of turbulent water 40 meters  below ,popularly known as the Devil’s cauldron . According to Samuel Baker, the water falls is the most important object throughout the course of the river.

Murchison Falls NP boundaries were gazetted in 1952 by the then British Colonial government after surveys and negotiations with the local district administrations of Bunyoro and Acholi

Murchison Falls Conservation Area with the adjoining Karuma and Bugungu Wildlife Reserves can be accessed through different routes by road to reach Paraa Park headquarters. It can also be reached by air using the daily flights from Entebbe International Airport or chartered aircrafts from   Kajjansi airfield to Pakuba airfield, 19km North West of Paraa and south at Bugungu, 13 km from the park headquarters.
The most commonly used route is Kampala via Masindi town and Kichumbanyobo Gate which is about 300km long and takes an average of 4.5 hours. This route is currently considered the shortest and most convenient with 175km of it being tarmac and 125km of fine murram.This route takes you through Kaniyo Pabidi Forest famous for the chimpanzee tracking before encountering the rift valley escarpment that offers a spectacular view of the national park landscape.The alternative route is via Biso and Bulisa which enables the visitors to enter the park through the Bugungu Gate. Although a bit longer than the Kichumbanyobo Gate corridor, this access route leads through Budongo Forest ,down the rift valley escarpment with a fascinating view over Lake Albert  onto the Blue Mountains in the Democratic Republic of Congo and over the wide open spaces of the massive national park.

'The main attractions of this park are undoubtedly the unique Murchison Falls and the River Nile with its teeming hippo and serried ranks of crocodile on the sandbanks, coupled with large numbers of other species…coming down to drink and bathe..'
Murchison Falls is Uganda's only National Park which has all "big five". Buffalos, elephants, lions, leopards are best to be seen in the northern part (above the Nile). Rhinos were sadly extinguished but are now being bred again in the rhino sanctuary south of the park; 40 to 50 rhinos are planned to be released into the wild in approx. 30 years (by 2040)The park is bisected by the Victoria Nile which initially races down 80km of whitewater rapids before plunging 40m over the remnant rift valley wall at Murchison Falls, the climax of the park.’ The Falls drains the last of the river’s energy, transforming it into a broad, placid stream that flows quietly across the rift valley floor for 55km to Lake Albert. This stretch of river provides one of Uganda’s most memorable wildlife spectacles. Regular visitors include elephant, giraffe and buffalo while hippopotamus and Nile crocodile are permanent residents
The Nile itself hosts one of Africa's densest hippo and crocodile populations, and a dazzling variety of water birds including the world's most accessible wild population of the rare shoebill stork

Murchison Falls National Park boasts a wide range of accommodation facilities from camping and traditional bandaas at Paraa Rest Camp to the luxury of Paraa Safari Lodge, Nile Safari Camp, Chobe Safari Lodge and Sambiya River Lodge. There are five camping sites near Paraa Rest camp,at the Top of the Falls, Rabongo Forest  next to Wariongo River  and the two chimpanzee tracking sites at Kaniyo Pabidi and Busingiro.
At Paraa Rest Camp, one finds traditional bandas some of them self contained while at Rabongo forest, one can rent one of the wooded cottages. The two chimpanzee tracking sites also provide bandas . Elsewhere in the park, Sambiya River lodge offers mid –range accommodation where separate self contained units are available.

Paraa Safari Lodge,a big hotel l complex on the northern bank of the Nile complete with a modern swimming pool conference hall and modern interior design is another facility for  up market accommodation. The Nile Safari Camp also offers tented units in a romantic setting overlooking and close to the Nile.

The most recent addition is the newly refurbished Chobe Safari Lodge a five star hotel with breath taking panoramic views coupled with the sounds of the River Nile magnificent rapids setting the scene for a memorable adventure. The Safari lodge also has a conference room, swimming pool, 21 standard tents, family cottages, bridal suites,61 standard rooms and deluxe tents. It owns fishing boats.

The Uganda Wildlife Authority campsites exist at the top of the Falls and Delta Point. These sites provide pit latrines and in some cases, basic showers. Budget accommodation and camping is available at Red Chilli Rest Camp and Kaniyo Pabidi Camp.  In Masindi municipality, the Masindi Hotel and Court View Hotels are recommended