This Uganda Wildlife Authority campsite sits on the rock near the very top of Murchison Falls, a few minutes’ walk from the point where the Victoria Nile – the entire river – is squeezed through a gap barely six metres wide and thunders 43 metres into the gorge below. It is basic camping, no more, but the location is extraordinary and completely unique in the park: you have the falls to yourself in the low light of early morning and late evening, after the day visitors have gone, with the noise and the spray and the rainbows all to yourself.
Where it is
On the south side of the river at the top of the falls, at the end of the top-of-the-falls access track. The viewpoints and the head of the falls are a short walk away. Getting here means the drive to the falls area; the Paraa ferry, for the northern game-drive tracks, is around 45 minutes plus the crossing, and Kichumbanyobo Gate is about an hour south.
The setting
The campsite is a cleared area on the rock among sparse trees, with the roar of the falls constant – loud enough that some people find it hard to sleep and others find it hypnotic. Spray drifts over the site when the wind turns, the birding is good, and the sunrise and sunset over the gorge are the whole point. Keep a safe distance from the water: the rock is slippery and the current above the falls is lethal.
Rooms
Pitches only, beside the falls – bring or hire a tent, a mattress and bedding, and expect everything to be slightly damp from the spray. A head torch is essential and a dry bag for electronics is wise. Mosquito nets come with hired tents.
Facilities and food
Very basic – a pit or basic flush toilet and a cold shower, a water point, and space for a camp kitchen. No catering, power or Wi-Fi; self-cater or we send a cook and supplies. Rangers are present at the falls; we arrange the drives, the launch cruise to the base of the falls, and the hike.
Who it suits
The Top of the Falls Campsite suits adventurous travellers and photographers who want the falls to themselves at dawn and dusk and are happy with real camping beside a very loud, very powerful river. It is a memorable one-night experience. It is not for anyone wanting comfort, catering or a quiet night’s sleep.
What it costs, as a guide
A public campsite pitch is a small nightly fee of roughly US$8 to US$15 per person, plus a modest charge if you hire a tent and bedding rather than bringing your own. There is no catering, so you self-cater or we send a cook. Park entry fees, your vehicle and guide, and the activities are all separate – a full safari quote from us wraps everything into one figure. Rates move with the season and the room type and change from year to year, so the prices here are indicative and for planning only; we always confirm the exact current rate for your dates directly with the property before you commit to anything.
How it fits your safari
The Top of the Falls Campsite is the one place you can sleep beside the falls, so we build it into an itinerary purely for that experience – a night here, the falls to yourself at dawn and dusk, then on to the game drives via the ferry the next day. It is camping only, and needs full kit, which we can provide.
Good to know
Rates, room types and exact facilities change from season to season, so we confirm the current price and availability for your dates directly with the property before you commit to anything – there is no charge for this and no obligation. Power at most Murchison lodges is a mix of mains, solar and generator and may switch off overnight, so a head torch and a power bank are worth carrying; Wi-Fi, where it exists, is slow and best treated as a way to send a message home. Meals are usually full board, and any lodge will pack a breakfast or lunch box for an early game drive if we let the kitchen know. A yellow-fever certificate is required to enter Uganda and malaria prophylaxis is recommended for the whole country.
Check availability at Top of the Falls Campsite
Send us your travel dates and the style of safari you have in mind and we will come back within 24 hours with current rates and availability at Top of the Falls Campsite, along with a full day-by-day itinerary and a clear quote – no deposit to enquire. Browse our Murchison Falls safaris, read the park guide, see the rest of our Murchison Falls accommodation, or get in touch now.
