By Emmanuel Rwothongeyo
For three days this September, Uganda’s wild side will be calling.
From 25 to 27 September 2026, Uganda’s Open Park Days are set to give eligible visitors an opportunity to experience some of the country’s spectacular protected areas and discover the wildlife, landscapes and natural treasures that make Uganda one of Africa’s most exciting safari destinations.
Among the destinations that should be high on every traveller’s list is Murchison Falls National Park.
And if you’re heading there, there’s another place you should know about:
Pakwach.
What Are Uganda’s Open Park Days?
Open Park Days are an initiative designed to bring people closer to Uganda’s protected areas while encouraging appreciation of wildlife and conservation.
The initiative gives eligible visitors an opportunity to experience selected national parks and wildlife reserves under special access arrangements.
For travellers who have always wanted to experience a Ugandan safari, the September 2026 event presents an opportunity to explore some of the country’s most remarkable wilderness areas.
But before packing your bags, visitors should check the latest Uganda Wildlife Authority guidance for the participating parks, eligibility requirements and activities covered under the 2026 programme.
Why Murchison Falls?
Why Murchison Falls?Located in north-western Uganda, Murchison Falls National Park is the country’s largest national park and one of its most spectacular wildlife destinations.
The park offers a remarkable combination of savannah, woodland, riverine habitats and the mighty Nile.
A game drive can take you across open plains where elephants, buffalo, giraffes and Uganda kob move through the grasslands.
And then there is the Nile.
At Murchison Falls, the river is squeezed through a narrow gorge before plunging downstream in one of Uganda’s most dramatic natural spectacles.
It is the kind of place where the landscape itself becomes part of the adventure.
What Can You Do at Murchison Falls?
Open Park Days are an opportunity to experience more than simply driving through the park.
Depending on the activities available during the 2026 programme, visitors can explore the park through experiences such as:
Game Drives
Early morning and afternoon game drives offer opportunities to see elephants, giraffes, buffalo, Uganda kob and other wildlife.
With patience and luck, visitors may also encounter some of the park’s predators.
Boat Cruises on the Nile
A boat cruise towards the bottom of Murchison Falls is one of the park’s signature experiences.
The riverbanks offer spectacular opportunities to see hippos, crocodiles, elephants and numerous bird species.
Murchison Falls
The falls themselves are the dramatic centrepiece of the park.
The sight and sound of the Nile forcing its way through the narrow gorge before continuing its journey downstream is something visitors rarely forget.
Birdwatching
Murchison Falls is also a destination for bird lovers, with hundreds of bird species recorded across the conservation area.
From the riverbanks to the savannah, there is always something moving, flying or calling.
But Don’t Just Drive Through Pakwach
For many visitors travelling to Murchison Falls from West Nile and other parts of Uganda, Pakwach is the gateway.
Located beside the Albert Nile, the town provides an important connection between the park and the wider West Nile region.
But Pakwach deserves more than a quick stop for fuel.
It has its own culture, food, history and stories.
And for travellers willing to slow down, the town can turn a safari into a much richer experience.
Taste the Nile
One of the easiest ways to experience Pakwach is through its food.
The town is closely connected to fishing communities along the Nile, and visitors can find a variety of locally caught fish.
Among the local favourites is nang-nang, a small silver-grey fish commonly fried until crispy and golden.
Served fresh, it makes for a memorable roadside snack.
Visitors can also find tilapia, catfish, lungfish, angara and other freshwater fish.
For someone travelling through West Nile, tasting local fish isn’t simply eating.
It is experiencing part of the Nile economy and culture.
Meet the People of Pakwach
Pakwach is strongly associated with the Jonam people, whose history and livelihoods have long been connected to the river.
The warmth of the community is part of the experience.
Visitors can explore local markets, meet traders and artisans, interact with fishing communities and experience a side of Uganda that a traditional safari itinerary can easily miss.
Make Your Visit Count
Open Park Days are about opening Uganda’s protected areas to more people.
But tourism can go further than the park gates.
When visitors stay in local accommodation, eat at local restaurants, buy locally produced crafts, hire local guides or purchase food from local vendors, they contribute to the communities surrounding the destination.
That is why making Pakwach part of your itinerary matters.
Your safari can become an opportunity to support the people who live alongside the park.
Planning Your September Adventure
If you are considering visiting Murchison Falls during Open Park Days, start planning early.
Check the latest official guidance on:
- Eligible visitors
- Participating parks and reserves
- Entry arrangements
- Activities available
- Accommodation
- Transport
- Park opening times
- Any additional charges for activities
Do not assume that every safari activity is automatically free simply because park entry is being offered under a special programme.
The Journey Is Part of the Adventure
One of the attractions of travelling to Murchison Falls through Pakwach is the changing landscape along the journey.
The further north-west you travel, the more the landscape changes.
Eventually, the road brings you towards the Nile, West Nile communities and the gateway to one of Uganda’s greatest wilderness areas.
And that is where the adventure really begins.
Make Murchison Falls Your September Destination
If you’ve never experienced Murchison Falls, 25–27 September 2026 could be a good opportunity to finally make the trip.
- Come for the wildlife.
- Stay for the Nile.
- Explore the falls.
- Taste the fish.
- Meet the people.
And take time to discover Pakwach.
Because a trip to Murchison Falls does not have to end at the park gate.
Sometimes, the gateway is part of the destination.
Discover Pakwach
Planning to visit Murchison Falls?
Don’t just pass through.
Read our companion feature:
“Discover Pakwach: The Nile Gateway to Murchison Falls, Fish, Culture and History.”
Book Rooms with WooNam BNB
