Guides

Fishing at Murchison requires expert assistance, to ensure both client safety in this adventurous destination, and the best opportunity for successful fishing.  Some of you may be experienced enough to challenge the Nile with just hiring a boat and skipper but for most it is recommended to have an experienced fishing guide along to ensure the smooth running of the trip (especially if it is a first excursion to the falls). A choice of guides is available (subject to availability) and we recommend one guide per three anglers. Depending upon group size we can recommend Paul Goldring, Andy Ault, Pete Baldwin, and others who have successfully led trips to the falls over the last few years, and will ensure an unforgettable experience.

Getting there

Murchison Falls National Park is approximately 6 hours drive north west from Entebbe, via Kampala with the majority of the roads before reaching the park being tarred. Within the park there are murrum roads. Our fully inclusive trips include private transport with a driver in 4 x 4 vehicles which are comfortable and spacious, including room for fishing equipment!  Alternatively scheduled flights (minimum 3 persons) or charter flights can be used between Entebbe and Murchison Falls National Park, these are at an additional cost which is provided upon request.

Traditional Fishing Season

The fishing at Murchison varies from year to year as to which are the most successful fishing months, but generally it is accepted that the drier months of the year produce better fishing results – December  to March and June to October. We catch all year round its just that in these months there is less chance of rain. Thunderstorms occur randomly throughout the year .The beginning of the April Rainy season is to be avoided please enquire about current situation before booking.

Fishing area and conditions

Sport Fishing at Murchison Falls National Park is currently conducted in the area at the base of the falls.  The fishing is either from the rocks on the bank of the river or slightly lower down stream in the pools from a boat.  Access to the fishing spots is either by boat from a point further down stream or by walking down the gorge to the river from the top of the falls.  It’s a long steep climb back up (around 45 minutes for a reasonably fit person) and hence most people tend to go fishing equipped for the day to avoid climbing up in the heat of the day.

The temperatures at Murchison are high (sometimes over 40 degrees C) – especially at mid day and anglers should be equipped with sun protection including sun tan lotion, hats and long sleeved shirts.  Tsetse flies also abound at certain times and we recommend trousers as well as insect repellant.

Methods of Fishing / Equipment

Fish caught on live bait / casting lures include Nile perch and various species of cat fish.  There are also a large variety of smaller species, (used as live bait), obtained by spinning including tiger fish.  We recommend a rod between 11feet (3 metres) and 8 feet (2.4 metres) together with a fixed spool or multiplier reel.  For the smaller species a 7’ spinning rod with 5 kg (10 lb) line is adequate.

Reels - For Nile perch and catfish any reel fixed spool or multiplier with 30-35 lb line(17kg) will do. It depends on personal preference and skill with a multiplier.  For tiger fish and smaller species any reel you can comfortably cast small spinners is suitable.

Accommodation

There are several facilities available for accommodation in the park – which one we utilise will depend upon budget and requirements.  Prices quoted are based on utilizing Paraa lodge or Nile Safari Lodge.  We are also able to offer accommodation at Murchison River Lodge which is more mid range and basic accommodation at Red Chilli Rest Camp  for client groups that prefer to camp (fit experienced anglers only) a mobile camp, which we will erect at the camp site at the “top of the falls” area above Murchison Falls . 

Due to the remoteness of the area power is usually by generator in the evenings and early mornings only at the lodges/camps.

Drinks

Drinks are cooled by gas run fridge/freezers at most of the lodges/camps and at times the hot weather affects this process. Cooler boxes are used on the boats to keep drinks as cool as possible through the day.  Bottled water is available for drinking and a variety of other drinks are available for sale at the lodge/camps, however IF you have specific requests we suggest you notify us in advance so we can do our best to accommodate you.  Whilst they try their best to accommodate guests NOT all drinks available in other parts of the world are available here, there fore if you have strong preference eg branded spirits, we also suggest you bring your own.

What to pack

There are no shops in the National Park - all necessary supplies such as sun tan lotion, cigarettes, spare batteries for electronic equipment and cameras, and mosquito spray must be brought with you.  We suggest you bring as much sun protection as possible - hats, sunglasses, creams as it can be very hot. Hiking/safari boots are best for foot wear, especially for shore fishing from the steep, rough rocks.  Lightweight and light coloured clothes for fishing are best as they are cooler and the tetse flies are less attracted to them. Long sleeves and long trousers are best, but avoid blue/black dark colours where ever possible as these colours actually attract the tetses!  A light weight rain jacket and a sweater for the evenings is also recommended.

Tsetse flies are attracted more to some people than others - if you happen to be one of those - long sleeves and trousers are essential!.

Optional additional excursions

Excursions for game drives, Nile river cruises and chimpanzee trekking can be arranged in conjunction with the fishing.  These excursions at Murchison Falls National Park are not included in the pricing quoted, but we would be happy to advise you, should you be interested in further information. Should you wish to combine your fishing with visiting other areas of Uganda eg Mountain Gorilla viewing then we can also assist you with arranging this sector of your safari as an additional service.

PRICES - DAY TRIPS

Included: Use of boat on the Nile with skipper/fishing guide services, fuel, lunch, drinking water, and use of fishing equipment with USD100- deposit fee per rod paid before departure(except for breakages / damaged equipment which is charged for).    

Excluded: National Park Entry Fees of USD35- per day, National Park Fishing Fees of USD50- per day which are payable directly to Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Included: Airport transfers and return transport in 4 x 4 vehicle with driver/guide from Entebbe to MFNP, accommodation (Paraa Lodge or Nile Safari Lodge), meals, boat use on the Nile river, fishing guide services and national park entry fees. 

Excluded: Drinks, Tips and other items of a personal nature and National Park Fishing Fees of USD40- to USD50- per day (depends on the number of days fishing) which are payable directly to Uganda Wildlife Authority and fishing equipment hire as detailed below.

EXTRAS / OPTIONS 

Fishing Permit

Uganda Wildlife Authority requires that each angler purchases an official fishing permit for each day of fishing – the prices are dependent upon the total number of days you fish for – between USD40 - 50 per person per day. We ask you to please bring sufficient USD cash (Credit card payments are not accepted) to pay for this directly to UWA at Murchison Falls upon arrival at the National Park.   

Fishing Equipment - is not included in the above prices as there is a variety of different types required, depending on the fish species and size anglers seek. Due to challenges of keeping up with breakages and supply of new equipment to Uganda, a limited amount of basic equipment (more suited to first time visitors) is available for hire from us from USD20.00 /day/rod & reel (lost or broken lures charged in addition) depending on type and quantity required.  We strongly recommend that if it all possible anglers bring their own equipment, especially the more seasoned anglers who know their fishing.

LOST / DAMAGED FISHING EQUIPMENT

For both the day trips and overnight fishing safaris we operate our fishing equipment used on the basis that if any of our equipment that is used and is lost, damaged or not returned to us at the end of the fishing period it needs to be paid for at our ruling rates.

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