Bugungu Wildlife Reserve, covering 473 sq km in Buliisa and Masindi Districts, sits directly beside Murchison Falls National Park’s eastern boundary, forming part of the wider protected landscape around Uganda’s largest park. Bordered by Karuma Wildlife Reserve to the northeast and Budongo Forest Reserve to the northwest, Bugungu extends the same savannah and woodland habitat found inside Murchison Falls itself.
The reserve at a glance
- 473 sq km in Buliisa and Masindi Districts, western Uganda
- Borders Murchison Falls National Park to the east, Karuma Wildlife Reserve to the northeast and Budongo Forest Reserve to the northwest
- Shares the same savannah and woodland habitat as the neighbouring national park
- Part of the wider protected landscape surrounding Murchison Falls National Park
Part of a wider protected landscape
Bugungu’s location, wedged between Murchison Falls National Park and two other reserves, means it functions as an extension of the park’s habitat rather than a separate destination most visitors seek out on its own. The reserve shares wildlife movement corridors with Murchison Falls, and its presence helps buffer the national park from surrounding human activity, contributing to the broader conservation landscape of northwestern Uganda.
An extension of Murchison Falls
Most travelers encounter Bugungu as part of the wider Murchison Falls area rather than as a dedicated stop, with the reserve’s savannah and woodland blending into the park’s own habitat along shared boundaries. For visitors with a specific interest in the region’s conservation geography, Bugungu illustrates how Uganda’s reserve system extends protection beyond the formal boundaries of its national parks.
Things to do
- Combining a visit with a wider Murchison Falls National Park safari
- Game drives along shared habitat bordering the national park
- Learning about the reserve system supporting Murchison Falls’ wider ecosystem
Practical information
- Accessed as part of the wider Murchison Falls National Park area, in western Uganda
- Best visited alongside a Murchison Falls itinerary rather than as a standalone destination
- Reached via the same routes used to enter Murchison Falls from Masindi
Bugungu Wildlife Reserve extends the Murchison Falls landscape for visitors interested in the region’s wider conservation picture. Offmap Safaris can build it into your Murchison Falls itinerary. To start planning, visit Plan My African Safari, message us on WhatsApp at +256 701 243 304, or email [email protected]. See also our notes on health and safety and responsible travel.