The park is the location of the famous Murchison Falls, where the waters of the majestic Nile River squeeze through a narrow gorge, only 7 metres (23 ft) wide, before plunging 43 meters (141 ft) below by which it is named It is named after which itself is named after the president of the Royal Geographical Society. The park is sometimes referred to as Kabarega National Park. Kabarega was the Omukama of the Kingdom of Bunyoro, around the end of the 19th century.

Also in the park, adjacent to the Masindi-Gulu Highway, are the Karuma Falls, the proposed location of the 700 MW Karuma Power Station. In Murchison there are four of the "big five". Buffalos, elephants, lions, leopards are best to be seen in the northern part (above the Nile). Due to excessive hunting and poaching, Rhinos became extinct by 1983, but were re-introduced into Uganda in 2005 by Rhino Fund Uganda,see Ziwa Rhino sanctuary.

A 5 - 6 hrs drive will take you through the main Gate at Kichumbanyobo gate, and you will be welcomed by a number of shy baboons through kaniyo Pabidi and the Budongo forest. The park also boasts of lots of flora and fauna, Hippopotamus, Giraffes, Nile Crocodiles, Antelopes, Uganda Kobs, Hartebeests and Oribis. Birds include-herons, cornmorants, ducks, bee-eaters, fish eagles, kingfishers and sometimes the rare shoebill among others. Main activities in the park include; Forest walks in the Budongo forest, Game drive, Boat cruise downstream to Murchison falls, Chimp tracking, Bird watching, Bird watching, Top of the falls visit