Updated
Karuma Wildlife Reserve lies on the south-eastern side of Murchison Falls National Park, along the Victoria Nile around Karuma Falls. Together with Murchison and Bugungu Wildlife Reserve it forms the Murchison Falls Conservation Area. The road from Kampala to Gulu crosses the Nile at Karuma, where baboons line the bridge, and the Karuma hydropower dam has been built upstream.
Wildlife
Animals move freely between Karuma and Murchison, so elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kob, hartebeest and waterbuck occur, though less densely than in the park. Olive baboons are famous for gathering along the road near the bridge. The river and rapids attract kingfishers, herons and other waterbirds.
Pressures
The hydropower project, roads and nearby settlement have brought change and pressure on the reserve. Poaching has been a problem in the past, and managing it is part of protecting the wider Murchison ecosystem.
Visiting
Most travellers see Karuma from the road on the way to Murchison’s northern bank or to Kidepo. Do not feed the baboons at the bridge. The gorilla permit costs US$800, or US$600 in April, May and November. See our guides to Murchison Falls, Murchison Falls animals, the olive baboon and Uganda’s protected areas.
Frequently asked questions
On the south-eastern edge of Murchison Falls National Park, along the Nile.
A series of rapids on the Victoria Nile, near the Karuma bridge.
Yes, many of the same species as Murchison, but fewer.
No. Feeding makes them aggressive and dependent.
