Attractions in Murchison National Park Uganda : Murchison Falls national park, the largest park in Uganda is a great safari destination hosting a variety of tourist attractions as detailed below.
THE POWERFUL MURCHISON FALLS
Murchison Falls are the most powerful waterfalls in the world and are the main tourist attraction in Murchison falls national park, these unique and beautiful waterfalls are found on River Nile the longest river in Africa and are formed as a result of the Nile squeezing through a narrow gorge of 6 meters to plunge over 40 meters below into a 50 meter radius water pool.
As the waters force their way through the rocks, the powerful force results into a louder roar and a water spray around the fall and a permanent rainbow around the fall.
THE RIVER NILE
River Nile is the another beautiful and major attraction in Murchison falls national park, River Nile is the longest river in Africa and world as well with its source being in Jinja in Lake Victoria, the river flows through the park bisecting it in two. Also the river hosts large numbers of animals including hippos, giant crocodiles found along the sandbanks as well water birds such as herons, crested crane among others.
The best way to explore River Nile during your Murchison Falls safari is by taking a launch trip up the stream all the way to the bottom of the waterfalls, during the launch you will be able to see various animals and birds.
Launch trips in Murchison Falls national park start at 09.00 in the morning and 14:00 in the afternoon every day, there is also another boat trip downstream from Paraa down to the papyrus delta at the point where the river enters into Lake Albert. The boat ride lasts for about 4-5 hours offering a chance to spot a variety of birds such as a shoebill and animals such as elephants and buffaloes drinking water.
TOP OF THE MURCHISON FALLS VIEW
The top of Murchison Falls offer the most spectacular views of the waterfalls and it is must visit when during your safari to Murchison Falls national park, at the top of the falls you will enjoy sight and sounds of the Nile crashing through a small chasm. The top of Murchison falls can be reached by car or from the boat at the bottom of the falls, Attractions in Murchison National Park Uganda
BULIGI GAME AREA
The Buligi Game Area is the best game viewing are in Murchison Falls national park popular for game drive, the area comprises of open savannah grasslands, riverine vegetation, woodland and acacia. The Buligi Game Area is located between the Victoria Nile and the Albert Nile with excellent views towards the western rift valley beyond Lake Albert into the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Game viewing in this area is offered as morning and afternoon fame drives, a drive from Paraa passing the Delta Point across the 170 Kilometers areas, the takes approximately 3 to 4 hours.
ANIMALS IN MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK
Murchison Falls national park is famously known for being a habitant for over 76 mammal species thriving in the tropical forests, swamps and open savannah grasslands. Animals in Murchison Falls national park include leopards, lions, cape buffaloes, giraffes, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, bushbucks, elephants, hartebeests, oribis, waterbucks, hyenas among others.
PRIMATES IN MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK
Murchison Falls national park hosts a various species of primates found in the Kaniyo Pabidi as well as the Budongo forest, these primates include chimpanzees, olive baboons, black & white colobus monkeys, the red tailed monkeys among others.
BIRDING IN MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK
Murchison Falls national park is a great bird’s haven hosting over 450 bird species including water birds, savannah birds and forest birds. Birds found in Murchison Falls national park include the Goliath Heron, African Quail-Finch, the elegant Grey Crowned Cranes, Blue-headed Coucal, White-browed Sparrow Weaver, Swamp Flycatcher, Red-throated Bee-eater, Squacco Heron, Silver bird, African Jacana, Piapiac, Sandpipers, Eastern Grey Plantain-eater, Denham’s Bustard, Weaver Birds, Abyssinian Ground-Hornbill, Malachite Kingfishers and the Black-billed Barbet among several others, Attractions in Murchison National Park Uganda
PARAA
Paraa is among the important areas in Murchison Falls national park worth exploring, the Paraa Area is situated close to the banks of River Nile and according to the local language the world Paraa means “Home of Hippos” that is well depicted by the large numbers of hippos found in the area. There are a diversity of Uganda safari activities you can do during your safari including game drives (morning and afternoon game drives), hot air balloon safaris, birding tours, launch cruise and fishing trips.
Launch cruise in Paraa Area offers visitors a chance to see various animals in the shallows of the Nile waters. The Paraa area is a site for the Paraa Safari Lodge a luxury accommodation.
BUDONGO FOREST
Budongo Forest is found in the Southwestern part of the Great Murchison Falls Conservation Area and close to the park, Budongo forest is continuous with the Kaniyo Pabidi forest. The forest boasts a variety of wildlife including over 287 butterfly species, 24 mammals, over 460 tree species and over 360 bird types. In Budongo Forest there is the Royal Mile which is fantastic to explore offering visitors great opportunity to spot birds and primates.
KANIYO PABIDI FORESTS
Kaniyo Pabidi forests are located in the Southern part of Murchison Falls Conservation Area, the forest has a number of trails that stretch for about 8 kilometers inside the Kichumbar Gate. Nature walks on these trails offer a great sights of chimpanzees on chimpanzee trekking experience and other primates such as blue monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, olive baboons among others.
Kaniyo Pabidi forest is also a great birding site where tourists get to spot several bird species including yellow-footed flycatcher, white thighed hornbill and Ituri batis among others during a nature walk.
THE KARUMA WATERFALL
The Karuma waterfalls are located in the Chobe Area within the northeastern part of Murchison Falls national park, this beautiful waterfalls comprise of cascading natural rock – formations through which the waters forces its way thus forming a characteristic white foam which is impressive to see.
The Karuma waterfalls are a great place for sport fishing and the surrounding area you can spot animals such as antelopes, giraffes, lions and baboons.
