MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK
Murchison Falls national park is a very scenic Uganda safari destination and a national park with Murchison falls the most powerful waterfalls in the world, and it is from this magnificent waterfall that the park gets its name. The park is located in the North West region of Uganda approximately 90 kilometers from Masindi the nearest town, Murchison Falls national park is the largest national park in Uganda covering an area of 3040 square kilometers and consists of Bungugu wildlife reserve, Karuma wildlife reserve and the park itself.
Murchison Falls is the prime tourist attraction in Murchison Falls national park, the dramatic Murchison falls is formed when river Nile the longest river in the world squeezing through a narrow gorge of 7 meters into the Devil’s Cauldron thus creating a very beautiful rainbow. The river explodes violently through a narrow cleft in the River valley escarpment
The park lies in the northern end of the Albertine Rift Nile boosting great views of the plains and forested areas and the Victoria Nile as it pours into Lake Albert, the Albert Nile corridor is the lowest area at 612 msl at the Delta. While on a Uganda safari in Murchison Falls national park you get to enjoy magnificent views of the Nile squeezing through the gorge and the views are best got while on a launch cruise on the Victoria Nile.
The park is a great habitat for wildlife inhabiting 76 species of mammals including 4 of the 5 big five that are lion, elephant, cape buffaloes and leopards. Other animals inhabiting in the savannah plains of the park include giraffes, Uganda kobs, bushbucks, Jackson’s hartebeests, Oribi, waterbucks, warthogs and several primates living in the Kaniyo Pabidi forest and Budongo forest that are Baboons, Patas monkeys, Blue monkeys, Red-tailed monkeys, chimpanzees and black and white colobus monkeys.
Murchison Falls national park is one of the Important Birding Areas (IBA) in Uganda and a great destionation for Uganda birding safaris, the park is a home to over 450 bird species including water bird species found in the Nile corridor such as the rare shoebill stork. Other 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
Uganda safari activities to do in Murchison Falls national park
Game drives
Game viewing is one of the highlight Uganda safari activities done in Murchison Falls national park, this experience is done on morning, afternoon and evening game drives in a 4X4 wheel vehicle with open roof.
Game drives in the park usually last for 4 hours and as you drive on various tracks in the park, you are to enjoy watching many animals such as waterbucks, lions, cape buffaloes, elephants, bushbucks, warthog, giraffes, Uganda kobs, Oribis, hartebeests among others.
Nile Launch Cruise
Nile launch cruise/ River Nile cruise is a breathtaking Uganda safari experience in Murchison Falls national park, this activity starts from Paraa to the foots of Murchison Falls. Nile launch cruise starts as early as 09:00 hours in the morning and 14:00 hours in the afternoon every day and special arrangements can be done.
The launch cruise is a 17 kilometers trip from Paraa to the bottom of the falls and back taking about 3 hours of cruising, there is another boat cruise of 28 kilometers from Paraa to the Delta and back taking approximately 4-5 hours.
Nile Launch cruise in Murchison Falls national park offers magnificent views of the Murchison falls and abundance of crocodiles at the shores of the river, buffaloes, waterbucks, elephants and many bird species such as eagle kingfishers ducks, bee-eaters, heron, cormorants, the rare shoebill among others.
Chimpanzee tracking
Chimpanzee tracking in the park is done in the Kaniyo Pabidi located along the boundaries of the park, Kaniyo Pabidi forest is a section of Budongo Forest inhabiting various primate species including baboons, red-tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys and many birds.
Chimpanzee tracking starts with an early briefing at the park’s headquarters then while into the forests in search for the chimpanzees. After finding the chimpanzees are to stay for 1 hour in the presence of the chimpanzees while taking pictures and observing the behavior of the chimpanzees.
Sport fishing
Sport fishing in the park is done at the river Nile, this bonding experience offers an opportunity to catch various fish species found in the waters of the river such as Nile perch, mud fish and many more. To participate in sport fishing in Murchison Falls national park you need to acquire a fishing permit and tourists on Uganda sport fishing safari are encouraged to bring their own fishing equipments.
Bird watching
The park is a paradise for birder, the park is listed among the Important Birding Areas (IBA) in Uganda and a great destination to visit during Uganda birding safari. The park is a habitat to over 450 bird species which you will enjoy spotting during birding experience and they include 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 among others.
Nature, hiking and forest walks
Nature and forest walks are very adventurous activity to do in Murchison Falls national park, this activity is done in Kaniyo Pabidi, Rabongo forest and the plains of the park itself.
Nature walks in the park are done on various trails running through the forests and during your walks you get to watch many forest creatures such as chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys and many bird species such as weaver birds, Abyssinian ground –Hornbill, red-throated Bee eater among others.
Hiking in the park leads to the top of Murchison Falls, this exciting and adventurous activity involves using a boat trip from Paraa towards the Devil’s cauldron then hike through the green thick vegetation to the top of the falls. While at the top of the falls, you get to watch the waters River Nile squeeze through a 7 meters gorge with a thunderous sound.
Hiking to the top of the falls takes about 4.5 minutes to 1.5 hours depending on the strength of an individual.
Community walks
Community walks in the park are cultural safaris taking you on a visit to local communities situated outside the park, this activity is perfect for individuals in need to experience the local traditions, customs and their daily. During community walks you get to engage in scenic village tours where you will visit the local residents, farms where to you will participate in farming experience such as digging, visit the Boomu Women’s group where you will engage in weaving of baskets, cooking and visiting the local schools and market centers.
Where to stay in Murchison Falls national park
In Murchison Falls national park there is a list safari lodges, tented camps and hotels offering accommodation and other necessary services and facilities to tourists on a Uganda safari in the park, accommodation facilities in Murchison Falls national park are categorized as luxury midrange and budget accommodations. Accommodation facilities in the park include Sambiya River Lodge, Parra safari lodge, Nile safari lodge, Murchison River Lodge, Baker’s lodge, Fort Murchison, Pakuba safari lodge among others.
How to get to Murchison Falls national park
Murchison Falls national park is an accessible Uganda safari destination with two options of transport means a tourist can use to get to the park that is by air or by road, any option one choose can lead you to the park for your safari experience.
By road
By road, one can get to Murchison Falls national park using either public or private vehicle on a drive of 5-6 hours and a distance of 260 kilometers from Kampala city to Masindi town, from Masindi town it is a 85 kilometers drive to the park’s main gate Kachumbanyabo gate, this route goes through Kaniyo Pabidi forest to Paraa in the southern region of the park.
By air
There are chartered aircrafts operating domestic flights to the park, these domestic flights are offered from either Entebbe International airport or Kajjansi airstrip to 3 airstrips serving the park that are Pakuba, Bugungu and Chobe airstrips.
