Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park is one of the best destinations to visit while on a Uganda safari tour. Murchison Falls National Park is found in the north-western part of Uganda, spreading inland from the shores of Lake Albert, around the Victoria Nile up until the Karuma falls. Protected and managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, Murchison Falls was established in 1952, and covers up to 3893 square kilometres in area. Together with the adjacent Bugungu wildlife Reserve of 748 square kilometres and the Karuma Wildlife Reserve of 720 square kilometres, the Murchison Falls Conservation Area is formed.
The Park is blessed with about 76 mammal species including four of the big five. These many mammals can be seen while on a game drive, boat safari or walking tour in Murchison Falls, say lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, the Jackson’s hartebeest, giraffes, waterbucks, and the Uganda kob, among so many others. Along the shores of the Nile Delta, hippos, crocodiles, water birds, and other resident creatures can be seen. Primates are also spotted in Murchison Falls National Park say baboons and many other monkey species.
Birdlife in Murchison Falls of Uganda is recorded at over 450 species, including the very rare shoebill stork. Murchison falls birding safaris are very rewarding, when in the guidance of a bird guide.
The highlight of a Murchison Falls safari is however the Murchison falls themselves. These thunderous falls, the loudest in the world, are amazing to look at and better yet listen to, as the waters of the Nile pass through a narrow 8 meter wide gorge. It is the launch trip upstream that is not only interesting but also rewarding with great views of the falls and several wildlife species along the shores including buffaloes, hippos, and elephants, crocodiles in the water, waterbucks and various bird species.
What to see or attractions in Murchison Falls include Murchison falls, the rich and amazing wildlife including birds, the amazing landscape and beautiful savannah plains of the park. With these various attractions, there are a number of activities that travellers visiting on a Murchison falls safari can do.
Activities in Murchison Falls National Park
There are a number of activities in Murchison Falls National Park that travellers on safari can do, to experience all that the park has to offer. These include;
Game drives
Game drives in Murchison are a great way to encounter the various wildlife species in the park. Game drives can be done all day long, with the morning game drives being the most rewarding for wild animals are just leaving their sleeping areas to start their day. The Delta area, Buligi Peninsular and the southern sector are the main game viewing areas from where a variety of wildlife can be spotted.
Launch cruise
A launch cruise in Murchison Falls is a 2 hour ride that takes travellers to the bottom of the Murchison falls, during which time travellers can spot various wildlife including crocodiles, hippos, the rare shoebill stork and various bird species. At the shores, a number of wild animals can be seen including elephants, antelopes among others.
Hot air balloon safari
A hot air balloon safari in Murchison falls is an enjoyable activity that has travelers enjoying a bird’s eye view of the park’s landscape and wildlife.
Bird watching
With over 450 species of birds in Murchison Falls National Park, including the Albertine Rift endemics, water birds and savannah forest birds, bird watching is a great activity that any traveller after birding will enjoy.
Nature walks and hikes
There are several walking or hiking trails in Murchison that travellers can explore greatly on foot. The Rabongo and Kaniyo Pabidi forests trails are especially worth a hike, for travellers are rewarded with birds and primates along other wild animals.
Cultural tours
Travellers can do village tours to see and experience the locals’ way of life, and also purchase some of their handiworks. You may also take part in the making of some of these products say weaving mats, baskets, among others. Travellers can also enjoy energetic cultural dances and songs by the Mubako.
When to visit Murchison Falls
The Park can be visited all year long. The best time to visit Murchison Falls National Park however is during the dry season, which is also the peak season. The dry season falls in the months of December to February and June to August. Bird watching in Murchison Falls National Park is however best done in the wet season. It is therefore safe to say that the park can be visited all year round, depending on one’s interests.
How to get to Murchison Falls National Park
The Park can be accessed by both air and water. By road, Murchison Falls is about a 5 hours road drive via Kampala-Masindi. The road drive is enjoyable and has a number of en-route activities like visiting the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. By air, travellers can charter flights from Entebbe International Airport to Chobe airstrip in Murchison Falls National Park.
Accommodation in Murchison Falls
There are a variety of accommodation facilities in Murchison Falls, ranging from luxury to budget options, thereby catering for all kinds of travellers. Some of the Murchison Falls Park accommodation facilities that travellers can stay in include Chobe Safari Lodge, Paraa Safari Lodge, Murchison River Lodge, Parkside Safari Lodge and Red Chilli Rest Camp among others.
The Park safaris are very interesting and experiential with great wild game viewing and launch cruises. A 3 days Murchison Falls safari is one of the most common Uganda safaris packages that travellers book to experience the beauty of the park. Combining Murchison Falls with other Uganda safari destinations like Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for gorilla trekking, Kibale National Park for chimpanzee tracking or even to the Ssesse Islands would make one’s Uganda safari experience all the more amazing. Reach out to your trusted tour operator to help you put together one of the most amazing Uganda safari packages, or check out any of our packages herein.
