Murchison Falls National Park
When we talk of Murchison Falls National Park, one thing one has to consider first is its hugeness, this park is ranked amongst the largest parks Uganda has covering an area of about 3879sqkm and surrounded by 3 game reserves including Budongo forest reserve, Bugungu reserve and Karuma wildlife reserve. In the last decades this park has become the most popular and visited National Park rubbing the dominance of Queen Elizabeth National Park, this is attributed to its wide biodiversity of animal species that inhabit the park. This beautiful park is placed in the gumshoe of the Albertine Rift Valley stretching to the northern in the extension of the vast Bunyoro escarpment within the palm-dotted savanna.
Why Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park was first gazetted as a game reserve in 1926, known as Uganda’s largest and oldest conservation area, hosting a huge number of wildlife species over76 species of mammals and 451 bird species are recorded within here, so a visit to this park is a guarantee for sighting many species of animals some of which are rarely seen in other Uganda parks. Some of the games expected to see include some of the Big Five animals (elephant, leopards, lions and Buffalos).
Different species of antelope have decorated the park with a perfect view of wildlife in every corner, warthogs, fox, and towers of giraffes, hippos and hyenas just to mention but a few. The bird checklist marks about 451 bird species 19 unverified species is headed in attractiveness by the shoebill, most common along the stretch of river between Nile Safari Camp and the estuary into Lake Albert. A variety of water-associated birds are infinite along the river, and raptors make a strong company on the checklist with 53 species recorded. All these species have made the park the best place to visit.
About Murchison Falls National Park
There is no Murchison Falls National Park without the Murchison Falls, these falls forms an attractive dramatic moment making them questionably being “the world’s most powerful falls”. While at the falls on a boat cruise, you can’t miss watching various species of animals that live and feed on the lake such as the hippos and crocodile plus many species of birds.
The Victoria Nile waters flows westwards falling on a cliff of 45m down forcing into the stiff gorge of 7m wide causing a loud roars and moist surrounding making forming the Murchison Falls. Before fall, the water bisect to form both the Murchison falls and the sister Uhuru falls for fabulous aerial view.
At the falls cliff, the river bisect to form two aerial scenic beautiful falls of Murchison falls and the sister Uhuru falls. Then the river flows to drain into the Albert Nile which materializing an impressive and exciting wild watching points to the delta or the Albert Nile.
Plentiful unique occupancies avails diversities of wildlife species of superb mammals and lots of bird species seen at divergent viewpoints. The disposal of great abundant wildlife and scenic landscape makes an exciting moment of adventure, not least the remarkable falls for which the park is named.
Accessing the Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park is located in the northeastern part of Uganda covering a distance of a5-6hours drive from the capital city Kampala. There are several entrance gates to access the park from the north including the Chobe, Wankwar, Mubako and Tangi gates north of the Nile. These are reached from the Kampala-Pakwach Road which crosses the Nile at Karuma Falls Bridge in the northeastern corner of the park. The park can either be reached by road using private, or public or under a registered tour company that will do to and fro safari to Murchison falls. Alternativly one can use a chartered flight from Kampala/ Entebbe international airport, you can land to Pakuba airfield, Chobe airfield and Bugungu airfield from there one can be picked and driven to the park/lodge
Safari activities done in the park
Wild game drive safaris
Game viewing safari is the major activity thought first to any traveler to Murchison Falls National Park, the park is known for hosting the highest concentration of wildlife species the big number of encounters can be seen in the northern wing of the park. In this section of the park, there are many drinking spots and driving trucks so many animals hung out there making spotting very superb. Games to encounter here include 4 out of the 5 big five mammal including the (elephant, leopards, lions and Buffalos).
Many species of antelope which can be seen in every corner of the park, warthogs, fox, giraffes, hippos and hyenas among so many encounters. The Delta point at the Victoria Nile has proved to have a great catch of wildlife where the Victoria Nile join Lake Albert to form the Albert Nile one of the world’s amazing hippo pools. Not only that, the delta as well is positioned to be an excellent bird watching spot with several bird species that include the grey-crowned crane, eye-fluttering Abyssinian ground hornbill, saddle-billed stork, the localized Denham’s bustard, the handsome black-headed and spur-winged lapwings and the Senegal thick-knee among many others.
Boat Launch Safaris
This is yet another safari activity one can’t miss to do while at Murchison falls national park, the boat cruise is one of the most rewarding adventure undertaking at the park. The fact that “there is no Murchison Falls National Park without the Murchison falls”, most of the guest to the park are aiming at watching these tremendous features where rapids forces into a narrow gorge to form the world’s most powerful falls.
The launch cruise goes to the bottom of Murchison falls which covers almost to and from 17km. The boat cruise gives one a chance to see a variety of animal species that live and feed on the lake including crocodile, hippo and many animals that can be seen around the shoreline such as elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks, giraffes besides a variability of birds among are herons, cormorants, ducks, bee-eaters, fish eagles, kingfishers and shoebill in rare cases and view of beautiful cliffs along the ride.
Trekking to the top of the falls
This is a wonderful and memorable experience one shouldn’t love to miss while at the park, The hiking trail is sometimes challenging as to some extents when the water volumes increases, the hike is not possible, before planning for this activity, it’s very much required to first consult before adding it to the list of adventures to do at the park. Once the hike is confirmed possible, you will have to drive to the top of the falls.
Nature walking adventure
Nature walk adventure is worth experiencing while at the park, Coming in close contact with nature is something rewarding, different options can be considered for Nature walking safaris and its mostly done in the tropical reserves of Rabongo forest, and Budongo forest, nature walk offers great chances of sighting different species of birds and primate species. Guided by experienced well informed ranger guides.
Sport fishing adventure
Sport fishing is an adventurous activity and more of fun one to enjoy while here in Murchison falls national park. There’s nothing empowers than one training something challenging and exciting, the activity is available on request and it’s based on ‘catch and release’. The main catch here are the Nile Perch and tiger-fish. A Nile perch can weigh about 50kg. Sport fishing is more convenient at the Victoria Nile section where the falls continue to the delta. If interested in taking of sports fishing adventure, then have to make an earlier booking or contact us for proper arrangements.
Chimpanzee tracking safaris
Murchison falls national park is one of the two parks the other is Queen Elizabeth national park which offers a chance for both wildlife and primate species. Chimps are fabulous fun to enjoy watching when praying in fruitful or tree branches. Chimp Tracking is done on the southern wing of the park known as Budongo Forest Reserve which hosts a biggest percentage of primates and the most common is the Chimpanzees. At Budongo chimpanzees are fully habituated to enable a close-up encounter by trackers. Chimp trekking here begins at 8am commencing at Budongo Eco lodge, trekking last for about 30 minutes to 4 hours in according to the location of the tracked family. And once they are met, you are strictly allowed to stay with them for only one hour learning and studding their behaviors.