Explore Murchison Falls National Park in Uganda
Explore Murchison Falls National Park in Uganda: Murchison Falls national park is the largest of ten national parks in Uganda. It is situated in the northern region of the country and covers approximately 3,840 square kilometers of savannah land. Murchison falls is one of the best nationals parks to visit in Uganda when it comes to wildlife viewing. The park is a safe haven for about 76 species of mammals, including lions, bushbucks, Uganda kobs, hyenas, hippos, Nile crocodiles and primates like monkeys, chimpanzees and baboons. Murchison falls national park in Uganda is also home to over 450 bird species including the rare shoebill stork, egrets, fish eagles, kingfishers, and hornbills just to mention but a few.
Attractions in Murchison Falls National Park.
There is a lot for tourists to see when exploring Murchison Falls national park, some of the interesting attractions in the national park include;
Karuma Falls:
Visitors travelling to Murchison Falls national park in Uganda can have a stopover at Karuma falls where you will be graced with stunning attractions such as the falls, monkeys and even baboons; just remember to keep your car windows up in order to avoid any unpleasant surprises from our close relatives.
Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Sanctuary:
Commonly referred to as Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the wildlife sanctuary is the only place in Uganda wher you will be able to see Rhinoceros in their natural habitat. Apart from rhions, visitors at the sanctuary can also view other wildlife species such as; the rare shoebill stork, zebras, warthogs, and buffaloes among others. The sanctuary is located in Nakasongola district just about 125 kilometers to Murchison falls national park.
Wildlife:
With more than 76 different species of mammals, Murchison falls national park in Uganda has a lot to offer visitors in terms of wildlife viewing safaris. Some of the wildlife animals that you can look out for in the park include; topi, antelopes, impala, waterbucks, African savannah elephants, leopards, lions, buffaloes, zebras, giraffes and hippos among others.
In addition to this, exploring Murchison falls national park in Uganda will give you the opportunity to view its stunning birdlife. With a record of more than 450 bird species, Murchison Falls national park in Uganda is the ideal place to be on a birding safari, most especially if you are a bird enthusiast.
Kaniyo Pabidi Forest:
The Kaniyo Pabidi Forest is situated in the southern sector of Murchison Falls national park. The forest is a popular destination for primate safaris in the park, especially for those interested in chimpanzee trekking in Murchison falls national park. Aside from tracking its habituated chimpanzees, visitors also have a chance to see other primate species such as baboons and monkeys.
Budongo Forest:
Budongo forest is one of the largest natural forests in east Africa covered with mahogany tree species. The forest is known for harboring primates like chimpanzees, red tailed monkeys, olive baboons, blue monkeys, potto, bird species like grey long bill, chocolate backed kingfisher, pygmy crake, yellow crested woodpecker, butterfly species among others.
Buligi Game Track:
The Buligi game track in Murchison falls national park is a seven kilometer game drive track that will offer visitors one of the most amazing wildlife viewing experiences in the park. Apart from viewing wildlife in the park, visitors view the beautiful and majestic hills of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Activities Visitors can do in Murchison Falls National Park.
If you are planning to explore Murchison Falls national park in Uganda, here are some of the activities that you can do while on your safari;
Guided Game Drives:
Guided game drives in Murchison falls national park in Uganda offer visitors a great opportunity to view a number of wildlife species in the park, and most especially most of the Big Five animals like lions, leopards, buffaloes, and the African savannah elephants. The park offers both morning and evening game drives; with the morning game drives starting 6:30am while the evening game drives commence at 4pm. The park also offers night guided game drives which begin at 6pm every evening and they offer visitors two hours of nocturnal wildlife viewing. Visitors on a night game drive have an opportunity to view nocturnal wildlife animals such as lions, hyenas, leopards, serval cats and many more.
Boat Cruise:
Boat cruises in Murchison Falls national park are simply magical! Visitors on a boat cruise in Murchison Falls are able to sail the mighty River Nile and explore all its beauty. Boat cruises in the park commence from the dock at Paraa and take about two hours for those sailing upstream, and approximately five hours for those sailing downstream. The boat cruise in Murchison falls starts at 9am every morning and again at 2pm for the evening/ sunset boat cruise. Although visitors on a boat cruise get to see lots of wildlife animals grazing at the river banks, the main highlight of the boat cruise is always the view of the majestic Murchison falls. Here one can see the water plunge into rocks as it makes its way to the Albert Nile and onward through Sudan till Egypt.
Top of the falls hiking:
Top of the falls hike can be combined with a boat cruise upstream to the bottom of the falls which is also known as the most powerful waterfall in the world. The boat will therefore leave you at Bakers point where you will engage in top of the falls hiking which takes about 45 minutes. During hiking you will enjoy roars of the water, fresh air, water splashes, and beautiful scenery and also listen to history of the waterfalls from the guide which makes your safari exceptional.
Chimpanzee Trekking:
Chimpanzee trekking at Murchison Falls National Park in Uganda can be done from Kaniyo Pabidi forest or Budongo Forest. Visitors can track one of the habituated chimpanzee groups at the national park, accompanied by experienced guides and park rangers. Chimpanzee tracking at Murchison falls is done in groups of a maximum of six members and the activity can take about four to six hours depending on the location of the chimpanzees. Once a group of chimpanzees has been located, visitors are given only an hour to spend with the primates.
While tracking chimpanzees, visitors can also sight other primates like baboons, blue monkeys, red tailed monkeys, butterflies, tree species, bird species like black kite, African pied wagtail, olive breasted greenbul, crested guinea fowl, Cassin’s, hawk eagle, white spotted fluff tail, pygmy crake, blue breasted dwarf among others.
Other activities offered to tourists in Murchison Falls National Park include; Sport fishing, Bird watching, Guided nature walks, and Community Cultural encounters.
Accommodation in Murchison Falls National Park.
Visitors planning to spend a night or more in Murchison Falls national park can book accommodation in any of the following lodges that are located within the national park; Paraa Safari Lodge, Chobe Safari Lodge, Nile Safari Lodge, Red Chilli Rest Camp, Geo Lodge Shoebill Camp Site, Sambiya River Lodge, Yebo Safari Camp, Murchison Safari Lodge, UWA Campsite, Budongo Eco Lodge, Boomu Women’s Group Bandas, Fort Murchison Safari Lodge, Murchison River Lodge, Pakuba Safari Lodge, Murchison tree house, Amuka Safari Lodge, Bakers Lodge to mention but a few. The lodges are well equipped with all the basic necessities needed to make you feel at home. In addition to this, visitors can access services such as; WIFI, resturants, room service, laundry services and many more.
How to Get to Murchison Falls National Park.
Murchison Falls National Park can be accessed by both road and air. The national park can be accessed by road from Kampala via Masindi, which is about a five hours drive to the park.
Visitors who wish to travel to the national park by air can book domestic charter flights from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield to Bugungu Airstrip in the southern sector of the park, or to Chobe and Pakuba Airstrips located in the northern part of the park.
