Murchison Falls National park
Murchison Falls National Park is the oldest and largest wildlife conservation area in Uganda which was originally reserved as a game reserve in 1926 and later declared as the first national park in 1952 . It is located in the North-western parts of Uganda about 305KM from Kampala spreading its boundaries from the shores of Lake Albert occupying about 4 districts namely Buliisa, Nwoya, Kiryandongo and Masindi on the northern end of the Albertine Rift Valley around the Victoria Nile till the Karuma Falls habituating a number of wildlife such as Giraffes, African Elephants, hyenas, hartebeests, Cape buffaloes, Lions, Leopards, Jackals, warthogs, during game drives in the Park and some primates would be spotted too such as olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys among more as well as aquatic wildlife like the Large Nile crocodiles in big numbers and Hippos that can be viewed by taking a boat safari to the bottom of the falls on the Victoria Nile in the park. At the Focal of the Park are the Murchison falls originally referred to as the Kabalega Falls, these are the most powerful waterfalls in Africa formed where the victoria Nile forces its self through a narrow gorge about 7.5 meters wide and down to 100metres.This breathtaking pure natural wonder leading to very powerful water rapids causing a rain felt effect and forming a permanent rainbow sign on top of the falls later calm down into a tranquil and broad calm river. This river stretch is one of Uganda’s most viewing wildlife spot that attracts aquatic wild animals like the Hippos, the large Nile Crocodiles, and different water bird species that are permanent residents as well as African Elephants, buffaloes, Ugandan Kobs, warthogs and Giraffes among more that normally come around at the riverbank. Murchison Falls National Park is home to over 144 mammal species, 450 bird species available with the start of water birds, the rare shoe-billed stork, beautiful blue turaco ,white-thigh hornbill , white-crested turaco ,Goliath heron among more.
Murchison Falls National Park is a place of untold beauty and untamed wildlife either your looking for amazing game drive ,breathtaking boat-cruise ,beautiful landscape, top of the falls experience, this park offers an unforgettable experiences.
LOCATION OF MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK:
Murchison Falls National Park is located north-west of Uganda about 305KM away from Kampala Capital City in approximately 5 to 6 hours road drive depending on the traffic conditions along Kampala-Gulu Highway. The Park spins around four districts namely Buliisa, Masindi, Nwoya and Kiryandongo stretching its boarders from the Lake Albert shores around the Victoria Nile and upto Karuma Falls.
KEY ATTRACTIONS IN MURCHISON:
Wildlife; The park harbors a number of wildlife animals and birds that’s about 144 mammal species and 450 bird species namely the Giraffes, African Elephants, hyenas, hartebeests, Cape buffaloes, Lions, Leopards, Jackals, warthogs, that can be spotted whilst doing game drives in the Park and some primates would be spotted too such as olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys among more as well as aquatic wildlife like the Large Nile crocodiles in big numbers and Hippos and water birds that can be viewed by taking a boat safari to the bottom of the falls on the Victoria Nile in the park. These wildlife animals are tremendously increasing in size and numbers feeding in the savanna grassland and acacia woodland with a relaxation of the riverbank formed from the calm river stretch coming from the rapid Murchison waterfalls.
Murchison Falls; These rapid water falls are one of the top attractions in Park . These falls are the most powerful falls in the Africa and in the world creating a unique nature wonderful scenery with a stand-out blend of rapid energy through a narrow gorge that’s about 7.5 meters wide and 100metres down. This breathtaking pure natural wonder leading to very powerful water rapids causing a rain felt effect and forming a permanent rainbow sign on top of the falls later calm down into a tranquil and broad calm river. These magnificent waterfalls are very beautiful
Karuma Falls; Explore the thunderous waterfalls in the Chobe area.
Chimpanzees in Bundongo Forest; There is Budongo Forest situated within the Park and it harbors Chimpanzees in their natural habitats that can be tracked on foot in that jungle.
Birds, There is existence of a various birds about 450 bird species that can be views within the park whilst doing a boat cruise to the bottom of the falls on Victoria Nile or during a game drive in search for wildlife species such as the rare shoe-billed stork, beautiful blue turaco ,white-thigh hornbill , white-crested turaco ,Goliath heron among more.
Activities In Murchison Falls National park
Boat-Cruise;
The Nile River boat-cruise/ Nile Delta boat-ride is one of the most beautiful thing you can do. Take a fresh spacious beautiful Murchison boat at wild frontiers thrilling for about 3 to 4 hours to the bottom of the falls and back to the Nile at the shores of Lake Albert viewing the untamed aquatic wildlife like the large Nile Crocodiles, Hippos and various water birds thrilling for about 3 to 4 hours.
Hiking to the Top of the Falls;
Hike to the top of the Murchison Falls and view the rapid waterfalls that lash down narrow gorge 7.5metres wide and 100metres down leading to a pure natural wonder. This breathtaking pure natural wonder caused from very powerful water rapids form a rain felt effect and a permanent rainbow sign on top of the falls then later calm down into a tranquil and broad calm river. These magnificent waterfalls are very beautiful
Bird watching;
Murchison Falls National Park is a great destination for bird watching harboring over 450 bird species that can be viewed whilst doing a boat cruise to the bottom of the falls on Victoria Nile or during a game drive in search for wildlife species and these include the rare shoe-billed stork, beautiful blue turaco ,white-thigh hornbill , Vultures, white-crested turaco ,Goliath heron among more.
Nature Walks;
Venture into the park by taking guided nature walks or track to see the Chimpanzees at Bundongo Forest and bird-watching among more.
Game-drives;
The park is about 3,892 km area size in measurements thereby enhancing amazing game-drives that can be done either in the early morning or late evening to view the untamed wildlife like Giraffe, Cape Buffaloes, African Elephants, Warthogs, Jackson Harte beests, Lions, Leopards, hyenas among more.
Best Times to visit Murchison Falls National Park
The Park can be visited all year round though the best time to visit it in Uganda is during the dry season ie December to February ,June and July.
Dry Seasons; December to February . During this time, they are fewer and less tourists making it easier to view animals in length of time and there are hardly any mosquitoes in the park since its dry season thereby less chances of Malaria.
Dry Season ; June and July .This is the best weather timing in the park as the grass is short and temperatures are hotter then little rainfalls making it easy to spot wildlife hence making a visit worthy.
Wet Season; March to May , October to November. This time of the year in Uganda is a low season with heavy rains, animals hide and also the roads are impassible and the park is inaccessible though it’s the best time to do the resident bird-watching in the park.
ACCOMODATIONS OPTIONS:
There is a wide-range of accommodation facilities within the park ranging from campsites, Safari lodges, hotels as well as eco-friendly facilities that are in rates of Luxury, Mid-Range and Budget Accommodations namely;
The Budget Accommodations include Red chilli campsite, and Budongo Eco Lodge
Mid-range Accommodations like Pakuba Safari Lodge, Tilenga Safari Lodge, Parkside Safari Lodge and Murchison River Lodge.
Luxury Accommodations such as Trackers Safari Lodge, Entikko Safari Lodge and Paara Safari Lodge.
DIRECTIONS TO MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK:
Murchison Falls National Park is situated approximately 305KM away from Kampala Capital City in about 5 to 6 hours road drive depending on the traffic conditions on Kampala-Gulu Highway through Masindi using Luwero-Nakasongola Road to arrive at the southern gate of Murchison Falls National Park named Kichumbanyobo gate where all park entry fees can be handled before entering the park boundaries.
WHAT TO PACK FOR THE SAFARI?
- Carry yourself decent shorts, skirts, scarf, shirts, night wear, underwear, a cap and a sweater in case its rainy season.
- Long trousers or skirts can protect you during rainy season and lighter suites free you during dry season.
