Tour Guide To Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda wildlife and Cultural safaris
Things To Do In Murchison Falls National Park: offers a variety of ways to engage the wilderness and experience the splendor of this natural wonder. Although the Murchison Falls National Park is renowned for the stunningly powerful Murchison Falls, it is an amazing place to take a safari and witness some of Africa’s incredible wildlife. The Murchison Falls are on the Victoria or White Nile River. Murchison Falls National Park is home to the largest population of Nile crocodiles.
About Murchison Falls National Park:
Murchison Falls is located on the western side of Uganda just north of the midway part of the country. Murchison Falls National Park covers an area of 1,503 square miles (3,893 sq km) creating the largest national park in Uganda. The national park is part of the larger Murchison Falls Conservation Area which includes Bugungu Wildlife Reserve and Karuma Wildlife Reserve creating over 2,072 square miles (5,366 sq km) of protected wilderness.
Murchison Falls National Park is the largest park in Uganda, Murchison Falls has almost all of Africa’s major mammals. Murchison Falls National Park has one of the largest populations of Roskilde Giraffes in Africa. The parks consist of vast savannah grasslands and also great forests like Budongo. There’s plenty to keep you busy during your safari to Murchison National Park, but the most popular activity by far is a guided safari. Murchison Falls National Park wildlife includes everything from elephants and hippos to chimpanzees and crocodiles. You can also see White Rhinos at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary which was built close to the park.
Wildlife In Murchison Falls National ParkDuring your safari, you’ll get the chance to see over 70 African mammal species and 4 out of the iconic “Big Five”, including lions, leopards, elephants, and buffaloes. Murchison is also a great place to partake in bird watching; there are nearly 450 recorded bird species found throughout the park. Chimpanzee trekking is another extremely popular activity.
In addition to the large population of crocodiles, there are around 75 species of mammals. Some of the larger and more popular wildlife species include lion, leopard, giraffe, elephant, waterbuck, hartebeest, buffalo, hippopotamus, and chimpanzee. There are about 800 chimpanzees living across the national park boundaries.
Murchison Falls National Park is also a haven for bird watchers with over 450 species of birds that nest or migrate through the park. The Goliath Heron is a nice treat to see since it is the largest heron in the world. Many of the species are waterfowl, however, there are many other species such as the red-throated bee-eater.
Murchison FallsMurchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls is also referred to as Kabalega Falls. It is located on the Nile River coming out of Lake Victoria. One of the intriguing facets of the falls is the amount of water that squeezes through the narrow gap in the rocks.
The gap measures only 23 feet (7 m) across before plunging down 141 feet (43 m). The source delivers 11,000 cubic feet per second (300 m³/s) creating one of the most powerful waterfalls in Africa.
The national park is also named after the falls. A visit to the falls allows a traveler to check off seeing one of the strongest waterfalls as well as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa with views of the Nile River. This portion of the Nile is called the White Nile or the Victoria Nile.
Tourist Activities and Attractions In Murchison Falls National Park
Boat Cruise In Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison’s signature experience is the boat cruise upriver from Paraa to the Falls. Best enjoyed in the afternoon, when the western sun illuminates the spray, this can be a return trip of about 3 hours. Or, you can be met by your driver-guide at the Falls and travel back to your lodge by road. This works particularly well when you are staying on the south bank.
The boat journey is a stately procession in either a double-deck boat or a smaller motor cruiser. Seated comfortably, without any of the bumps associated with game drives, you will pass close to the river bank, seeing the large mammals, crocodiles, and birdlife that frequent the shoreline.
Game drives In Murchison Falls National Park
Seeing wildlife from the river is delightful, but it can’t beat the excitement of a game drive. The feeling that comes from placing yourself in the middle of a resting pride of lion; watching a tower of giraffes browse peacefully from acacia tops; or the excitement of rolling slowly through a thick bush never sure when you will meet the next elephant.
The majority of game drives in Murchison are enjoyed on the Buligi Peninsula where 170km of tracks cross through open savanna grassland, woodland, acacia, and riverine vegetation. Driving in the early morning (the first south/north ferry crossing at Paraa is at 07:00) and late afternoon, you can expect to see elephants, buffalo, antelopes, and giraffes among others.
Top of the Murchison Falls
Those wanting to reach the top of the falls will hike at the top of a cliff. Met by a guide, you walk through the riverine forests, along the cliff face, and up onto the break of the Falls, stopping at different viewpoints along the way. The spray will probably soak you, but the experience is well worth it.
Chimpanzee Tracking in In Murchison Falls National Park
With a contact rate of about 80%, the chance of seeing the chimps is not as high as at Kibale National Park, but it is greater than at Kyambura Gorge at Queen Elizabeth National Park. Up to 6 guided groups of 3 people track the chimps each morning and afternoon.
Contact is normally made after only an hour’s walking, so the excursion as a whole lasts about 3 hours. A full-day habituation experience is also available here for those looking for a more in-depth experience.
Thanks to the center’s historical association with the Jane Goodall Institute, the interpretive guides at Budongo Forest are extremely good at telling the wider story of the chimps and the forest, not just leading you to contact them.
Bird Watching In Murchison Falls National Park
The southern forests of Kaniyo Pabidi are also one of the best birding sites in Uganda - making for incredible bird walks. Like in Kibale, the best place to look for birds is on the fringes of the canopy, close to the lodge and on the road verges.
With aquatic forest and grassland habitats available, the bird life is always excellent. The headline act is the Shoebill stork. Raptors are also well represented, with over 53 species recorded. Other favorites are the goliath heron, the largest in the world; Uganda’s national bird, the grey crowned crane; and the Abyssinian ground hornbill among others.
Fishing In Murchison Falls National Park
The waters of the Victoria Nile hold some massive fish, making Murchison a rewarding destination for the avid angler. Adventurous fishermen target the large Nile Perch and catfish. Other fish include tigerfish, electric catfish, and tilapia. Permits are required to fish, and you must be accompanied by UWA rangers.
Hot Air Balloon Rides In Murchison Falls National Park
If you have taken boat cruises and game drives but would like another special way to see Murchison, then take to the sky with a hot air balloon flight. This is a recent innovation for Murchison and provides an exciting - yet peaceful - way to experience the Park around Paraa from the skies.
Best time to visit Murchison Falls National Park
Wildlife spotting in Murchison Falls can be done all year round though is easiest in the Dry season (December to February) when animals congregate at waterholes and there’s little undergrowth for them to hide in.
Where to Stay In Murchison Falls National Park
The accommodation options at Murchison are split between the three locations, which include the Albert Nile and the northwest, Paraa and the Victoria Nile, and Kaniyo Pabidi and the Masindi road.
Paraa Lodge:
This is a large hotel with over 54 rooms occupying a prime position on the north bank of the Nile. Reconstructed in 1997 out of the shell of the original 1959 lodge, it is a great option for families or first-time visitors to Africa wanting to experience a safari without feeling too exposed.
Pakuba Lodge In Murchison Falls National Park
Pakuba has a great location on the east bank of the Albert Nile. The lodge is a modern incarnation of the former state lodge, whose ruins can still be seen. It offers great value for money but has little in the way of character and individual style that can make a property special.
Budongo Eco-Lodge In Murchison Falls National Park
The Budongo Eco-lodge is located 8 kilometers north of the Kichambanyobo Gate and is the most popular place to stay. Originally the research station for the Jane Goodall Institute, it has been renovated to provide a pleasant and comfortable base for forest exploration.
Twiga Safari Lodge In Murchison Falls National Park
Just up the hill, Twiga Safari Lodge provides a contemporary take on a tented camp, combining canvas with solid construction.
Nile Safari Lodge In Murchison Falls National Park
This recently renovated Nile Safari Lodge has the best views enjoyed from 8 beautifully designed modern thatched Bandas.
Access to Murchison Falls National Park
The Murchison Falls National Park is most commonly accessed from the south, on a day trip from Entebbe, best broken by lunch at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. However, it is also now possible to drive to or from Kidepo National Park in a good seven hours, opening up Karamoja in particular and north-eastern Uganda in general to exploration. To the south, a seven-hour drive will take you to Fort Portal and Kibale Forest in eight hours. A daily scheduled light aircraft flight of 80 minutes links Murchison to Entebbe, plus other Ugandan destinations.
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