MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK
Murchison Falls National Park is definitely the largest park in Uganda- The pearl Of Africa that is named after the mighty river Nile that passes through the park to Lake Albert on its way to the north ending in Egypt. The river Nile that intersects this park bangs through a narrow gorge and forms the most incredible thing that has ever happened to this longest river in the world flowing down to be converted into a placid river whose banks are thronged with hippos, water bucks, crocodiles, buffaloes, elephants and much more wildlife.
Uganda’s largest park-the Murchison Falls national park offers a diversity of wildlife, breath taking scenery of dotted hills, swamps, riverine woodland and forest, East Africa’s most dramatic waterfall, and a remarkable diversity of wildlife on land and in the Victoria Nile which teems with hippos, crocodiles.
Murchison falls national park – protected on 3840 sq km is home to large herds of buffalo, elephants, good concentration of lions as well as leopards and several antelope’s, species from grey duiker and Ugandan kob to Oribi and hartebeest. Murchison falls National Park is one of the few places in Uganda the pearl of Africa where you can find giraffes and the rare ground dwelling Patas monkey. Set out for Birding that’s excellent and see the endangered shoebill stork, a rare creature that sits at top of many birders. The best time to visit Murchison is between the months of January and March on the delta cruise boat ride. Murchison falls national park in Uganda is part of the greater Murchison falls conservation Area which incorporates the Bugungu and Karuma reserves as well as chimp trekking in Kaniyo Pabidi Forest.
In total 76 mammal species have been recorded in Murchison falls National park. The world’s most powerful water fall-Boat cruises along the river takes you to see the thunderous water fall and the grunting hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes and bathing elephants
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What to See and Do in Murchison Falls National Park
The Murchison Falls
Victoria Nile is the Parks main feature which cuts through the wilderness and cascades 45 meters down through a narrow gorge at Murchison Falls. You can watch as a 50m wide water mass flowing and squeezing itself in a 6m wide gorge falling 45m down creating the strongest water falls in the world. Set out a short hike up at the top of the falls where you’ll have several viewpoints to see the takeoff in the majestic water falls. You can sport monkeys and baboons along the way. The boat cruise on the water falls is another highlight on the longest river in the world.
Bird watching
Bird watching is good year round but its best between January and March. Kaniyo padibi forest is the top best place forest birding sites in Uganda. Murchison falls national Park is blessed with a wide range of birds species-451 species recorded which include the rare-shoe-bill stock spotted at the banks of Nile Albert Delta, the Goliath heron, pairs of elegant Grey Crowned cranes, Blue-headed Coucal, swamp Flycatcher,squacco Heron,African Jacana, Sandpipers, DenHams Bustard, Abyssinian Ground Horn-bill, Black-billed barbet, Black-headed Gonolek, Eastern Grey Plantain-eater, Piapiac, Silver bird, Waever Birds, Pied, Giant Malachite, Kingfisher, wattle eye, Narina trogon, horn bills. The nocturnal species common in the area are the Verreauxs Owls, spectacular Nightjars. Migratory bird species are in the park from November to April to May and October is the rainiest months when some roads become impassable.
Budongo Forest
Budongo Forest lies on the escarpment north east of lake Albert with a bio-diversity with mammal species, 360 birds, 289 butterflies and 465 plants. Budongo forest is well known for East African mahogany trees with exceptional large Mahogany trees that is more than 80 meters tall and 20 meters in circumference. Murchison falls national park habours the kaniyo pabidi, Rubongo forest where you can have opportunities to watch primates such as chimpanzee, monkey and much bird life.
Karuma Falls
Karuma falls are found in Chobe gate north eastern part of the park on the Kampala-Gulu road 2km south of Murchison falls national park chobe gaate, karuma falls. The Karuma falls are made up of a number of natural rock formations which causes the waters to ripple giving them white foam with roaring sounds on the Nile River.
Game Drive Circuit
These take place early in the morning and tourists is able to see plenty of wild life including lions, hippos, Rothschilds giraffe, Warthog, Cape buffalo, Uganda kob, Jacksons-hartebeest and elephants. At Nyamsika Cliffs is where one can enjoy a pacnic, the view and gaze at elephants and other wildlife on the green grassy hillsides and river,
Boat Cruise to the bottom of the falls
Game viewing along the way is excellent. Expect to see hippos in a hundreds along with the Africa’s largest surviving crocodiles, small herds of buffalos, water bucks, kob, Giraffe, elephant’s long water birds such as cormorants, fish eagles, ducks, and kingfisher
Hike to the top of the falls
Murchison falls trail takes you to the top up of water edge. Hike to the top of the falls and get close to the narrow gorge through which the river explodes into the falls. Enjoy the camp sites, picnic sites and walking safaris provided. You can enjoy other activities like chimpanzee tracking in kaniyo pabidi, Budongo forest and many birds found nowhere else in East Africa.
Community Walks and Cultural Experiences
You can conduct a walk near Murchison falls national park and have a chance to see the locals as you learn about the residents livelihood, Farming. Visit the black smith, demonstration of the basket weaving, cooking, visit the local schools and enjoy a scenic village tour.
Sport Fishing
Sport fishing on the waters after the falls on Victoria Nile provides some pf the most exciting challenges to the tourists with presence of the Nile perch. Fishing is permitted in the designated sites and requires prior booking.
Hot Air Balloon
Murchison Falls national park also offers the luxury Balloon safaris beyond Safari Jeep game drives in safari Landcruisers. The Balloon safaris are done on the northern banks of Murchison falls national park where a variety of the biggest population of wildlife calls home. This presents awesome wildlife viewing encounters in the eagles eye view.
Murchison falls National Park Itineraries That May Interest You
12 Days Uganda Impressions Safari
Safari Starts: Entebbe _Murchison
Safari Ends: Lake Mburo_Entebbe
Destinations: Entebbe | Kampala | Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary | Murchison Falls | Kibale Forest | Queen Elizabeth & Ishasha | Bwindi Forest | Lake Bunyonyi | Lake Mburo
14 Days Fly To Kidepo Authentic Safari
Safari Starts: Kidepo Valley- Northern Uganda
Safari Ends: Kigali Rwanda
Destinations: Entebbe| Kidepo |Gulu Town|Murchison Falls | Kibale N.P | Queen Elizabeth N.P & Ishasha Sector | Bwindi Forest N.P | Lake Bunyonyi | Kigali-Rwanda
12 Days Fly in Style Safari
Trip Starts: Kigali Rwanda
Trip Ends: Kidepo – Entebbe
Destinations: Kigali Rwanda | Bwindi Forest | Ishasha | QENP | Kibale N.P | Murchison Falls N.P | Kidepo National Park | Entebbe
Best Time To Visit Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National park can be visited at any time of the year as Uganda is located within the equatorial region and blessed with stable climate. The best time is in the dry months of December to February and June to September which is easier to spot animals as they gather at water points to drink with the roads passable for tour vehicles in the park. You can also combine Murchison National Park with kibale national park and the famous Bwindi forest national Park for primate trekking of chimpanzees and endangered Mountain Gorillas.
How to Reach Murchison falls National park
Murchison falls is the largest game reserve with a lot of exploration to offer the Uganda travellers. The park can be reached either by road or by Air-(Fly In luxury safaris) according the clients intended budget.
By Air (Fly In Luxury Safaris)
There are two airstrips found close to Paara: Bugungu on the southern side of the river and Pakuba on the North. Another airstrip lies adjacent to Chobe lodge in the north east of the park. Pakuba Airfield is 19km from North Paraa and can be reached using chartered aircraft from Entebbe international Airport or Kajjansi airfield near Kampala. Our Fly in Uganda safaris are a perfect match with Great itineraries to Murchison Falls national Park
By Road
From Kampala is 305km from Murchison Falls national park taking 4-5 hours with the distance from Masindi town at 85km through Kaniyo pabidi forest to paraa. Murchison falls national park can be combined through our cross boarder safaris to Kenya, Tanzania or Rwanda.
Kichwambanyobo gate
The direct 85 km route from Masindi to Paraa passing through kichwambanyobo gate take only 22 km or 3 hours to Budongo eco lodge
Northern and Eastern Approaches.
Murchison falls National Park can be approached from three gates north of the Nile; these are Chobe gate-on the Kampala-Gulu Road, Wankwar Gate 10 km south of Purongo and Tangai gate 3km from Pakwach.
Mubako Gate: – The 135 km route between Masindi and Paraa via lake Albert offers spectacular wild life tour views as you descend from Budongo forest into the rift valley.
Safari Lodges In Murchison Falls National Park
Where to stay and Eat In Murchison Falls National park
Murchison Falls Park has various accommodations in and around it all lie along the main road as it’s the largest game reserve. The most frequented safari lodges range from budget to midrange to luxury and the choice is made by the clients in accordance to their Budget. The lodges include Nile Safari Lodge, Para Safari lodge, Chobe Safari lodge, Murchison River Lodge, Twiga Safari Lodge and Kabalega Wilderness Lodge,
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