Murchison Falls National Park Uganda
Murchison Falls National Park formerly known as Kabalega is located in northwestern Uganda. It covers approximately 3,893 square kilometers and is the largest national park in the country. The park lies at the northern end of the Albertine Rift Valley, where the sweeping Bunyoro escarpment tumbles into vast, palm-dotted savanna. This amazing park spreads inland from the shores of lake Albert around the Victoria Nile up to the Karuma Falls. It was gazetted in 1952 and is named after the dramatic Murchison falls, where the Nile River forces its way through a narrow gorge, creating a spectacular waterfall. The park is bisected by the Victoria Nile from east to west for a distance of about 115 km. The park is boarded by several districts including Masindi to the south, Nwoya to the north, Bulisa to the west and Kiryandongo, making it accessible for Visistors coming from different regions. This amazing national park is managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. The park is an adjacent Bugungu Wildlife Reserve covering about 748 square kilometers and Karuma Wildlife Reserve about 720 square kilometers that forms the larger Murchison Falls Conservation Area.
Murchison Falls National Park is renowned for its diverse wildlife, bosting over 450 species of birds including the shoe-billed stork, dwarf kingfisher and great blue turaco was well as a variety of mammals, including the “Four” to “Big Five” animals (lion, leopard, leopard and elephant). The park also is home to other mammals’ species such as giraffes, zebras, hippos, waterbucks, warthogs, chimpanzees residing in the adjacent Bugondo Forest Reserve. Amazingly the national park is also home to Uganda's largest population of Nile crocodiles. Visistors can explore the park through exciting game drives opportunities. Other attractions include the beautiful landscapes, stunning waterfalls and the opportunity to witness the vibrant ecosystems along the riverbanks. Adventure seekers can also engage in activities like hiking, chimpanzee tracking, hot air ballon experience and birdwatching, making Murchison Falls National Park a must-visit destination for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts.
Murchison Falls National Park Safari Packages | Uganda Safari | Uganda tours
Safari Attractions in Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls : These falls are the major attraction in this park, they attract many people from different corners of the earth to come and see them. They are situated at the northern end of the Albertine rift valley. Murchison falls are locally known as kabalega falls and are on the victoria Nile in uganda at the top of Lake Albert
Budongo Forest : It is located in northwest in Uganda on the way to Murchison Falls National Park and is situated on the escarpment northeast of Lake Albert. The forest covers parts of Hoima and Kikuube. It is a habitat to the largest number of chimpanzees all over uganda and referred to as the biggest mahogany forest in the whole of East Africa. Budongo forest harbors 9 species of primates and is a habitat of over 600 chimpanzees. It is famous for the chimpanzee population since it is a home to the largest number of chimpanzees all over uganda. Visitors go for nature walks in this forest when they visit Murchison falls national park
Birds : Murchison falls national park has over 451 bird species and is one of the best birding destinations in uganda. These bird species include savannah birds, water birds and Albertine rift endemic birds. There are a variety of birds in the park of which some are rare, common, and occasional. Some of these birds are Shoe bill, African Darter, Giant Kingfisher, The uganda's national bird(gray crowned crane), Osprey, Long-toed Plover, Weaver Birds, Martial Eagle and many more. The best time to have a glance on birds in murchison falls national park is while on a game drive, boat cruise on lake Albert delta and along the Nile and nature walks through the savannah grasslands. Birds like the gray crowned cranes, goliath herons, shoe bill and many more can be see while on the boat cruise on the Nile while weavers, silver birds, mouse birds, blue napped birds among others can be spotted near Red chilli and Paraa.
Karuma Falls : These falls are situated on the eastern boarder of Murchison falls national park in north western Uganda. karuma falls is among the eye catching attractions to the visitors that visit the park. The karuma falls are situated in uganda on the Victoria albertine Nile and is composed of a variety of natural rock formations that make waters to ripple which gives them a white foam. The name Karuma was derived from a luo local language meaning "great spirit". Visitors always travel to this place throughout the year to have a glimpse on these beautiful falls
Animals : Murchison falls national park has over 76 species of mammals including 4 of the big 5 animals that is to say the lions, elephants, buffaloes and leopards . Buffalos and elephants can be spotted in huge numbers while at the game in murchison falls national park though the possibility of having a glance at the lions is not guaranteed. The park owns the largest number of population of crocodiles in uganda. Putting aside the big five, the park is also a home to the rothschild's giraffes which are the rarest of the giraffe races. While some of the other animals in this park include the Hartebeests, Oribis, waterbucks, warthogs, Uganda Kobs, Bushbucks, hyenas and many more.
Buligi Game Tracks : These are in the northern sector of Murchison falls and 7km north of paraa safari lodge It is referred to as the best game tracks in Murchishon because it hosts a variety of mammals that are eye-catching to visitors. While on a game drive which either takes place in the morning or evening, animals like elephants, lions, giraffes, warthogs, bush bucks, buffaloes, hyenas, leopards and many more can be spotted. Buligi game track is dominated which a variety of vegetation which include riverine, acacia, savannah grasslands and woodland vegetation
Paraa : This is a wonderful and popular place in the Murchison falls national park and is located at the southern bank of the Victoria Nile. The direct and easiest access point to Paraa is the kichumbanyobo gate of the park for those using the kampala via masindi route and for those using the northern route can access Paraa through Tangi gate.Paraa is the connection point of all roads and tracks in Murchishon falls national park. Paraa means home of the hippos in the Luo language
River Nile : Murchison falls is the only national park where river Nile runs through, dissecting it into 2 regions, northern and southern. The park is found in the north western direction of Uganda. River Nile is a home to a variety of bird species that is to say African openbill, African darter, nile valley sunbird, marabou stork, African sacred ibis, egyptian goose and many more, hippopotamus and crocodiles.
Nile Delta : It is situated on the south western side of Murchison Falls National Park. It is an expanse of lowland where the Nile River enters Lake Albert. It is an important significant area for birding in Murchison Falls National Park.It is a habitat to a variety of bird species which are over 75 water related bird species that is to say African fish eagles, Senegal thick knee, goliath herons, saddle-billed stork and many more. A number of animals can be spotted while on a boat cruise on the Nile lake Albert delta for example the oribi, giraffes, buffalos, defassa waterbucks, Ugandan kobs and many more.
Kaniyo Pabidi forest : Kaniyo Pabidi forest is situated in the south of the murchison falls national park in Masindi district. It is in an area of about 28 square kilometers within the middle of Murchison falls kichumbanyobo gate. It is an eco-tourism site located in Budongo forest, with large mahogany trees. Kaniyo pabidi forest harbors a variety of primates which include chimpanzees, red-tailed monkeys, galagos, pottos, blue monkeys, olive baboons, vervet monkey and many more. The forest is also a habitat of over 360 bird species that is to say little greenbul, grey apalis, chestnut wattle eye, dwarf kingfisher, narina trogon, great blue turacos and many more. There are also other wild animals in kaniyo pabidi forest which include antelopes, lions, leopards, buffalos, elephants, pangolins and many more.
Safari Activities to do in Murchison Falls National Park
The following is a selection of thrilling and rewarding safari activities available at Murchison Falls National Park. Game drives, guided hikes and nature walks, launch trips, sport fishing, hot air balloon rides, bird watching, and cultural exchanges are a few of them. Your trip to Murchison can be worthwhile if you partake in any of these safari activities.
Game Drives: Tourists can explore Murchison Falls National Park and take in a variety of wildlife species during game drives. Game drives are conducted in 4WD safari vehicles and are divided into three stages, which are as follows: Early in the morning, following breakfast, morning game drives are conducted. Morning game drives are the most fun since guests can see animals at their most active. Among the animals that will be grazing in the savannah plains during the morning game drive are a variety of bird species, big cats like lions and leopards looking for morning prey, elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks, giraffes, Uganda Kobs, warthogs, Jackson's hartebeest, bushbucks, and oribi. Even though afternoon game drives are colorful and take place after lunch, they are not as gratifying as morning game drives since the big cats may be sheltering from the blazing sun, making it harder to detect them. Park rangers with spotlight torches accompany guests on night wildlife drives at Murchison Falls National Park, which start after dinner. On the night game drive, visitors will have the opportunity to observe nocturnal animals such as lions, hyenas, civets, genets, bush babies, nightjars, leopards, porcupines, and grazers including hippos, elephants, and waterbucks. They will also get the opportunity to enjoy the breathtaking landscape under the stars.
Boat Cruise : Taking a boat cruise is one of the exciting safari activities available at Murchison Falls National Park. Two boat tours are offered: one upstream to the base of the falls and one downstream to the shores of Lake Albert and the Victoria Nile delta. There are two times when the boat trip to the base of the falls is available: a morning time that leaves at about 9:00 am and an afternoon time that leaves at about 2:00 pm. Each portion of the ride lasts two to three hours. Additionally, there are other boat tours throughout the Nile Delta, each lasting roughly four to five hours. Both boat cruises start at the Paraa jetty landing site and provide stunning views of the Murchison Falls, lush vegetation, massive herds of hippos swimming in the water, crocodiles relaxing on the banks, elephants, Uganda kobs, buffaloes, waterbucks, warthogs drinking water along the shores, and a variety of aquatic bird species, such as the Senegal thick knee, swamp flycatcher, blue-headed coucal, African jacana, saddle-bellied stork, open-billed stork, African jacana, and swamp flycatcher.
Birding : Murchison Falls National Park has recorded over 451 bird species, including migratory birds, Albertine Rift natives, savannah birds, and water birds. Visitors to Murchison Falls National Park can observe a variety of bird species during game drives, nature walks, boat cruises to the base of the falls, and along the Victoria Nile delta. The pied kingfisher, grey-crowned crane, giant kingfisher, shoebill stork, black-headed lapwing, yellow-fronted tinker bird, black-billed barbet, long tales nightjar, veracious dove, long-toed plover, and Abyssinian ground hornbill are among the many bird species that visitors should look for when bird watching. One of Africa's strongest waterfalls, Murchison Falls, is located in the center of the park. Here, the powerful Victoria Nile is pushed through a gorge that is only 8 meters wide. It then plunges 45 meters into the Devil's Cauldron below, creating a perpetual rainbow mist and a loud roar. An 80-kilometer sequence of rapids culminates in this magnificent natural wonder, after which the river settles into a wide, serene flow as it meanders toward Lake Albert.
Nature Walks : The park provides guided nature excursions in places like Rabongo Forest and Kaniyo Pabidi for those who want to explore on foot. These treks offer an opportunity to observe smaller wildlife, gain knowledge about the ecology, and take in the peace and quiet of the woods.
Hiking to the top of the falls : Hike to the top with a guide for a close-up look at the falls. As the trail plunges down an 8-meter-wide valley, it provides magnificent views of the Nile. For hikers, the roaring sound and mist from the falls provide a revitalizing and thrilling experience.
Sport fishing : This is an exciting experience along the Victoria Nile that begins at 9 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m. The finest sport fishing is done in the river portion above and below the falls, where you may catch species like mudfish, tilapia, catfish, tiger fish, and Nile perch, among many others. It is recommended that visitors bring their own fishing equipment, though.
Hot Air balloon safari : Safaris with hot air balloons provide rewarding. The only place where you can experience this amazing hot air balloon ride is in Uganda, which offers aerial views of the Murchison Falls National Park. Numerous animal species, such as herds of buffalo, giraffes, elephants, antelopes, and many more, can be seen by travelers from the air.
Cultural encounters : A closer bond with the area might be formed by visiting the neighboring settlements. Talk to locals, take in traditional dances, and discover their traditions and way of life. Cultural tours shed light on the interactions between the local populations and the park's fauna.
Chimpanzee trekking in Budongo Forest : The park's Budongo Forest is home to a flourishing chimpanzee population. You may see these bright primates in their native environment by going on a guided hike. You might also see uncommon plants, birds, and other monkey species along the way.
Best Time to visit Murchison Falls National Park
The dry season, also known as the peak season, which runs from June to September and from December to February, is the best time of year to visit Murchison Falls National Park. The park is open year-round, though. Visitors can view the creatures more easily because of the park's sparse vegetation during the dry season, which is caused by limited rainfall. The park's hiking paths and access roads are also practicable, and a lot of animals gather near water sources to drink, giving visitors the opportunity to witness high animal concentrations and take breathtaking pictures.
