Birding Safari In Murchison Falls National Park

Uganda Birding in Murchison Falls Park.

Birding Safari in Murchison Falls National Park: Murchison Falls National Park is the largest and oldest park in Uganda, established in 1952. It lies in an area of about 1,503 square miles and is also considered one of the top African parks to visit. Situated in northwestern Uganda, it covers an area of 3890 square kilometres and is situated in the districts of Buliisa, Masindi, Nwoya and Kiryandongo. The park is famous for the River Nile, which bisects the park and forms impressive waterfalls called the Murchison Falls, named by British explorer Sir Samuel Baker. The falls are a highlight for anyone undertaking Uganda wildlife safaris and birding at Murchison Falls.

Murchison Falls National Park is home to over 76 species of mammals, including the big four or the big five mammals, namely elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes and other animals like waterbucks, oribi, Jackson’s hartebeest, giraffes, warthogs, hippos, Nile crocodiles, primates like chimpanzees, red-tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, olive baboons and more. The park is also a home for more than 460 bird species, including savannah birds, forest birds, aquatic birds and migratory birds, which ranks the national park as one of the premier bird and wildlife viewing spots in Uganda. Birding is one of the interesting things to do in Murchison Falls National Park, though it is possible to do birding early in the morning or late in the evening with a professional bird guide.

The park’s terrain is largely savannah grasslands, with some woodlands, wetlands and open plains. This is within the even larger Murchison Falls Conservation Area, which also contains Karuma Falls and Bugungu Wildlife Reserves. There are large forests in the area, namely Budongo, Rabango and Kaniyo Pabidi. Kaniyo Pabidi is known for its huge mahogany and ironwood trees and is one of the most visited for birdwatching tours in Murchison Falls.

Bird species to spot while on a Uganda birding tour in Murchison Falls National Park

The bird species in the park include the Abdim’s Stork, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, African Darter, African Fish Eagle, African Jacana, African Quail-Finch, African Skimmer, Bar-breasted Firefinch, Beautiful Sunbird, Black Crake, Black Scimitarbill, Black-billed Barbet, Black-billed Wood-Dove, Black-faced Waxbill, Black-headed Batis, Black-headed Gondola, Black-headed Gonolek, Black-headed Plover, Black-lored Babbler, Blue-headed Coucal, Blue-naped Moosebird, Bluff-bellied Warbler, Chestnut-crowned Sparrow Weaver, Dark Chanting-Goshawk, Denham’s Bustard, Double-toothed Barbet, Eastern Grey Plantain-Eater, Fawn-breasted Waxbill, Giant Kingfisher, Goliath Heron, Grey Crowned Crane, Green-winged Ptyilia, Grey-headed Bush Shrike, Hugli’s Francolin, Long-tailed Nightjar, and Long-toed Plover.

Other bird species you can also spot here include the Malachite Kingfisher, Martial Eagle, Northern Carmine Bee-eater, Northern Crombec, Osprey, Pel’s Fishing Owl, Pennant-winged Nightjar, Piapiac, Pied Kingfisher, Red-throated Bee-eater, Red-winged Grey Warbler, Rock Pratincole, Sacred Ibis, Saddle-billed Stork, Sandpipers, Secretary Bird, Senegal Thick-knee, Shoebill Stork, Silver Bird, Bluff-bellied Warbler, Speckle-fronted Weaver, Spotted Mourning Thrush, Spotted Owl, Spotted Thick-knee, Spur-winged Geese, Squacco Heron, Standard-winged Nightjar, Sulphur-breasted Bush Shrike, Swallow-tailed Bee-eater, Swamp Flycatcher, Vaseline Masked Weaver, Veracious Dove, Verreaux’s Owl, Vitelline Masked Weaver, Weaver Birds, Whistling Cisticola, White African Fish Eagle, White-backed Night Heron, White-browed Sparrow Weaver, White-faced Whistling Duck, White-fronted Black Chat, White-rumped Seed-eater, Yellow-billed Stork, Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird and Yellow-throated Greenbul, among others.

Best time for birdwatching in Murchison Falls National Park

Birdwatching in Murchison Falls National Park can be enjoyed throughout the year; however, the best time is during the rainy season, between the months of January and March and August and October, when food is abundant for the birds. You will be able to see a variety of bird species.

At this time, bird watchers will also see some colourful and migratory bird species. Birdwatching in Murchison Falls National Park can also be done in the dry season from July to November because during this time of the year, the birding trails will be dry and easy to navigate for smooth birding.

Other Activities In Murchison Falls National Park

Game drives

Game drives in Murchison Falls are one of the most exciting activities to embark on while on your safari to the park. During your game drive safari in the park, a tourist can have the chance to drive around the park’s stunning vegetation to spot animals such as elephants, lions, giraffes, buffaloes and zebras on the savannah.

Predators such as leopards and hyenas, and many antelope species, can also be found in the park’s varied landscapes. The excitement of early morning and late evening game drives closely resembles an authentic Uganda safari experience. Led by skilled rangers, visitors revel in the exhilaration of wild animal sightings and photograph the park’s abundant wildlife.

Boat Cruise to the bottom of Murchison Falls

A boat ride at the bottom of Murchison Falls is a highlight of the Uganda safaris in the park. The boat ride is approximately three hours long, getting the visitors up close to the roaring waterfall with amazing views of wild animals encircling the area on both sides of the river.

Along the riverbanks, visitors can see large herds of elephants, buffaloes and crocodiles, as well as abundant birdlife, including kingfishers, cormorants and shoebill storks, among others. The Nile boat ride provides a one-of-a-kind view of the Nile’s environment and gives visitors the chance to witness the pure power of Murchison Falls and the endless wildlife residing around it.

Sport Fishing Excursion

Relax after your safari with a leisurely sport fishing trip on the Nile River, known for its wide variety of fish, including Nile perch and tilapia. Fishermen have the chance to catch these big river fish in pretty river locations, with animals like hippos and crocodiles nearby.

Sport fishing in Murchison Falls is a serenity and thrill ride all in one, so you’ll want to keep your camera ready and be very patient. You also have birdwatching potential on the activity, as fish eagles and kingfishers are a common sight flying overhead, making a day fishing in the park one of Uganda’s safari must-do activities.

Whitewater Rafting Tours on the Nile River

Whitewater rafting on the Nile River (the longest river in the world) is undoubtedly one of the greatest adventure activities in Uganda. Experience one of the best daily safaris here in Murchison Falls National Park. Whether you’re riding class-5 rapids or cruising on a much calmer stretch, you’ll be marvelling at the spectacular surroundings, river and mountains on both sides of the river.

And as you float down the river, you may even see crocodiles, hippos and waterbirds, kingfishers and herons on the riverbanks. This is a great adventure and nature activity, so it gets to your adventure and nature quotient but with spectacular views of the legendary River Nile.

Where to sleep at Murchison Falls National Park?

Murchison Falls National Park offers a variety of accommodation options suitable for different preferences and budgets, making it an ideal destination for Uganda safaris. Visitors engaging in birdwatching in Murchison Falls can choose from several lodges and camps, including Red Chilli Rest Camp, Paraa Safari Lodge, Pakuba Safari Lodge, Murchison Falls Bamboo Village, Sambiya River Lodge, Fort Murchison Lodge, Murchison River Lodge, Twiga Safari Lodge, Budongo Eco Lodge, Amuka Safari Lodge, Murchison Tree House, Nile Safari Lodge, Parkside Safari Lodge and Tilenga Safari Lodge, to name but a few. These venues offer cosy rooms for travellers to wind down after nature walks across the park’s wildlife and birdlife. From luxury lodges to rustic camping, travellers on Uganda safaris can find the perfect accommodation to make the most of their visit to Murchison Falls National Park.

What to bring on a birding excursion in Murchison Falls National Park

When you plan a birding excursion in Murchison Falls National Park, bring along all the vital items for a memorable trip.

• Long-sleeved shirts and trousers of neutral colours. Insect Repellent: Apply insect repellent to keep away mosquitoes and other bugs
• Warm sweater, scarf, and headstock to warm up
• Raincoat or poncho
• Wide-brimmed hat
• A camera to capture the stunning birds.
• Binocular
• Refillable water bottle to stay hydrated throughout the tour
• Guidebook