How To Get To Murchison Falls National Park

How To Get To Murchison Falls National Park: With more than 76 animal species and 450 documented bird species, Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s largest national park. It is situated northwest of Kampala, the country’s capital. The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), a government agency in charge of all Ugandan game parks, oversees the park’s management. The national park of Murchison Falls extends inland to Lake Albert, the Nile River, and Karuma Falls. The park is part of the Murchison Falls Conservation Area, which is located in the districts of Bulisa, Kiryandongo, and Nwoya. Masindi town is the closest location.

Murchison Falls National Park, established in 1952, has an area of 3840 square kilometers. It is Uganda’s largest game park and one of the country’s most popular tourist sites. In addition to Murchison Falls National Park, there are additional parks to explore, including Kibale Forest, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and many more.

The park is called for Murchison Falls, one of the world’s most potent waterfalls, where the powerful Victoria Nile River plunges impressively through a small gorge. Lions, elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, hippos, and several bird species are among the park’s remarkable biodiversity. Located at the center of one of Uganda’s most significant wildlife conservation regions, Murchison Falls is more than just a waterfall.

How to get there.

Despite having multiple driving routes and directions, Murchison Falls National Park is relatively accessible. There are multiple gates that allow entry to the park, including the northern entrance at Murchison Falls National Park and the southern gate of Paraa. Road transportation options for visitors to the park include private or public buses, or a certified tour operator that offers to-and-fro Uganda safari services.

By road.

It’s easy to get to Murchison Falls National Park. You can choose to take a bus or drive yourself, or you can hire a licensed tour operator to arrange your transportation from Entebbe or Kampala to Murchison Falls National Park and back. It takes roughly five to six hours to go the 305 km from Entebbe. You can drive to Murchison Falls National Park and enter the park by a variety of gates.

Kampala to Masindi. Around 230 kilometers (143 miles) separate Kampala and Masindi, where you will begin your adventure. The Kampala-Gulu highway has good paving, however there may be sporadic delays because certain parts may be under construction.

Masindi to kichumbanyobo gate. After arriving in Masindi town, you can continue travelling on to the Kichumbanyobo gate, which is the park’s southern entrance. Although the 85-kilometer drive from Masindi to the gate is paved, there are some uneven spots, especially during the wet season. From Masindi, it takes between one and a half to two hours to get to the gate to enter the park.

Bugungu Gate: The 135-kilometer journey from Masindi to this gate takes one through the chimpanzee homestead of Budongo forest. With breathtaking views of the Albert Mountains in the Dr. Congo, this path also passes along the rift valley escarpment. This is also the southern gate.

Alternative route via Pakwach

As an alternative, you can travel by car through the town of Pakwach to the park’s northern entrance, the Paraa gate. Although it adds a little extra distance, this path gives you a different view of the park.

A number of entrance gates, including the Chobe, Wankwar, Mubako, and Tangi gates north of the Nile, provide access to the park from the north. These may be accessed by the Kampala-Pakwach Road, which travels 260 kilometers from Kampala and crosses the Nile at the Karuma Falls Bridge in the park’s northeastern section. Visitors traveling to and from Kidepo Valley National Park and Gulu town may find these gates convenient.

By Air.

If you are interested, there are a number of scheduled flights that may be arranged from Entebbe International Park to Murchison Falls National Park. Domestic chartered flights, such as those operated by Eagle Airlines and Aero Link Uganda, can be booked. There are a number of airfields close to the park, including Chobe Airfield, which is ideal for guests staying at Chobe Lodge. Pakuba Airfield and Bugungu Airfield land at the southern sector of Paraa, which is home to a lot of wild game and gives you the chance to see a variety of animals.

Pakuba Airstrip 19 kilo meters from North Paraa, which is close to the northern portion of Murchison Falls, is served by scheduled flights from Entebbe International Airport (EBB) and Kajjansi Airstrip operated by domestic airlines in Uganda, including AeroLink Uganda and Fly Uganda. Usually, the flight lasts one hour and thirty minutes. The northern portion of the park is easily accessible by car or safari guide from Pakuba Airstrip. Other airfields in the park include, chobe to east, and bugungu near Murchison falls to the south.

Conclusion

Murchison Falls National Park is reasonably easy to get to, and there are a number of options based on your interests and financial situation. With its breathtaking cascade, varied animals, and stunning scenery, Murchison Falls offers a fulfilling experience whether you decide to drive, fly, or combine various forms of transportation. Take good care of your travel plans, be careful, and take in one of Uganda’s most famous natural wonders.