How to get to Murchison Falls National Park : Murchison falls is marked as the largest national park in Uganda covering a total surface area of 3,840 square kilometers and it is among the oldest national park in the country because it was first gazette as game reserve in 1926 and later established as a national park in 1952. Murchison falls National Park is located in the Northern part of Uganda in Masindi district. This National park derived its name from the Murchison, which were named by Sir Samuel Baker after Sir Roderick Murchison who was the president of the Royal Geographical society.
Murchison Falls National Park in Uganda is managed by Uganda Wildlife Authority and under the tourism company with an aim of protecting the wildlife in all the National Parks in the country. This National park harbours over 451 bird species like the unique rare shoebill stork and 76 mammal species such as buffaloes, elands, antelopes, hippos, duikers, giraffes, Nile crocodiles among others. There other plenty of attractions in this park that attract many tourists to travel from worlds wide to come see them and these include; River Nile, Wildlife, Paraa, the Nile Delta-lake Albert, Karuma falls, Rabongo forest, the Murchison Falls, Kaniyo Pabidi forest where tourists get to see the chocolate-backed kingfisher, Puvel’s illadopis, and the white-thighed hornbill. More there other interesting areas which in the neighbouring hood of the national park and these include; Budongo forest and Ziwa Rhino and the wildlife Sanctuary.
In 1970’s the former Ugandan president known as Idi Admin Dada renamed these falls Kabarega after the King of Bunyoro Kingdom / the Omukama. The savannah and borassus palms, Marshy woodlands, characterize this National park and the forests and the woodland characterize acacia tress in the northern section while in the southern part of the national park. The falls in the park in the park are located at the centerpiece of the park covering a distance of 80 kilometers stretch of rapids, which begin from the Victoria Nile.
Tourists travelling to Murchison falls national park can get an opportunity to engage themselves in several activities in order to explore and have their best memorable time during their Uganda Safari and these activities include; Hiking and nature walks in Rabongo forest, boat cruise which begins from Paraa landing area and tourists get to senile crocodiles and waterbucks, Bird watching where tourists get to see several birds like the open-billed , widow bird, the Grey heron, the giant and malachite kingfishers, the francolin hornbill, the Hamerkop, woodpeckers . More so, tourists can also engage in sport fishing where tourists get to sight see the cat fish, Nile perch, tilapia, tiger fish, and history has it that the largest Nile perch that was ever caught on these falls weighed 113 kilograms and the largest cat fish weighed 45 kilograms. Lastly tourists can do game drives, hot air balloons and cultural encounters.
Tourists planning to go to Murchison Falls National Park for a safari tour can visit at any time of the year though the best time to visit the National park is during dry seasons between the months of June to September and from December to February when there are less rains when there is a wide variety of bird species.
Visitors in Murchison Falls National Park are offered are offered different accommodation facilities, which range from Budget, mid-range and luxury. And this favors Visitors to have a chance to choose where they feel comfortable to stay and these lodging facilities include; Sambiya lodge, Geolodges shoebill camp site, Yebo safari camp, Red chill rest camp, Murchison safari lodge, Chobe safari lodge, Paraa safari lodge, and Uganda Wildlife campsite. However, there are other lodging facilities situated near the park, which include; Budongo Eco lodge, Masindi hotel, Boomu Women’s group bandas, and the new court view hotel.
How to Access Murchison Falls National Park.
Tourists plan to travel to Murchison Falls National Park for a tour safari can easily get to the park by using either road or air transport.
Air Transport.
Tourists who opt to use the air means of transport are always with a tight schedule or are not funs of having long trips therefore in order to have a short journey, they can be able to book their chartered flights from Entebbe International Airport of Kajjansi airfield which takes them straight to Pakuba Air filed in Murchison falls National park.
Road Transport.
Tourists who decide to travel to Murchison National park by use of road transport means will have a choice to make on whether to use the Northern or the Southern gates of the National Park.
The Northern gate.
Tourists can access Murchison Falls National park through the Northern gates, which are located at Chobe, Tangi, Mubako and Wankwar. Travelers can get to these gates by taking a drive from Kampala the capital city using Kampala- Packwach road that covers a distance of about 260 kilometers. Travelers enjoy this journey while exploring on the beautiful landscapes and sightseeing at the wonderful and stunning attractions such as Karuma Falls.
The Southern Entrance Gate.
Tourists can access the Southern gate of Murchison falls National Park at Paraa. Visitors can opt to use the longer route, which takes about 135 kilometers from Masindi to Bugungu gate in the national park. Visitors using this route can drive through a rift valley escarpment and the famous Budongo forest capturing views of Lake Albert and the mountains situated in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Alternatively, travelers can opt to take a 4hours drive from Kampala city and during this journey; tourists can stop over at Ziwa Rhino Wildlife Sanctuary where they can spot the Rhino in the field. However, the main route is from Masindi town leading to Murchison Falls conservation area through Kichumbanyobo gate crossing over to Kanyiyo pabidi forest leading to Paraa in the park.
Murchison Falls National Park is one of the 10 national park in the country and it is seen as one of the best destination for wildlife safari in the country. Many tourists from all parts of the world visit this park to get a feel of this wondrous beauty of the park. Therefore, a Uganda safari is marked incomplete without a visit to Murchison Falls National Park. Book with our trusted Tour companies like Achieve Global Safaris and Explore Tours Rwanda for the best offers on your safari to Murchison National Park.
