Things to know before visiting Murchison Falls National Park : Murchison Falls National Park is one of the best game parks to visit while in Uganda. The park is located in the Murchison Conservation Area where we also find the Bugungu and Karuma wildlife reserves, covering districts such as Masindi, Nwoya, Kiryandongo, and Bulisa. The national park is one of the oldest and the largest in the country covering a total area of 3, 983 square kilometers. The park was gazetted in 1952 by the government of Uganda to protect different species of wildlife.
The park was previously known as Kabalega national park after the visit of Samuel baker who named the falls and the national park after Sir Roderick Murchison who was the president of the British Royal Geographical society by that time. However, during the Idi Amin dada regime, he converted the park to Kabalega falls and later changed in the Murchison falls national park.
This incredible park is home to the mothers’ powerful world’s waterfall – Murchison Falls, which the park drives its name from. This park is a dwell for over 76 mammal species with four members of the big five, the lion, the leopards, the elephants, and the Buffaloes. Other species include bushbucks, Uganda Kob, waterbucks and warthogs, giraffes, Jackson’s hartebeest, hyenas among others. The Murchison falls, Uganda’s largest national park is also home to over 450 recorded bird’s species including the rare shoebill stork. The park is also home to 23 Albertine rift endemics given its location in the western arm of the east African rift valley.
Activities to Do While on a Uganda Safari in Murchison Falls National Park
- Wildlife Safaris
A visit to Murchison Falls National Park offers unforgettable wildlife safaris. The park is home to different wildlife viewing areas such as Nyamsika Gorge, Buligi game track in the northern sector, and along the delta Nile amomh others You’ll have the chance to see four of the Big five wildlife for example Lions, Leopards, Buffaloes, and Elephant in their natural habitat. Other wildlife species that you may also have the chance to spot while on your safari in this incredible national park includes spotted hyenas, Rothschild giraffes, waterbucks, Uganda Kobs, warthogs, hippos, hartebeests, jackals, bushbucks Oribi as well as different bird species. These safaris can be done by vehicle or on foot, allowing you to experience the sights and sounds of the African bush. Wildlife safaris are normally conducted early mornings and early evenings by our well-informed guides and can take up to 5 hours and starts as early as 6:00. The morning wildlife safari offers you a high chance to see animals like hyenas returning back to their dens from night hunting.
- Boat Cruises on the Nile River.
Don’t miss the boat cruises along the Nile River, which is a highlight of any trip to Murchison Falls. These cruises offer a unique view of the park’s landscapes and wildlife. During the boat cruise, you’ll enjoy the fresh breeze from the water while watching hippos and crocodiles bask in the sun, Buffaloes, Elephants, Antelopes and others who have come to quench their thirst, together with bird species like herons, pied and malachite king fishers, African Fish eagles, egrets, storks, bee- eaters, African Skimmer, pia piac as well as the elusive Shoebill. The boat takes you close to the base of the magnificent Murchison Falls, where the Nile forces its way through a narrow gorge. It’s an excellent opportunity for photography and enjoying the beauty of nature up close.
- Guided Nature Walks:
For those who love to stretch their legs, nature walks within the park are fantastic options. There are various trails that guide you through stunning scenery and diverse ecosystems. The nature walks in Murchison falls national park are done by armed ranger guides who protect you from dangerous wild animals as well as show you the best routes to use. You might encounter unique flora and fauna, including birds and monkeys. Guided Nature Walk in this remarkable park is commonly conducted in the morning and evening hours because these are the hours which the Park game is more active. The activity takes you about 3 hours depending on the weather. During your guided nature walk tour, you can choose to walk along the Kaniyo Pabidi forest where you’ll be fascinated with the stunning look of various primates and other forest ecosystem including forest birds. Some of the wildlife species you may sight here includes Chimpanzees, L’hoest monkeys, Black and White and Vervet monkey among others.
- Chimpanzee tracking
Chimpanzee trekking is one of the highlights for a safari in Murchison falls national park. Chimpanzee tracking is carried out in Budongo forest which is next to the park. The forest is home to different primate species but it’s the chimpanzees that have been habituated to tourism activities. This activity also done like any of chimps tracking destinations early in the morning with a brief first highlighting the rules and regulations as well as expectations while in the forest in search for these fascinating primates. After then you’ll be allocated armed ranger who will lead you to the forest in search for them in their group. The trek can take bout 30 minutes to 4 hours looking for the chimpanzees.
Once you have allocated them, you are allowed 1 hour of interactions with these primates and during the time given they are able to learn about their habits, take photos, record videos and watch the members do daily activities such as mating, nesting, hunting, eating, breastfeeding and playing among others.
- Visit the Top of the Falls:
A trip to Murchison isn’t complete without visiting the Top of the Falls. Guided hikes to the top of the falls will offers you to mothers’ nature’s wondrous Gorge, also known as the devel Caudron. The top of the falls hike offers you breathtaking views of the Murchison falls from above as you watch the Nile waters force through a small 7-meter gorge to fall a gap of about 150 ft down churning out a deafening roar of white water to form one of the most powerful falls in the world. The hike is about an hour long and can be moderately challenging, rewarding you with incredible views at the top. While hiking, you’ll also be treated with the panoramic views of the flora and fauna, and listen for the sounds of birds and other wildlife. The sight of the cascading water and the roaring sound of the falls is something you’ll cherish forever.
- Birding excursions
Murchison Falls National Park is a paradise for bird enthusiasts, boasting over 450 species, making it a top birding destination in Uganda. More exciting is to meet the migrant species which fill the Park during the wet season. Some of the best species you may sight here includes shoe bill, grey-headed kingfisher, rock pratincole, long-tailed nightjar, Abyssinian ground hornbill, long-toed plover, yellow fronted tinkerbird, sandpipers, grey crowned crane, blue-headed coucal, Denham’s bustard, marital eagle, saddle-billed stork, Abyssinian ground horn bill, open billed stork, grey heron, Verreaux eagle owl, papyrus gonolek, lesser flamingo among others.
Best time to visit Murchison Falls National Park
The best time to visit Murchison Falls National Park is during the dry seasons, from December to February and June to September. During these months, wildlife is easier to spot as animals gather around water sources. More so, during this time to area is characterized by little or no rainfall which makes the game trucks dry, the roads leading to the park are passable, and the vegetation in the park is short and scattered with good views of the wild animals. Although the park can be visited throughout the year.
Best accommodation facilities
There are several excellent accommodation options available near the park. these accommodations are categorized in three categories such as budget, mid-range and luxury. Some of these facilities includes Red Chilli Rest Camp, Murchison Backpackers, Sambiya River Lodge, Twiga Safari Lodge, Nile Safari Lodge, Paara Safari Lodge, Pakuba Safari Lodge, Fort Murchison Lodge, Budongo Eco Lodge, Parkside Safari Lodge among others
How to get to Murchison Falls National Park
To reach Murchison Falls National Park, you can travel by road or take a domestic flight to Pakuba Airstrip or Chobe airstrip. Flights to Murchison Falls National Park are conducted by Bar aviation Uganda or Aero link Uganda two times a day. From Kampala, it’s about a 5–6-hour drive using Kampala-Masindi Road or Kampala-Pakwach Road. Buses or private vehicles can be hired to navigate the scenic routes.
