Murchison Falls National Park - Uganda wildlife Adventure

Murchison Falls National Park is of no doubt Uganda’s premier safari park. It is the only national park in Northwestern section of Albertine Rift Valley and also the largest of all the 10 national parks in Uganda. The districts surrounding Murchison Falls National Park include Buliisa, Nwoya, Kiryandongo and Masindi. This protected area was founded in 1952 and it occupies an area of about 3840sq.kms and it takes its name from Murchison Falls where River Nile can be witnessed squeezing itself in a narrow gorge of about 8 meters before falling about 43 meters, which also divides the park into 2 sections the Northern and Southern section.

Sir Samuel Baker the British explorer was amazed by the powerful waterfalls and later named it Murchison Falls. Today, Murchison Falls National Park makes up part of the extensive Murchison Falls Conservation Area which also covers the Bugungu Wildlife Reserve, Karuma Falls Wildlife Reserve and Budongo Forest Reserve. It is reachable within 4-5 hours’ drive from Kampala capital city of Uganda which makes it one of the most accessible safari parks.

Wildlife in Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park boasts of its diverse wildlife which makes it one of the best destinations for Uganda safaris. Over 76 mammal species are estimated to live in this Uganda wildlife safari park alone most of which can be sighted on a game drive. They include among others the Rothschild giraffes, elephants, buffaloes, lions, leopards, warthogs, antelopes such as waterbucks, oribis, Uganda Kobs, Jackson Hartebeests and bushbucks. It also hosts diversity of primates including chimpanzees, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, baboons, patas monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys. If you are interested in primates and Murchison Falls National Park is your dream destination then don’t miss to pay a visit to Kaniyo-Pabidi forest which is part of the Budongo Forest Reserve for chimpanzee tracking.

Birdlife in Murchison Falls National Park

Safaris to Murchison Falls National Park also offer you a great opportunity to identify variety of birds which make up a total of about 451 bird species which range in different habitats. The notable bird habitats in this safari park range from savanna grassland, acacia trees, riverine woodland, swamps to forests. The birds to expect to sight in Murchison Falls National Park Squacco heron, red throated bee-eater, goliath heron, Abyssinian ground hornbills, black headed lapwing, back bellied bustards, swamp flycatcher, giant kingfishers, giant heron, shoebill stork, grey crowned crane, dwarf kingfisher, white thighed hornbill, great blue turaco, northern red bishop, African quail finch, egrets and a lot more.

Activities to do in Murchison Falls National Park

Game drives in Murchison Falls National Park

Game drives in Murchison Falls National Park are best done along the Northern bank of River Nile. Visitors on Uganda safaris in this park stand a chance to see variety of savanna dwellers including the African elephants, buffaloes, lions, Rothschild giraffes, leopards, warthogs, antelopes such as oribis, Uganda Kobs, waterbucks, Jackson Hartebeests and bushbucks plus birds. A game drive in Murchison Falls National Park can last from 2 to 3 hours and it is best carried out in a comfortable 4×4 safari vehicle.

Bird watching in Murchison Falls National Park

Bird watching is one of the best safari activities tourists on Uganda safaris can take part in Murchison Falls National Park. With an estimate of about 451 bird species, expect to identify diverse birds including Squacco heron, red throated bee-eater, goliath heron, Abyssinian ground hornbills, black headed lapwing, back bellied bustards, swamp flycatcher, giant kingfishers, giant heron, shoebill stork, grey crowned crane, dwarf kingfisher, white thighed hornbill, great blue turaco, northern red bishop, African quail finch, egrets. To have remarkable birding tour experience in this safari park, please don’t forget to come along with your camera and pair of binoculars.

Boat cruise/Launch trip in Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park is divided by the Victoria Nile and visitors can embark on a boat cruise toward the bottom of Murchison Falls. This is one of the best water sport activities travelers on Uganda safaris shouldn’t miss out in this protected area. It lets you sight distinct water birds, hippos, basking Nile crocodiles as well as elephants, antelopes and a lot more as they roam along the river banks. At the bottom of the falls, you have opportunity to take clear picture of falls and also enjoy its scenic beauty.

Chimpanzee trekking in Murchison Falls National Park

Trekking to see chimpanzees is one most memorable safari experience offered to visitors on Uganda safaris in Murchison Falls National Park. This is done in Kaniyo-Pabidi forest which is part of Budongo Forest Reserve. On chimpanzee trek, expect to view not only chimpanzees but also other species of primates including the red-tailed monkeys, baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys plus varied forest birds. The whole adventure may cover between 3 and 4 hours although this may depend on location of chimpanzees or where they nested the previous day.

Alternatively, you can also take the whole day on chimpanzee habituation experience. This is usually done by scientists, trackers and mostly to make chimpanzees get used to human presence prior being opened for chimpanzee tracking.

Sport fishing in Murchison Falls National Park

Sport fishing in Murchison Falls National Park is done at the bottom of falls and it is such an amazing water sport which lets enthusiastic anglers to challenge themselves with heavy Nile perch. Interested visitors are required to get permits from Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Guided nature walks in Murchison Falls National Park

Guided nature walks in Murchison Falls National Park are best carried out in Kaniyo-Pabidi and Rabongo forest. Visitors get opportunity to come across primates like the red-tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, baboons, vervet monkeys as well as variety of birds.

Cultural experiences in Murchison Falls National Park

You can incorporate your game drives with community visit/cultural experience while on Uganda safaris in Murchison Falls National Park. Boomu Women’s Group offers an exceptional cultural experience to visitors on tour in this safari park. You get a chance to learn more about the lifestyles, traditions of local residents and also take part in basket weaving among other activities.

Best time to visit Murchison Falls National Park

The best months to visit Murchison Falls National Park for game viewing are June, July, August, September and December, January, February. These are the dry months and most routes remain relatively drier unlike during the wet or rainy months (March, April, May and October, November) which are characterized by heavy rainfall. However, they are ideal for birding.

Where to stay in Murchison Falls National Park

The lodges for you to consider to spend a night while on Uganda safaris include Red Chili Rest Camp, Pakuba Safari Lodge, Sambiya River Lodge, Fort Murchison Tents, Paraa Safari Lodge, Chobe Safari Lodge, Baker’s Lodge, Kabalega Wilderness Lodge, Global Village Guesthouse and many others.

How to get to Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park is reachable by road or by air. It takes you about 5 hours to drive from Kampala via Luweero-Masindi to Murchison Falls National Park. You can also drive from Fort Portal to Murchison Fall National Park. The other alternative is for you to take a flight from Entebbe Airport or Kajjansi airfield to Bugungu, Pakuba or Chobe airstrip.