Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park is a natural wonder of its own in East Africa. The park hosts not only the world’s powerful waterfalls but also abundant wildlife and bird species. It takes its name from Murchison when Sir Samuel Baker named it so during his exploration in the 19^th century. Murchison Falls NP is not surprising Uganda’s biggest park, spanning on the land area of about 3840 sq.km containing a variety of habitats.

Discover Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park was officially created as a Uganda Park in 1952, but it was once a Wildlife Reserve since 1926. The park sits within the extensive Murchison Falls Conservation Area. It is bisected into two regions/sectors: the Northern & Southern sections, the two sections were created by the Victoria Nile that separates which also forms the Murchison Falls that squeezes itself into a narrow rock of 8 meters.

Location of this park

Murchison Falls National Park is set in the Northwestern Uganda along the Albertine area. From Kampala to this park, it is approximately 300 km and considering its location, visitors can combine their visits to the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to see rhinos in the wild thus making their Murchison Falls safari a complete big 5 game tour. Murchison Falls National Park has its boundaries extend covering Nwoya, Kiryandongo, Masindi and Buliisa Districts.

Wildlife species

Within the different habitats of Murchison Falls National Park, there exist over 76 mammal species. They include four of the big five game members with exception of rhinos; Rothschild giraffes, warthogs, Uganda Kobs, oribis, hartebeest, over 800 chimpanzees, blue monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, spotted hyenas, plus more than 451 bird species.

The major tourism activities to do in Murchison Falls National Park

Game drives

Game drives in Murchison Falls National Park usher you into the rich game tracks to encounter plenty of the park’s animal species. The best game tracks exist on the Northern section and this is where you can watch clearly different wildlife species such as cape buffaloes, elephants, bush bucks, duikers, lions, reedbucks, leopards, Jackson’s hartebeests, giraffes, spotted hyenas, and more.

Unlike the Northern sector, the Southern region offers excellent honeymoon experiences. Honeymooners get to explore the designated honeymoon game tracks and besides, on your trip to this park, there is possibility of encountering the nocturnal species such as leopards, spotted hyenas, plus other animal species as they become active.

Boat cruise

Launch cruise excursions in Murchison Falls National Park offer excellent sightings of aquatic life. This is 2-3 hours guided boat cruise experience which leads you to the base of the Murchison Falls while spotting the Nile crocodiles, hippos and water bird species. Another boat ride excursion can be done towards the Nile Delta and this offers that incredible feeling of navigating through the river.

Birding

During birding tour in Murchison Falls National Park, expect to keep an eye on plenty of birds that make up a total of 451 species in this protected area. The notable bird species of interest for birders in Murchison Falls NP include the black-faced waxbill, black-bellied bustards, secretary bird, grey-headed bush shrikes, Abyssinian ground hornbills, pied kingfishers, Abdim’s stork, African darter, Northern carmine bee-eaters, black-headed gondola, pel’s fishing owl, African jacanas,

Double-toothed barbet, yellow-billed storks, blue-headed coucal, grey crowned cranes, bluff-bellied warblers, martial eagle, speckle-fronted weaver bird, white African fish eagle, Denham’s bustards, verreaux’s own, goliath heron, white-faced whistling duck, squacco herons, green-winged pytilia, yellow-throated greenbul, flycatchers and shoebill storks.

The top of the falls excursion

Visiting the top of Murchison Falls is possible in two options: hiking after disembarking from the boat and the hike can go for 45 minutes or drive to the top of the falls. This natural wonder is considered the most powerful and you can observe it while it forces itself into a narrow rock of 8 meters and then plunges 43 meters before flowing towards the Albertine Nile.

Sport fishing on the Nile

Sport fishing is an incredible excursion for anglers on Uganda safaris in Murchison Falls NP. The main sport fishing locations include the base of the Murchison Falls and the Karuma Falls. This adventure is all about catch and release method, with anglers challenging themselves with a catch of the heaviest Nile Perch.

Chimpanzee tracking

If you are interested in primate watching, then you have a reason to visit Murchison Falls NP for a holiday. Chimpanzee trekking in this park is best carried out while in the Southern section, particularly at Budongo Forest. This lush rainforest holds up to 800 chimpanzees and there are 2 sessions: morning & afternoon for you enjoy a chimp trek.

Hot air balloon Safaris  

Hot air balloon excursions provide you a great chance to enjoy aerial animal views in the park instead of using a vehicle. In Uganda, Murchison Falls NP and Queen Elizabeth NP are the two special destinations for tourists to enjoy hot air balloon holidays.

Forest walking

Nature and forest walks provide memorable experiences and close interaction with natural wonders in the park. There are many rich habitats that can’t be reached by car in the park, but only accessible on a guided nature walk. The advantage with it is that you get up close with a number of species including primates, birds and flora. The main areas to experience the best of nature walks in this park include Budongo and Rabongo Forest.

Cultural visits

Cultural encounters on Murchison Falls NP safari are enjoyable on a visit to nearby communities. The Boom Village is the most famous area offering the unforgettable cultural experiences to tourists visiting this park. After your cultural experience, you can settle for dinner and overnight at the established bandas of Boomu Women’s Group.

The best time of the year to visit Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls NP is open to all holidaymakers at any time of the year. But the best time is from December to February and from June to September- the peak months of the year. The low or off seasons are experienced from October to November and March to May.

Where to stay in Mrchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls NP is big and interestingly, it has a variety of accommodation facilities distributed inside and outside. These include budget, midrange and luxury options; Chobe Safari Lodge, Murchison River Lodge, Red Chilli Rest Camp, Heritage Safari Lodge, Paraa Safari Lodge, Fort Murchison Safari Lodge, Sambiya River Lodge, Nile Safari Lodge, Baker’s Lodge, Budongo Eco Lodge, Boomu Women’s Group bandas, Pakuba Safari Lodge and others.

How you can get to Murchison Falls National Park

The simplest way to get to Murchison Falls NP is by taking a flight from Entebbe Airport to Bugungu, Chobe or Pakuba airfield. By road, use a 4×4 tourist vehicle and drive for 6-7 hours via Luweero-Masindi route.