MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK
MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK
Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s largest park with approx. 3,893 square kilometers and bisected by the Victoria Nile from the east to west. The park is located in northwestern Uganda in Masindi District but also shares other Districts i.e Kiryandongo, Bulisa and Nwoya. The park was established in 1952 and it is the location of the Murchison Falls where the waters of the Nile flow through a narrow gorge. In fact, it flows only 7 meters wide before plunging 43 meters with a thunderous roar into the “Devil’s Cauldron” creating a trade mark rainbow. The northern sector in this park contains savanna, Borassus palms, riverine woodland and acacia tress while the southern sector contains woodland and forest patches. Besides, the park hots over 140 mammals, over 400 bird species, over 50 reptiles as well as over 40 amphibians. Different activities are enjoyed while in this park and these include; game drives, boat cruise, nature walks, top of the falls, chimpanzee and bird watching.
Activities in Murchison Falls National Park
Bird watching
The park is a perfect destination for bird lovers since it hosts over 400 bird species that can be spotted during your safari. Some of the birds here are residential like the Albertine rift valley endemic birds while others are migratory. Some of the birds to spot here include; Eastern plantain eater, Long-toed lapwing, Abyssinian ground hornbill, Malachite kingfisher. Saddle billed stork, Shoebill stork, Red throated bee-eater, African fish eagle, Denham’s bustard, Standard nightjar, double toothed barbet. Yellow-fronted tinkerbird, Giant kingfisher, Grey crowned crane, African pied kingfisher, Black-billed barbet, etc.
Game drives
This park has got three sessions of game drives and these include; morning, afternoon and night game drives and all carried out in the northern sector of the park. The game drives are generally led by an armed experienced ranger who guides you through the different tracks in search of different animals. The morning game drives are the most rewarding since tourists get a chance to see animals when they are still active. In the afternoon drive, most of the big cats are hiding due to the hot sun and therefore spotting them is not easy. During the night game drives, visitors have an opportunity to view the nocturnal animals like the hyenas, leopards, civet, bush babies, etc. Animals to look out in the park include; Buffalos, Lions, Leopards, Jackson’s hartebeests, Water bucks, Rothschild’s giraffe, Uganda kobs, Oribis, Elephants, Hippos, Crocodiles, spotted hyenas, etc.
Cultural encounter
Visit the Mubako group for dances, vibrant songs as well as buy some souvenirs like the wooden sculptures and handwoven items sold in their craft shop. You can also visit the nearby villages and interact with the locals, learning about their way of life and traditions.
Boat cruiseBasically, the park has got two sessions of boat cruise i.e morning and afternoon boat cruise and on both, you are able to enjoy and have a memorable adventure on water. The boat takes 3 hours on water which gives you ample time to enjoy wildlife while as you take photos and videos to take back for memories. While at the boat, you are able to have the stunning views of the Murchison Falls, enjoy wildlife as well as the beautiful colorful birds. At the boat, you also enjoy large herds of hippos, crocodiles basking on the banks, other animals like elephants, buffalos and waterbucks as they quench their thirst along the shores. Hike or walk to the Top of the Falls. When you hike at the top of the falls, you are able to enjoy the spectacular views of the scenery. Also listen to the crashing of the water and watch the waters of the Nile squeezing through the 7 meters gorge pouring done into the Devil’s Cauldron. Here you are also able to view the Uhuru falls believed to have formed as a result of breaking away the initial Murchison Falls during the Uganda’s Independence.
Breakfast on Top of the Falls
This is organized by one of the lodges Sambiya River Lodge located in park which is a great way to experience the Nile and listen to the roaring sound of the Murchison Falls as well as the beautiful bird species.
Chimpanzee tracking
This is done in Budongo Forest after a briefing and led into the forest by an experienced armed ranger in groups of 6 people each allocated a chimpanzee family. You hit the forest in search of these great animals and upon locating them, you are given one hour in their presence to enjoy their different activities as well as take photos for memories. Chimpanzees here are habituated which means they are used to human presence therefore you have high chances coming across these animals in their natural habitat. However, locating these animals depends on where they spent their previous night and the direction taken as they search for food. You will get an opportunity to hang out with these charming apes as they play, nurse, feed and interact with each other in their natural habitats. During your tracking, you will also come across other primates like; the black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, red tailed monkeys, etc.
Sport fishing
The park has mainly got two fishing spots i.e near Paraa and below Karuma falls and you can opt to either choose to fish on boat or besides the Nile. While during your sport fishing activity, you have chances of seeing the biggest edible fish species like the tilapia, Nile Perch, cat fish, etc. However, this activity here is based on a catch and release basis.
Nature walks
During this activity, visitors get a chance to explore the park on foot in guidance of an experienced armed ranger. This activity is mostly done in Kaniyo Pabidi and Rabongo forest whereby visitors get up close to wildlife like the chimpanzees, black and white colobus, red tailed monkeys, etc.
