Murchison falls national park

Murchison falls National Park is one of the most popular safari destinations in Uganda and a national park located in north-western Uganda in a drive of 4 hours from Kampala the capital city of Uganda, the park lies northern end of Albertine Rift valley boosting scenic views of savannah and forested plains and the Victoria Nile River which pours in Lake Albert. Murchison falls national park is the largest national park in Uganda covering an area of 3840 square kilometers, the park is a habitat to a range of vegetation zones ranging from forest, savannah, riverine woodland, borassus palms and acacia trees.

Murchison falls national park derives its name from the magnificent Murchison falls which is a great tourist attraction and the main feature of the park, Murchison falls was formed as a result of River Nile water forcing through a narrow gorge of 7 meters before plunging 43 meters forming a Devil’s Cauldron thus a permanent rainbow. Murchison falls flows with a thunderous effect which is usually heard from a distance, Murchison falls national park also consists of the Albertine Nile corridor where the Victoria Nile flows into Lake Albert, this area is the lowest area in Uganda lieing at 612 msl at the delta.

Murchison falls national park formerly known as Kabalega national park is hosts 767 species of mammal including 4 of the big five and primates, animals in this park include lions, leopards, buffaloes, elephants, Uganda Kobs, Bushbucks, Jacksons Hartebeests, Oribi, waterbucks, warthogs and many more. Primates in Murchison falls national park live in the forests of Kaniyo Pabidi dotted around the park and they include Baboons, Patas monkeys, Blue monkeys, Red-tailed monkeys and Black-and-white Colobus monkeys and Chimpanzees.

Murchison falls national park is a home to a variety of bird species with over 450 bird species including forest, water and savannah birds, birds in this park live in the savannah grasslands, forest patches, swamps and along the shores of the lake. These birds include elusive Shoebill, Swamp flycatcher, papyrus Gonolek, Goliath Heron, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Northern red bishop, Squacco heron, Red-throated Bee-eater and African-Quail Finch and many more.

Safari activities to do in Murchison falls national park

Game drives

Murchison falls National Park is a renowned destination for excellent game drives, the park is a reputable habitat for a variety of wildlife species include 4 of the 5 big five. Game drives in Murchison falls national park is done in custom made tour vehicles with open roof for easy spotting of the animals and conducted on demarcated track running through the park specifically on the northern bank of river Nile. Gme drives in Murchison falls national park offers an opportunity for spotting animals such as lions, elephants, buffaloes, bushbucks, Waterbucks, hartebeest, Oribi, Uganda Kobs, giraffes, Patas monkeys, Warthogs and many more.

Chimpanzee tracking

Chimpanzee tracking in Murchison falls national park is done in Kaniyo Pabidi forest which is a section of Budongo forest situated in the southern border of the park, chimpanzee tracking in this forests commences as early as 8:00 am with briefing and takes about 3-4 hours solely depending on where the chimpanzees nested the previous night. This experience offers one hour in the presence of chimpanzees while watching them play, groom and feed their young ones and each other, chimpanzee tracking also offers sights of other primates such as olive baboon, black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys and many more living in the forests.

Bird watching

Murchison falls National Park is a great birding destination and ranked among the best spots for bird watching, the park habits over 450 bird species including Albertine Endemics living in the savannah grasslands, forest s and swamps dotted around the park. Bird watching in Murchison falls national park offers excellent of birds such as the river), Pied, malachite, Giant Kingfishers, Grey, night, common Squacco, Striated and Goliath herons, Egyptian ducks, Spur winged lapwings, Intermediate, Great and Little Egrets, Abyssinia ground hornbills, Black and Northern Red Bishop  and many more.

Boat safaris

Murchison falls national park offers amazing boat safaris which are done at the bottom of the falls on Victoria Nile, this experience is offered twice in a day with a morning trip starting at 9 am and afternoon trip commencing at 2 pm. Also boat for a private boat trip are available for rent and they leave any time a tourist want to, boat safaris on the Nile offers amazing views of animals such as crocodiles and hippos living in the waters of the river, buffaloes, elephants, antelopes converging at the shores to quench their thirst and many water bird species such as herons, shoe bill and many more.

Sport fishing

Sport fishing in Murchison falls national park is an exciting activity done in the waters of Victoria Nile, the Victoria Nile habits a number of fish species including Nile Perch, and fish, tilapia and many more which are caught as prize on this experience. Fishing on Victoria Nile is done on designated areas and to engage in this activity you need a fishing permit purchased at the offices of Uganda wildlife Authority offices at the park’s headquarters.

Nature and forests walks

Murchison falls national park is a naturally endowed park with many forests such as Pabidi, Kaniyo and Rubogo forests where nature and forest walks are done, this activity offers a grand opportunity to enjoy the amazing nature in the forests including primates such as chimpanzees, red tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, many birds such as gray crowned crane, Giant Kingfisher, Giant Heron, Shoebill stork, Abyssinian Ground Hornbills, Nightjars, Marabou stork, Black headed lapwing and beautiful flowering trees. In Murchisn falls national park there is a hike to the top of Murchison falls, this hike takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour and offers magnificent views of the Murchison falls as it flows with a thunderous effect.

Community visits

Cultural visits in Murchison falls national park are offered by the Boomu Women’s Group and the local community found right outside the park, on this visit you will embark on a walk through the village and on this walk you will learn more about the residents and their local way of life, visit the black smith to learn more about black smith works, take part in basket weaving, visit local schools and many more.

How to get to Murchison falls national park

Murchison falls national park is situation in the northern region of Uganda Northwest of Kampala in a distance of approximately 305 kilometers in a drive of about 3-5 hours, most safaris to Murchison falls national park start from Kampala the capital city of Uganda. From Kampala the park is accessed by road and air means of transport,

By road – Murchison falls national park is situated in a drive of about 5 hours from Kampala, routes used to get to the park by road include Kampala-Pakwach Road which crosses Karuma falls Bridge, Kampala – Masindi route.

By air – domestic flights are offered from Entebbe international airport and Kajjansi airfield to 3 airstrips serving Murchison falls national park that are Pakuba, Bugungu and Chobe Airstrips. Domestic flights to Murchison falls national park are offered by Aero Link

Accommodation in Murchison falls national park

Accommodation in Murchison falls national park is got from a number of lodges and camps situated either inside the park or along the borders of the park, these lodges and camps are classified as luxury, midrange and budget. Accommodation in Murchison falls national park include Paraa Safari Lodge, Pakuba Safari Lodge, Murchison River Lodge, Bakers Lodge, Fort Murchison, Nile Safari Lodge, Fort Murchison safari lodge, Chobe safari lodge, Murchison River Lodge, Murchison Tree house, Amuka safari lodge and many more.