Murchison Falls National Park

The park covers 3840 sq. km and was established in 1952. It covers Uganda’s districts of Bulisa, Kiryandongo, and Masindi and it’s known to be the largest park covering over 4000sq.km, and is one of the most spectacular tourist destinations in uganda known for its scenic beauty and the spectacular falls that blow with too much force. Murchison Falls National Park is the largest best attraction park in Uganda for its falls where it gained its name (Murchison falls national park). Murchison falls is appraised as the most powerful waterfall in the world, formed by the Nile River traversing a narrow gap in an extreme way before crashing down and flowing.

Murchison Falls National Park in large part consists of Savannah grasslands, woodlands, open plains, and wetlands. The park is a part of the wider Murchison Falls Conservation vicinity that also consists of Karuma Falls and Bugungu natural world Reserves. It has massive forests like Budongo, Rabongo, and Kaniyo Pabidi. Kaniyo Pabidi forest reserve consists of large mahogany and ironwood timber

The key sights are the Savannah grasslands, Murchison falls, Karuma falls, the river Nile, and forests like Kaniyo Pabidi, Budongo, and Rubongo. All three forests are regarded for hosting numerous bird and primates species like Chimpanzees, blue monkeys, olive baboons, and black and white colobus monkeys. The park has the biggest wide variety of giraffes and crocodiles in all of the Uganda national parks.

Murchison falls national park conserves a number of lions although tree-climbing lions can be found in only Queen Elizabeth national park, with over 70 mammals and 451 bird species. There were a lot of white rhinos in the park but all went extinct, they are introduced back and confined in a sanctuary since they are considered endemic. The Ziwa rhino sanctuary can be traced near the Murchison falls national park and it is one of the best attractions when you can not miss when visiting the park.

If you wondering how to locate this park it’s very easy as there are different routes that lead to the same destination. One can decide to use the Paraa side, this covers a distance of about 85km from Masindi town by the shortest route. And another alternative longer route will cover an area of about 135km on the Budongo forest side that will provide magnificent views of Lake Albert directly from the rift valley escarpment.

One can also access Paraa through Chobe Gate in the north, Karuma Falls with Tangi Gate that is close to Pakwach that covers an area of about 25 sq. km, and the distance from Kampala is about 300km that takes about 5 hours’ drive to the park. Murchison falls national park can also be accessed by air and Pakuba is the landing site for the flights, this takes about 19kms from Paraa and Bugungu that covers an area of 13kms

The main attractions of the park

This park supports a lot of flora and fauna to delight the visitors from savanna and tall grass to thick bush and woodlands hence its diversity never ceases to amaze the visitors. Fishermen can test their skills above and below the falls by eagerly waiting for the big Nile perch, electric catfish, and tiger fish. A lot of animal species can be seen on a game drive like Cape buffalo, giraffes Uganda kobs and you may spot some Oribis, bushbuck, reedbuck, the shy sitatungas, and warthogs        

To visit Murchison falls without visiting the magnificent falls is inevitable and would be incomplete since they can be viewed from the top where the Nile River narrows from 50 meters to crash through the gorge about 7meters falling down to the rocks below and flowing to the river. The cruise to the base of the falls is also unforgettable. Visitors can experience the majesty of the Nile while on board, viewing abundant wildlife along the river banks. The more you hike the trials around the falls while the bird watchers will want to spot some bird species about 451 identified in the park

Murchison Falls is an ideal place for birders with over 451 bird species inhabited in this park, this makes the park to be among the biggest bird destinations in Uganda including the kingfisher, rare shoe-billed stock, Goliath heron, white-thighed hornbill, great blue Turaco, and many others.

Major Activities at the park

Travelers planning a safari to Murchison Falls National park should expect more attractions and get involved in several activities of which a 3 Days safari to Murchison Falls may not be enough for you to complete all the activities. Rather you would need at least 4 days to experience all the thrilling things in the park. Below are the top activities travelers engage in while in the park.

Game drive: This takes place early in the morning and less in the evening most enjoyable during the dry season, most animals are seen while on the drive like elephants, monkeys, lions, baboons, giraffes, buffalos, bushbucks, warthogs, sitatungas, and many others with the help of a trained guide since they know animal trails and how to track them, this will elevate your gaming experience to make it significant.

A 4 days trip is very attractive and memorable when you visit Ziwa Rhino sanctuary the home of rhinos in Uganda, this will help to view all of Africa’s big five animals (Lions, Elephants, Rhinos, Buffalos, and Leopards). The large carnivorous animals which include the lions, leopards spotted hyenas and baboons make the list of six species of primates found in the park.

Boat Cruise: It is one of the exciting activities done at the park, it takes almost three hours from the launching area at Paraa, where the Nile River flows into Lake Albert, and the boat will bring you to the bottom of the Murchison Falls while cruising, you can admire beautiful animals and come across hippos, buffalos, crocodiles, waterbucks, and a variety of water birds such as kingfishers cormorants, bee-eaters, hornbills, warblers and grey heron.

Cultural Walk: Here you encounter several different ethnic groups that live in different areas of the national park. Some include Acholi, Banyoro, and Alur, they have different beliefs and customs like dancing skills and making beautiful handicrafts as a way of sustaining their livelihood.

Air Ballooning:

Hot air ballooning is one of the things you should not miss out on your safari in Murchison falls.  The Murchison Falls National Park is said to be the largest protected area that has so much to see when it comes to nature and all that is around it, that’s to say the great diversity of wildlife, the powerful waterfalls, and not forgetting the famous River Nile.

The age constraints may be at least six years to go for a hot air ballooning, considering that the flight takes you to the tallness of 10.000 feet over sea level which might make the little children uncomfortable. The movement permits sightseers to see an assortment of animals, primates, and bird species meandering whereas brushing within the meadows and the lord of the wilderness is clearly seen chasing the prey.

Nature walk: These can be exercised in many different park trails to discover a variety of wildlife species such as a walk to the top of the magnificent waterfall, this offers an opportunity to spot bird species. Walks to the Kaniyo Pabidi, and Budongo forest offers a great opportunity to view birds, primates like chimpanzees, and other associated animals in the park.

Birding: Murchison falls is among Uganda’s best birding spots with over 451 bird species which include; Albertine rift endemic birds, water birds, and savannah birds. Viewing birds in the scenic landscape and amazing wildlife of Murchison is among the most interesting experiences while on a Ugandan safari.

Meanwhile for birding satisfaction in this park, one has to take a boat cruise along the Nile delta and walk in the grasslands and forest in order to watch various birds in plenty there are many birds in the park of which some are rare, common, and occasional such as the Gray-crowned crane (Uganda’s National bird), Giant Kingfisher, Giant Heron, Shoebill stork, Abyssinian Ground Hornbills, Nightjars, Marabou stork, Black-headed lapwing, Back-bellied  Bustard including Nocturnal birds like the nightjars that can be seen along the Paraa road and while on the boat on the Nile

Fishing: Fishing in Murchison falls is done mainly as a sport and is among the main activities along the Nile. It involves catching fish by casting lures; this method is used for catching larger fish species like the Nile perch and some catfish. There another method used for catching fish is the use of live bait like worms, and termites to catch smaller fish species like the Tiger fish, also you can catch them using the spinning method.

Murchison falls is among the leading parks where sport fishing in Uganda can be conducted. Fishing in Murchison falls is done basically for fun and is among the most exercises along the Nile. It includes catching angle by casting draws; this strategy is utilized for catching larger fish species just like the Nile perch, and a few catfish. Another strategy utilized for catching fish is the utilization of live snare like worms, and termites to capture smaller fish species just like the Tiger fish, moreover you’ll be able to capture them utilizing the turning strategy.

Fishing is primarily done along the Nile which includes catching angles along rough surfaces, at the foot of the falls, and at the river banks by the fishermen. Angling on the Nile is an energizing encounter in spite of the fact that you are exhorted to require vigilance and awareness of the crocodiles and hippos, particularly at the banks of the river.

Accommodation at the Park

Murchison falls national park has a lot of accommodation and if you looking for where to stay on   your tour, consider it done and sorted, it comprises many safari lodges ranging according to your budget and luxury, these lodges also do arrange safari activities and you can request for them and these include;

Murchison falls national park features a parcel of hotels and lodges and on the off chance that you searching for where to stay on your visit, consider it done, it comprises numerous safari lodges ranging agreeing to your budget and extravagance, and they also do orchestrate safari exercises that you may be interested with. Some of them include;

Chobe safari lodge: This is a luxury five-star hotel located close to the river Nile bank in the northern part of Murchison falls national park, it contains over 40 guestrooms, 21 tents, and 4 suites that is to say a presidential suite and Florence family house, it has a beautiful panorama view together with the lodge balconies which give a clear view of the park. While enjoying the stay at this lodge a lot of animals; the buffalos, warthogs, elephants, and more tend to visit around the perimeters of the lodge and the camp tents.

Chobe safari lodge has a well-equipped restaurant serving all kinds of local food and international dishes whether you are craving the lunch buffet or snack food it will be at your service. It also has a well-stocked bar and a poolside bar serves you a cocktail and other favorite drinks and you enjoy the swimming pool peacefulness. The lodge also provides a strong Wi-Fi connection which provides free internet access that helps ease your activities online while enjoying your stay in the wilds

Paraa safari lodge:  It provides a mixture of comfort, relaxation, and exploitation, every room is a safe haven of favor and composure finished with a balcony and personal rest room. It has a swimming pool with offers a wide view of the River Nile.

 Pakuba lodge: Its miles are built on a part of the Albert Nile instructing a stunning panoramic view of the River Nile, visitors are able to view remote amazing hills and sight wild animals that generally tend to visit the lodge repeatedly. It offers some sports ranging from a delicious meals menu no longer forgetting bush meat, plus bush activities like chimpanzee tracking, sports force, and wellbeing spa.