Murchison Falls National Park is in the Western region of Uganda and lies at the northern end of the Albertine Rift Valley. The area was first put up for conservation as a game reserve in 1926. The park covers an area of 3893 square kilometres and straddles the Ugandan districts of Buliisa, Nwoya, Kiryandongo, and Masindi. The Murchison Falls Conservation Area (MFCA) is made up of Bugungu and Karuma Game Reserves and Murchison Falls National Park. The park is bisected by the Victoria Nile creating the northern and southern sectors of the park. The water body plunges over 45m the remnant valley wall, creating the dramatic Murchison Falls, the park’s unique attraction and the final event in 80 km rapids stretch. From here the river transforms into abroad stream which flows quietly and drains into lake Albert.
The park hosts 76 mammal species most popular animals in the park include; African Elephants, Lions, Leopards, Buffaloes, Nile Crocodiles, Hippos, Waterbucks, Warthogs, Uganda Kobs, Hartebeests, Rothschild Giraffes, Murchison National Park Host some primates such as Olive Baboons, Blue Monkeys, Red Tailed Monkeys, Chimpanzees that make up a total of about 800 individuals and dwell within Kaniyo Pabidi and Budongo forests, Black and White Colobus monkeys.
It is a home to about 451 species of birds including Shoebill Stork, Grey Crowned Cranes, Blue-Headed Coucal, Swamp Flycatcher, Squacco Heron, Black Billed Barbet, Silver Bird, Red-Throated Bee-Eater, Giant And Malachite Kingfishers, Eastern Grey Plantain Eater, Piapiac, Weaver Birds, White Browed Sparrow Weaver, Speckle Fronted Weaver, African Quail Finch, Denham’s bustard among others.
Things to do in Murchison Falls National Park
With a variety of wildlife and attractions in the park, there are a variety of activities that visitors to the park can participate in.
Game drive: this can be done early in the morning or during the late evening hours, animals are usually active around this time. The game drive takes from 2-4 hours and there are various trails within the park that drivers follow as they look for the animals. Some of the animals that are spotted include; Lions, Many Antelopes, Hartebeest, Bushbucks, Uganda Kob, Waterbucks, Warthog’s Leopard and as well as various savannah bird species like the Ground Hornbill among many more.
Boat cruise on the Victoria Nile: The Victoria is part of the great river Nile and the activity takes around 3 hours. The cruise leads to the bottom of the magnificent Murchison Falls, you will as well have a view of the Uhuru falls while on board. There are great opportunities to spot various wildlife on the shores of the river like; Elephants, Crocodiles, Buffalo, Hippo, Monitor Lizard as well as various waterbird species like African Fish Eagle, some kingfishers like Pied and Malachite Kingfishers, African Jacana, Pelican, Cormorants, Hadada And Sacred Ibis, Marabou Stork, Yellow-Billed Stork among others.
There is an option of hiking to the top of the falls when the boat reaches the bottom of the falls (this must be organised in advance).
Nile Delta Boat Ride: Take a boat ride down the Nile Delta where the Nile emerges into Lake Albert this is the best spot ideal for bird watchers here you will expect to spot the shoebill stork along the river banks and a variety of other bird species and also abundant wildlife like the hippos, the crocodiles you will sight during the boat trip down to the bottom of the delta.
Hiking and nature walk: this activity is done in Rabongo and Budongo forests which are part of the Murchison conservation area. The forests are home to the common chimpanzee. Walks take from 1- 4 hours or even more depending on the fitness of the participants. Hikers will expect to spot various forest bird species, different tree and plant species and there are spots that offer beautiful sceneries.
Birding: Birds around the park can be sighted either by safari vehicles on the game drive, guided nature walks in the forests, and on a boat cruise along the Nile or at the delta. Various bird species living in the park can be sighted.
Chimpanzee tracking: This is mostly done at the Budongo Forest in Murchison Falls National Park, the forest harbours a bigger number of chimpanzees with some habituated groups that are open for tracking by tourists. The Budongo forest offers both chimpanzee trekking and chimpanzee habituation experience safaris where you will spend 4hours with the chimpanzee.
Hot air balloon: Murchison falls national park is the only place in Uganda where you will have a bird view of the wildlife in the park. The hot air balloon starts early morning and offers opportunities to watch the sunrise and glide above the trees where you will view the game below on the savannah grasslands. This offers great views of the savannah, wildlife, forests and the Nile.
Hike to the top of the falls: This activity starts with a boat cruise to the bottom of the falls. The hike to the top of the falls is a guided hike by your tour guide all through the activity showing you the different attractions and you will view the whole of Murchison falls while up on the top of the falls. The trail is called Baker trail, named after the colonial explorer sir Samuel baker who discovered the Nile and its source. The hike takes about 45 minutes to the top of the falls and be refreshed by the mist and drizzles from the falls.
HOW TO GET THERE
The park can be accessed by either road or air transport means.
By road: It takes around 5hours from Kampala with about 305km. Paara covers about 85km from Masindi town by the shortest route. Paraa is in the centre of the park and can be accessed from the north through Karuma falls, Chobe gate or Tangi gate. From Pakwach, one can use Wankwar gate.
By air: with in the park there are 3 airfields i.e. Pakuba, Bugungu and Chobe. Charter flights from Entebbe or Kajjansi can access the park through these airfields depending on where your accommodation facility is located. From the airfield, then you can drive for a couple of minutes to your accommodation facility.
