History of Murchison Falls National Park; Murchison Falls National Park was first discovered by Europeans who visited the present day MFCA in 1862 famously known as John Speke and James Grant. More so, it thoroughly explored by Samuel and Florence Baker in 1863 -4 and later on, Baker named the falls- Murchison Falls after the geologists Roderick Murchison and the president of the Royal Geographical society. Therefore, between 1907and 1912 this area was inhabitants of about 13,000 square kilometers which were evacuated due to sleeping sickness spread in the area by tsetse flies. Then Later, in 1910 the Bunyoro Square kilometers was created south of the River Nile and the area enlarged to the other part of the Murchison Falls National Park .
The park is surrounded with several different districts of Buliisa, Masindi and Kiryandongo.
More so, in 1928 the surrounding area was roughly extended north of the river into the Modern day Nwoya districts.
Fortunately, in 1952, the British administration established the Uganda National Park. The area was later described as Murchison Falls National Park.
In general, Murchison falls National Park was established as a national park in 1952 to protect large number of wildlife species on an area approximately 3,893 square kilometers, located in northwestern region of Uganda. More so, the park was bisected by the Victoria Nile from east to west for a distance of about 115 kilometers and the park is managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and became a world heritage site since 1991. Note, the park’s land is divided into two the north and the south part due to bisecting of Victoria Nile. Of which the northern part contains savannah grassland, acacia tree, Borassus palms and Riverine woodland and the southern sections is dominated by woodland and forest patches. In spite the fact that Murchison Falls national park boasts with Victoria Nile that plunges with a thundering roar into the stunning Devil’s cauldron hence creating impressive trademark rainbow all this information brings out outstanding history of Murchison Falls National Park.
In fact the park is the location of the Murchison Falls, where the waters of the Nile flow through a narrow gorge raising only 7 meters wide before connecting 43 meters.
Wildlife Species; Murchison Falls national park is a very large piece of land that adjacent Budongo Forest Reserve which are inhabitant of over 76 species of mammals such as Giraffes, Uganda kobs, Bushbucks, Buffaloes, Elephants, Hartebeests, oribis, waterbucks, warthogs, hyenas among others.
What makes Murchison Falls famous? Murchison Falls National Park is famous because it hosts the most powerful waterfall in the world that attracts wide range of tourists. The park is also a home to over 450 bird species including the rare shoe-billed stork, dwarf kingfisher, Goliath heron, white-thighed hornbill, martial birds, great blue turaco among others.
About tourism; Murchison Falls national park is Uganda’s most famous Uganda safaris destination that receives the highest annual number of visitors in the country. Most activities done by the tourists include game drives ,night drives ,boat cruises experienced to the delta and viewing of Murchison Falls waterfalls ,nature walks ,bird watching and chimp tracking .From Kampala to Murchison Falls national park tourists take a drive of about 4 to 5 hours’ drive . You can still connect the park by daily domestic flights from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip to land you at Pakuba Airstrip or to Bugungu Airstrip or Chobe Airstrip.
Best time to visit Murchison Falls National park
Murchison Falls national park is open all year around and can be visited throughout years. Although the best time to visit the park on wildlife adventure without disappointment of heavy rains is in dry seasons which starts from June to September and December to February. BUT still you can visit the park in wet season here you can enjoy accommodation facilities at a low rate and the park can be out of crowd.
