Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park is the oldest national park in Uganda which was gazetted in 1952 by the British administrators. The park is named after the Falls which was named by Sir Samuel Baker’s family after visiting the falls in 1862. They named the falls after the Geologist Roderick Murchison who was the president of the Royal Geographical Society. Murchison falls national park is the largest national park in the country measuring 3,893 square kilometers. It’s bisected into two parts by the river Nile that forms the dramatic waterfall when it squeezes itself to a narrow gorge.
The Victoria Nile bisects the park from East to West separating the Southern part from the Northern part. The Northern part is dominated by open savannah grassland, palms, Acacia trees, Riverine woodland and many more. The Northern part is where all game drives are done with most of the animals are found. The Southern part is dominated by forests and thick thickets with the key activity being birding and Chimpanzee trekking. The park is part of the Murchison Conservation Area that also covers Karuma wildlife reserves and Bugungu.
Murchison falls national park was first gazetted in 1926 as a wildlife reserve before it was upgraded to the national park status after the British introduced the national park Act. The park is one of the finest parks in Uganda habiting over 76 mammal species and over 451 bird species. The key attraction in the park is the thunderous waterfalls called “Devil’s Cauldron” which can be observed from the top or viewed from the bottom during your boat cruise. Hiking from bottom to the top of the falls is also permitted activity with the guide of the ranger. The park has 4 of the African Big 5 and those are Lions, Elephants, Leopards, Buffalos only missing Rhinos that can be seen in Ziwa sanctuary on your way to the Murchison falls national park. The park is managed by Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Accessing Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison falls national park is also known as Kabalega National park is located along the Albertine Rift Valley. It stretches itself in four districts of Buliisa, Kiryandongo, Nwoya, and Masindi. Masindi town is the largest and the nearest town to the park. The park is located in the Northern region, 305 kilometers Northwest of the Ugandan capital city Kampala.
One can access the park by the road where one can use either private means or public means and by flight with chattered flights from Entebbe international airport or Kajjansi. One can enter the park through any of the park gates located in the North or South of the park depending on where you’re coming from.
By Road: One can choose to board a public means either a bus or Taxis which go to Masindi or those which go to Gulu via Karuma. When using a public means the bus or taxi will leave you on the main road where you will get Boda Boda or special hire which will take you inside the park. The bus can be booked in Namayimba bus park, Gaaga coach offices, KK travellers, Baby coach and others that take Northern Route.
If you have organized your trip with a tour operator, you will be picked at your agreed location then driven to the north directly to the park. This is the best way to experience the pearl of Africa since they can organize for you enroute activities like Ziwa for Rhinos and others as compared to public means. If driving your own car still you will drive to Masindi before you branch off to dusty marram road that takes you up to the gate. The drive takes you along 305-kilometer distance which can be covered by 5 hours drive from Kampala. The main gate in the South includes the Kachumnayobo gate and the Bugungu gate. Alternatively, one can drive and enter the park on the Northern side through Chobe Gate, Mumbako and Tangi gate. One has to go up to the Pakwach route crossing the Nile from Karuma falls bridge.
By Flight: There are chattered flights from Entebbe international airport and Kajjansi. Aerolink has flights to a different airstrip at Murchison falls national park. The major serviced airstrips include Pakuba airstrip, Bugungu, and Chobe. The Bugungu airstrip serves the guests whose accommodation is in the Southern part of the park. The airstrip is just near the park headquarters. For the Northern part, they are serviced by Chobe and Pakuba airstrip. The main domestic airlines that operate in all domestic airstrips include aerolink and Eagle air. This is good for guests who would not link to drive for a long distance.
Attractions in Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison falls national park is a place to be when you’re in Uganda if you need to have a complete true experience of wildlife. The most premium park which can be visited throughout the year. The park has more to offer to the guests than any other park with a great list of attractions found at the park. The scenic view of the park is over wailing that makes guests keep coming year in and out with each time coming with a new experience.
The Nile River and Murchison Falls: The main tourist attraction in Murchison falls national park is Murchison falls also called “Devil’s Cauldron” and the River Nile. The roaring thunderous waterfall is one of the strongest waterfall in Africa. Seeing the large and the longest River in Africa squeeze itself in small 8 meters’ gorge is wonderful. The rainbow is ever at the site which can be viewed by the tourists throughout the day. The Nile is a home of more aquatic life like Crocodiles, hippos, fish and many more as well as a source of water for the wildlife at the park. During a boat cruise at the Nile, one can view a large number of animals at its banks quenching their thirst.
The trip to Murchison falls national park is not finished till one stops at the top of the falls to have an aerial view of the falls and feel the fresh breeze of the falls. Enjoy the boat cruise at the bottom of the falls as well as boat cruise at the delta side where the shoebill can be sighted.
Mammals: Murchison falls national park has over 76 mammal species that includes four of the 5 members of African Big 5 those are Lions, Leopards, Elephants and Buffalo missing the Rhinos which can only be seen in Ziwa sanctuary in Uganda. The park is blessed and parked with wildlife that makes it one of the premium parks in Uganda. You will never be disappointed during your visit to Murchison falls national park. The other mammals available at the park include warthogs, Antelopes, giraffes, buffalo, Hyenas, Monkey especially unique Patas Monkey, baboons, hippos, Jackson’s hartebeest, crocodiles, oribi, Gazelles, topis, Chimpanzees and many more. The wide range of animals has made the park more popular since the guests are always satisfied and get great experience beyond their expectations.
Rabongo and Kaniyo Pabidi Forests: These are the two forests that are found in the Southern part of Murchison falls national park. A home of great bird species and primates are Rabongo and Padibi forests which give you great warm fresh welcome as one enters through the gates to the interior of Murchison falls national park. These is where the chimpanzee trekking is done in majestic Murchison falls that entices your trip to these remarkable parks. The common bird species at the forests include Yellow-footed Flycatcher, Itui batis, white thigh hornbill and many more.
Birds: With over 450 bird species, Murchison falls national park is one of the best birding destinations in Uganda. The diversified vegetation and habitat cover have given the park an added advantage to inhabit a wide range of bird species. Its important to note that great Shoebill can also be seen in Murchison falls national park alongside other birds like Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Marabou stork, Nightjars, Giant Heron, Black-headed Lapwing, Giant Kingfisher, Gray-crowned crane, Osprey, Veracious Dove, Rock Pratincole, Black-Billed Barbet, Weaver birds, Martial Eagle, Bee-eaters mention but a few. Birding in Murchison falls national park is best done during rainy months like from March to May and from August to October. This is the tie when birds are nestling at the park and can be viewed in large numbers including the migratory birds.
Activities in Murchison Falls
Uganda was named as the pearl of Africa by its generous scenic beauty that is characterised by great features as the Murchison falls, Mountains of the moon Rwenzori Mountain, evergreen tropical rain forest, the wildlife and above all hospitable people. Murchison falls national park is one of the ten national parks found in Uganda with magnificent waterfalls that can be viewed from the bottom or from the top. All attractions at the park are available and can be accessed by guests during their stay at this wonderful natural site. The major activities at Murchison fall national park include:
Boat cruise: The boat cruise is one of the key activities that is done in Murchison falls national park. The launch starts at the Paraa landing site at the point where the Nile joins Lake Albert. The launch happens twice a day one in the morning which starts at 9 am and the other in the afternoon starting at 2 pm. One can also book a private boat at any time from the management for special boat ride. The launch takes 3 hours as we go a ride of 17 kilometers to the bottom of the falls while the Delta side boat cruise takes 4 to 5 hours mostly done in the morning by birders as they search for elusive shoebill.
The launch trip displays more wildlife and memorable view of the waterfalls and sundowner cruise that gives you a clear view of the African sunset. Do not miss the large concentration of wildlife along the river banks as they come to quench their thirst, aquatic animals like Hippos, large Nile crocodiles.
Game drives/Game viewing: Murchison falls national park is the best game viewing destination with a good number of tracks that take you close to the game. You only need to get a knowledgeable driver guide who is familiar with the park and all its track. Have a good 4WD car during the rainy season to make your game drives more successful. Pop up roof safari cars are encouraged and more regulations are in place to make sure that conservation of the park is observed. The main area where the game drives are done is in the Northern sector of the park along the Delta. More wildlife can be viewed here which includes lions, leopards, Elephants, topis, giraffes, gazelles, kobs and more.
Game viewing in Murchison falls national park is best done throughout the year though the best time should always be in dry months when the grass is short and the animals can also be easily seen in water catchment areas. During the wet season, the animals are near and close but some animals like leopards are not easy to see as they hide and move down the long grass.
Birding safaris: Have an opportunity to see over 450 birds in just one destination in a short period of time. This is very possible only in Murchison falls national park. Evergreen national park with permanent river transecting the park in the middle, the park is a good cool place that attracts more bird species throughout the year. You can do birding when you’re doing both a boat cruise or game drive. Murchison falls national park has a distinct birdlife that includes forest birds, savannah birds, Albertine Rift Endemics and Waterbirds. The thickets, woodlands and river banks are home of birds like Francolin, herons, Hamerkop, shrikes, Cuckoos, Flycatchers, woodpeckers among others.
Hot air balloon safaris: You can also enjoy the unique lifetime experience by floating on air with our Hot air balloon safaris. This is only available in Murchison falls national park in Uganda with bush breakfast served after the safari. Have an aerial view of the park as well as catching the wildlife action live at the closest distance without breaking off track rules.
Hiking to the top of the falls: Have some fitness level and need to experience a rare experience during your trip!! Come out of the boat just a few meters away from the roaring waterfalls. Hike up to the top of the falls with the guide of the ranger as you explore more of the park best moments. You will watch the great waves of white water tumbling through this small 8 meters gorge. The water spreads and nice to feel the sprinkles when near.
Chimpanzee trekking: This is done in Kaniyop Pabidi forests, these unique gentle apes are good to spend time with. They are playful and enjoy swimming on the tree branches all the time. Chimpanzee trekking is done in the morning as you entice the safari.
Sportfishing: Sportfishing in Murchison falls national park is much rewarding with a good number of fish species available at the River. The most common fish species include Nile perch, C
at-fish locally Semutundu, tigerfish, tilapia, Electric cat-fish and many more. The park has got a record of 113kg Nile perch and 45 kgs cat-fish which was caught near Nyamusika Cliffs. There are gazetted spots for sport fishing at the park and these are no fishing zones for the locals. One has to pay for the fishing permit which costs 50usd per day of 150 for 4 days. The fishing fee is paid differently from the park entry fees.
Murchison falls national park remains the leading national park in Uganda with a wide range of activities. The park is easily accessible with short trips like 3 days Murchison falls safari or combine it with Kidepo valley national park.
