Murchison Falls National Park: At the northern end of the Albertine Rift Valley in northwest Uganda lies the country’s largest national park. The park spreads inland from the shores of Lake Albert. Most of Africa’s iconic safari animals can be seen here on guided game drives, launch cruises, and guided nature walks. For bird enthusiasts, you are in for a treat as you get a chance to spot the elusive shoebill stork.
Formerly known as the Kabalenga National Park, Murchison Falls National Park is one of the best safari destinations in Uganda known for hosting the world’s most powerful waterfall – Murchison Falls that emits large volumes of water about 300 cubic meters per second or 11,000 ft/s at a very powerful pressure that cause the surrounding to tremble. The Victoria Nile bisects the park for 100 kilometers as it flows west from Karuma Falls to the Albert Nile. On the extreme edge of the rift, the Nile squeezes through a 6-meter ravine with a thundering force, finally tumbling 50 meters down to form the Murchison Falls.
The Victoria River stretch from the falls to the Albert Delta teems with hippo pods. Serried ranks of enormous Nile Crocodiles sunbathe on the river sandbanks, and riparian birds and many animals converge for a drink on the Egypt-bound waters.
The Park covers just over 1,500 square miles, including savannah and riverine woodland in the northern section of the park, the swamp-like delta along the shores of Lake Albert, and the dense forests to the south. Along with neighboring Bugungu Wildlife Reserve and Karuma Wildlife Reserve, the park is part of the larger Murchison Falls Conservation Area.
Attractions in Murchison Falls National Park
The Murchison Falls
North of Butiaba, the Albert Rift Valley wall shoulders its way inland from Lake Albert to merge into Murchison Falls National Park’s rolling expanses. But before the rift valley disappears, it concludes with a final and superb exclamation mark: The Murchison Falls.
By this time, the once lofty Bunyoro escarpment has dwindled into a low step-over which the Nile plunges to separate two different river. Upstream, the Victoria hurtles through the rift’s hinterland down an explosive 80 km of rapids that rafters considered one of the world’s scariest whitewater sections.
The final plunge over the falls drains the last of the river’s energy, transforming it into a broad and peaceful stream across the rift valley floor. It finally sips through a papyrus delta into Lake Albert.
Murchison Falls is not famous for its height – just 40 meters, but for the violence with which the Nile explodes through a narrow six-metre gorge.
Wildlife in Murchison Falls National Park
The diverse vegetation cover the park which includes woodlands, savannah and riverine forest support a great diversity of animals which can easily be seen in different Uganda Safari itineraries. Wildlife in Murchison Falls National Park include no fewer than 76 species of animals. Among them are four of the Big Five, these animals include Uganda Kobs, Hartebeests, lions, elephants, leopards, Rothschild giraffes, buffaloes, cheetahs, and hyenas among many others.
Primates in Murchison Falls National Park tend to live in distinct habitats, lookout for olive baboons along the roadside; blue, red-tailed, and black and white colobus monkeys in the forested area, and the locally rare patas monkeys on the savannah. Approximately 600 chimpanzees live in the park’s Kaniyo Pabidi Forest and may be tracked on foot.
The Victoria Nile is home to many hippos and Uganda’s largest population of Nile Crocodiles.
Birdlife in Murchison Falls National Park
451 bird species have been recorded in Murchison Falls National Park including water birds, forest dwellers, and several Albertine Rift Valley endemics. The most sought-after sighting is undoubtedly the prehistoric-looking shoebill stork. Other bird species to look out for include the Abyssinian ground hornbill, the white-thighed hornbill, the great blue turaco, and the red-throated bee-eater. The world’s largest heron species, the goliath heron, lives here, as does Uganda’s National Bird, the grey crowned crane. For the best birding, head to the calm stretch of river and delta swamps located between Murchison Falls and Lake Albert.
Things to do in Murchison Falls National Park
Game viewing
Game viewing is a prime Uganda Safari activity in Murchison Falls National Park offering visitors a golden opportunity to move around the park aboard a 4×4 wheel drive vehicle as you for different animals, birds and beautiful scenery.
Game drives in Murchison Falls National Park are conducted in the morning and afternoon. The morning game drive will require you to wake up every earlier than usual, they you have a quick breakfast and board an already waiting tour vehicle with the company of a skillful drive and a game ranger who will be willing and happy to answer all your question.
The morning game drive will reward you with sightings of animals at their most active time. You will see elephants, giraffes, waterbucks, Uganda kobs, buffaloes and so many other animals.
Evening game drives enable you see the nocturnal animals like hyenas, leopards and lions among other. At night, the park is quiet and lively.
Birding
Murchison Falls is home to over 500 different recorded bird species, the park is a haven to birds. The park is home to resident bird species like the Albertine Rift Valley endemic species, forest birds, water birds and migratory birds.
Birds in Murchison Falls National Park come in different colors, sizes and shapes. You will totally love how lively they make the park feel. Some of the bird species you will see include the Abyssinian ground hornbill, the white-thighed hornbill, the great blue turaco, and the red-throated bee-eater. The world’s largest heron species, the goliath among others.
Boat/Launch Cruise
Launch cruise along the Nile towards the shores of Lake Albert and cruising to the bottom of the Murchison Falls happen to be among the best activities which tourists anticipate to participate in when at Murchison Falls National Park.
These boat rides enable you to soak in the beauty of water dwellers such as hippos, fish and crocodiles as well as enjoying the perfect sight of the lake shore and river dwellers like elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks and several other animals.
The boat cruise towards the bottom of the Murchison Falls takes 2-3 hours while the one along the Nile Delta and the shores of Lake Albert takes between 4-5 hours.
Guided Nature Walks
Guided Nature Walks in Murchison Falls National Park are done with an armed ranger following trails around the park, it is a lovely way to stretch your legs and taste your fitness level. You will be able to see several animals from a close range and several details which you would have missed in a vehicle.
Carry your camera and be ready to take picture of lions, elephants, hippos, giraffes, several plant species, birds and insects.
Chimpanzee Trekking in Budongo Forest
Chimpanzee trekking in Murchison Falls Park is an exciting activity done in the famous Budongo Forest which is the largest Mahogany Forest in Uganda as well as East Africa. This activity start early in the morning with briefing at the park headquarters and in groups of 6 people, you will follow the chimpanzees. The trek usually takes about 40 minutes to 4 hours depending in the movement of the chimpanzees and where they spent their previous night.
Chimpanzees in Budongo Forest are habituated meaning that they were trained to have direct contact with humans without feeling scared that they are going to be harmed. You will get an opportunity to hang out with these charming fellas as they play, nurse, feed and interact with each other in their natural habitats. While trekking you will see other animals.
Where to stay in Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park offers a good range of accommodation to suit all budgets. These include
- Murchison River Lodge
- Chobe Safari Lodge
- Budongo Eco Lodge among others.
How to Get to Murchison Falls National Park
Most international visitors to Uganda arrive at Entebbe International Airport (EBB), located approximately one hour’s drive southwest of the capital, Kampala. From the airport, it’s a 200-mile (322-kilometer) journey north to Murchison Falls National Park.
There are two approaches from the south, both departing from Masindi Town. The main route enters the park through Kichumbanyobo Gate and reaches Paraa after 53 miles (85 kilometers) Via Bugungu Gate. If you are traveling from the north, there are four gates to choose from: Chobe, Wankwar, Mubako, and Tangi.
All access roads lead to Paraa, where a vehicle ferry provides access to the other half of the park and runs roughly every two hours. If you would rather fly, there are three airstrips in the park, accessible by charter plane from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield near Kampala. The closest airstrip to Paraa is Pakuba Airfield
