Things to Do in Murchison Falls National Park : Murchison Falls National is located in northwestern Uganda, spreading inland from the shores of Lake Albert, around the Victoria Nile, up to the Karuma Falls and was created in 1952. The park occupies an area of 1,483 square miles, it measures approximately 3,840 square kilometer of rolling grassland east of Lake Albert. The park is managed by the Ugandan Wildlife Authority. The park is surrounded by several Ugandan districts of Bulisa, Nwoya, Kiryandongo and Masindi.
The park is rich in wildlife species with over 76 mammals such as Chimpanzees as well as Uganda’s largest population of Nile crocodiles and other animal species including; Giraffes, Buffaloes, Uganda kobs, Bushbucks, Elephant, Hartebeests, Oribs, Waterbucks, Warthogs, Hyenas among others. It is also home to over 450 bird species in the park including the rare shoe-billed stork ,dwarf kingfisher ,Goliath heron ,White-Thighed hornbill and great blue turaco, Abyssinian ground hornbill ,Malachite kingfisher ,Long-tailed nightjar, Black-headed lapwing, Denham’s bustard ,Long-toed lapwing, African jacana ,Piapiac ,Red-throated bee –eater, Shoebill ,Black-headed gonolek ,Black-headed coucal ,Goliath heron, Eastern grey plantain –eater ,Giant kingfisher, Swamp flycatcher ,White-browed sparrow-weaver ,Squacco heron among others.
Activities in Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls
This sounds as the main tourist attraction of the park, a name where the park got its name. The Murchison Falls is a magnificent view of the waterfalls where the sight and sound of the Nile roaring through a wide. The waterfalls rewards us with great sights of thunderous sounds and bubbling water. It can be reached by car.
Game Drives
The park is habitant of open savannah grassland, woodland which are home to diversity of animal species which can be viewed on the game drive. There are three sessions of game drive in Murchison Falls National Park; Morning, afternoon and evening game drive as well as night game drive where you can have a great chance to seeing norcunal species. Among the three sessions, morning game drive offers perfect wildlife adventure.
Murchison Falls National Park Boat Cruise
Murchison Falls National Park boat cruise; This is the most impressive experience with lots of memories among other activities. In the park boat cruise is done at the bottom of the top of the falls as well as the albert delta cruise. There are two sessions; the morning boat cruise starts at 9:00pm and afternoon boat cruise starts at 2pm.
Many visitors come to Murchison Falls National Park with great aim of seeing the most power fall water. However, that turns out to be an amazing boat cruise along the Victoria Nile –River Nile. Below are the two types of boat cruise in the park as explained;
The bottom of the falls boat cruise
The bottom of the falls, boat cruise is the most thrilling activity, it starts right at Paraa then sail near the school of hippos, crocodiles and various water bird such as blue spotted doves, abidim’s stork, the African black crake, the white thighed, cattle egrets, white egrets among others.
This boat cruise also sails you to a beautiful view of Nyamusika cliffs, nature around and wildlife species along water banks such as buffaloes, herds elephants among other. While cruising near the bottom of the falls, your able to have spectacular view of devil’s cauldron, enjoy photo shoot as well as cruising close to Nyamusika cliff rugged with holes formed from the force with which the water droplets hit the ground from the cliff and these holes are home for various notable bird species.
The Albert Delta Launch cruise
This upstream boat cruise offers a gainful view of displayed wildlife and frontal view of the impressive water falls. The boat cruise departs at 9am and 2 pm daily and takes three hours ride. It also offers chance of seeing elusive shoe bill, animals like hippos, elephants.
Birding
Birding is Murchison Falls National Park is quite rewarding with variety of notable bird species. They are best viewed around Paraa Rest Camp and Ferry crossing including; Mourning Thrush, Blue-napped Mouse bird, Chestnut-crowned Sparrow-weaver, Black-headed Gonolek, Green winged Ptyilia and Black headed Batis many more. Common nocturnal species can be viewed along your visit to the park including; Nightjars, Verreaux’s owls among other.
Sport fishing in Murchison Falls
This is quite rewarding activity with great chance to catch a large Nile Perch, Cat fish among others.
Chimpanzee tracking
Chimpanzee tracking is an exciting and unforgettable experience done in Budongo forest a home of mahogany tree species, bird and primate species. This experience starts in the morning with a short briefing and then meet up with the guide who will lead you to the tracking trails in search for them. Chimpanzee trekking can last about 30 to 6hours depending from where last seen the previous day.
Once they are found an hour is given to the trackers to watch their way of life in the jungle, a n hour allows you watch them playing, grooming their younger ones, swinging on the tree branches, feeding many more.
Best time to visit Murchison Fall National Park
Murchison Falls National Park can be visited all year round though the best time to go safari is during the drier season from June to Mid-September and December to February.
What to carry on with;
They include; Clear camera, wide brimmed sunglasses, water bag proof, pair of binocular and enough mineral water bottle among others.
Getting there;
By car;
From Kampala to Murchison Falls National Park covers 4 to 5 hours’ drive, while using a wheel driver. You can opt to self –drive to the park, since inside the Murchison loose surface roads well maintained.
By Air
You can choose to use a domestic flight by the help of tour operator ‘’Aero link Uganda’’ to fly you to Pakuba /Chobe Airstrip – Uganda Safaris
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