Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park is one of the oldest Uganda National Parks established in 1952 and spans over 3840sq.km. This makes it one of the oldest game parks to be created in Uganda-the Pearl of Africa. With abundant wildlife and birdlife, plus other unique attractions, it is without doubt that Murchison Falls National Park is favorite Uganda safaris destination for wildlife lovers worldwide. The park exists in 2 sections, created by the Victoria Nile River that flows through it- the Northern and Southern sections.

Location of this park

Murchison Falls National Park is the only Park which is positioned in the Northwestern side of Uganda, and lies at proximity to the Albertine rift valley. It is one of the country’s most explore safari parks in Uganda, and has its boundaries stretch in the 4 districts of Kiryandongo, Masindi, Buliisa and Nwoya. It takes its name from the charming and powerful Murchison Falls, although it was once referred to as the Kabalega National Park, the name it took from the then King of Bunyoro during the reign of Idi Amin.

Vegetation cover

Murchison Falls NP is a rich wildlife park, home to also unique vegetation. It is largely dominated by savanna grasslands, woodlands, forests, wetland and open plains. It falls within the extensive Murchison Falls Conservation Area – MFCA, a conservancy area that also encompasses the Bugungu Wildlife Reserve, Kaniyo-Pabidi/Budongo Forest, Karuma Falls Reserve and Rabango Forest.

Expected wildlife to see in Murchison Falls N. Park, Uganda

Murchison Falls National Park is endowed with wildlife species holding over 76 species of mammals, reptiles, 451 bird species and floral species. The different animal species that roam freely within the various habitats in Murchison Falls Park include hippos, reedbucks, African bush elephants, leopards, the Rothschild giraffes, Nile crocodiles, waterbucks, oribis, Jackson’s hartebeest, hyenas, cape buffaloes, African lions, warthogs, and many others. There are also many primates to encounter on Uganda safaris in Murchison Falls N. Park and include olive baboons, forest galagos, red-tailed monkeys, chimpanzees, pottos, blue monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, etc.

Birds living in Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls NP prides itself as a home to more than 451 bird species, and these include forest and woodland bird species. The park’s special avifaunal species include African skimmers, bar-breasted fire-finch, Abdim’s stork, African darter, Abyssinian ground hornbill, African fish eagle, black-billed barbets, sunbirds, chestnut-crowned sparrow weavers, blue-napped mouse bird, black-billed wood dove, black crake, black scimitar bill, blue-headed coucal, bluff-bellied warblers, black-headed batis, dark chanting-goshawk, Denham’s bustards, double-toothed barbet, goliath heron,

Double-toothed barbet, goliath heron, long-toed plover, Pel’s fishing owl, fawn-breasted waxbill, grey-crowned cranes, red-throated bee-eaters, green-winged pytilia, sacred ibis, carmine bee-eaters, Senegal thick-knee, Hugli’s francolins, sulphur-breasted bush shrikes, saddle-billed stork, Northern crombec, white-browed sparrow weavers, speckled-fronted weavers, standard-winged nightjars, verreaux’s owl, yellow-throated greenbul, white-rumped seed-eater, sandpipers, yellow-fronted tinker bird, spotted mourning thrush, swamp flycatchers, white-faced whistling ducks and others.

The major safari activities to do in Murchison Falls NP

Wildlife or game viewing/game drive

When it comes to wildlife safaris in Uganda, Murchison Falls National Park should be a must-visit destination. Priding itself of abundant wildlife, the park offers excellent game viewing experiences in its Northern sector. Tourists on Uganda safaris in this protected area have about 3 sessions to explore the park on a guided game drive starting with the morning session, afternoon and at night. Varieties of wildlife can be encountered during a game drive in Murchison Falls including the big cats, and other large and small mammals such as bush elephants, hartebeest, bushbucks, hyenas, Bohor reedbucks, Rothschild giraffes, and more.

Birding

Murchison Falls N/P is a birder’s haven, holding over 451 bird species and these are spotted during a game drive, normal birding tours, nature walks or launch/boat cruise. The long list to identify include among others goliath herons, black-bellied bustards, open-billed storks, shoebill storks, Egyptian goose, pied kingfishers, grey-crowned cranes, black-billed barbets, eastern grey plantain goshawks, Abdim’s stork, black billed wood doves, chestnut crowned sparrow weavers, spotted owls, Vaseline masked weavers, Verreaux’s owl, yellow throated greenbul, malachite kingfishers, Pel’s fishing owls, pennant-winged nightjars, and more.

Visiting the top of the falls

The top of the Murchison Falls is a must-visit on Uganda safaris tour in Murchison Falls NP. This is the world’s most powerful waterfalls, scenic and forces itself into a narrow rock of 8 meters and falls 42 meters then flows towards the Albertine area forming a powerful roar often heard even at a distance and permanent rainbow. Next to Murchison Falls is another charming waterfall- Uhuru falls.

Launch cruise

Boat cruise adventure in Murchison Falls NP takes 2-3 hours and involves viewing aquatic species. There is a launch cruise upstream to the base of Murchison Falls and the Delta cruise. A variety of water species are available for viewing including hippos, crocodiles, birds like bee-eaters, cormorants, herons, kingfishers, and more.

Chimpanzee trekking

Chimpanzee trekking in Murchison Falls N.P is conducted at Kaniyo-Pabidi Forest around Budongo Forest. This is where you will visit habituated chimpanzee communities and the whole adventure takes between 2 and 4 hours with one hour of observing them closely. Budongo Forest holds over 820 chimpanzees and tracking these apes can be done in the morning or afternoon.

Sport fishing

Sport fishing is an amazing recreational experience that guests visiting this park should expect to enjoy. This is done in different points, especially at Karuma and the base of Murchison Falls. With your fishing gear, available fish species to catch include Nile Perch, tilapia, etc.

Forest/nature walks

For nature enthusiasts, forest/nature walks in Murchison Falls NP offer a remarkable chance for you to immerse yourself in the wild. The beauty about nature walking is that you get to areas hardly reached by safari cars and you explore the park’s hidden treasures such as primates, birds, floral species and more. The best places to start your nature walk include Budongo and Rabongo Forest.

Hot air balloon safaris

For honeymooners, families, etc, nothing creates lasting memories like undertaking a hot air balloon tour in Murchison Falls N/Park. This is a unique experience so far that is available and worth adding on the list of adventure you plan to enjoy on Uganda tour. You get to enjoy aerial view of wildfire –the big and small mammals as well as the breathtaking landscape. There is morning and sunset balloon experience to enjoy in Murchison Falls N. Park.

Other exciting activities to add on your buck-list of experience in Murchison Falls NP include cultural encounter, and camping.

The best time to visit Murchison Falls NP

Murchison Falls NP is open to all travelers on a safari in Uganda all year round although the most ideal time is during the dry season/months of the year. There is short & long dry season; with short dry months running from June to September and short dry months from December to February.

Where to stay

There are lodges and camps spread across all parts of Murchison Falls N. Park and they exist as budget, midrange and luxury. The luxury lodges include Chobe Safari Lodge, Nile Safari Lodge, Bakers Lodge, and Paraa Safari Lodge. Midrange lodges include Twiga Safari Lodge, Fort Murchison Lodge, Murchison River Lodge, Bwana Tembo Safari Camp, Sambiya River Lodge, Parkside Safari Lodge, while budget options include Red Chili Rest Camp, Boomu Women’s Group Bandas, Hornbill Bush Lodge, Yebo Safari Camp and more.

Getting to the park for a tour

By road & air:

Murchison Falls NP is reachable by road starting from Kampala via Luweero-Masindi, about 5-6 hours’ drive and this route offers access to the park via the Southern gate –Kichumbanyobo gate or Bugungu gate along Hoima-Buliisa route. The northern gates are accessible along the Kampala-Gulu highway and Pakwach route that is through Tangi gate and or cross through Purongo in Nwoya district via Wankwar gate. By air, set off from Entebbe Airport (EBB) and land at Pakuba airstrip located in the Northern sector or Bugungu airstrip on the Southern side.