Murchison Falls National Park
Have you ever thought of visiting Uganda and its national parks? Here is your Murchison Falls National Park. Murchison Falls National Park is one of the best destinations and the most beautiful park that safari lovers and nature lovers can travel to. It is popularly known for its waterfall on the Victoria Nile River, 32 kilometres East of Lake Albert. It is the largest and oldest park in Uganda covering a total area of 3, 840 kilometres. Murchison Falls National Park has a lot to offer to its clients that will spice up your tour. Some of the activities you shouldn’t while on your safari to Murchison Falls National Park in Uganda include, Boat cruise, nature walks, game drives, and hiking on the top of the falls among others.
Location of Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park is located in North Western Uganda in the districts of Masindi, Bulisa, Nwoya, and Kiryandongo. It was established in 1952 and is now the largest and the most visited park in Uganda.
Wildlife animals in Murchison Falls National Park.
Animal species: Murchison Falls National Park is home to a variety of wildlife including the big four such as leopards, elephants, lions, and buffaloes. Visitors interested in spotting the big five animals can have a stopover at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for Rhino tracking. The animal species are mostly spotted during the game drives in the Northern sector of the park famously known for their highest concentration. Some of these animals may include crocodiles and hippos in water, buffaloes, elephants, and waterbucks sipping water as one way of quenching their thirst and they are mostly viewed during the boat cruise on the River Nile.
Primates, Murchison Falls National Park hosts a good number of primate species such as the olive baboons, vervet monkeys, blue-tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and chimpanzees among others. Primates in Murchison Falls are specifically tracked in Budongo forest which is located in the southern part of Murchison Falls. Chimpanzee tracking is believed to be the best activity carried out by tourists on a safari tour which can either be done in the morning or the afternoon. Olive baboons are also common alongside the road and if you don’t want to lose what you have left in the car like some grabs, make sure the windows are well locked for your safety.
Bird species, Murchison Falls is a rich park endowered with a variety of bird species including marabou stork, shoebill stork, giant kingfisher, cattle egret, little egret, Goliath heron, flycatcher, and sandpipers among others, and these birds are mostly seen at the shores and swamps of the river Nile during the boat cruise and all over the plains and forests like Budongo forest. To birders, this is the most suitable activity you can do.
Things to do in Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park being the largest park in Uganda has a good number of things to do and these include:
Hiking to the top of the falls
This is one of the best activities done in Murchison Falls National Park. Reaching its top, there are two options you can use, one is by using a car, second when you’re on the boat cruising towards the falls and thereafter continue to hike which is quicker than using a car. Hiking this fall is the best experience you will ever forget in your memories because it will take you through the world’s strongest waterfall giving you a clear view of a rainbow after the water has forced itself to pass through a small gorge and falls on the big rocks and there comes a loud roar as soon you have reached there, I am sure you will forget about the endless steps you have hiked as the water sprays on your face. you are also likely to see a rainbow which is formed after the water forces itself to path through a small gorge and falls on the big rocks hence causing a roar and mist drops, thus forming a rainbow.
Boat cruise on the Nile River
This is also another amazing activity one shouldn’t miss while in Murchison Falls National Park. Murchison Falls National Park has two boat cruises, one at the bottom of the falls and the other one at Albert Delta. Boat cruising at the bottom of the falls is admired mostly because it leads you to the hike of the falls. Most of the tourists come to Murchison Falls National Park to see the most powerful waterfall in the world and this is mostly done during the boat cruise. The boat sails through several hippo schools floating on water, herds of buffaloes cooling themselves, herds of elephants quenching their thirst, and crocodiles sunbathing, among others. While on the boat, also expect to see a good number of bird species such as cattle egrets, little egrets, and Goliath heron among other birds. Carrying some good drinks and music for entertainment while on the boat, makes it more enjoyable. As soon as you have reached it, you can hear some loud roaring sound coming from the fall thus making your cruise more enjoyable. You can either decide to go for a morning boat ride or an afternoon boat ride that is likely to take 2 to 3 hours.
Birdwatching
Murchison Falls National Park is a park that harbors a good number of about 400 bird species. This activity is done in areas of Budongo forest, Rabongo forest, and Kaniyo Pabidi forest along the Albert Nile where you will get a chance to see most of the numerous birds at the banks of the river including cattle egrets, Goliath herons, kingfishers, and African fish eagles which are the most faithful birds among other birds. Watching birds can also be done when you are on your game drive, nature walks, and when you’re on a boat cruise.
Game drives
Game driving is also another charming activity done in Murchison Falls National Park where you will get to appreciate the rich biodiversity. The game drive is done through the savannah grasslands, open lands where lots of birds and animals within the savannah grasslands and other areas are viewed. Animals such as elephants and their young ones grazing, herds of buffaloes moving in groups, antelopes, waterbucks, giraffes grazing on tall trees, and others. Some of the birds that are likely to be seen include, kingfishers, egrets, goliath herons, and fish eagles which are common in the acacia trees, they get to see plant species within the savannah grassland among others.
Chimpanzee trekking
This is an activity carried out in Murchison Falls National Park specifically in Budongo forest that involves the use of feet together with a well-trained guide moving within the Budongo trails tracking chimpanzees. The trekking usually starts with a briefing from the park headquarters on the rules and regulations to follow when trekking chimpanzees. The chimpanzee trekking takes about 30 to 7 hours depending on how far they have moved to search for food among others, and once they are found, you are given one hour to interact with them, here you get to learn about their behaviours, the way they play, the way they breastfeed, the hunting process, take photos among others.
Nature walks
Nature walking is another activity being carried out in Murchison Falls National Park. Together with the park ranger and the guide, they will lead you to your nature walk where you are likely to view a variety of attractions such as birds like kingfishers, goliath herons, African fish eagles, marabou storks, and shoe bills among others. During this nature walk, believe me, you will meet the wallowing grounds for animals mostly the buffaloes which help them cool themselves, and drink among others.
When to visit Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park can be visited all year round, especially during the dry season from December to February and then from June to September which is marked as a high season. It’s in dry season where all the trails are dry making it possible for tourists to pass. You can still visit Murchison Falls National Park during the wet season which is also known as the low season, this is marked as a rainy season that starts from March to May and then from October to November season which is well known for birds mostly those which migrate, and then a season where most of the female animals gives birth.
How to get to Murchison Falls National Park
By road
Travelling by road is the common means of transport you can use right away from Kampala or Entebbe airport to reach your desired destination like Murchison falls national park which will take you 4 to 6 hours to reach the destination.
By Air
Using air transport is the easiest means of transport. If you have ever asked yourself how to reach Murchison Falls National Park in a short time, book a flight in advance with either Aero Link company or Adventure in the Wild Safari company for easy preparation thus giving you unforgettable memories of Murchison Falls National Park.
What to pack for your Murchison Falls safari?
While preparing yourself to travel to Murchison Falls, think of the suitable clothes you are to carry depending on the seasons. In Uganda, we have two types of seasons and these include dry season and wet season. In the dry season, you are recommended to carry some light clothes which you will put on when it’s hot, and then wet season put on heavy clothes a sweater included since it is cold most of the time.
Below are the necessities one should pack while going to Murchison Falls National Park
Valid passport, this is a travel document issued to you by your home country allowing you to enter another country like Uganda. Make sure the document you are carrying is not expired. You are also advised to make photocopies of every document you are to carry.
Visa, this is also another travel document issued to you by the country you intend to visit. for example, if you are to travel to Uganda, you should have a document which can either be obtained by applying online or from the border entry points.
Airline ticket, when planning to go to Murchison Falls, ensure your flight bookings in advance. Before setting off, check whether you have packed the ticket and confirm whether it’s secure.
Your small-sized passport photos, carrying your passport photos with you is also crucial. On your way to Uganda, you may reach some destinations which need them.
Backpack, you also need a backpack to carry with you some good valuables that include an umbrella, clothes, a first aid kit, shoes, binoculars, music devices, and books like novels among others.