Murchison falls National Park is one of the most visited safari destinations in Uganda. Travelers are attracted to this National Park, known as the country’s oldest and largest for all sorts of reasons from game drives, boat cruises, sport fishing, chimpanzee trekking, bush walks to hot air balloon tours. Formerly known as Kabalega National Park, Murchison Falls National Park gives travelers a lot and a sense of wonder. It is home to the “world’s most powerful waterfalls” known for releasing over 300 cubic meters per second.
Location and size
Covering a remarkable area of 384000 hectares, Murchison Falls is the largest National Park in Uganda and is located in Northwestern Uganda. This Protected Area’s boundaries extend to a number of districts within and beyond the Bunyoro Escarpments, in Buliisa, Nwoya, Masindi, and Kiryandongo. It will interest you to know that this safari destination also extends to the Albertine rift valley and its landscape if separated into two by the Victoria Nile River thus creating one of the most jaw-dropping landscapes you will ever be introduced to during an African safari.
Gazetted in 1952 as Kabalega National Park, this Park is the oldest in Uganda and covers an extensive area of savanna grasslands, woodlands, Rivers, wetlands and open plains. It is also part of the greater Murchison Falls Conservation Area (MFCA) that also comprises Bugungu Wildlife Reserve, Budongo Forest, and Karuma Wildlife Reserve.
What to see
Wildlife
Murchison Falls National Park is home to an abundance of wildlife in its different ecosystems- forest, savannah grassland, woodland, Rivers, wetlands and others. Over including 76 species of mammals, a number of reptiles (including Nile crocodiles, Monitor Lizards, and the African Rock pythons) call this Park home. Its varying ecosystems are filled with Rothschild’s giraffes, Jackson’s hartebeests, leopards, spotted hyenas, cape buffaloes, elephants, lions, side striped jackals, Topis, Oribis, hippos, Bohor reedbucks, Uganda Kobs, Olive baboons, Defassa waterbucks, Vervet monkeys, bushbucks, Oribis, blue monkeys, to mention but a few.
If you are more interested in the primates, you can visit the adjacent Budongo and Rabongo Forests where chimpanzees, vervet monkeys, Patas monkeys, olive baboons, blue monkeys, and the black and white colobus monkeys monkeys are found.
Murchison Waterfalls
Murchison Waterfalls is where the park takes its name. It is a powerful waterfall, known for its thunderous roar as the water squeezes itself into the narrow rock of measuring 7-8 meters before plunging 43 meters. Adjacent to Murchison Falls, there is a scenic Uhuru waterfall.
Birds
Murchison Falls National Park’s diverse ecosystems are certainly rich with birds totaling to 500 species. Some of the species you are likely to see are shoebills, African skimmers, grey-headed bush shrikes, black-headed gonoleks, black-headed gonoleks, black-headed gonoleks, black-headed gonoleks, black-headed gonoleks, black-headed gonoleks, African fish eagle double-toothed barbets, Senegal thick-knee, white-backed night heron, Abyssinian ground hornbills, veracious dove, black-billed barbet, Northern carmine bee-eaters, martial eagle, black-headed gondola, malachite kingfishers, white-faced whistling ducks, fawn-breasted waxbill, Abdim’s stork, saddle billed storks, pied kingfishers, African darters, pennant winged nightjars, Speckled-fronted weavers, Denham’s bustard, Africa quail-finch, Sulphur-breasted bush shrikes, swamp flycatchers, spotted mourning thrush, black-billed wood dove, black scimitar bill, spur-winger geese blue-napped moosebirds, dark chanting goshawks, goliath herons, long-tailed nightjars, long-toed plovers, yellow-throated Greenbul, squacco herons, yellow fronted tinker birds, bluff-bellied warblers, white-rumped seed eaters, , sandpipers, sacred ibis, white, white rumped seed-eaters, to mention but a few.
Things to do
Game drives
Murchison Falls National Park is one of the best spots for game drives in Uganda. Thanks to its well-maintained game tracks, travelers can embark on 3-4 hours of game viewing in the morning, afternoon or evening aboard 4×4 safari car. Expect to see lions, spotted hyenas, elephants, Jackson’s hartebeests, Rothschild giraffes, Uganda Kobs, warthogs, Oribis, leopards, reedbucks, Defassa waterbucks, bushbucks, Olive baboons, Uganda Kobs, Topis, and many others.
Boat rides
While many savannah National Parks offer boat rides, there is something about Murchison falls National Park boat rides that make exploring it more exciting. You can choose the option of exploring the Victoria Nile River for 2-3 hours until the bottom of the falls while sighting Hippos, Nile crocodiles, and elephants alongside birds such as African fish eagles, goliath herons, great white pelicans, saddle billed storks, pied kingfishers, black bee-eaters and many others. Alternatively, you can try the 3-hour Albert Nile Delta Boat cruise starting from Paraa jetty through the stunning Buligi area to the Lake Albert Delta point while sighting lots of Rothschild giraffes, elephants and buffaloes as well as birds that include shoebill storks.
Drive to the top of the falls
The top of the falls visit is one of the rarest activities that you can enjoy in Murchison Falls National Park. In the past, travelers would take the boat cruise and stop somewhere to embark on the hike to the top of the fall but following the increase in water volumes in the past years and disappearing of the pier/docking point, there is only an option of driving to the top of the falls to watch the Nile River squeeze itself in a narrow gorge of 7 meters before falling 40 meters below and creating a beautiful rainbow symbol.
Hot air balloon
Conducted by Royal Balloons, this adventure allows travelers to enjoy aerial views of Murchison falls National Park’s diverse ecosystems and wildlife species. This activity is perfect for photography or wildlife filming. The Morning hot air balloon tour comes with bush breakfast and sunrise views while the afternoon hot air balloon tour is marked by remarkable sunset views and popping or Champagne.
Sport fishing tours
This Park is one of the few Protected Areas providing Sport fishing excursions and these are undertaken at the base of the Murchison Falls as well as Karuma waterfalls. If you are lucky, you can catch and release a huge Nile Perch weighing up to 200 pounds.
Bird watching
Birders will by mind-blown by Murchison Falls National Park’s diverse bird species that include African fish eagles, Martial eagles, secretary bird, shoebill stork, Abyssinian ground hornbills, veracious dove, black-billed barbet, Northern carmine bee-eaters, martial eagle, black-headed gondola, malachite kingfishers, white-faced whistling ducks, fawn-breasted waxbill, Abdim’s stork, saddle billed storks, pied kingfishers, African darters, pennant winged nightjars, Speckled-fronted weavers, Denham’s bustard, Africa quail-finch, Sulphur-breasted bush shrikes, swamp flycatchers, African jacanas, and many others. Whether you are on a game drive, nature walk, boat ride or simply relaxing at the Lodge, expect to watch this Park’s birds.
Chimpanzee tracking
Chimpanzee tracking is undertaken at the adjacent Budongo Forest, home to over 800 chimpanzees that can be tracked from Kaniyo-Pabidi Ecotourism Site. While on these treks, you are likely to see other primates that share home with chimps like Olive baboons, red-tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, and others.
Bush walks
Enjoy guided bush walks with armed and experienced Ranger guides who use their diverse knowledge to explain the beautiful natural wonders that include wildlife, birds and hidden habitats while appreciating the beauty of Mother Nature.
Cultural encounters
While on your visit to Murchison falls National Park, you can take a cultural tour to the nearby communities to uncover the hidden secrets of their ancient times, interact with them and listen to folklore, taste their local cuisines and get entertained in their traditional dances. Boomu Women’s Group is one of the most popular local community around this Park.
What time of the year is the best to visit Murchison Falls National Park?
Murchison falls National Park can be visited throughout the year but the best time to enjoy maximum experiences is from June to September or December to February because they provide ideal game drive and bush walking conditions. In the mentioned months, vegetation (grasses) are shorter and sparse hence making it easier to spot the wildlife and also, there are few permanent watering points where animals converge thus providing remarkable game viewing experiences.
Where to stay
Just like its remarkable attractions, Murchison falls National Park has a wide range of accommodation facilities that include Murchison Backpackers, Paraa Safari Lodge, Boomu Women Bandas, Murchison River Lodge, Red Chili Camp, Twiga Safari Lodge, Pakuba Safari Lodge, Nile Safari Lodge, Fort Murchison Lodge, Chobe Safari Lodge, Sambiya River Lodge, Baker’s Lodge and many others.
Getting there
There are currently two main options of getting to Murchison Falls National Park in northwestern Uganda. You can fly to any of its airstrip- Pakuba, Bugungu, and Chobe then drive few minutes to your respective Safari Lodges. Alternatively, travel by road from Kampala via the Gulu highway and this takes 6-7 hours with a 4×4 safari vehicle.