What to see in Murchison Falls National Park.
Attraction found in Murchison Falls National Park. Murchison Falls National Park is located in the northwestern region of Uganda in Masindi, Nwoya, Kiryandongo and Bulisa. The park is among the largest and oldest national parks in the country, boasting a total size of 3983 sq. km. Murchison Falls National Park was established in 1952 by the Ugandan government to safeguard various species of wildlife.
Murchison Falls National Park is well known for its diverse wildlife and vibrant ecosystems and is home to an estimated 76 mammal species, including the largest population of Rothschild giraffes. And the park also hosts 13 species of primates and a whopping 451 species of birds, which makes it one of the best destinations for Uganda birdwatching safaris. The park’s most iconic feature and best-known attraction, the mighty Murchison Falls, is the most powerful waterfall in the world, as touted by Sir Samuel Baker. This is also where the elusive River Nile takes a journey from Lake Victoria to the Mediterranean Sea, making this an ideal place for the Murchison Falls Safari and boat cruise on the Nile.
Murchison Falls National Park was renamed from Kabalega National Park after the visit of Samuel Baker, who named the falls and the national park after Sir Roderick Murchison, then the president of the British Royal Geographical Society. Idi Amin Dada renamed the national park once again to Kabalega Falls, but after his regime, the name Murchison Falls National Park was restored.
Murchison Falls National Park is among the most popular places visited by tourists from all corners of the world, with an expectation to come across an array of wildlife, birds, Murchison Falls, the River Nile, and also chimpanzees that reside in Budongo Forest adjacent to the park. The national park is reachable in a day and is open throughout the year.
Attraction found in Murchison Falls National Park
The Powerful Murchison Falls
The powerful Murchison Falls is one of the main attractions of Murchison Falls National Park, which was established in 1952. According to the history of the park, the attractions Game Department made Murchison the biggest feature, after which the park was named. It sits on the banks of the River Nile and is famous for its spectacular showcase of nature’s power. With a narrow 7-metre-wide crevice through which a great mass of water is forced, a spectacular quest is generated. A drop of more than 40 metres (130 feet) into a round hole with a radius of about 50 metres (160 feet) makes a noise heard from far away, accompanied by a fine spray at the impact point of the water.
Tourists on wildlife safaris in Murchison Falls National Park often choose accommodations close to the waterfall to enjoy the soothing yet powerful sounds of the roaring water, especially during quiet nights. Visiting Murchison Falls is a highlight of a Murchison Falls safari, offering a unique opportunity to witness one of Uganda’s most iconic natural wonders.
Animals
The Murchison Falls National Park is one of the best places to visit in Uganda for a Uganda wildlife safari and is well known for its variety of mammals. More than 76 species of mammals can be seen on game drives during the day and at night in this park, on nature walks, and on boat safaris along the River Nile.
On a Murchison Falls safari, you are able to see four out of the Big Five animals: lions, buffalo, leopards and elephants. Besides the Big Five, there are also hyenas, bushpigs, giraffes, Uganda kobs, warthogs, oribis, hartebeest, bushbucks and hippos. This unique diversity of wildlife attracts visitors from all corners of the globe and makes Murchison Falls National Park one of the best places to visit in Uganda for wildlife expeditions.
Primates
Primates are one of the wildlife highlights for tourists on Uganda wildlife tours in Murchison Falls National Park. With over 13 species of primates living in the park, this is one of the best places to see and photograph these animals. The primates here are also found in the park and in the Budongo and Kaniyo Pabidi forests around the park. There are several notable primates found in Murchison Falls National Park, including chimpanzees, blue monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, patas monkeys, olive baboons and grey-cheeked mangabeys. Discovering these primates is an essential part of a Murchison Falls safari, as it allows you to see the diverse wildlife that Uganda is known for.
Bird species
Murchison Falls National Park in Uganda is famous for its birding opportunities and is said to be the best birding destination in the country. You could get your binoculars out for birdwatching during walks in the bush or from the vehicle on safari in the park. Being one of the biggest parks in Uganda, Murchison Falls is home to a variety of habitats, including baboon savannah grasslands, lush vegetation and the Nile River, the perfect mix to lure out a large diversity of birds. The birding can start right at your lodge or in such places as the Kaniyo Pabidi forest, which has yet more birds.
Below are just a few of the many birds that can be seen at the park: Abdim’s stork, Abyssinian ground hornbill, African darter, and African fish eagle. More good birds are the African jacana, African quail-finch, African skimmer, bar-breasted firefinch, beautiful sunbird, black crake, black scimitarbill and many more.
Birding in Murchison Falls National Park is upstaged by two of the most majestic raptors, the osprey and the African fish eagle, and it is also home to many spectacular species, including the giant kingfisher, malachite kingfisher, northern carmine bee-eater, osprey, Pel’s fishing owl, pied kingfisher, red-throated bee-eater, rock pratincole, sacred ibis, saddle-billed stork, secretary bird, Senegal thick-knee, shoebill stork and white-faced whistling duck.
River Nile
The River Nile on a Uganda safari is one of the top attractions at Murchison Falls National Park and a must-see on any Uganda wildlife safari in the park. The Nile, whose source is in the Ugandan tourist town of Jinja, is known as the longest river in the world. It meanders through Murchison Falls National Park, forming a dramatic natural event. The riverbanks are filled with streaming hippos and several giant crocodiles that you can even see lying on the sandbanks. The river is home to a myriad of wildlife and birds, many of them coming to drink and bathe, as well.
The best way to see the River Nile while on safari at Murchison Falls is by taking a boat cruise upstream to the base of the waterfalls. This guided boat ride provides a one-of-a-kind chance to watch several animals and birds in the wild that you could only dream of seeing so easily. The launch leaves daily at 9:00 and 14:00, with a duration of around three hours for the round trip. Also, there is a downstream boat trip from Paraa to the papyrus delta, where the river spreads out into Lake Albert. This 4- to 5-hour tour is a wonderful chance to encounter the unsighted shoebill stork and to explore Uganda wildlife safaris in Murchison Falls National Park.
Karuma falls
Karuma Falls is situated in Murchison Falls National Park, on the northeast side, close to the Gulu district. The spectacular falls are the result of the River Nile being forced to narrow and be channelled through rock formations before dropping off with a considerable roar. The frothy, rushing water is a breathtaking sight and a popular highlight for safari-goers in Murchison Falls.
The region around Karuma Falls at Murchison Falls National Park is also teeming with wildlife, ranging from baboons, buffalo, elephants, giraffes, leopards, lions, monkeys and a variety of breathtaking birds that will keep your fancy for a long time. Discover Karuma Falls to get high-quality Uganda wildlife safaris and enjoy the natural beauty of the park.
Budongo forest
Budongo Forest is situated within Murchison Falls National Park and is a famous tourist destination for its rich flora and fauna through mahogany and tropical forests. The forest is home to over 24 species of primates, including black and white colobus, blue monkey, forest galago, patas, red-tailed monkeys and the famous chimpanzees for trekking adventures. You can find a variety of trees, including mahogany, ironwood and red cedar.
The forest is also home to different bird species like the African pied wagtail, Neafraspus Cassini, Pitta reichenow, Paruptila woodhouse, and fork-tailed drongo, among others. Chimpanzee trekking in Budongo provides world-class chimpanzee viewing in the forests of Western Uganda and is a wonderful opportunity to see these fascinating creatures in the wild.
The best time to visit Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park can be visited at any time of the year, but there are months that are more favourable than others. The dry season from June to September and December to February is the best time to visit the Murchison Falls National Park because it comes with no or little rainfall, which makes the game trucks dusty; the roads that lead to the park are passable, and the park’s vegetation is short and dispersed, allowing good views of the wild animals.
Tourists are able to access Murchison Falls National Park in the rainy season from March to May and from October to November, as the park is open all year round. Touring within the park can be done all year long. It’s low travel season, and the lodges inside the park area are offering discounts to the advantage of park visitors. However, travellers definitely need to be aware that the rainy season means very heavy rain that muddies and slips the game trucks, the grass is tall and thick, and it is not easy to see through the parks.
Getting to Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park can be reached by road and air transport. By air, you can reach the national park from Kajjansi airstrip or Entebbe International Airport to Chobe airstrip or Pakuba airstrip within 2 hours. Two flights a day operate to Murchison Falls National Park, from Bar Aviation Uganda or from Aerolink Uganda. Road travellers to Murchison Falls National Park. The park can be reached in 4-6 hours via the Kampala-Masindi or the Kampala-Pakwach Road by those who are driving.
