Know About Queen Elizabeth National Park
December 8, 2023
Explore Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
December 9, 2023Murchison Falls National Park with a total area of 1,503 square miles, is the biggest park in Uganda, established in 1952. It can be found in the districts of Kiryandongo, Masindi, Nwoya, and Buliisa in Northwestern Uganda. The park is divided in half by the River Nile, which also creates stunning waterfalls. One of the park’s waterfalls so impressed the British explorer Sir Samuel Baker that he named it Murchison Falls, a name the park subsequently adopted. The Karuma Falls and Bugungu Wildlife Reserves are also included in the larger Murchison Falls Conservation area, which covers the park.
There are more Rothschild Giraffes and crocodiles in Uganda’s Murchison Conservation Area than anywhere else. Over 445 bird species and 76 mammal species can be found in the park, which is a lion conservation unit. Due to unchecked poaching and killing for sport and meat during the Idi Amin dictatorship in the 1970s, a significant number of mammals perished. Poaching is still a problem in the park, albeit on a minor scale, mostly for bush meat, despite efforts by the Uganda Wildlife Authority to eradicate the vice. A few nations banned their citizens from entering the park because of the Kony insurrection in Northern Uganda in the 1990s.
Access to Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park can be reached by car from Kampala in around 4 hours. Travelers can use private vehicles, tour operators, or public transportation such as buses. Within the park, public buses are not permitted. In a developing nation like Uganda, public transportation can be inconvenient due to the buses’ unpredictable schedules and unscheduled stops for people to get off and on. It is strongly advised that you use a tour company or charter a private vehicle directly out of Kampala. Additionally, there are scheduled flights from Entebbe or Kajjansi to Bugungu, which is close to the park headquarters, or small airstrips in Pakuba, which is near the Northern bank of the Nile River. From these locations, visitors must take a car to either their lodge or the park headquarters in Paraa.https://ugandawildlife.org/national-parks/murchison-falls-national-park/
Attractions in Murchison Falls National Park
Boat ride to the Nile Delta: The point where the River Nile and Lake Albert meet is known as the Nile Delta. Going upstream beyond the point where the boats used for the regular cruise turn is part of the boat voyage to the Nile Delta. For birdwatchers, this essential half-day adventure needs to be considered. Typically, tourists go down the Nile in a boat until where it enters Lake Albert. More creatures gathering to drink along the Nile’s banks and birds at the papyrus swamps surrounding Lake Albert can be spotted on the way to the lake.
Camping: There is camping available within the lodges, though it is preferable to camp in the woods. Tents, firewood, and water are given to campers. Even though you can obtain them by making special arrangements with your resort or the park officials, you might need to pack your own food and equipment.
Game Drives
This is probably the best thing to do at Murchison Falls National park. While game drives can be taken alone, having a park ranger there makes them more educational since they can help identify different species of birds and mammals or show you where to look for them. On a three-hour game drive to Murchison Falls National Park, you could see creatures like buffaloes, elephants, giraffes, hippo, leopards, lions, and monitor lizards.
The park is home to a variety of antelope species, including the Uganda Kob, Bohor Reedbuck, Bushbuck, Defassa Waterbuck, Hartebeest, and Oribi. Baboons, Black and White Colobus, Patas Monkeys, Vervet Monkeys, and Chimpanzees in the Rabongo and Budongo Forests are among the primate species found in the park. Reptiles such the African rock python, mambas, cobras, and various smaller snakes can also be seen in the park.
In addition to day game drives, guests have the option of taking a two-hour nighttime game drive. Predators like lions, serval cats, hyenas, and leopards are more likely to be spotted during a nighttime game drive. In order to not miss anything, the rangers move with spotlights. Late in the evening or as night falls is when the night game drives begin.
Fishing: One of Uganda’s greatest locations for fishing is the region beneath the Murchison Falls. In this section of the Nile, large Nile Perch weighing more than 200 pounds can be caught. Tilapia and tiger fish are two more popular fish species that are caught in this area. Visitors can stand at the base of the Murchison Falls and cast a line, or they can go fishing on the River Nile in a boat. Additionally, fishing is available in one of the riverfront pools or the Karuma Falls. It is required of guests to obtain a fishing license and to carry their own equipment. Smaller fish must be first caught and used as bait in order to catch Nile Perch.
Boat Cruise at bottom of the fall:
This is one of the most well liked things to do in the park and is comparable to the launch cruise in Queen Elizabeth National Park’s Kazinga Channel. The boat departs and returns to the base of the falls approximately every three hours. Africa’s largest concentration of hippos and crocodiles may be found in the Nile segment that runs after the falls. Along the river’s edge, visitors can also witness elephants, buffalo, and several antelope species drinking. Among the aquatic birds are kingfishers, shoebill storks, cormorants, ducks, fish eagles, and bee-eaters. Upon completing their photo shoot and having had enough of the birds and animals, the captain will sail the boat upstream so that guests can get off.
Birdwatching
In Uganda, Murchison Falls National Park is among the top locations for birdwatching. Either a safari vehicle or one of the nature walks can be used for this activity. The Murchison Falls National Park is a sizable park that offers a wealth of locations and chances for birdwatching. It might begin directly outside your lodge and proceed to the Savannah grasslands, woodlands, and the Nile River. Another place to go birdwatching is the Kaniyo Pabidi forest region.
The bird species in Murchison Falls National park include the Abdim’s Stork, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, African Darter, African Fish Eagle, African Jacana, African Quail-Finch, African Skimmer, Bar-breasted Fire finch, Beautiful Sunbird, Black Crake, Black Scimitar bill, Black-billed Barbet, Black-billed Wood-Dove, Black-faced Waxbill, Black-headed Batis, Black-headed Gondola, Black-headed Gonolek, Black-headed Plover, Black-lored Babbler, Blue-headed Coucal, Blue-napped Moosebird, Bluff-bellied Warbler, Chestnut-crowned Sparrow Weaver, Dark Chanting-Goshawk, Denham’s Bustard, Double-toothed Barbet, Eastern Grey Plantain-Eater, Fawn-breasted Waxbill, Giant Kingfisher, Goliath Heron, Gray Crowned crane, Green-winged Ptyilia, Grey Crowned Cranes, Grey-headed Bush Shrike, Hugli’s Francolin, Long Tailed Nightjar, Long-toed Plover, Malachite Kingfisher, Martial Eagle, Red-throated Bee-eater, among others.
Visiting the Top of the Murchison Falls:
Most people start their trip by going to the top of the falls. As the Nile River winds its way toward Egypt, it falls through a small valley, creating the Murchison Falls. After the Victoria Falls, it is possibly one of the world’s most powerful waterfalls. While traveling with a group or someone who is familiar with the area is advised, a guide is not necessary to reach the top of the falls.
Amazing is the first view of the falls from the summit. One of the most amazing sights to behold while visiting the park is the deafening sound of the water crashing down the gorge and plummeting 42 meters below. It is amazing to observe as the mist created by the water’s force interacts with the sun’s rise to create breathtaking rainbows. It is an excellent place to take pictures, so do not visit without a camera. Once you have had your fill of the waterfall from the top, there is a trail that descends to the river or the smaller Uhuru Falls before the Murchison Falls; at the base of the falls, crocodiles congregate to await fish and other unfortunate creatures that the strong currents may unintentionally drag down.
Karuma Falls: The northeastern region of Murchison Falls National park, close to the Gulu area, is where you will find these falls. The River Nile forms the falls at a spot where water squeezes past multiple rocky outcrops before plummeting with a loud roar. It is breathtaking to see the frothy water that forms as the rushing river meets the rocks. Numerous bird species and animals, including baboons, buffaloes, elephants, giraffes, leopards, lions, monkeys, and antelopes such Uganda Kobs and Hartebeests, are drawn to the area.
Tracking Rhinos at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary: The Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is situated on the route from Kampala to the Murchison Falls National Park. Rhinos are no longer able to move in Uganda’s national parks due to widespread poaching. When the rhino population reaches 20, it will be carefully bred back into the larger parks, but until then, it will remain in the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, where it will be protected. The primary activity here is foot rhino tracking, which is typically overseen by sanctuary rangers. The Rangers provide information on rhinos, the sanctuary’s past, its breeding program, and broader conservation initiatives.
Forest and nature Walk: These treks through the woodland are appropriate for educational use. They take place in Chobe, or better still, in the forests of Rabongo and Budongo. There are several bird species and primates, including chimpanzees and monkeys, in these two forests. The hikes ought to be led by an expert ranger or guide who is educated in the many animal and bird species.
Chimpanzee Tracking in Budongo forest:
Situated to the south of the park, Budongo Forest is part of the Kaniyo Pabidi and Budongo forest reserves. More than 464 plant and mammal species, including more than 820 chimpanzees, can be found in the forest. In the jungle, tracking chimpanzees is the most popular activity. Tracking chimpanzees begins at 8 a.m. and finishes at approximately 3 p.m. Although it may depend on the time of year, there is a good chance of sighting the chimps. May and August are the greatest times to watch the chimpanzees. Typically, a knowledgeable and skilled guide conducts guests to assist them in identifying various bird, animal, and plant species. When there are less trackers in Budongo Forest, it is also possible to arrange for chimpanzee habituation experiences there.
Accommodation in Murchison Falls National Park
Accommodation options are provided by a range of lodges, campsites, and motels both inside and outside of Murchison Falls National Park. The capacity of the passenger determines the ultimate choice of lodging facilities. Let us examine a few of them:
Paraa Safari Lodge: In the Murchison Falls National Park, Paraa Safari Lodge is one of the older lodges. With over 53 luxurious independent rooms furnished with indigenous African artwork, it is a luxurious establishment. A restaurant, bar, swimming pool, and well-kept gardens are among the additional amenities offered. Every day, clients are provided with three meals that include both local and international cuisine. Taking sport-fishing trips, boat rides along the Nile River, and game drives are all easily accessible from the lodge.
Nile Safari Lodge: This lodge is surrounded by a papyrus grove and was constructed close to the park’s western boundary. This opulent camp features a huge swimming pool, cottages, and six tents. The self-contained tents feature balconies that overlook the Nile River and the surrounding environment, along with hot showers. There is also a restaurant, a bar, and a lovely compound garden available.
Other Lodging facilities include; Sambiya River Lodge, Murchison River Lodge, Red Chilli Rest Camp, Pakuba Safari Lodge.
