If there is any place on Earth that spells Paradise to the dot, then it is the stunning Murchison falls National Park. Travellers yearning for unmatched safari experiences and a chance to see wide array of African game, plethora of bird species as well as jaw-dropping landscapes make trips to the north-west of Uganda, where the Park is found. Early explorers such as John Speke, James Grant as well as Sir Samuel Baker and Florence Baker marveled at the out-of-this-world features of this spectacular National Park and if you are ready to get lost in nature, just visit this Protected Area.
Size of Murchison falls National Park
Murchison falls National Park encompasses over 384,000 hectares, which makes it the largest Protected Area in the country. This Park together with Karuma Falls as well as Bugungu Wildlife Reserve form the Murchison falls Conservation Area (MFCA). It is bisected by the breathtaking Victoria Nile from the Eastern to Western part for about 115 kilometers.
Murchison falls National Park History
Prior to the existence of Murchison falls National Park, north-western Uganda was first toured by two renowned Explorers-James Grant and John Speke in 1860s, much as the region was later thoroughly explored by visited by Sir Samuel and Florence Baker between 1863 and 1864.
The aboriginal tribes occupying an area of 13,000 square kilometers were forcefully evicted from 1907 and 1912 because of African Trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness. This was done with the subsequent establishment of Bunyoro Game Reserve in 1910 within the southern side of River Nile. This Area later became part of modern-day Murchison falls National Park that extends across Buliisa, Kiryandongo and Masindi. This was also followed by the extension of Park boundaries towards the north of the Nile River until present-day Nwoya district.
The Park was born in 1952 under the National Parks Act of Uganda of the British Administration as Kabalega Park. It was then renamed “Murchison falls National Park” after the beautiful Murchison falls, formed by waters of the Nile River flowing through a narrow gorge of about 7 meters before falling 45 meters into a Devil’s Cauldron.
Murchison falls National Park Location
Murchison falls National Park is located in the north-west of Uganda and sprawls districts of Nwoya, Buliisa, Masindi and Kiryandongo. There is a vast area of savannah grasslands and Borassus palms, Acacia and Riverine woodland within the northern side of this large, oldest and obviously best-known National Park in Uganda.
Highlights
The wide range of ecosystems of Murchison falls National Park makes it possible for visitors to stay even up to 5 days exploring its hidden beauty. There are more than 76 mammal species, with the most popular visitors to the banks of Nile River being Cape buffaloes, Jackson’s hartebeests, duikers, Rothschild giraffes, African bush elephants, Defassa waterbucks, bushbucks, Uganda Kobs and Hippos among others. Travellers are also introduced to lions, serval cats, vervet monkeys, leopards, Caracals, Nile crocodiles, Olive baboons, Oribis, to mention but a few. For primate fanatics, expect to see vervet monkeys, Olive baboons, around 500 chimpanzees, red-tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys and others in the verdant Budongo rainforest of Budongo.
Bird watching
Bring a good camera and binoculars to watch different species of birds that include Hammerkop, African Jacana, shoebill storks, secretary birds, African fish eagles, open-billed storks, Abyssinian ground hornbills, black-bellied Bustards, grey-crowned cranes, Giant and pied kingfishers, widow bird, ducks and geese. These and more can be sighted during boat cruise, nature walks or any other activity.
Chimpanzee trekking Tours
Budongo forest, at the border of Murchison falls National Park features a number of trails for the primate enthusiasts to undertake chimpanzee treks. This adventure is mainly conducted in Kaniyo-Pabidi sector and is marked by 1-4 hours of walking in the forest and spending one hour in the presence of the endangered Great Apes.
Cultural tours
Cultural tours around Murchison falls National Park involve visiting Boomu Women’s Group offering insight into typical rural Ugandan life, village tours, homestays and a craft shop. Also expect Campfire performances from Mubako Cultural Group, found in Mubako Village marked by traditional thatched huts.
Game Drives
Take a guided ride on-board an open-roof safari vehicle through the stunning Delta area as well as Buligi Peninsula and southern sector where African bush elephants, Hippos, Rothschild giraffes, Jackson’s hartebeests, Cape buffaloes, leopards, Defassa waterbucks, Uganda Kobs, bushbucks, Sitatunga, Oribis, spotted hyenas, duikers, Olive baboons, common warthogs, to mention but a few.
Hot Air balloon Tours
Enjoy 360-degree views of Murchison falls National Park in a hot air balloon while expecting to see different animals freely roaming across their natural habitat. There are options of sunrise hot air balloon tour with bush breakfast or the sunset hot air balloon tour with a bottle of champagne.
Boat cruises
Hop on a boat for a cruise along River Nile, embarking from the spectacular Paraa jetty to the bottom of the Murchison falls, The climax of the boat cruise is photography at the bottom of the falls but views of high concentration of Hippos and Nile crocodiles as well as African bush elephants, several antelopes and birds are unavoidable.
Hike to the top of the falls
Test your fitness levels by taking a leisurely hike to the top of the falls, lasting 45-60 minutes with views of Murchison and Uhuru falls, the rainbow symbol and sweeping savannah plains of the Park.
Sport Fishing
Murchison falls National Park permits sport fishing, conducted at the area close to Crocodile Pool and Nyamusika Cliffs among others. Expect catches of Nile Perch weighing up to 100 kilograms, Catfish Tilapia, Tiger fish, to mention but a few.
Walking safaris
Lace up your hiking boots, pick a backpack and hit any of the trails for a guided bush walk through the wilderness with hopes of seeing hidden animal habitat, footprints and unique flora species. Lucky visitors come across animals especially Defassa waterbucks, African bush elephants and others.
How do i get there ?
By Road
Road transfers take the 6-7 hours for 305 kilometers via well-tarred and murram roads and entrance is done via Mubako, Wankar, Kichumbayobo, Tangi and Chobe gates.
By Flight
Flights can be arranged to fly to Bugungu, Chobe or Pakuba from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip.