MURCHISON FALLS NP - UGANDA NATIONAL PARKS

Murchison Falls National Park is the largest of Uganda’s ten National Parks.
Covering 3840 sq. kms, it is one of the most spectacular parks in all of Africa. From rolling savannah and tall grasslands to thick bush, woodlands and the spectacular falls, the park has an abundance of flora and fauna with 76 species of mammals, 10 of primates, 250 of butterflies and more than 465 species of plants. The Bio-diversity in this Park is really diverse and can exceed your imagination.

 

The park is cut into half by the mighty River Nile. A visit to Murchison is incomplete without seeing the magnificent falls from which it derives its name. They are best seen from the top where the Nile narrows dramatically to flow through a 7-meter gorge, falling 50 meters to the rocks below, making a powerful roar you have never heard of before. Enjoy a walk around the top with different viewpoints, and visit the Bat Caves, which house thousands of Egyptian Fruit Bats. Best viewing of the bats is at sunset, when these flying mammals set out in search of the insects that make up some 25% of their diet.


Another thrilling activity is the three-hour boat launch to the bottom of the falls. You will experience the wonders of the Nile on the nineteen kilometer cruise, viewing abundant wildlife along the river banks. Tens of Hippos, Crocodiles, Buffalo, Uganda Kob, Elephants and many others line the shores. Some of the more common birds that are seen while up or down stream along the Nile include Goliath heron, Egyptian geese, pelican, bee-eaters, kingfishers, hornbills, cormorants, saddle-billed storks and the rare Shoebill stork.


Special boat cruises can also be organized to travel down the Nile River from the park headquarters to the Delta, where the River Nile briefly enters Lake Albert before proceeding to Sudan then through Egypt and to the Mediterranean Sea. A boat cruise to the delta is a highlight for the birdwatcher. The swampy channels of the delta and the in between small islands are the right nesting places for the rare prehistoric looking Shoebill Stork.


Game drives are also arranged on the various trails through the Park. On the way, Elephants, Warthogs, Cape buffalo, Rothschild's giraffe, Uganda kob, hartebeest and waterbuck are commonly seen. You may also see Oribi, bushbuck, Bohor- reedbuck, the shy Sitatunga, bush duiker and bushpig. Large carnivores found in the park include lion, leopard and spotted hyena. The more adventurous traveler may want to walk the network of trails around the falls, including a 45 minute walk up from the bottom to the top. The enthusiastic birdwatcher will want to look out for some of the 450 species recorded in this park that includes Eagles, Hawks, Sun-birds and Ituri Batis.


Chimpanzees occur in several groups within the park. For better view of these  close relatives of Man that share 98.7% of our genes, visit Rabongo or Budongo Forest Reserve at Kaniyo-Pabidi Eco-tourism Center where you will be guided to a forest walk in search of Chimpanzees and some of the other 10 primates found in this habitat. See black-and-white Colobus, Vervet monkeys, Red-tailed monkeys, Olive Baboons and several species of Pottos and Bushbabies. Walks are in the morning or afternoon, but a morning walk is usually more rewarding when the primates are very active.  Walks can take from one to four hours, with two hours being the average.  The terrain is gently rolling hills with small streams and dense vegetation, but trails were cut across most of the forest, making access relatively easy.
If you are the person with interest in fishing, you can arrange to fish along the river, from above and below the falls where 20-100 kg Nile Perch can be caught, if you have the skills. Huge crocodiles and hippos may be around the banks as you fish! Fish from ashore or hire a boat for the day. Fishing equipment is available at the site for hire or you can use your own. Other game fish found in the Nile include Tilapia, Catfish and Dagga.


Funny though, this park owes its existence to tsetse flies as these flies caused inhabitants sleepy sickness forcing them to abandon this area creating space for the animals and the park.


Places to stay and eat include: Red Chilli Hide Away for budget, Sambiya River Lodge for mid-range and the luxurious Paraa Safari Lodge or Nile Safari camp.   
The distance from Kampala to Murchison is approximately 310km and can be traveled in 5- 51/2 hours through Luwero via Nakasongola and Masindi Districts or through Kiboga via Hoima and Masindi. There is only public means of transport (taxi or bus) from Kampala to Masindi. The Park headquarters at Paraa is about 86km from Masindi.  

 

Interested in a safari in Murchison Falls National Park. See our wildlife safaris in Uganda.