Super User 22 August 2023

Best Travel Guide To Murchison Falls National Park Wildlife in Uganda

Arguably one of the best exciting National Parks in East Africa, Murchison Falls in Uganda allows engaging in quite several activities. It is one of Uganda’s oldest protected areas with big game viewing.

About Murchison Falls National Park:

Often referred to as the Kabalega National Park, the Murchison Falls National Park is popularly known for having the world’s most powerful waterfall that emits large volumes of water about 300 cubic meters per second or 11,000 ft³/s at a very powerful pressure that causes the surrounding to tremble. First gazetted as a game reserve in 1926 and later elevated to Park status in 1952, today it’s Uganda’s largest National park covering an area of nearly 4000 square miles, combined with the contiguous Karuma and Bugungu wildlife reserve. It is commonly visited for Uganda Safari Tours because of its diverse safari activities and rich wildlife.

Location of Murchison Falls National Park in Uganda:

The location of Murchison Falls National Park is in northern Uganda, northwest of the capital Kampala. It is found on the northernmost reaches of the Albertine Rift Valley where the sweeping Bunyoro escarpment merges into a vast, palm-dotted savannah, with its terrain bisected by the Victoria Nile.

Wildlife animals in Murchison Falls National Park:

When we talk about Murchison Falls National Park animals, it is home to more than 76 animals species among which are the ‘Big Five’ including buffaloes, leopards, lions and elephants, and rhinos, has three-quarters of the world’s population of Rothschild giraffes plus a healthy population of herbivores which has recently doubled including the Uganda Kobs all of which can easily be seen on the Wildlife Safari Tours here. There are various primates living within its verdant forests like the Budongo among which are over 610 chimpanzees, in addition to 480 bird species including 23 Albertine rift endemics. Other animals include hippos and Nile crocodiles, which are permanent residents.

Tourist attractions in Murchison Falls National Park:

The Murchison Falls:

The highlight of any itinerary in Murchison Falls National Park is visiting the falls to see how large volumes of water from the Victoria Nile force their way through an approximately 6-meter-wide gorge to plunge nearly 50 meters below into a pool. This powerful waterfall creates a thunderous noise with a splashing cloud of fog offering a very breathtaking view worth enjoying. It’s Africa’s strongest waterfall and divides the Park into two.

The Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary:

This private non-profit project was established in 2005 to revive the population of the white rhino in Uganda following the intense poaching that happened during the 1990s that totally depleted this species from the Murchison Falls and Kidepo National parks where these animals previously lived. Today there are over 22 southern white rhinos found at this sanctuary.

The Rich Murchison Falls National Park Wildlife:

The diverse vegetation cover of the Park, which includes woodlands, savannah, and riverine forests, supports a great diversity of animals that can easily be seen on the different safari visits. These include the Uganda Kobs, Hartebeests, lions, elephants, leopards, Rothschild giraffes, buffaloes, cheetahs, and hyenas among many others.

With over 480 bird species including the rare shoebill stork, the Goliath heron, the yellow-footed flycatcher, the African jacana, the Abyssinian ground hornbill, pitta as well as the pied giant and malachite kingfisher among others, birders consider this Park a paradise.

Tourist Activities in Murchison Falls National Park:

Murchison Falls National Park Launch Trip:

This 2-hour launch trip begins at Paraa and offers holidaymakers an opportunity to see various wildlife including large numbers of giant crocodiles, hippos, and various birds like the rare shoebill stork. This offers great photographic opportunities.

Murchison Falls National Park Game Drives:

These are conducted early morning as well as in the early evening offering you a chance to enjoy up-close views of the different animals. The Delta area, Buligi Penisula, a triangle of grasslands bounded by the Victoria Nile entering into Lake Albert, and the Albert Nile flowing out of it is the Park’s prime game viewing area. Expect to see elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, giraffes, lions, and leopards.

Bush and forests cover the southern sector. Vehicle tracks have been opened up in this area, and with substantial herds of Uganda kob, it’s a prime location for lions.

Murchison Falls National Park Cultural encounters:

Enjoy thrilling energetic cultural dances by the Mubako as you sit by a campfire, village tours to see the traditional lifestyle of the locals, and the crafts shop by the Boomu Women’s Group.

Murchison Falls National Park Chimpanzee Tracking:

Within the verdant forest of Budongo are some of the best Chimpanzee Tracking Tours conducted in Uganda. You will enjoy up-close encounters with these great apes.

Murchison Falls National Park Hot Air Balloon Safari:

Enjoy an aerial view of the park’s beautiful landscape and large numbers of wildlife at daybreak.

Murchison Falls National Park Bird Watching:

With various species including Albertine Rift endemics, water birds, and savanna forest birds. Birders will surely be well rewarded. Bird-watching can be done during the launch cruise and game drives.

Murchison Falls National Park Nature Walks & Hikes:

The park offers several trails that can be explored on foot through the Rabongo and Kaniyo Pabidi forests to see birds and primates

Murchison Falls National Park Spot Fishing:

The river below Murchison Falls provides an exciting challenge for anglers with the record for Nile perch landed with rod and line standing at a hefty 108kg.

Murchison Falls National Park Top of the Falls:

Visitors should be sure to visit the top of the Falls viewpoint to see, hear, and feel the Nile thunder through a 6m-wide gorge. The site can be reached by vehicle but it’s more rewarding to disembark from the launch to climb up to the Top of the Falls through Fajao Gorge

Best Time To Visit Murchison Falls National Park:

Although considered to be an all-year-round destination, the best time to visit Murchison Falls National Park is in the dry season from December to mid-February, and June to July while bird watching can best be done in the wet season when migrant birds have arrived.

How To Get To Murchison Falls National Park:

The park can easily be accessed by air and road. From Kampala to Murchison Falls it is about 4h 30 mins via Kampala – Masindi route (282 km) or 5h 30min via Kampala-Hoima. There are also charter flights from Kajjansi Entebbe to Chobe airstrip.

Where To Stay In Murchison Falls National Park:

Here accommodation ranges from budget lodges, mid-range lodges, and luxury lodges like the Chobe Safari Lodge. This great diversity offers accommodation options for all travelers irrespective of your safari budget.

The Paraa Safari Lodge and Nile Safari Lodge are among the other luxury facilities, Pakuba Safari Lodge, Murchison River Lodge, and Fort Murchison Safari Lodge are mid-range facilities while the Boomu Women’s Group Bandaas, Red Chilli Rest Camp, Yebo Safari Camp, and Parkside Safari Lodge are the budget facilities.

Arrange and Book with Ultimate Wild Safaris for a Tour of Murchison Falls National Park in Uganda.

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