Murchison Falls National Park – Adventure Uganda Safaris

Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s premier wildlife safari destination, home to not only abundant wildlife but also one of the world’s most scenic and powerful waterfalls –Murchison Falls.

This National Park was originally named Kabalega National Park and its iconic natural wonder –the Murchison Falls was named by Sir Samuel Baker in 1862. It was named after Roderick Murchison, the then Royal Geographical Society president.

Murchison Falls is a powerful waterfalls and on a Uganda safari, you can witness it as it forces itself in a narrow rock measuring up to only 7-8m before plunging down 43m and then flow towards the Albertine Nile.

As it forces itself in a narrow rock, a permanent/natural rainbow is formed. Besides diverse wildlife, the powerful Murchison Falls is one remarkable attraction/feature that make the vast Murchison Falls National Park the most popular African safari destination.

The famous Murchison Falls National Park was officially designated the National Park status in 1952 after upgrading itself from being the Game Reserve from 1929. It is also the biggest of all existing National Parks in Uganda, extending up to 3840sq.km. This protected area falls under the extensive Murchison Falls Conservation Area.

Murchison Falls National Park Location;

The extensive 3840sq.km Murchison Falls National Park is the only National Park which is located in Northwestern Uganda. The park’s boundaries stretch encompassing surrounding districts of Masindi, Nwoya, Buliisa and Kiryandongo as well as a section of the breathtaking Bunyoro Escarpment.

Wildlife

Within the diverse habitats in Murchison Falls National Park, there exist a range of wildlife including up to 76 mammal species, 51 amphibian species and 451 species of birds.

Among the numerous mammals to find in Murchison Falls National Park Uganda include leopards, lions, African elephants, cape buffaloes, hyenas, the Rothschild giraffes and warthogs.

Diverse antelope families within Murchison Falls National Park include the oribis, Jackson’s hartebeest, Uganda Kobs, bush bucks, waterbucks, and more. This conservation area also shelters a huge concentration of hippos, Nile crocodiles and primates including chimpanzees, blue monkeys, patas monkeys, red tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys.

Bird species

Murchison Falls National Park boasts of over 451 species of birds which comprise aquatic and terrestrial species. The different birds that survive in this park include the elusive shoebill stork, Abyssinian ground, malachite kingfishers, goliath herons, swamp flycatchers, secretary bird, blue headed coucal, swallow tailed, and grey crowned crane.

Other birds in avifaunal check-list for Murchison Falls National Park include the Senegal thick-knee, papyrus gonoleks, squacco herons, long-toed plovers, red-throated bee-eaters, widow bird, black headed lapwing, Northern red bishops, African darters, Denham’s bustards, Egyptian goose, secretary bird and many others.

Next to Murchison Falls National Park – The Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary;

As you head to Murchison Falls National Park, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary lies right in Nakasongola District. Established in 2005, Ziwa is a preferred spot where stopovers are made by most tourists en-route to Murchison Falls National Park or Kidepo Valley National Park via the Kampala-Gulu highway.

What to do in and around Murchison Falls National Park?

Diversity of rewarding experiences are available for visitors to enjoy on a vacation in Murchison Falls National Park including game drives, boat or launch cruise, bird watching, nature walks, chimpanzee tracking and others.

Game drives

Murchison Falls National Park is one unusual savanna park that guarantees you the best game viewing experiences. A game drive is one activity you shouldn’t miss on a vacation in this protected area.

On a game drive, you navigate via the enriching game tracks that exist in the park using a 4×4 with a pop up roof. A normal game drive can run up to 2-3 hours and with your professional guide, you stand a chance to see a range of animals.

Some of the interesting animals to expect to see on a game drive tour in Murchison Falls National Park include African bush elephants, buffaloes, Rothschild giraffes, warthogs, hyenas, antelope families and diverse birds.

Boat/launch cruise

The boat or launch cruise is one of the best things you shouldn’t miss on a safari in Murchison Falls National Park. This is 2-3 hours recreational experience and is enjoyable on the Victoria Nile River taking you up to the base of the falls.

As you head towards to the base of the Murchison Falls, you stand a chance to encounter several of aquatic species such as hippos, Nile crocodiles, and water birds.

Bird watching

Murchison Falls National Park is one of the best destinations in Uganda for bird watching or if you are interested in birding excursions. Over 451 species of birds live in this park and among other species for you to expect to encounter include the shoebill storks, Egyptian ducks, red-throated bee-eaters, Northern red bishops, and open billed storks.

Other birds include the swamp flycatchers, blue headed coucals, goliath herons, grey crowned cranes, secretary bird, Abyssinian ground hornbills, malachite kingfishers, common squacco and widow birds.

The other species of birds to expect to find in Murchison Falls National Park include white African fish eagle, white rumped seed eaters, sparrow weaver bird, bluff bellied warblers, verreaux’s owls, African skimmers, long-toed plovers, standard winged nightjars, and others.

Chimpanzee tracking

Chimpanzee tracking/trekking is a unique primate experience worth adding on your bucket list. Chimpanzees exist in Budongo Forest where a good number of the communities have undergone habituation.

A chimp trek in Budongo Forest runs for about 2-4 hours and covers an hours of up close with the chimpanzee community in the wild. During the chimpanzee trekking session, you have a chance to explore in depth about the behaviors, take pictures and also enjoy the body gestures of these apes.

Hot air balloon safaris

A hot air balloon excursion provides the best of aerial wildlife encounter. Visitors can engage in the sunrise and sunset hot air balloon, each session guaranteeing you the best views of different animals, the beautiful vegetation and surrounding areas.

Sport fishing excursion

Sport fishing excursion is the best way for anglers to explore the wonders of Murchison Falls National Park. It is one experience that offers adventure challenge, especially as you catch the heaviest Nile Perch. Sport fishing excursions in Murchison Falls National Park are best enjoyed at the base of the Murchison Falls.

Nature walks and hiking excursion

The guided nature walk in Murchison Falls National Park is typically a guided on-foot walk excursion. The best areas to enjoy a guided nature walk in this park include Kaniyo-Pabidi Forest and Rabongo forest.

On a guided nature walk, you have a chance to encounter primates like black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and baboons, etc.

Forest birds can also be sighted on a nature walk including the chocolate backed kingfishers, white thighed hornbills, Puvel’s illadopsis and more. Aside from the normal nature walks, there is an option of enjoying a guided hiking especially from the base of the falls to the top, a journey that lasts for about 45 minutes.

Cultural experience

Cultural visits are best enjoyed in the local communities adjacent to Murchison Falls National Park. This is especially around Boomu Women’s Group in the Southern part of the park. A cultural visit allows visitors to have a deep understanding about the traditions, cultures and other practices of the locals.

Best time to travel for a safari in Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park attracts visitors all year-round thanks to the favorable weather conditions it experiences. But the dry season is usually the most preferred time to enjoy excellent wildlife encounter in Murchison Falls National Park.

Two important seasons to mark on your travel calendar include the dry and wet season. There is long dry season which runs from June to September and the short dry spell is experienced from December to February.

Accommodation options for visitor stay

All the 3 major accommodation choices exist in and around Murchison Falls National Park and include budget, midrange and luxury.

The classic lodges to consider for overnight stay in or around the park include Chobe Safari Lodge, Nile Safari Lodge, Paraa Safari Lodge, Pakuba Safari Lodge, Sambiya River Lodge, Red Chili Rest Camp, Fort Murchison Safari Lodge, and many others.

Getting to Murchison Falls National Park (by road & air)

Using road transportation, you can set off from the heart of Kampala or Entebbe city via Luweero-Gulu route. Getting to the park along the Kampala-Gulu highway takes approximately 6-7 hours’ drive and there is also an option of connecting from Fort Portal tourism city to Murchison Falls National Park which is 7-8 hours’ drive.

By air: Fly in safaris can be planned and booked through your tour operator in Uganda, and on actual vacation, you fly from Entebbe International Airport/Kajjansi airfield to nearby airstrips in Murchison Falls National Park. The active airstrips in Murchison Falls National Park include Chobe and Pakuba airstrip.

Best Uganda Safaris to Murchison Falls National Park;

3 Days Uganda Wildlife Safari is an awesome opportunity to participate in wildlife viewing, sightseeing, launch cruise, and hiking on the top of the falls. You will participate in an early morning game drive where you will stand an opportunity to see the big five… View Tour

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12 days classic Uganda Safari – Visit Sipi falls in Mount Elgon NP, Kidepo Valley & Murchison Falls National Park on this trip through Eastern & Northern Uganda. 12 Days Classic Uganda Safari starts and ends in Kampala the capital city of Uganda… View Tour

2 Days Murchison Falls – Short Wildlife Safari Trips in Uganda. On this tour to Uganda, you will go for a game drive in Murchison Falls National Park.This safari starts and ends in Kampala the capital city of Uganda. The tour also offers an opportunity of hiking to the top… View Tour

If its adventure you are looking for, then the 9 Days Uganda Safari is the package you have to choose for your safari in the Pearl of Africa. 9 Days Uganda Safari takes you to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary (the home to the only surviving wild Rhino population in Uganda), Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for the magical mountain gorillas, Murchison Falls National Park for four of the big five animals as well as the breathtaking… View Tour