Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park (Kabalega National Park) – A Complete Travel Guide to exploring Murchison Falls National Park on Uganda safaris. A safari in Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda – The Pearl of Africa is one of those once-in-lifetime experiences for most travelers.

Boating of its jaw dropping landscapes, a Uganda safari in Murchison Falls National Park guarantees you true African experiences. The animals – you can spot a range of them freely roaming in the vast savannas plains making it a must-visit for any traveler in Uganda.

Where is Murchison Falls National Park in East Africa?

Murchison Falls National Park in East Africa is located in the Northwest of Uganda. From the heart of Kampala city, it is about 6-7 hours’ drive to Murchison Falls NP inclusive of stopovers en-route. It is 3840sq.kms in size and a home to the world’s powerful falls – Murchison Falls. The Park spreads covering the Northern end of the Albertine Rift Valley encompassing the sweeping escarpment of Bunyoro. Originally, it was established as Game Reserve in 1926 making it not only the largest but also the oldest Protected Area.

In 1952 is when Murchison Falls National Park was officially gazetted as a National Park in Uganda. It is also the largest of the 10 parks in the country, stretching to cover the districts of Nwoya, Buliisa, Kiryandongo and Masindi. The Park is divided into two by the River Nile that flows via it creating the Northern & Southern sections. It gets its name from Murchison Falls – named by the then British Explorer “Sir Samuel Baker.”

Landscape – Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park is an extensive African safari Park in Uganda. It is largely comprised of vast savanna grassland, open plains, woodlands, wetlands. It also makes up part of the extensive Murchison Falls Conservation Area – this also encompasses Nature/Wildlife Reserves such as Bugungu, Karuma Falls and Budongo Forest (also consists of Kaniyo-Pabidi Forest). The 1951 “The African Queen” film was also shot right at Murchison Falls National Park’s Lake Albert and Nile.

Why Murchison Falls National Park – Attractions  

Murchison Falls

Murchison Falls is where the extensive Murchison Falls Conservation Area/Park gets its name. This is the world’s strongest waterfalls and a natural wonder any traveler on Uganda safari should consider a must-visit. The Murchison Falls can be observed squeeze itself into a narrow gorge of 8m and then plunges 45m forming a permanent rainbow. Access to the top of the falls is possible by boat and you disembark, take a walk for 45 minutes or drive up-to the top in a 4×4 vehicle.

Abundant wildlife – big game

Boasting of its abundant wildlife, a visit to Murchison Falls National Park presents variety of opportunities to nature lovers to encounter their dream animals. From the big game – bush elephants, cape buffaloes, lions, leopards to antelopes – such as Uganda Kobs, Jackson’s hartebeest, oribis and more. You won’t also miss sighting the Rothschild giraffes, warthogs; birds (over 451 bird species), hippos, crocodiles and more.

Primates

In the lushly verdant forests of Murchison falls – Budongo, Kaniyo-Pabidi and others, there exist diversity of primates. These include olive baboons, chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys.

What to do – Activities in Murchison Falls National Park

Boat cruise/launch trip

Boat cruise in Murchison Falls National Park leads you to the base of the falls, an amazing water recreational experience not to be missed. This is 2-3 hours of exploring the extensive Nile as you encounter wide range of wildlife especially hippos, crocodiles, birds and in addition, buffaloes, bush elephants on the river banks.

Nile Delta boat ride

Explore the Nile Delta on a boat ride taking you upstream – a magical point where boats can’t reach. You have a chance to go upstream and downstream till you get to Lake Albert. At your display, there are lots of creatures to sight including birds like shoebill stork.

Game drive

Game drive is a captivating wildlife experience Murchison Falls National Park is popular for. In a 4×4 Uganda safari vehicle, enjoy uninterrupted view of large mammals such as bush elephants, lions, cape buffaloes, leopards, plus antelopes, jackals, warthogs, giraffes. Both day and night game drives – lasting for 2-3 hours are enjoyable on Uganda safaris in Murchison Falls National Park.

Birding – Murchison Falls Park

A total of 451 bird species makes Murchison Falls National Park a special birding spot in Uganda. These include savanna, forest, aquatic birds – including among others the shoebill storks, Abyssinian ground hornbill, beautiful sunbird, Abdim’s stork, black faced waxbill, African quail finch, African darters, bluff bellied warblers, bar breasted firefinch, giant kingfishers, black lored babblers, black headed gondola;

Black headed gonolek, blue headed coucal, bluff bellied warblers, Eastern grey plantain eater, grey crowned cranes, dark chanting goshawk, giant kingfishers, red winged grey warblers, Northern carmine, gray crowned crane, speckled fronted weavers, swallow tailed bee-eaters, pied kingfishers, long tailed nightjars, weaver bird, white faced whistling duck, yellow fronted tinker bird, yellow billed stork, yellow throated greenbul to mention but a few.

Fishing safaris

In Africa and Uganda at large, Murchison Falls National Park is one of the best locations worth visiting for fishing safaris. Nile perch weighing up to 200 pounds can be your catch for the day. With valid license, obtained from Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), you can enjoy 4 days Murchison Falls luxury safari, combing game viewing and sport fishing experience.

Chimpanzee tracking

Over 820 chimpanzees are safely protected in the Budongo Forest and Kaniyo-Pabidi Forest. There are habituated chimpanzee communities and tracking them begins at 8:00am or 3:00pm. The best time to go track Budongo chimpanzees is during the dry season; June to September or December to February.

Besides chimpanzees, there are many other primates include the red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, pottos, baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, etc. It is possible to have 6 days Uganda safari to Murchison Falls NP.

Hot air balloon tour

In Uganda, hot air balloon expeditions are done in only Murchison Falls National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park. With hot air balloon tours, you have ultimate aerial view of wildlife including the big game and others. Murchison Falls hot air balloon safaris are carried out by Dream balloon company with supervision from Uganda Civil Aviation Authority.

45 minutes hike to the top of the falls

Visit the Murchison Falls 45 minutes’ walk and you enjoy the breathtaking view of the falls. Along the way, get amazing view of the park’s green vegetation, sight diverse birds, etc.

Community/cultural tours

The best way to experience the authentic Africa is by undertaking cultural visit to the nearby local communities. The key areas to consider for cultural safari experience include Boomu Women’s Group and Mubako Cultural Campfire performances.

When to visit – Murchison Falls NP East Africa

Safaris in Murchison Falls NP, East Africa can be done without interruptions during the dry season – long and short. The long dry season/months: June, July, August to September – for long dry season and short dry spell runs from December, January to February. It is however possible to visit the park at any time even the wet or rainy season; March to May/October to November.

Accommodation to stay while at Murchison Falls N/P

Myriad of luxurious and standard accommodation facilities are available for booking; for all tourists visiting Murchison Falls for a holiday. These include; Chobe Safari Lodge, Nile Safari Lodge, Bakers Lodge, Paraa Safari Lodge (Luxury): midrange Murchison River Lodge, Pakuba Safari Lodge (Midrange).

Getting to the park

By road: From Kampala driving to Murchison Falls NP is 6-7 hours on Gulu highway and access gates; Kichumbanyobo gate (in the South), Chobe, Wankar, Bugungu gate, Mubako and Tangi gate. Considering the park’s location, it is possible to make a stopover at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for rhino tracking or combine Kidepo Valley NP wildlife safaris. From Fort Portal, you can also connect to Murchison via Hoima meaning, you can combine chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park.

By air: Set off from Entebbe Airport (EBB) or Kajjansi Airfield and available airfields at Murchison NP include;

• Bugungu Airfield
• Pakuba Airfield
• Chobe Airfield