Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park, locally known as Kabalega National Park, is located in north-western Uganda on the northern end of the Albertine Rift Valley. Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s first ever national park, it spreads in wards from the shores of Lake Albert around the Victoria Nile to the Karuma Falls.  Murchison falls National Park is one of Uganda’s most visited parks, it  derives its name from its major tourist attraction which is the  Murchison Falls these falls squeeze through a narrow gorge on the Nile river of 8m wide before it plunges with a thunderous roar into the “Devil’s Cauldron” making an eye-catching rainbow, these falls drive tourist from all over the world to come to the park and witness the beautiful falls but what makes them stay and long for more and repeatedly adventure the park are the park’s epic landscape, variety of habitants and excellent biodiversity. The park is divided into two by the Victoria Nile which plunges 45 m over the remnant rift valley wall creating the Murchison falls, the Nile runs from east to west of the park for a distance of 115 km (71 mi).

Murchison Falls National Park was doled out to the world when the film of “the African Queen” by Starring Humphrey Bogart was filmed on the Nile in the Park and on Lake Albert.

Murchison Falls National Park has area coverage of 3893 sq km (1503 sq mi) making it the largest national park in Uganda. The park forms the Murchison Falls Conservation Area together with the adjacent Bugungu Wildlife Reserve and Karuma Wildlife Reserve. Murchison Falls National Park was also declared a Ramsar Wetland site in 2006 as the Murchison Falls-Albert Delta Wetland System. The park’s northern section is covered with savanna, borassus palms, acacia trees and riverine woodland, and the south is covered with woodland and forest patches are home to a variety of wildlife species; the park is home to 0ver 144 mammals, 51 reptiles, 51 amphibians and a habitant to over 556 bird species.

History of Murchison falls national park 

The southern part of the park was first gazetted as the Bunyoro game reserve following the evacuation of the people due to the out break of Sleeping sickness spread by test flies, the boundaries were later extended north of the river in 1928.the area became Murchison Falls National Park after the British administration established the National Parks Act of Uganda in 1952. The park was also declared a lion conservation unit in 2005.

Attractions at murchison falls national parks

WILDLIFE

Murchison fall being that it is the largest park in Uganda boasts a heathy population of wildlife animals that can be spotted during one’s visit to the park namely herd of elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, lions, leopards though spotted occasionally, Nile crocodiles, Hippos Hyenas, Ugandan Kobs, bushbucks, warthogs, giraffes, hartebeest, chimpanzees, olive baboons, blue monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys among others all the wildlife in the park are heathy and in big numbers.

Bird species 

Murchison Falls National Park is home to over 556 bird species making it one of the major birding destinations in Uganda, with permanent residents and migratory birds, some of the bird species to spot in the park include shoe-billed stork, dwarf Kingfisher, Goliath heron, white thighed hornbills, great blue turaco, crested red winged grey warbler to mention but a few.

Murchison Falls

Murchison Falls is a major tourist destination sin the park, the falls are eye-catching and rewarding to watch. The Nile water passes through a small gorge forming a dramatic fall of water and reacting a thunderous roar because of the heavy falling, the heavy falls also makes the ground shake while on top of the fall you will be in position to experience the shaking. After the heavy fall the waters make a very calm flow which is home to a number of wild animals like elephants, hippos, aquatic birds, Nile crocodiles and fish species. The calm water also favors boat cruises and spot fishing.

Activities at murchison falls national park 

Game drives

Game drives are the best way to explore the park and spot a variety of wildlife, there are two game drives offered in the park, the morning and evening game drive done in a 4WD safari vehicle, the morning drive is the most effective one as the wildlife come out of their hiding to get a morning meal, you will spot animals like lions, leopards, Jackson’s hartebeests, Ugandan kob, oribi, elephants, hippos, water bucks among others in the savannah plains and along the shores of the Nile.

Birding

Birding in the park can be combined with other activities like game driving, hiking, boat cruise or done alone as an activity, during birding you will spot a number of bird species including aquatic birds, permanent residents and migratory birds namely shoe-billed stork, dwarf kingfisher, Goliath heron, white thighed hornbill, great blue turaco, crested turaco, red winged grey warbler and more.

Chimpanzee Trekking and Hiking

Murchison has a healthy number of chimpanzees, making it the second-best place in Uganda to carry out chimpanzee trekking after Kibale National Park. Most of the visitors to the park enjoy carrying out this activity, enjoy spending time with these primates in their habitat on foot and also give you a chance to adventure in the tropical rainforest. Note that this activity is only led and guided y experienced park guides who know the trails of the park well. You will spot vegetation cover, tree species, mammals, bird species, butterflies, scenery of the falls and more.

Sports Fishing

 Tourists are given a chance to fish in the river and fishing gear is provided at the park headquarters for hire and the fish caught will be yours and allowed to use it for anything you prefer, the species to catch include Big Nile perch fish, Tiger fish, Mudfish, Cat fish, Tilapia among others. Getting ready to break the record, the biggest fish to ever to caught was 108kg.

Boat Cruise

This is one of the rewarding activities one shouldn’t miss out, it starts at 9:00 am and 2:00 pm and each session takes about 2 to 3 hours on the Nile Delta, you stand a chance to spot more animals while on the boat and aquatic birds. The cruise starts with Paraa jetty landing site tourists can opt for a public boat or a private boat cruise.

Hot Air Balloon

Hot Air Balloon is the newest activity in the park, Murchison is among the few parks in Uganda that host hot air balloon activity. Enjoy a panoramic view of the park from the sky and enjoy a breath-taking view of the landscape, animals and everything in the park.

How to get to Murchison falls national park 

Murchison Falls National Park can be accessed by both road and air transport;

By Road;

The park is 305 km from Kampala drive and takes about 4 to 5 hours, from southwestern ug the drive s for 280 km from fort portal. Tourists can use Safari vehicles or buses from Kampala bus park.

By Air;

Fly from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield near Kampala and arrive to the Pakuba Airfield or Chobe and Bugundu airstrips depending on your entrance gate and accommodation.

Accommodation in Murchison falls national park 

Murchison Falls National Park has a number of accommodation falls ranging from luxury, mid-range and budget, some of which include Nile Safari lodge, Paraa Safari lodge, Red chilli camp, Sambiya River Lodge, Murchison falls River Lodge and many others.

Best time to visit Murchison falls national park 

Murchison Falls National Park is open all year round and welcomes visitors, just like other Ugandan safari destinations, and the best time to visit the park is in the dry months of June to late September or January to mid-March.