It’s not the wildlife roaming in the park or the might falls sounds that will take your breath away but the general Murchison falls safari experience can’t leave you same. Never leave the park without visiting the Top of the falls and feel the lovely stunning and magnificent sights that River Nile is loved for at Murchison falls National Park.
The park is commonly regarded as the adventure wildlife capital of the pearl of Africa. It’s here that tourists experience the unusual thing happening on the Nile as water fights an endless battle each day, month and year. A life changing moment is felt as the Nile waters squeeze itself through the narrow gorge making a rare sound that turn heads of many close to the Nile. With its beautiful attractions, wildlife, birds, chimpanzees, and the mighty Nile, Murchison Falls National Park offers some of the most awesome wildlife and chimpanzee experience found only in the pearl of Africa. All trips to Murchison are fully guided with park rangers and no need of any experience to enjoy the afternoon boat cruise (launch cruise). There are no rules or limitations when it comes to backpack travel in Uganda because many travelers work and volunteer in different areas of interest making it easy to meet up bills and expenses for their trips.
Murchison Falls National Park is arguably the largest national park in Uganda as it inhabits a total land area of 3840 square kilometers in the north-western Uganda; spreading inland from the shores of Lake Albert, around the Victoria Nile, up to the Karuma Falls. The Park is dominated by woodland and forest patches in the southern section, well as the northern section of the Park is covered by savannah and borassus palms, acacia trees and riverine woodland.
The Park’s very existence is determined by the dramatic Murchison Falls which are formed after the Victoria Nile plunging 45 meters over the remnant rift valley wall, hence bisecting the Park too. The Murchison Falls provide one of Uganda’s most remarkable wildlife spectacles, of which the regular visitors at the shores include; giraffes, buffaloes and elephants, well as Nile crocodiles, Hippos, and the aquatic birds are permanent residents there. In this guide, you are given some tips and useful information to help you plan an exciting wildlife safari to the mighty Murchison Falls National Park;
Accessibility
For your convenience, you are advised to contact your agency earlier to reside for you a good-quality tourist vehicle of your choice that you will use for transportation from Kampala to the Park headquarters. It is quite a long day’s journey driving from Kampala via Masindi to Hoima, in the north-western Uganda where the Park lies, thus you are advised to order for a driver-guide who will drive you safely as he/she is jazzing you interesting stories about Uganda and this will let you enjoy your safari fully minus you getting tired and bored on the way. The driver-guide is always friendly and professional, and has a savvy on almost everything that you will need to know as far as your safari is concerned.
From Kampala, it is about a 5 to 6 hours’ drive to the Park, depending on your speed and other conditions on roads such as traffic jam. The route to Murchison Falls National Park is very scenic as you will get fantastic views of various amazing attractions such as; Lake Albert. However, the Park can be accessed through various routes; through Masindi town route (shortest route), Budongo forest route (most scenic), and it can also be accessed from the north through Chobe gate, Karuma falls to the Park headquarters at Paraa. The Park can however also be accessed by air and Pakuba is the landing site for the charter flights.
On your way to Murchison Falls National Park, you will break at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the only home to the wild rhinos in Uganda and trek them as you support the rhino conservation such that they can be taken to the protected areas.
When to visit Murchison?
The Park can be visited all year round though the best time to visit the Park is during the two dry seasons which are; January to late February and then from June to October, as the animals gather around water bodies making them easier to view. This should however not prohibit you from visiting the Park during the other months of the year because it is not that it is ever raining in those months as it is always a mixture of rain and sunshine. Rains should also be a small factor in choosing when to visit the Park because; due to the unpredictable climate of nowadays, even the rains are sometimes experienced in the dry months and vice versa. The best time for bird watching is January-March which tends to have plenty of bird activity with fewer tourists.
What to do in the Park
Murchison Falls National Park is arguably one of the must-visit places in Uganda and definitely one of the heavily visited ones annually. There are various activities that a traveler will get involved in, such as; Bird watching – the Park is one of the best sites in Uganda ideal for birders as it is a home to over 451 bird species, like shoebills, and the regular launch trips to the base of the of the falls will provide you fantastic views for bird watching in Murchison Falls National Park; Launch trips – the upstream from Paraa showcases a majestic display of wildlife and culminates with the memorable frontal view of the Murchison Falls; Hot-air balloon safaris – this is a unique experience of flying in a hot-air balloon as you enjoy fantastic aerial views of the entire Park and its inhabitants; Game drives & Game viewing – game viewing in the Park can be mostly enjoyed during the game drives in various designated game drive areas, with the main areas being the Delta where there are great chances of seeing the Lions in wait for prey as they go to drink, the Buligi Peninsula and the southern sector famously known as the heart of Murchison.
Other activities include; Hiking and Nature walks – the Park’s vast landscapes and its varied scenery plus the surrounding conservation area can explored on foot where you will have sightings at various bird species and primates; Sport fishing – during this activity, there is a huge chance to get a catch of a huge fish thus the activity is quite rewarding especially to the avid angler. The other amazing activity in the Park is the; cultural encounter, as energetic dancers from the surrounding area perform around the lodge campfires hence making for a magical African experience at dusk. In the Park’s Kaniyo Pabidi forests, you will also be able to track the eastern common chimpanzees, which is an exceptional experience achieved at quite an affordable price.
Where to stay
The Park boasts a variety of accommodations for its guests to base at during their wildlife excursions. Some of the Park’s accommodations include; Chobe safari lodge, Para safari lodge, Bakers lodge, Nile safari lodge, Yebo safari camp, Murchison River Lodge, Bwana Tembo Safari Camp, Sambiya River lodge, and UWA campsite, among others.
What to see
During your game drives and game viewing, you will view a myriad of wildlife, including; Cape buffaloes, African elephants, Lions, Hippos, Nile crocodiles, Giraffes, Leopards, common chimpanzees, and Uganda Kob, among others, plus several bird species.
Plan Your Safari
A wildlife trip to Murchison is one of the backpacker favorite due to its affordability and opportunities to save money. You will also love it if given a try because many several group trips are organized to the park on a daily basis. Those who missout on departing trips opt for short trips like a 2 day trip and still pay less than just in line with their budget. As a popular destination for backpackers and budget travelers, Murchison falls has the best budget lodges, campsites and hotels that cater for every budget.
No Murchison falls holiday is finished without a trip to the Rhino sanctuary, Budongo eco lodge, and wildlife savanna land, top of the falls and to the Might Nile itself.Looking at the Might falls for the first time makes one nervous though brave ones don’t feel the pitch.However, the tense feeling just prepare you for the most exceptional experience in the natural beautiful magical land of Africa. The park is accessible by road and would recommend a hired private car or self-drive transport because being a wildlife park fun and excitement only goes to those with private transport to move around.
If you ever visit Uganda, take a trip to Murchison falls a most visited and a wildlife paradise to find the big five. Primates also make your stay more interesting by adding memories and stories to tell after. Spending time in Murchison Falls National Park counts much on a very Uganda safari holiday because you understand the soul of the park, no wonder its one of the most visited in Uganda. Many travelers treasure its natural heritage, wildlife, birds, landscape, forest and people love it for Uganda family holidays and exclusive weekend gateways.
Above all the most dramatic and beautiful part is that when in Uganda, the power of cool warm weather and the great scenery never fail to please every tourists or visitor to the country. Those interested in exploring the other part of the country can still visit other Uganda parks, cultural sites, beaches, waterfalls but if time permits Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest shouldn’t be left out on any Uganda primate and wildlife trip.come and experience what others have ever experienced in Africa.