Murchison Falls National Park in Uganda is a magical place to visit with so many different impressions of Africa. Located in north western Uganda, Murchison Falls offers Incredible game viewing experience in a greatly underrated destination to see a variety of wild animals such as Lions, elephants, antelopes, baboons, water bucks and many more.
When you come to Uganda and never visit Murchison falls then you would have missed the most exciting, never disappointing national Park. It has a variety of animals, includes most of the activities like hiking, tracking, boat cruise and many others. The park has an exciting and beautiful lodges to stay, camp areas and never worried about security.
Murchison Falls National park was established in 1952 and its Uganda’s oldest and largest National park. It was established purposely to promote wildlife conservation and tourism in the pearl of Africa.
The park also ranks as Uganda’s largest national park spreading over 3,893 square kilometers (1,503 sq mi) and is shared by districts of Kiryandongo, Bulisa, Masindi, and Nwoya. Murchison Falls National park is bordered by Lakes Albert and Lake Victoria spreading up to Karuma Falls.
It’s one of the most visited National parks in Uganda due to its high concentration of wildlife which encourages numerous tourist activities and memorable Uganda safari experiences. The park was first visited by John Speke and James Grant in 1862 and later explored by Sir Samuel and Florence Baker from 1863 to 1864. Between 1907 to 1912, the park was infected by sleeping sickness, which led to the evacuation of the then inhabitants. Murchison Falls Park is named after the mighty Murchison Falls, which flows in the heart of the National Park. The park comprises of Budongo forest, Kaniyo Pabidi and Rabongo wildlife reserves which all have unique features to discover. A 3 Days Murchison Falls National park tour is a suitable package to explore this great park.
Vegetation cover & Wildlife in Murchison Falls National Park
Vegetation in Murchison Falls National Park comprises of riverine forest woodlands, savannah grasslands, and swamps. These provide food and habitat for numerous birds and wild animals, which call this savannah park home. The park is home to 76 mammals, 45-0 bird species some of which are endemic to the area.
What to see and do in Murchison Falls National Park
For those traveling to Murchison Falls National Park, the park has an endless list of tourist attractions and activities. The top things to see and do in Murchison Falls National Park include:
Game Viewing (Wildlife)
Being home to a high concentration of wild animals, game viewing is the key tourist activity in Murchison Falls National Park. Day, evening and night game drives help travelers spot numerous animals grazing, browsing and hunting at a close range. Game viewing is well done in the northern part of the national park. Among the animals seen in Murchison falls National park include giraffes, lions, Jackson’s heartbeats, warthogs, Oribis, waterbucks, Uganda kobs, elephants, buffalos, bush pigs, hyenas among others.
Murchison Falls/Boat cruising
The mighty Murchison falls are the iconic attraction in this park. Here travelers witness how the strong river Nile waters squeeze through a 7-meter gorge to fall 43 meters down into the devil’s cauldron forming the waterfall forming a permanent rain. A hike to the top of these falls offers you the best views of the falls, the park, and the neighboring communities. More so, a boat cruise to the bottom of the falls is a not miss for every traveler to Murchison Falls National park. The banks of river Nile shelters water animals (crocodile, hippos plus numerous bird species).
Chimpanzee trekking
Go chimpanzee trekking in Budongo Forest to have a close encounter with the endangered chimpanzees “man’s closest relatives”. Spend an hour in the presence of chimpanzees, embrace their human-like characters as adult females nurse babies like human mothers, adult males guard the family while young ones play continuously keeping the whole family lively. Travelers are advised to keep a distance of seven meters away from chimpanzees, avoid using flashlight cameras, talk on a low tone, keep within their groups and not to trek when sick to avoid the spread of human-wildlife diseases.
Bird watching
Sheltering over 450 birds, Murchison Falls National park is a haven for birders. Some of the notable birds seen in Murchison falls Park include Shoebill, Grey Crowned Crane, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Senegal Thick Knee, Black Headed Lapwing, African Jacana, Palm Nut Vulture, Silver bird, Balck Headed Genolek, Malachite Kingfisher, PiaPiac, Swamp Flycatcher, and Goliath Heron among others. January to March is the best time for birding in Murchison Falls National park but November to April is the best time to see migratory birds in this park.
Community Tours
A tour to the local communities near Murchison falls National park is a not miss! This experience gives you chance to meet and interact with local people who share their lifestyles, cultural beliefs, norms and traditions. The tribes surrounding Murchison Falls National park include the Banyoro in the south, The Acholi in the North west and Alur in the north eastern part of the park.
Getting to and around Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls Park can be accessed by road transport. The distance from Kampala/Entebbe to Murchison Falls National park is roughly 5 hours drive via Masindi. This scenic drive offers travelers with great views of the local farms, tea farms, and communities. Also, endeavor to stop at Zziwa rhino sanctuary in Nakasongola for rhino-tracking en route to Murchison falls Park. Alternatively, short time travelers can use air transport from Kajjansi airstrip to Pakuba airstrip. This is the best option for short time travelers doing a 1 Day Murchison falls National Park tour.
Where to Sleep/Accommodation in Murchison Falls National parks
Travelers to Murchison Falls Park have a variety of excellent lodging facilities offering first-class food and sleeping services at affordable rates. Lodges/camps in Murchison Falls Park are categorized into Budget, midrange, and luxury but services at all remises are excellent.
The top lodges in Murchison Falls National Park are Chobe Safari Lodge, Paraa Safari Lodge, Sambyiya River Lodge, Murchison River Lodge, Pakuba lodge, Geo Lodges Nile Safar Lodge, Rest Chilli Rest Camp, Yebo Safari Camp, UWA Campsite, Murchison Safari Lodge and Budongo eco lodge among others. Well trained and happy team of waiters, waitresses, housekeepers, chefs and bar attendants at each lodge ensure moth service and timely service delivery at all times of day and night as requested by the client.
How to book a Uganda safari to Murchison falls park?
Do you want to book a safari to Murchison Falls Park? No worries Superfine Safaris Limited is at your service. We tailor-make for you a suitable package to Murchison falls to meet your travel expectations and budget. We further book-lodging services for you to ensure safety and comfort. Contact us today, book a Uganda tour to Murchison Falls Park and explore this Uganda; oldest and largest National Park.
People also ask
What is special about Murchison Falls National park?
The mighty Murchison Falls are the special icon for this amazing park. The strong Nile waters which squeeze through a narrow gorge falling down into the devils cauldron with roars is a must see! The falls are considered the strongest in the whole of Africa. Also, the park is known for its hosting a variety of wild animals which include Lions, Giraffes, Uganda kobs, Leopards, Antelopes, waterbucks and Warthogs among others
How much does it cost to go Murchison falls National Park?
The cost for visiting Murchison falls National Park vary depending on different factors. The cost is inclusive of $45 park entrance fees valid for 24 hours, $30 for a boat cruise, $10 hike to the top of the falls, $10 park entrance fee. If you add accommodation, transport, enroute meals, Zziwa rhinos at $50 and driver guide. The estimate cost for a 3 days Murchison Falls Park tour is roughly $1000 per person in a mid-range budget.
Which district is Murchison Falls National park Found?
Murchison Falls National Park is shared between Masindi, Kiryandongo, Nyowa and Bulisa districts. Masindi is the nearest town to Murchison falls National Park and the distance s roughly 72 kilometers.
Why is it called Murchison Falls?
When Sir Samuel Bake visited the park, he named the falls after a geologist Sir Roderick Murchison. Thereafter, the park was also named after the Falls hence the Name Murchison Falls national park. Initially the falls and the park were called Kabalega named after the then Omukama (King) of Bunyoro Kingdom.
How long is it from kampala to Murchison falls National Park?
The distance from Kampala to Murchison Falls National park is 305 kilometers which takes between 5-6 hours of driving. Chikumbanyobo and Masindi southern gates are the easiest routes to access this beautiful Park.
How many days do you need in Murchison falls national park?
Whereas you can even visit the park in one day, the 3 days Murchison falls National park tour is the most recommended. This trip entails 2 nights in the park and giving you chance to engage in different activities such as hiking to the top of the falls, boat cruising to the bottom of the falls and game viewing experience.
Is there a bus to Murchison falls National Park?
NO, there are no buses connecting direct from Kampala to Murchison falls National Park. However, travelers intending to use public transport are advised to board a bus to Masindi town and then board a taxi from Masindi to Murchison falls Park. Altogether, traveling in a public transport from Kampala to Murchison Falls National Park cost between 40 to 50,000 Uganda shillings.
How many gates does Murchison falls National Park have?
Altogether, Murchison falls National Park has six gates connecting to different sections of the park. The gates in the northern sector of the park include Chobe, Mubako, Wankar and Tangi gates. The gates in the southern section of the park are Bugungu and Chichumbanyobo gates. You can therefore use any of the four gates to enter and exit the famous Murchison Falls National park.
How long is a boat cruise in Murchison Falls Park?
The cruise to the bottom of the river and upriver lasts for 3 hours. This time gives you chance to enjoy the cold breeze and scenic views of wild animals and wild water animals seen resting on the river banks. Boat cruising is also a best spot for bird watching in Murchison Falls National park.
With all its treasures, Murchison Falls National park is a natural wonder for Uganda. A variety of animals, birds and travel experiences in this park make it worth visiting by every traveler on a Uganda safari.
