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Nestled at the northern end of the Albertine Rift Valley where sweeping Bunyoro escarpment merge in a vast, palm dotted savannah. Murchison Falls National Park spanning approximately 3893 square kilometers is bisected by the mighty Victoria Nile in to the Southern Bank and Northern Bank where wildlife teems up with stunning Landscapes. From the thunderous Murchison falls to vast savannah home to Africa’s iconic wildlife, Murchison Falls offer the best African safari experience that will last a lifetime.
Located in northwestern Uganda covering some parts of Masindi, Buliisa,Kiryandongo , Pakwach, Nwoya districts. It is the largest and oldest National Park in Uganda covering an area of 3893 square kilometers with five wildlife reserves : Bugungu,Karuma,Ajai, East Madi and Kabwoya Wildlife Reserves.
In 1908, there occurred a tsetse fly outbreak on the southern bank that caused sleeping sickness in humans and Nagana in animals which led to the eviction of people from the affected areas and gazetted as Bunyoro Game Reserve.
In 1926, the tsetse fly infestation had extended on the northern bank leading to the eviction of people occupying the area and gazetted as Bunyoro-Gulu Game Reserve.
With the enactment of National parks Act let to the establishment of Murchison Falls National Park in 1952 along with Queen Elizabeth National Park.
The name Murchison Falls National park was derived from the Mighty Murchison Falls the world’s most powerful waterfalls where the water volume from Victoria Nile squeezes through a narrow gorge of 8 meters and falling at 45 meters. They were named by Sir Samuel Baker on his Exploration journey to discover the source of River Nile from Mediterranean sea.
After discovering the falls, he named them Murchison Falls in recognition to sir Rodrick Murchison then President of Royal Geographical Society, who had sent him on this exploration Journey.
After Iddi Amin Dada overthrew the Obote Government in 1971, he decided to rename the falls, Kabalega Falls and Kabalega Falls National Park to recognize Omukama Kabalega of Bunyoro in his fight against British Colonialism. He used decrees thus regaining the famous name after his overthrow in 1979.
Murchison Falls is the iconic landmark of Murchison Falls National Park where the Victoria Nile from a stretch of 80 kilometers of water rapids squeeze through a narrow gorge of 7-8 meters wide and falling at a height of 45 meters deep before calmly continuing to flow to Lake Albert.
This thunderous roar of the falls and a rainbow that forms only in the presence of sunshine offer rewarding moments to connect with nature along the warm shower from the vapor.
You can take a long hike along the Baker trail to have the scenic view of Murchison falls and Uhuru falls which were formed after the 1962 floods costing $20.
Wildlife
The park boasts of its diversity in wildlife which makes it a must visit destination visitors.
Home to 76 mammals species including lions, leopards, elephants, Buffaloes, Nubian Giraffes, Hyenas, Jackals , water bucks, Jackson’s Hartebeest among others. An encounter with this animals in the wild is more than a game drive but beautiful memories that will last a lifetime.
Home to 451 bird species. Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, carmine bee eaters, shoebill storks, Vultures, Kingfishers, Secretary Bird, African Dater, African skimmers, Pelicans are some species of birds you will encounter in Murchison Falls National Park. With this variety of birds, Murchison Falls National park is one of the Important Birding Areas and best Africa birding destination for bird enthusiasts .
Murchison Falls National Park offers the best sightings for Hippos, Nile crocodiles along the Victoria Nile on a boat cruise which is rewarding for all visitors. Aquatic birds like African Darters can also be spotted on the boat cruise.
Murchison falls National Park is divided in to two parts by the Victoria Nile which is a natural boundary. The river is home to hippos and Nile crocodiles. A boat cruise to the bottom of the falls is a must do for every tourist to experience the best views, serenity and ambience.
Part of Budongo Forest is attached to Park thus under the park Management. The forest is home to the chimpanzees, black and quite colobus monkeys among others, home to unique forest birds like the cholate kingfishers making it an Important Birding Area.
You can explore the vibrant savannah of the northern bank of Victoria Nile to spot the diverse wildlife like Elephants, Bufalloes, Lions, Leopards, Giraffes, Water bucks, Jackson’s Hartebeest, Uganda Kobs among others. Enjoy the acacia woodlands along the Borassus palm trees. More than on a game drive is highly recommended and in the morning and evening . This increases your chances of spotting more wildlife and even unique ones like the elusive leopards. The game drives are done along the various tracks like Victoria Track, Queens, Track, Pakuba track, Buligi Track, common weath Cictoria, Research 1&2 track among others
Going on a boat cruise is one of the best decisions to make. Sailing on the Victoria Nile to the Bottom of the falls will offer you an opportunity to spot more wildlife you might have missed on a game drive like schools of hippos in water, Nile Crocodiles basking on the banks on the hot afternoon. If you love birds then this is a best spot for some birds like Red Throated Bee-eaters, African Darters, African Skimmers among others
For adventure seekers a hike to the top of the falls is highly recommended as it offers you the best panoramic view of the Murchison and Uhuru falls. The hike is done a long the Baker trail which was used by Sir Samuel Baker to hike to top of the falls after we moved from the canoe.
In Budongo forest you have an opportunity to track the Chimpanzees for visitors who have limited time and have visited Murchison Falls National park. As you trek through the forest, you can see the other primates like black and white colobus monkeys. Watching the chimpanzees play, groom the infants, use tools like stones to crack the nuts, sticks and grass to fish ants, pods to take water. Its fascinating to see these primates whom we share 98.8 % genes.
With over 451 bird species, Murchison is a must visit destination for bird watchers. With some species like Gray Hornbills, Abysinian Ground hornbills, Secretary birds, Vultures, Carmine bee eaters, pied King fishers, Bustard birds, African fish eagles among others.
Murchison Falls National Park offers wide range of accommodations both inside and outside the park . varies on the budget you have.
Murchison River Lodge
Redchili Rest Camp
Heritage Safari Lodge
The best time to visit Murchison Falls National Park id June-August and December February during the dry seasons with limited cover . this makes it easy to spot wildlife. Also during this time, the water is scarce so animals congregate near water points making them easy to spot.
October- November and March – May are wet season months which make some tracks challenging to navigate. Bird watching can be done during these months especially migratory species. Also ideal for visitors who don’t like the congestion.
Murchison Falls National Park is accessible through out the year.
Murchison falls is approximately 305km from Kampala the Capital city for Uganda.
You can access Murchison by via Kampala-Bombo- Nakaongola-Kafu- Masindi Road. Its 305km and from Masindi town to Kichumbanyobo Gate is 16km and 86km to the Victoria Nile. You have diversion at Kaniyo Pabidi for chimpanzee tracking in a section Budongo Forest, top of falls.
You can also enter through Bugungu and Mubaku Gates when you are coming from Buliisa Town.
Another route is Kampala -Karuma-Packach Road and enter through Tangi gate .
Pakuba Airfield,19km from North Paara, can be reached using chartered aircaft from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi near Kampala. Chobe airstrip east and Bugungu to the south of Paara.
Murchison Falls National Park offers a unique blend of dramatic landscapes, abundant wildlife and rich cultural experiences . whether you are on the boat cruise along the Nile, tracking chimpanzees in Budongo forest or witnessing the sheer power of Murchison falls, the park promises memories that will last a lifetime.
Ready to embark on your adventure to Murchison Falls National Park? Contact us today to tailor your unforgettable safari experience.