Uganda prominent landmark that has captivated many tourists heart who get to set foot on this blessed Mother Nature land.
The serene beauty comprises of vegetation, wildlife and other breath taking physical landscape creating rich bio diversity. It is ranked as the largest and oldest national park in Uganda. Murchison falls national park derives its name from the magnificent Murchison falls renowned for being the most powerful falls in Uganda.
Murchison falls national park is strategically located in the north western part of Uganda at the northern end of the Albertine rift valley spreading to Victoria Nile up to the Karuma falls. The park occupies an area of 3893 sq.km and it's situated in the district of Buliisa, Nyowa and Masindi.
Murchison was established in 1952 but before in 1926 it was a game reserve.
This incredible national park can be accessed by both road and air and this depend on the tourist preference and the size of his or her wallet. The starting point of your journey will determine the route and gate to use while accessing this prime safari destination.
Visitors beginning their journey from Kampala and pass via Masindi in their private vehicle to Murchison falls national park. Those using the northern gate can pass via Kampala – Pakwach route crossing the Nile at Karuma falls. It takes a travel distance of 305km and a travel time of 4-5 hrs.
There are many gates to use and routes since Murchison falls is considered the largest and the travellers location should be looked through. Gates include Chobe Wankwar, Mubako and Tangi gates north of the Nile.
Tourists using the southern gate pass through the greenery Budongo forest having a clear view of other numerous features crossing Lake Albert towards Congo Mountains.
Luxury travel is by use of air and flights are arranged through Uganda aviation from Entebbe international Airport or the prominent Kajjansi airfield.
The park consists of innumerable airfields for proper landing and these include; Pakuba in the north, Paara and Bugungu in the south close to the falls and Chobe in the East of the park.
Murchison falls national park is supper blessed and has adequate to offer to travels who get to include it on their travel bucket list. The beauty of the park ranges from the vast savannah vegetation, physical land scape and other popping eye catching phenomenon that cannot be traced elsewhere. A trip to Uganda without visiting the mesmerizing Murchison Falls shouldn't be counted and shouldn't be considered memorable.
The falls are positioned in the heart of the park in the north western part of Uganda. The falls were named by the famous Geologist called Sir Samuel Baker in 1864. This makes it the great national park since the park derives its name from this thunderous and powerful land mark of the park.
The thrilling and exciting experience is offered to those that get a chance to stand at the top of the falls or experience a boat cruise at the Nile River. Tourists get to observe the Nile River as the water penetrates through the 7m wide narrow gorge forming beautiful sights of the rainbow as it surges and pours into a 43m plunge pool.
The strong fight between water and rocks creates interesting natural chills in the body of visitors.
What a safari without encountering the wild game in their natural habitat. The park is rewarded with the four big five mammals which include lion, Buffalo, Leopard and elephant. It is believed to provide a home to over 76 mammals which are mostly spotted in the Buligi plain and the savannah woodland areas of the park.
Other animals spotted include; warthogs, Rothschild giraffe, waterbuck, Uganda kob, antelopes, hippos among others.
Murchison falls National Park is ranked among the famous bird paradise in Uganda. The natural greenery consisting of Kaniyo pabidi and Budongo forest has created a peaceful home for these flying creatures.
Different diverse bird species spotted include; Gonolek, Shoe bill stork, Goliath bird, yellow king fisher, white thighed ground hornbill among others.
Primate species are also spotted in Murchison falls national park. The visibility of these creatures while engaging in their forest daily work is astonishing.
Spotted primates include; Olive baboon, black and white colobus monkey, blue and red-tailed monkey and Chimpanzee in Budongo forest.
There are plenty of activities for tourists to engage in during their visit at Murchison falls national park as mentioned below.
There are two types of cruising along the Nile River such as the bottom of falls cruise and Albert delta boat cruise. At the bottom of cruise visitors get to experience an epic water breeze as the boat sail at the Nile, water grants clear view of the aquatic life like hippos, Nile crocodile, aquatic birds like egrets and additional view of Nyamusika cliff and other wild life at the shores quenching their thirsty like elephants and buffaloes.
The second cruise starts at the Paara and proceeds close to the plunge pool continuing down to the stream and later splits as it approaches the floating island of papyrus zone. This papyrus zone is considered a birding haven.
Boat cruise can be carried out during morning and afternoon/evening hours.
This activity is considered a full time experience which involves spotting of wild game while in a private vehicle under the guidance of a ranger guide. It can be carried out during morning and evening hours.
The ranger guide provides necessary information about the park tracks, wildlife, physical features as well point out the best hiding location of the game. Species spotted in this savannah national park include buffaloes, elephants, leopards, hippos, antelopes, waterbucks, Rothschild giraffe, warthogs, Uganda kob among others.
Most creatures are spotted in the Albert, Victoria and Buligi plain tracks.
The park is rewarded among the best birders haven with over 556 bird species. This savannah park comprises of different forests that nests these creatures. These birds are classified into aquatic/ water birds, savannah birds and Albertine rift endemic birds.
Species sighted include African Jacana, beautiful sun bird, Gonolek, Abyssinian Ground hornbill, African Skimmer, Black - Headed Batis, Black – aced Waxbill, Secretary bird, Swamp fly catcher among others.
Bird watching is carried out year round though the dry season is the best rewarding.
Plan a trip to Murchison Falls national park and the more days of the Safari the more experience gained.