Murchison Falls National Park
Adventuring Murchison falls national park which is Uganda’s top largest national park is more of a dream that you always want to have in life. The visit to the hugest national park of Uganda is one of those marvelous and greatest adventurous experience one shouldn’t fail to do while on their trips.
Your travelling expedition to this park will help you appreciate the beauty of various attractions such as the water falls, the exceedingly rich bio diversity and the wild life and later confirm that yes indeed Uganda is the pearl of Africa.
Murchison falls national park is located in the North Western Uganda, approximately a 4 hours drive from Kampala the capital city of Uganda.
Murchison falls national park is bisected by the Victoria Nile in to two parts and it covers 3,893 square kilometers thus the largest national park in Uganda.
MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK
HISTORY
John Speke and James grant were the first Europeans to visit Murchison falls in 1862 though it was much explored by Sir Samuel baker and Florence baker in 1863.
The amazing scenery derived its name Murchison after the death of the president of the royal geographical society but before it was called Kabalega in appreciation of the works of the late omukama Kabalega of Bunyoro kingdom.
WILD LIFE
The park is filled with various wildlife species and it is very near Budongo forest reserve. Murchison falls national park has the largest population of Nile crocodiles and has a number of bird species. The park has over 450 bird species.
Some of the birds to see while in Murchison include the Giant Kingfisher, Great blue Turaco, White-thighed hornbill, Shoe-billed stork and many others.
This park has Albertine endemic birds, water and savanna birds. These birds can easily be spotted during game drives at the boat cruises organized along the lake Albert Nile delta.
In 2010 it was estimated that only 250 giraffes were in the park and over 37 Roth child giraffes were transferred from the north side of the Nile river to the southern side in 2017 thus increasing the number of giraffes in the park. This helped to increase the number of giraffes but Murchison falls national park is more than a place of wonders because its a home to many wildlife species.
CLIMATE
The park has tropical climate which is too hot and humid. Murchison falls national park receives mean annual rainfall which is 1,085mm and receives hot temperatures during day time at 31c. It receives two seasons that is dry and wet season.
The park has two dry seasons and the driest months are December, January and February and this is the best time of visiting the park because the sky is very clear. The dry season makes it easy for tourists to spot animals because the skies are too clear and no mud is around.
The park also has wet seasons that is March to May and some of the wettest months include August, September, October and November.
Activities in Murchison Falls National Park
HIKING MURCHISON FALLS.
Different tourists fail to understand the goodness of hiking. Murchison falls national park is one of those unique parks that will offer you a chance to acknowledge the massive beauty of hiking especially the falls.
The Murchison falls are one of those exclusive things that bring a lot of tourists in this park. This is because its where river Nile squeezes through a 7 meter narrow gorge hence making away to Egypt.
This is one of the most power fall waterfall in the world after Victoria Nile. While hiking at the top it is very good you travel with an experienced guide who will be equipping you with vast knowledge about different encounters like the birds, trees and many others.
The top of the falls is the main hub of adventure t because it exposes to many fascinating things such as the thunderous roar as the water forces its way through the 7 metre gorge before falling below.
Adding to that the mist resulting from the water combines with the sun raise to form nice looking rain bows is completely a nice memory to encounter
Further more there is another place you should not miss is the “crocodile bar.” This place is a home to crocodiles and fish.
This place is too close towards the bottom of the fall and not forgetting is the path that leads down the river or small Uhuru fall before the Murchison falls.
It is also referred to as the white capital of the country due to a numerous rivers every where.
CHIMPANZEE TREKKING IN BUDONGO FOREST
Yes kibale national park is the primate capital of the world but did you know that Murchison falls in its sector of Budongo gives you a chance to enjoy this adventurous activity in advance.
Budongo forest is located south of the park and has three parts of the forest reserve that is to say kaniyo papidi, and Rabongo.
The forest has over 460 species of trees and over 24 mammal species. Chimpanzee Trekking begins with a briefing that opens your mind to different information about the chimpanzees plus rules and regulations to follow while in the forest.
When you are done with a briefing you will then go to track the chimpanzees. When you meet the chimpanzees you are given 1 hour to engage with them.
BIRD WATCHING.
There are plenty of many best birding destinations in Uganda but never fail to have a chance and miss visiting different sectors of Murchison falls national park.
Some of the birding trails in Murchison include Budongo forest, Lake Albert delta and Kaniyo papidi.
These birds include African fish eagle, African Jacana, African skimmer, Black billed wood dove, Black-faced wax bill, beautiful sun bird,Giant kingfisher, Black headed Gonolex, Pied king fisher, Bar breasted fire finch, Quail finch, Malachite king fisher, secretary bird, Swamp fly catcher, shoe bill stork and many other birds.
While on your birding trip in Murchison just know you will be able to sport the red tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys plus different plant and tree species.
GAME DRIVES
One of the interesting and appealing activity to be done in Murchison falls national park is the game drive . Some people may think that a game drive is not exciting at all but let me clear your mind.
Game drives are one of those activities that provide with chances of spending delightful moments as you a sport animals. Murchison falls national park provides both day and night drives . Game drives will help you sport many animals like lions,hyenas, serval cats, leopards and many others.
The park is a home to many antelope species such as bush bucks, Defassa water buck, Bohor reed buck,hartebeest and the Ugandan Kob.
BOAT CRUISE:
One of the must do activities in this incredible park is going on boat cruise, the boat cruise are one of the major ways to supplement on the game drive these boat cruise are under 2 operators , that’s is the one run by the park under Uganda wildlife authority that have different schedules of operations and that is the 11:00am boat this can leave any time to the Bottom of the falls and the evening after Lunch boat cruise that sets off at 2:30 Pm and goes for 2 hours round trip its $35 per person for cruising on the Nile , the second operator are private owned by south African that live in the park as alternative service providers. But all these Boats leave as group boat tours boat still you have the chance to book aprivate boat cruise. That takes around 5 pax. Just to have an exclusive enjoyment all these boats takes you to the bottom of the falls where the chances of seeing the Nile crocodiles are high, Elephants playing in water, duikers and cape Buffallos a long side some leopards that come to the river banks as hunting grounds., don’t ever miss to take this boat cruise once you happen to be in Murchison falls park
FOREST/ NATURE WALKS.
A you completely sure with what it means to hike in the jungle forests as you listen to the sounds of the birds up in the trees,observe the ever green trees and plants. The nature walks are always done from Budongo forest.
Nature walks help tourists appreciate the beauty of nature and also sport a variety of bird species plus the monkey species. African skimmer, Black -billed wood dove, Beautiful sun bird are some of the birds that can be seen while on a nature walk.
Further more some of the monkey species to be seen include black and white colossus monkeys, vervet monkeys, blue monkeys and the red tailed monkeys.
A nature walk is more meaning ful and exciting if its done with the help of a guide. This is all because he will equip you with knowledge about different animals seen .
Different Gates Used to Access Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison falls national park has various entrance gates that various people from different areas can pass through in order to access the park. These gates include
Tangi gate
This is found in the eastern parts of the park near Packwach bridge very much suitable for people coming from the Eastern sides of Uganda.
Kichumbanyobo gate
This is the most commonly used entrance point because it provides access to people from Kampala and those from Masindi. It is located in the southern parts of the park.
Bugungu gate
This gate is found in the south eastern part of the park and provides access to people from bugungu wildlife reserve.
Chobe gate
It is located in north eastern part of the park and is more appropriate for people coming from the north and those from kidepo valley national park.
Mubako gate
The gate is situated on the southern boundary of the park and offers easy access to people from the western side.
Getting to Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison falls national park can be accessed by different alternatives. The park can be accessed by either road or air .
By road.
It is a 5 hrs and 30 mins from Kampala to Murchison falls national park. If you a not on self drive then resort to booking with any trusted tour company like Active African vacation.
By air .
To reach Murchison falls national park you can board a flight from Entebbe or Kajjansi to smaller air strips in Pakuba or Bugungu so that you access the park.
Best Time to Visit Murchison Falls National Park
Visiting Murchison falls national park is all year round. Many people decide to visit areas basing on the suitable time.
The best time of visting Murchison falls national park is the dry season. The dry season is the best time to visit since the roads are not slippery thus easy movements of the cars from one place to another. The park is not filled with mud.
All activities will be carried out with easy since you will not need to worry about rain.
However other people can also visit in the wet season. The only good thing about the wet season is that prices of some things are reduced.
Where to Stay in Murchison Falls National Park
There are a plenty of hotels, lodges, camping sites both in and out side Murchison falls national park. These help the tourists to enjoy their safaris and these include.
PARA SAFARI LODGE (LUXURY)
This is one of the oldest lodges and a re known one in Murchison falls national park. The lodge is one that provides luxury options to clients.
It has 53 luxury self contained and properly organized rooms thus making accommodation very simple. This lodge offers a variety of quality services for instance swimming pool, restaurants with tasty delicious meals and many others. The lodge serves both local and international meals.
Nile safari lodge (MID RANGE)
This is another very nice lodge you can visit while on your trip in Murchison. It is found near the western boundary of the park and surrounded by a papyrus forest. The lodge is more convenient for mid range clients.
You will be able to view the Nile while at this park and it offers good tasty meals and nice accommodation places.
The lodges has nice rooms plus bar and restaurant. To get a room at this lodge is 1500 USD to 2500 USD Per person full board.
RED CHILLI REST CAMP (BUDGET)
This is sometimes referred to as para rest camp built in the southern section of river Nile.
This is a budget option but offering extremely nice services. The lodge offers a wide range of extra ordinary services like nice and delicious meals , bar and camp fire. You can see birds , antelopes. Warthog since the park is too close to Murchison falls national park
SAMBIYA RIVER LODGE.(LUXURY)
It is located in the central parts of the park and only 20 minute drive from the top of falls.
Sambiya river lodge is a family run eco lodge found in the heart of Murchison falls national park providing very nice accommodation places and nice foods. This lodge is an excellent base for many activities thus offering good time to tourists.