Murchison Falls National Park covers an area of 3840 square kilometres, thus making it Uganda’s largest park. It forms part of the vast Murchison Falls Conservation Area that also covers the Karuma Falls Wildlife Reserve and Bugungu Wildlife Reserve.
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The northern sector of Murchison Falls National Park is largely composed of extensive savanna grassland and Borassus palms, acacia trees, and riverine woodland, whereas the southern sector features woodland and forest cover. This park derived its name from Murchison Falls, which features one of the most powerful waterfalls in the world. It comes with a mighty roar as it squeezes itself into a narrow gorge of about 8 meters before plunging about 43 meters.
Murchison Falls National Park is situated in northwestern Uganda and features a huge concentration of wildlife species, including African elephants, lions, buffaloes, leopards, hippos, crocodiles, giraffes, and warthogs. Over 451 bird species are present, ranging from an easy variety of water birds, including the rare shoe-billed stork, dwarf kingfisher, Goliath heron, white-thighed hornbill, and great blue Turaco, among others.
Activities to do in Murchison Falls National Park
Game drive
Game viewing is a popular safari activity offered in Murchison Falls National Park. Game drives in this park take you through the Buligi game trail on the northern bank. Wildlife viewing in Murchison Falls National Park gets you the best sights of wildlife species. African bush elephants, buffaloes, lions, and leopards if you are lucky enough, as well as warthogs, giraffes, bushbucks, duikers, Uganda Kobs, Oribis, and many bird species Game drives usually take you to the Buligi Peninsula and the heart of Murchison Falls National Park.
Boat trip
A launch cruise or boat ride in Murchison Falls National Park takes you to view Nile crocodiles, hippos, and many water birds, including fish eagles, kingfishers, and others. This exciting water sport lasts about 3 hours and has rewarding sights.
Bird watching
Murchison Falls National Park is home to over 451 bird species, which makes it one of Uganda’s most significant birding sites. A birding tour in Murchison Falls National Park allows you to spot out birds such as shoebill stork, giant kingfisher, long-headed kingfisher, osprey, grey-headed kingfisher, long-toed plover, black-headed lapwing, African darter, Abyssinian ground bill, rock pratincole, yellow fronted tinker bird, black-billed barbet, veracious dove, giant heron, swamp flycatcher, African jacana, secretary bird, saddle billed stork, Senegal thick-knee, red-winged grey warbler, red-throated bee-eater a mention but a few.
Hiking/nature walks
Murchison Falls National Park is best explored while on a nature walk. A nature walk gets you close to nature, especially around the Kaniyo Pabidi and Rabongo forests. This gets you the best sights of varied birds and primates, among others.
Sport fishing
Sport fishing in Murchison Falls National Park is one of the best water sports for you to embark on while on a Uganda safari. It is such a thrilling water sports experience that gives you a chance to challenge yourself with heavy fish species that weigh about 20 kilograms, 60 kilograms, and even 108 kilograms.
Cultural encounters
A visit to the Mubako community gets you the best of an African cultural encounter. This is one of the remotest areas around Murchison Falls National Park. This village features traditional thatched huts and deals in wooden sculptures and handwoven items, as well as offering you a chance to enjoy the experiential dances and music performances.
You may also take part in other exciting safari activities, including chimpanzee tracking, which is conducted within Budongo Forest. There are many habituated chimpanzees in this area.
Hike to the top of the falls.
A hike to the scenic Murchison Falls gets you the best of the powerful roar of this natural wonder. Murchison Falls is one of the most powerful waterfalls in the world. At the top of the falls, catch a glimpse as it squeezes itself into a narrow gorge of 7 meters before dropping down about 43 meters. For those who will embark on a boat ride, you can be dropped off at the bottom of the falls and hike through the designated trail or drive from the southern side of the park to the top of the falls.
Accommodation facilities in Murchison Falls National Park
Accommodation options in Murchison Falls National Park include the Nile Safari Camp and Lodge, Red Chili Rest Camp, Paraa Safari Lodge, Masindi Hotel, Chobe Lodge, Baker’s Lodge, Murchison River Lodge, Bwana Tembo Safari Camp, Fort Murchison, Sambiya River Lodge, Pakuba Safari Lodge, Heritage Safari Lodge, Shoebill Campsite, and many more.
How to get to Murchison Falls National Park
By road, Murchison Falls National Park can be reached within a 4–5 hours’ drive of Kampala along the Luweero–Masindi route. By air, you can take a flight from Entebbe airport or Kajjansi airfield and land on an airstrip north of the Nile at Pakuba or south of the Nile at Bugungu.