Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park, formerly known as Kabalega National Park, is the oldest national park in Uganda. The park is the oldest and largest safari savannah park in Uganda, first gazetted as a wildlife reserve in 1926 and later gazetted as a national park in 1952. The park is a beautiful Ugandan national park with 76 mammal species, about 451 bird species, and a thunderous waterfall, which is the loudest in the whole world.
Murchison Falls National Park Location
The park is located about 305 km north of Kampala in the Masindi district. The park lies at the northern end of the Albertine Rift Valley and is dissected by the Victoria Nile on the River Nile, which plunges 45 m over the remnant rift valley wall, thus creating the very dramatic Murchison Falls.
Attractions in Murchison Falls Park
There are a number of attractions in the park that travellers can visit and do on their much-anticipated Uganda safari tour in the beautiful park. Below are some of the most amazing Murchison Falls National Park attractions that shall keep you busy while on your Murchison safari tour:
Animals in the park
It is the park that has travellers moving from far and wide to have an encounter with the various animals in the park. With about 76 mammal species, game drives in the park are the most rewarding, giving travellers an opportunity to see the various animals in the park. The most common animals in the park that travellers can see include elephants, buffaloes, hippos, Nile crocodiles, lions, giraffes, and hartebeests, among so many others.
Murchison Falls
To some travellers, it is the Murchison Falls which is the main attraction that brings several travellers to the Murchison Falls park. The Falls, from which the park derives its name, is a 7-metre-wide gorge with a 45 m high waterfall whose big splashing creates the spectacular Murchison Falls. Even from a far distance, you can hear the thunderous waterfalls as the waters squeeze through the 7 m-wide gorge, making the Falls the loudest waterfall in the world. Launching cruises to the bottom of the falls and top-of-the-falls hikes are activities which will have you appreciating the falls and their surroundings.
Birds
Murchison Falls Park birds can be a reason for visiting the park. There are over 450 bird species recorded in the park, which you can spot on birding safaris in the park. Some of the birds in the park that you may see on birding safaris include the Abyssinian birds, yellow-footed flycatchers, and shoebill storks, among many others.
Murchison Falls National Park activities
With several attractions in the Park, there are activities that travellers can do in the park, and they include
Game drives
The woodland and savannah plains of Murchison Falls National Park are a great place for game drives to see the various animals in Murchison Falls National Park. Game drives in Murchison Falls National Park have travellers driving through the savannah plains to see the wild game in the park, like cape buffaloes, elephants, lions, giraffes, warthogs, hippos, lions, and Jackson’s hartebeests, among so many others. Game drives in the park can take place the whole day, with the morning and evening game drives being the most rewarding.
Boat safaris
Boat safaris in the park begin at the Paraa landing area, which is where the Nile River pours into Lake Albert, taking travellers to the bottom of the falls. Boat safaris in Murchison Falls Park have you viewing a variety of wildlife like the Nile crocodiles, waterbucks, buffaloes, elephants, fish eagles, and so many others.
Hot air balloon safaris
Hot air balloon safaris have you floating through the savannah plains of the park, giving you a bird’s-eye view of the park and its inhabitants.
Birdwatching
Birdwatching is an activity you can enjoy in the park, taking you through well-developed trails and spots perfect for birding. Some of the birds you shall see include the green-winged ptyilia, black-headed batis, and bluff-bellied warbler, among so many others. Be sure to carry your pair of binoculars and make use of a bird guide.
Nature walks and hiking to the top of the falls can also be done in the park and can thus be included in your safari itinerary.
When to visit Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park’s weather and climate are favourable to allow Uganda safari tours all year round. The best time to visit the park, however, according to a number of travellers, is during the dry season, which is also the peak season of travel in Uganda, that is, in the months of June to September and December to February. The wet season is, however, a good time to visit the park, especially for birding safaris.
Getting to Murchison Falls National Park
The park is located northwest of Kampala, spreading through the districts of Masindi, Kiryandongo, and Nwoya. Getting to the park can be done by both road and air. By road, Murchison Falls National Park is about 5-6 hours from Kampala, with most travellers making stops at the famous Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for rhino tracking experiences. By air, travellers can book flights from Entebbe or Kajjansi to any of the available airstrips in the park, say, Chobe airstrip.
Accommodation in the Park
The park accommodation varies according to one’s budget, ranging from luxury to mid-range to budget or basic options. The various accommodations in the park can be found both inside and outside the park, and travellers can book or have a tour operator book for them according to their budget options and preferences. Some of the accommodations in the park that you may choose from include Chobe Safari Lodge, which hosted Kanye West and Kim Kardashian West; the Nile Safari Lodge; Paraa Safari Lodge; Boomu Women’s Group Bandas; Parkside Safari Lodge; Murchison River Lodge; and Pakuba Safari Lodge, among so many others.
The park is a great savannah national park of Uganda that you can visit for as short as even a 3 days Murchison Falls National Park safari, or you can even spend days or combine it with other Uganda safari destinations like Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for Uganda gorilla trekking safaris. Reach out to a trusted tour operator to help you piece together an amazing Uganda wildlife safari tour package to Murchison Falls National Park and beyond.
Conclusion
Murchison Falls National Park is one of the best-kept secrets of Uganda, a land where the mighty Nile River converges with a wealth of wildlife and bird life. From the ear-splitting din of the falls to the peaceful wetlands and extensive grasslands, the entire park is a window into the lushness of Uganda’s natural culture. If you’re enticed by the potential to see the legendary Shoebill Stork, go on a Nile boat safari, or just breathe in the wild beauty of Africa, Murchison Falls guarantees an adventure unlike any other.
