MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK 

Murchison Falls National Park is a popular Uganda Safari destination located in Northern Uganda, this park is formerly known as Kabalega National Park – named after the former king of Bunyoro Kingdom. 

At a size of 3,893, Murchison Falls National Park is the largest protected area in Uganda. The park is named after Murchison Falls – the most powerful waterfall in the world, these beautiful falls are formed as a result of Nile River crashes through a narrow gorge resulting into a stunning display of Murchison Falls which is one of the natural wonders. 

Murchison Falls National Park is situated in the northern section of the Albertine Rift Valley where the massive Bunyoro escarpment meets the vast palm-dotted savannah of the extensive Acholi plains. Murchison Falls National Park is part of the Great Murchison Falls Conservation Area which includes Bugungu Wildlife Reserve (782 square kilometers), Budongo Forest Reserve (825 square kilometers) and Karuma Wildlife Reserve (720 square kilometers).

History of Murchison Falls National Park 

Murchison Falls National Park was first gazetted during the first half of the 20th century making the oldest protected area in Uganda, the reserve was a hunting playground for the wealthy. In 1909, President Theodre Roosevelt famously paid to visit to the region as part of the most lavish hunting safari of all the time. At the end of his year-long trip across East Africa which is named as The Smithsonian – Roosevelt Africa Expendition. At the end of this expendition, he had killed and collected 11,400 specimens for the Smithsonian Institution. 

In the mid-century, hunting activites became more regulation and the animal population in the park recovered.  

Murchison Falls from which the park gets its name was named by Sir Samuel Baker after the geologist Roderick Murchison, the president of the Royal Geographical Society in the 1860s. 

Murchison Falls 

Murchison Falls located in the heart of Murchison Falls National Park is the most striking feature in the park, this awe-inspiring natural wonder is the most powerful waterfall in the world formed as the Nile River squeezes through a narrow gorge before plunging over a 43-meter high cliff creating a thunderous roar that can be heard from miles. 

The sight of the water cascading down the falls is truly breathtaking offers visitors a chance to witness the most impressive representation of raw power of nature. 

Wildlife in Murchison Falls National Park 

Murchison Falls National Park boasts over 76 Uganda mammal species including 4 of the Big Five (lions, leopards, cape buffaloes and elephants), the park is also home to the world’s largest population of Rothschild giraffe.

Other animals inhabiting in Murchison Falls National Park include waterbucks, Uganda kobs, hyenas, hippos, crocodiles, jackson’s hartebeests, Deffasa waterbucks, Oribi, common warthogs, bushbucks, bohor reedbucks, grey duikers. 

Murchison Falls National Park is also home to various species of primates found in the forest areas, these include Patas monkeys, olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys and chimpanzees among others. 

Birdlife in Murchison Falls National Park 

Murchison Falls National Park is a great birding destination hosting a spectacular profusion of birdlife with over 451 recorded bird species inhabiting in the forests, swamps, riverine woodland and plam dotted savannah plains. These birds include Albertine rift endemic birds, water birds and savannah birds. 

Birds found in Murchison Falls National Park include Shoe bill, African Darter, Giant Kingfisher, Osprey, Long-toed Plover, Grey-headed Kingfisher, Veracious Dove, Black-headed Lapwing, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Rock Pratincol, Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird, Black-billed Barbet, Long-tailed Nightjarbird, Weaver Birds, Yellow-billed Stork, Martial Eagle, Silver bird, Gray crowned crested crane, Sandpipers, Pied Kingfishers, Standard-winged Nightjar, Malachite Kingfishers, Blue-headed Coucal, Denham’s Bustard, Swamp Flycatcher, Giant Heron, African Jacana, Secretary Bird, Read-throated Bee eater, Saddle-billed stork, Senegal Thick-Knee and Red winged Grey Warbler among others. 

SAFARI ACTIVITIES TO MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK 

GAME DRIVES 

The iconic game drives in Murchison Falls National Park are the most incredible Uganda safari activity offering visitors a chance to explore the savannah plains of the park and enjoy sightings of various species of animals. 

Game drives start in the early morning at around 6.30 am and early evening at around 4.00 pm, typically game drives last around 3-4 hours and start at Paraa, night game drives in Murchison Falls National Park last for 2 hours and visitors get to spot night creatures such as lions, leopards, spotted hyenas and serval cats among others. 

Game drives in Murchison Falls National Park are done in a 4x4 safari van n or 4x4 land cruiser and mainly done on the northern sector of the park on the Buligi Peninsular, game drives are also sone in the Southern sector famously known as the heart of Murchison. 

Animals to lookout during game drives in Murchison Falls National Park include lions, leopards, warthogs, herds of buffaloes, warthogs, giraffes, bushbucks, waterbucks, crocodiles, reedbuck, duikers, oribi, Jackson’s hartebeests’ primates such as patas monkeys, olive baboons among others. 

LAUNCH TRIPS 

Launch Trips /boat cruise is a thrilling experience lasting 3 hours at Paraa Jetty and is a highlight for a Uganda safari to Murchison Falls National Park, boat cruise normally starts in the afternoon and takes you along the African stretch of the Nile fringed by Borassus palms, acacia woodland and mahogany trees. 

On the boat cruise, you will be able to see lots of birds such as spoonbills, herons, kingfishers, brightly colored bee – eaters among others. 

CHIMPANZEE TREKKING 

Chimpanzee trekking in Murchison Falls National Park is done within the verdant forests of Budongo forest which is one of the best chimpanzee trekking destinations in Uganda, the forest is home to over 600 chimpanzees with some families under research and have been habituated for the past 30 years. 

Chimpanzee trekking in Budongo Forest allows you to spend one hour in the presence of these beautiful primates which are our closet relatives, watch them make nests and as they play and fly from one branch to another. 

Chimpanzee trekking permit in Budongo Forest currently cost USD 100 per person for chimpanzee habituation experience and USD 40 per person for a primate walk. 

BIRD WATCHING 

Murchison Falls National Park is a great birding destination with 450 bird species and is named among the 9 best birding spots in Africa by the Africa Bird Guide, bird watching in Murchison Falls National Park can be done while on game drive, launch trips and nature walks. 

The park comprises of valid bird habitats offering visitors opportunities to watch forest birds, savannah waters and a few Albertine rift endemics. 

Birds to lookout for in Murchison Falls National Park on a birding excursion include Shoe bill, African Darter, Giant Kingfisher, Osprey, Long-toed Plover, Grey-headed Kingfisher, Veracious Dove, Black-headed Lapwing, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Rock Pratincol, Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird, Black-billed Barbet, Long-tailed Nightjarbird, Weaver Birds, Yellow-billed Stork, Martial Eagle, Silver bird, Gray crowned crested crane, Sandpipers, Pied Kingfishers, Standard-winged Nightjar among others. 

CULTURAL TOURS 

Cultural tours in Murchison Falls National Park are done on communities situated along the borders of the park such as the Boomu Women’s Group, on these tours you will be entertained by the thrilling dances and drama, visit the crafts shop and experience the traditional lifestyle of the locals. 

NATURE WALKS & HIKES 

Nature walks and hiking in Murchison Falls National Park are done on several trails running through the park, this activity offers visitors a chance to explore the forest on foot and spot various forest creatures. These trails run through the Rabongo and Kaniyo Pabidi forest where you will see many species of birds and primates.  

WHEN TO VISIT MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK 

Murchison Falls National Park is an excellent all year round, however the best time to visit for an incredible safari experience is during the dry season months that is from December to February and June to September. 

During these months, the vegetation cover is less making sightings of easy, also because most watering holes dry up. Animals congregate at the remaining water holes in large numbers thus easy sightings of them. Also, routes used during game viewing are relatively dry thus easy navigation. 

HOW TO GET TO MURCHISION FALLS NATIONAL PARK 

Murchison Falls National Park can be accessed by road and air, Murchison Falls National Park can be accessed through the two Southern entrance gates that is Kichumbanyobo Gate 

By road – From Kampala to Murchison Falls National Park, it is about 4-5 hours via Masindi route of 282 kilometers or 5hours – 30 minutes via Kampala – Hoima Road.

By Air – There are chartered and domestic flights from Kajjansi Airstrip or Entebbe International Airport to Chobe Airstrip. 

WHERE TO STAY IN MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK 

There is a range of accommodations in Murchison Falls National Park from budget, midrange to luxury, this great diversity of accommodation options caters for all travelers irrespective of their safari budget. These accommodations include 

Paraa Safari Lodge 

Chobe Safari Lodge 

Nile Safari Lodge

Parkside Safari Lodge 

Pakuba Safari Lodge

Murchison River Lodge 

Fort Muchison Safari Lodge

RedChill Rest Camp