Murchison Falls National Park

Lying in the north of the Albertine rift valley (north western Uganda) is the largest and oldest conservation area hosting about 76 mammals and 451 bird species. It was first gazetted as a game reserve in 1926. Being 3893sq.km, It is comprised of Murchison falls national park, Bugungu wildlife Refugue and Karuma wildlife Refugue.  By mid 1960s, Murchison falls park had become the premier safari destination in all of east Africa with over 60,000 visitors per year. It spreads inland from the shores of Lake Albert around the Victoria Nile. Located in Buliisa district in western Uganda and Nwoya district in the north, Murchison falls national park is situated approximately 300km by road, NW of Kampala – the capital city of Uganda.  The climate is tropical and hot as it’s close to the equator though temperatures are fairly uniform throughout the year. It has two rainy seasons though they are not as pronounced as they are in most of the country’s equatorial regions.

The park also hosts various grasslands, tropical forests, wetlands; wooden savanna and open water covering over 39000ha at an altitude of more than 600m.The mammals in this park include hippos, giraffes, oribi, warthogs and 145 tree species.  It also has credit for one of the best places in Africa to find the shoebill stork. The boat trip on the Victoria Nile is a great start for various water associated birds whereas most migratory birds are present from November to April. It also hosts the big four being the buffalo, elephant, lion, though the rhino is not there yet.

AREAS OF INTEREST

Murchison falls and Karuma falls– Within the park we find the Murchison falls from which the park derives its name. Located in the NE of the park are the Karuma falls in Chobe and its ideal for sport fishing.

River Nile – The Nile River also crosses through into fall ahead of it. A boat cruise along this river is an amazing experience for the nature lovers as it provides a great view of the water mammals like hippos, reptiles like crocodiles and birds. Sports fishing and nature walks along the banks are also possible and provide great satisfaction.

Rabongo and Kaniyo Pabidi forest – In the park are also two forests which harbor the black and white colobus monkeys, olive baboons, and chimps which can be tracked. Elephants, lions, buffalos are also found in Kaniyo forest. This forest has camps, cottages and is good for bird watching.

Budongo forest – Adventure doesn’t stop only in the park, even outside it, there’s a lot to see like the Budongo forest. This lies SW of the parks conservation area. It harbors 24 mammals, over 360 birds, 289 butterflies and 460 plants. Bird watching is highly recommended along the royal mile road and about 800 chimps are present in this forest.

ACTIVITIES

Numerous activities can be carried out in the park giving you a variety to choose from and enjoy.

Launch trips and game drives

Launch trips and game drives provide chance to come across various birds spices like the savannah forest birds, water birds, marabou stork, widow birds and secretary birds. The francolin, hornbills, grey heron, flies catchers and woodpeckers are common in the woodlands and thickets closer to the river. Ducks, geese, stilts and plovers and found at the banks. The shoebill is best sighted in the dry season from January to march.

Hiking

The great landscape and scenery of Murchison falls national park and the rest of the park can be surveyed on foot. Paths through Kaniyo and Rabongo forests provide sightings of various primates and birds while the guided swamp walks offer possible sightings of the shoebill especially when the waters are low. There is also a 45 minute hike to the top of the falls were the magnificent rainbow can be viewed below.

Birding

As for the bird lovers, the morning cruise down the stream is recommended as it provides the best chance in Africa to see the shoebill. The highly oxygenated water of the Nile below the falls provides great challenges to fishers. The Nile perch is common here because of the strong currents and good waters.

ACCOMODATION

Accommodation is available in the national park at affordable rates. There are various lodges like Paara safari lodge, Chobe safari lodge, Murchison lodge and motels like Mataki. All these provide suitable services to the tourists.

Interested in renting a car for a safari to Murchison Falls park, get in touch with us through info@rentacaruganda.com or by talking directly to our car hire reservations helpline +256-200 909199 or WhatsApp us on +256772367972.