Murchison Falls National Park is among Uganda’s top-tier tourism hotspots, which is situated in the northwestern part of the country. Of the 10 national parks in Uganda, Murchison Falls National Park is the largest, with an approximate size of 3,877 square kilometers. Murchison Falls National Park is situated at the northern end of the Albertine Rift Valley.
What to see in Murchison Falls National Park?
Murchison Falls National Park’s vast nature is filled with several attractions of both flora and fauna, which are very interesting to the visitors who flock to the park from all walks of life. Some of these attractions include the following.
Habitats in Murchison Falls National Park
The prominent wildlife habitats found in Murchison Falls National Park include tropical forests, wetlands, savannah woodland, savannah grassland, and open waters. The habitats have distinct floras, including over 425 plant species. They include whistling acacia, desert date, and Borassus palm tree, etc. The grasslands are covered by star grass, thatching grass, tick berry, hippo grass, treedax daisy, sticking weed, and devil horsewhip, etc.
Waterfalls
The most powerful waterfalls in the world are known as Murchison Falls, which are found along the Nile River inside the park. Murchison Falls is known by the locals as Kabalega Falls. This crosses between the national park to create the northern and southern banks of the Nile River, specifically along the Victoria Nile section.
The Victoria Nile flows for about 80 km through the park. At the waterfalls, the waters of the Nile River squeeze through a narrow (6 m) gorge to tumble down over 45 meters to the base. That is where the waters produce roaring sounds. However, from here, the water is relatively calm as it proceeds until it pours into Lake Albert at around the Delta.
Wildlife species in Murchison Falls National Park
Wildlife in Murchison Falls National Park is plentiful throughout, comprising 76 mammal species. The mammals include cape buffalo, African elephant, Rothschild’s giraffe, waterbuck, warthog, bushbuck, spotted hyena, lions, leopard, hippo, and Jackson’s hartebeest, etc. There are several primates found in Murchison Falls National Park, including olive baboons, chimpanzees, and vervet monkeys, etc.
There are 451 bird species, including Albertine endemics, migratory species, aquatic species, and forest-specific species etc. The most notable bird species include shoebill stork, pied kingfisher, African fish eagle, Abyssinian ground hornbill, and Pel’s fishing owl, etc. Other bird species to see include the black-headed lapwing, goliath heron, black headed gonolek, whistling cisticola, and eastern plantain-eater, among others.
Weather & climate in Murchison Falls National Park
The climate in Murchison Falls National Park is described as tropical with hot and humid conditions throughout the year. The average humidity here is around 60%, with annual temperatures ranging between 22 to 29 oC. In terms of weather, Murchison Falls National Park is wetter in the east than the west. There is a wet season running from March to May and from September to November. The park receives between 1,100-1,500 mm of rainfall per year.
How to get there?
There are only 2 modes of transport available to get to Murchison Falls National Park, i.e., road and air transport. Getting to Murchison Falls National Park by road is very scenic in a 4X4 safari Land Cruiser. From Kampala to Murchison Falls National Park via Masindi, the overall distance is around 234 km. You will pass through the Kicumbanyobo Gate after traveling for 4.5 to 5 hours.
Meanwhile, traveling by air begins from Entebbe International Airport to one of the 3 airstrips: Pakuba, Chobe, or Bugungu. The flight duration is 1 hour, and you get the opportunity to see stunning aerial views of Uganda’s beautiful landscapes. The flight is operated by AeroLink, our long-time business partner. This implies that you can book a scheduled flight with us to ensure that you do not get disappointed.
Different activities in Murchison Falls National Park?
Game viewing
Game viewing is essentially done in a safari vehicle as you are driven by an experienced guide along the tracks. This is mostly done at the Buligi peninsula, where you will have exciting moments of seeing several unique mammals and birds. Game viewing also involves reaching the Delta, where there are plenty of aquatic birds to spot.
Boat cruise
A boat cruise offers a relaxing opportunity to move on a motorboat upriver along the Nile. The trip takes you near the base of the Murchison Falls. Besides seeing the waterfalls, you can spot Nile crocodiles, hippopotamuses, elephants, buffaloes, and plenty of birds. There is also the Delta boat cruise, which is a trip downriver from Paraa towards the Nile Delta.
Top of the falls walk.
It offers the perfect opportunity to hike from the boat cruise to get views of the Murchison Falls. The thunderous sounds made by the falls are very impressive to hear from this place. Additionally, there are plenty of birds to spot while at the top of the falls. Reaching this site can also be done while in a car.
Birdwatching
Birding is done while on a nature walk in Kaniyo Pabidi, boat cruise along the Nile, or during a game drive. Murchison Falls National Park offers some of the most distinct bird species that any ornithologist or avid birder will find attractive to see. These bird species range from aquatic species, forest species, and plenty more in the savannah grasses and woodlands.
Murchison Falls National Park still offers many unique activities to suit different visitors. Other activities include tracking white rhinos at the Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch, chimpanzee trekking, and nature walks in Kaniyo Pabidi. Sport fishing is a luxury activity that can be done at the Delta point, among other sites in Murchison Falls National Park.
