Murchison Falls National Park
At a size of 3840 km², Murchison Falls National Park is the largest protected area in Uganda and one of the best wildlife destinations to visit on Uganda safaris. This beautiful park gets its name from Murchison Falls—the most powerful waterfall in the world, formed as the mighty River Nile forces its way through a narrow gorge of 7 meters, creating an ever-present rainbow. The Murchison Falls were recognized as “the most important object of the entire course of the river” by Sir Samuel Baker, the explorer.
Murchison Falls National Park is approximately 5 hours away from Kampala and lies in the northern end of the Albertine Rift Valley, boasting great views of the plains and the forested areas. The Albert Nile Corridor is the lowest area in Uganda at 612 msl at the Delta. The park comprises a range of habitats from forest, savanna, riverine woodland, borassus palms and several acacia trees hosting a variety of flora and fauna.
Wildlife in Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park is a sanctuary to 76 mammal species, including 4 of the Big 5 and while on your way to the park, you can pass by the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to track rhinos for a complete Big Five safari.
Animals in Murchison Falls National Park are often seen on game drives and boat safaris; the commonly seen animals are elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, bushbucks, waterbucks, Jackson’s hartebeests, oribi, waterbucks and warthogs, among others. Chances of seeing big cats like lions and leopards are higher mostly during the early game drive.
Also, Murchison Falls National Park is home to primates, including baboons, patas monkeys, blue monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, black and White Colobus monkeys and chimpanzees found in Kaniyo Pabidi, which is part of Budongo Forest.
Birds in Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park is one of the incredible birding destinations in Uganda, with over 450 species. The park is home to Albertine rift endemic birds, water birds, savannah birds, and resident and migratory bird species thriving in its various habitats, including forest, swamp, riverine woodland, savannah and acacia.
Some of the birds in Murchison Falls National Park include the shoebill, Murchison African darter, giant kingfisher, osprey, long-toed plover, grey-headed kingfisher, veracious dove, black-headed lapwing, Abyssinian ground hornbill, rock pratincole, yellow-fronted tinkerbird, black-billed barbet, long-tailed nightjar, weaver birds, yellow-billed stork, martial eagle, silver bird, grey-crowned crested crane, sandpipers, pied kingfishers, standard-winged nightjar, Malachite Kingfishers and blue-headed coucal, among others.
Safari Activities to Do In Murchison Falls National Park
Game Drives in Murchison Falls National Park
Game drives in Murchison Falls National Park are done via demarcated travelers using 4×4 safari vehicles with pop-up roofs, allowing easy spotting of wildlife. These game drives takes anything from 4 hours to an entire day depending on your interests
Some of the animals to look out for on game drives in Murchison Falls National Park include bushbucks, waterbucks, hartebeests, oribis, Uganda kobs, warthogs, giraffes, lions, leopards, elephants, and buffalo, among others.
Boat Safaris/Launch Trips on the Nile
Boat safaris in Murchison Falls National Park are done on the Victoria Nile towards the magnificent Murchison Falls. The Nile Boat Safari is an ultimate experience on water; spot marine species like Nile crocodiles and hippos, water birds such as herons and cormorants, among others.
The launch trip on the Nile is offered twice a day, with a morning trip starting at 9 am and an afternoon trip at 2 pm. However, if you prefer a private launch trip experience and at your own timing, you can rent a boat and enjoy the experience at your own leisure. For visitors interested in birding, we recommend a boat ride to the delta, where you have chances of sighting the prehistoric shoebill.
Chimpanzee Tracking at Kaniyo Pabidi in Budongo Forest
Chimpanzee trekking in Murchison Falls National Park is done in Kaniyo Pabidi—a section of Budongo Forest located along the boundaries of the park. The forest is home to a reasonable population of chimpanzees together with other primates like baboons, red-tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys and blue monkeys plus several species of birds.
The chimpanzee tracking experience normally takes 3-4 hours depending on where the chimpanzees spent their previous night and once located, you are to spend one hour in their presence watching them eat, play, rest and groom each other.
For those who need to spend more time with the chimpanzees, a full-day Chimpanzee Habituation Experience is available in Pabidi Budongo Forest.
Sport Fishing
Sport fishing is an awe-inspiring Uganda safari experience only allowed on the Nile and to take part in it, you need to obtain the permit from the Uganda Wildlife Authority through your tour operator. The waters after the Murchison Falls on the Victoria Nile provide some of the most exciting challenges to anglers with the presence of Nile perch.
Fishing in Murchison Falls National Park is permitted in designated sites and places and requires prior booking. You are encouraged to bring your own fishing equipment.
Birding in Murchison Falls National Park
With over 450 bird species, Murchison Falls National Park was named the No. 9 best birding spot in Africa by the Africa Bird Guide. Birding is done on game drives, launch trips and nature walks with an experienced birder. Because of the varied habitats, you have opportunities to watch forest birds, savannah, water and a few Albertine rift endemics.
Birds in Murchison Falls National Park to look out for include open-billed storks; red-throated bee-eaters along the swamps; pied, malachite and giant kingfishers; grey, night, common squacco, Striated and Goliath herons; Egyptian ducks; spur-winged lapwings; and intermediate, Great and little egrets. On game drives do not miss the Abyssinian ground hornbills, black and northern red bishops, among others.
Guided Nature and Forest Walks
Guided nature and forest walks in Murchison Falls National Park happen through the Kaniyo Pabidi and Robongo Forests, where you have opportunities of watching primates such as chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys and numerous bird species.
The hike up the top of Murchison Falls is another exciting walk for visitors to Murchison Falls National Park. Once on the boat trip from Paraa towards the “Devil’s Cauldron,” stop a few meters from the bottom of the falls and take a hike through the vegetation to experience the top of the falls. This fulfilling hike gives you an opportunity to watch the Nile squeezing through a 7-meter gorge and takes between 45 minutes to 1.5 hours depending on the interests of people and their hiking speed.
Community Walks and Cultural Experiences
Community walks and cultural experiences in Murchison Falls National Park take you to the Boomu Women’s Group situated right outside the park. On this experience, take the scenic village tour, where you will learn about the residents and take part in their everyday lives, farming, visiting the blacksmith, demonstration of basket weaving, cooking and visiting a local school.
Getting to Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park is a very accessible Uganda safari destination; one can access the park by taking scheduled/charter flights or by road.
Domestic/charter flights to Murchison Falls National Park are available from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip to Pakuba and Bugungu Airstrips. These flights are offered by Aerolink and Bar Aviation.
By road, it is a journey of approximately 5 hours from Kampala through Masindi.
Where to Stay in Murchison Falls National Park
There are several accommodation options around and in Murchison Falls National Park, ranging from budget to midrange to luxury options, including
- Paraa Safari Lodge
- Pakuba Safari Lodge
- Papa’s Camp
- Hemingway Camp
- Murchison River Lodge
- Fort Murchison
- Nile Safari Lodge.
