WHAT TO EXPECT IN MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK

Are you planning your safari in Uganda but you do not know where to go? When it comes to wilderness safaris, Murchison Falls National Park features as one of the most exceptional safari destinations that you shouldn’t miss to visit while on Uganda safari. This park features as Uganda’s most famous and the largest protected area with spectacular biodiversity and exciting tourism activities for your safaris. Expanding to about 3840 square kilometers, Murchison Falls National Park is situated in Northwestern Uganda and it offers refuge to not only stunning wildlife species but also provides a home to Murchison falls which features as one of the most powerful waterfalls in the world, where the mighty River Nile is forced into a narrow gorge of about 8 meters into the Devils cauldron making an ever present rainbow. 

MURCHISON FALLS

Murchison Falls National Park is undoubtedly, one of Africa’s most popular protected areas and it features numerous biodiversity including about 15000 elephants at a time but due to poaching and political unrest their population was reduced including other wildlife species. However, there is hope for wildlife species increase due to the prevailing peace and stability especially for the elephants, giraffes, lions, antelopes, water bucks, hippos, buffaloes and crocodiles.

If you are planning your vacation in Uganda make sure that you include Murchison Falls National Park into your bucket list of safari tours. The following are some of exciting things that you should expect while you are on your Uganda safari.

Game viewing

For the best wilderness safari experiences, Murchison Falls National Park features among a few destinations in Uganda for you to encounter numerous wildlife species. On your game drive, expect to sight a large population of antelope families including the bush buck, water buck, Thomson’s gazelle and dik dik and many more. Bigger herbivore like giraffe and elephants and many more, you can also watch a film about how the Uganda Conservation Foundation and Uganda Wildlife Authority are committed to conserve the critically endangered Rothschild in Murchison Falls National Park. You will also sight big numbers of Buffaloes, lions, Leopards, Jacksons Hartebeests, warthogs, Uganda Kobs and many more.

GAME DRIVE TO SEE AFRICAN ELEPHANTS

Launch trip

Take a boat cruise to the base of the falls and cruise down the mighty Nile where you will observe several wildlife species both water and land species. While on a launch cruise you will sight the largest confinement of hippos and crocodiles as several water bird species. 

LAUNCH CRUISE TO THE FALLS

Murchison Falls National Park offers refuge to over 450 bird species and higher chances are you will spot most water species. For birding safaris in the park, you will be able to sight the papyrus gonolek, goliath heron, Abyssinian ground hornbill, northern red bishop, squacco heron, red throated bee eater, African quail finch, elusive shoe bill stork, swamp fly catcher and many more. 

ELUSIVE SHOE BILL STORK

The park is comprised of forests, swamps and Riverine woodland, savanna and acacia trees that all offer numerous bird species. You can also visit top of falls and have a wonderful moment, take photos as you catch a glimpse of the spectacular waterfalls.

Chimpanzee trekking

Budongo forest is situated on the Southern part of Murchison falls national park and is conserved within the Budongo and Kaniyo pabidi forest reserve. This forest covers an area of about 790 square kilometers and has more than 465 species of plants, 250 butterflies, large mammal species including the chimpanzees, Black and white colobus monkeys, Red tailed monkeys, Blue monkeys, Potto and Galago species as well as over 366 birdlife 60 of which are west or central African bird species that are protected within less than 5 areas in East Africa. Chimpanzee trekking is conducted in the Kaniyo Pabidi forest reserve. Chimpanzee habituation began officially in 1992 and guided chimpanzee walks start at 8:00am. These fascinating apes can be sighted around May and August.

CHIMPANZEE TREKKING IN BUDONGO FOREST

Lodges

Safaris in Murchison Falls National Park are only complete with lodges and accommodation facilities for tourists to spend a night after their breathtaking adventures in the park. Some of the notable accommodation facilities for you to stay include Paraa safari lodge, Red chili rest camp and Pakuba lodge. At the park boundaries you can choose to stay in Murchison River lodge, Bakers lodge; in Masindi town you can spend a night in Court view hotel, Paradise hotel and Masindi hotel and in Pakwach, you can stay in Global village guest house.

In conclusion, while planning your safari in Uganda, Murchison Falls National Park should be a must to visit destination for you. There is a lot more waiting for you to explore in this park. With the above listed activities, you won’t be left out of choice. Do not miss to enjoy over 76 species of mammals, 450 bird species that make this park a safari paradise in Uganda. Other activities for you to enjoy include sport fishing, nature and forest walks, community walks and cultural experiences and many more.