Murchison Falls National Park is located in the North-West of Uganda in Masindi District at the end of the Albertine Rift Valley which is the largest and oldest National Park in Uganda. The Park sits on an area of about 4000 square kilometers; Murchison Falls Conservation Area is bisected by the Victoria Nile, which plunges 45m over the remnant valley wall, creating the dramatic falls.
The Murchison Falls National Park made up of Bugungu, Karuma wildlife reserves. Murchison Falls National Park stretch of river Nile which provides one of Uganda’s most remarkable wildlife spectacles and chimpanzee tracking in is done in Budongo forest and Kaniyo Pabidi which is with Murchison falls National Park.
Wildlife
Being the largest and oldest park in Uganda, is the home of wildlife with over 76 mammal species with the big five animals include lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and buffalo with other so many wild animals where some are mostly spots on riverbanks include elephants, giraffes, and buffaloes; while hippos and Nile crocodiles which offer you the most amazing experience to see while on boat cruise.
Birdlife
Murchison Falls National hosts of about 450 birds species make it one the best places in Africa to find the prehistoric-looking shoebill stork which includes standard winged nightjars, various kingfishers, bee-eaters the African skimmer and raptors such as the African Fish eagle and the martial eagle. This boat trip will also give you a chance to view Silverbird, Beautiful Sunbird, Piapiac, Speckle-fronted Weaver, White-browed Sparrow-Weaver, Chestnut-crowned Sparrow-Weaver, Vaseline Masked Weaver,Bar-breasted Firefinch, White-rumped Seedeater, Saddle-billed Stork, Sacred Ibis, Spur-winged Geese, Black Crake, Grey-crowned Crane, Blue-naped Moosebird, Spotted Morning Thrush, Nothern Crombec and so many anthers.
What to do
Game Drives
Game driving within Murchison Falls National Park allows the traveler to see many of the animal species and which can be spotted including the lions, hippopotamuses, Rothschild’s giraffe, warthog, Cape buffalo, Uganda kobs, Jackson’s-hartebeest, and elephants. Game drives take place early in the morning and a tourist is able to see plenty of animals, the evening game drives will help you spot leopards at dusk. The night game drive in Murchison falls gives you an opportunity to see traditionally nocturnal animals like the leopard, hyena, hippo, porcupine, genets, civets, bush babies, various reptiles, owls and nightjars. At Nyamsika Cliffs is where one can enjoy the scenery the view and gaze at elephants and other wildlife on the green grassy hillsides and river below.
Boat cruise
The Launch trip commences at Paraa landing area at the point where river Nile enters into Lake Albert and takes you to the bottom of the falls. Boat trip brings you closer with the flora and fauna of the river Nile where you will sight hippos, waterbucks, crocodiles, buffaloes and elephants and birds species such as cormorants, Fish eagles, ducks, Kingfishers, bee-eaters and the shoebill.
Bird watching
Bird Species commonly seen between Paraa Rest Camp and Ferry crossing are; Spotted Mourning Thrush, Vitelline Masked Weaver, Silver Bird, Bluff-bellied Warbler, Blue-napped Mousebird, Chestnut-crowned Sparrow-weaver Black-headed Gonolek, Green-winged Ptyilia, and Black-headed Batis, this is the best site for the localized White-rumped Seed-eater. One can also spot birds along the boat trip and in Budongo forest.
Fishing
Fishing is available in the river above and below the fall. A visitor comes with your own fishing equipment if you’re interested in finishing. Examples of fish available in the river to catch are Nile perch, tiger fish and more.
Nature walk
The park opens your nature walks to explore the wild on foot while in Murchison Falls Conservation area with different trails within the park such as at Paraa winds throughout low hills, gullies, and forest around the river. Nature walks happen at top of the falls, Kaniyo Pabidi, and Rabongo Forest. Still, in nature walk one can explore primates like the chimpanzees, Red-tailed monkeys, Black & white colored monkeys, birds, trees and medicinal plants. Kaniyo Pabidi is a serene area of natural forest within Budongo Forest Reserve, where you can walk beneath mature Mahogany and ironwood trees.
Where to stay
The park has accommodation which suites to international standard such as Paraa Safari Lodge-luxury, Bakers Lodge- luxury ,Chobe Safari Lodge-luxury and Nile Safari Lodge-luxury, Amuka Safari Lodge-midrange,Bwana Tembo Safari-midrange, Camp Fort Murchison Lodge-midrange, Heritage Safari Lodge-midrange, Kabalega Wilderness Lodge-midrange, Murchison River Lodge-midrange, New Court View Hotel-midrange Parkside Safari Lodge-midrange and Red Chili- budget, Rest Camp-budget, Shoebill Campsite-budget, New Court View Hotel-budget, Budongo Eco Lodge-budget, Global Village Guest-budget, House Masindi Hotel-budget, Ziwa Rhino Camp-budget and Yebo Safari Camp-budget.
Who to get there
As located 305 kilometers north-west of Uganda, the park is accessible by road of about 5 hours drive. Through the air, Visitor can fly from Entebbe airport to Pakuba airfield with AeroLink and connect with a driver/guide to begin your activities.