Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park is the only national park in Northwestern Uganda and also the largest of all the 10 national parks in Uganda. This protected area lies in the Southwestern districts of Nwoya, Masindi, Buliisa, and Kiryandongo approximately 4-5 hours’ drive away from Kampala capital city. It takes its name from Murchison Falls one of the world’s powerful waterfalls which squeezes itself in a narrow gorge of about 7 meters prior to plunging about 43m down.

Murchison Falls National Park was designated as a national park in 1952 making it one of the oldest national parks in Uganda. It extends to cover an area of about 3840sq.km and forms part of the extensive Murchison Falls Conservation Area which also covers Bugungu Wildlife Reserve, Karuma Wildlife Reserve, and Budongo Forest Reserve.

Its strategic location lets visitors on Uganda safari also explore the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary en-route from Kampala/Entebbe. This park is bisected by the Victoria Nile which joins Lake Albert and it is by far an exceptional Uganda safari destination.

History of Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park history can be traced back to 1862 when John Speke and James Grant became the first Europeans to visit the now Murchison Falls Conservation Area. Later, between 1863 and 1864, Samuel and Florence Baker had an in-depth exploration of this protected area and it was during their time that the now Murchison Falls was named after Roderick Murchison the then president of the Royal Geographical Society.

From 1907 to 1912, occupants of about 13000sq.km were displaced as a result of sleeping sickness which was spread by tsetse flies. Around 1910, the Bunyoro Game Reserve was established South of the River Nile and from 1928, the boundaries of this protected area were extended to cover the Northern side of the River that is on the side of the Nwoyo district.

It was in 1952 that it was designated a national park by the British Administration and this was under the National Parks Act of Uganda. Today, Murchison Falls National Park is of no doubt one of Uganda’s premier wilderness safari destination visitors on Uganda safari should consider a must-visit for authentic African wilderness experiences.

Tourist attractions in Murchison Falls National Park

• Wildlife in Murchison Falls National Park

Visitors on Uganda wildlife safari to Murchison Falls National Park have a lot more to explore when it comes to diversity in wildlife. Its diverse habitat supports a variety of wildlife species including among others the Rothschild giraffes, lions, leopards, buffaloes, elephants, warthogs, antelopes such as Jackson’s hartebeests, oribis, waterbucks, Uganda Kobs, bushbucks, oribis; primates especially within Budongo Forest Reserve include among others playful olive baboons, blue monkeys, patas monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys.

• Birds in Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park hosts an estimate of about 451 bird species and they are inhabited in most of its distinct habitats which range from swamps, riverine, woodland, forest, savanna, and acacia trees. The different bird species to look out for on the Uganda birding tour in Murchison Falls National Park include Abyssinian ground hornbill, shoebill stork, papyrus gonoleks, swamp flycatchers, red-throated bee-eaters, African quail finch, Squacco heron, Northern red bishop, goliath heron, great blue turacos, dwarf kingfishers, white thighed hornbills, Egyptian ducks, spur-winged lapwings, great and little egrets, malachite kingfishers, open billed stork and many more.

Tourist activities to do in Murchison Falls National Park

• Game drives

Game drives in Murchison Falls National Park are exciting and offer visitors on Uganda safari memorable experiences. In your comfortable 4×4 safari vehicle plus safari guide, you will drive via the Northern track where you should expect to sight wildlife species such as African bush elephants, cape buffaloes, lions, leopards-if you are lucky enough, warthogs, giraffes, antelopes, birds, and many others. Your wildlife safari experience may last for you about 2-3 hours and you can opt for a morning game drive or afternoon game drive.

• Birding

Bird watching tour in Murchison Falls National Park is a remarkable experience which lets you sight birds such as Abyssinian ground hornbill, shoebill stork, papyrus gonoleks, swamp flycatchers, red-throated bee-eaters, African quail finch, Squacco heron, Northern red bishop, goliath heron, great blue turacos, dwarf kingfishers, white thighed hornbills, Egyptian ducks, spur-winged lapwings, great and little egrets, malachite kingfishers, open billed stork. It is best carried out in the months of January, February, March although you can do it at any time of the year. You can as well incorporate your birding trip with game drives, boat cruise.

• Boat trip

Boat trips in Murchison Falls National Park take visitors on Uganda wildlife safari to the bottom of Murchison Falls. This is an exciting watersport worth taking part in Uganda safari for you to uncover the untold wealth of aquatic life in this park including water birds such as pied kingfishers, fish eagles, bee-eaters, saddle-billed storks, and many more as well as view hippos, basking Nile crocodiles.

You can decide to disembark and take a hike to the top of Murchison Falls along the designated trail for you to witness the waterfalls as it squeezes itself in a narrow gorge of about 7 meters’ prior to breaking off about 43m down forming a permanent rainbow and thunderous roar.

• Hike to the top of the falls

The best way to explore Murchison Falls is by taking a boat and disembark at a point where you will set off on a hike to the top to view this wonderful natural wonder Uganda is gifted with. The hike to the top of Murchison Falls can last for you about 1 hour and 30 minutes and on arrival, witness it as it squeezes itself in a narrow gorge, take pictures and later, return on a boat or meet your safari guide waiting for you to drive back to your lodge.

Chimpanzee tracking

Chimpanzee tracking in Murchison Falls National Park is conducted in Budongo Forest. Trekking chimpanzees in the wild in this forest reserve involves exploring their behaviors, take pictures, and also comes with amazing sights of other primates including the red-tailed monkeys, olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, birds, and many others.

• Sportfishing

Aside from game viewing, Murchison Falls National Park is also perfect for sport fishing, and for enthusiastic anglers on Uganda safari, it is one destination to consider a must-visit. Sportfishing is a challenging water sports experience that lets you challenge yourself with a heavy Nile perch however interested visitors should have a valid permit.

• Hot air balloon safaris

Murchison Falls National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park are the two magical parks where hot air balloon tours are conducted in Uganda. It is an incredible experience that lets you catch a glimpse of diverse wildlife species while in the air rather than in the 4×4 safari vehicle. Visitors also have the opportunity to view the scenic Lake Albert, Nile, and other surrounding areas.

• Guided nature walks

Guided nature walks in Murchison Falls National Park are best carried out in the Kaniyo-Pabidi forest and Rabongo Forest. Nature lovers get a chance to see the diversity of primates including red-tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, birds, butterflies, and many more.

• Cultural experiences

Make your Uganda safari complete in Murchison Falls Conservation Area by paying a visit to Boomu Women’s Group which is just before you enter the park. Boomu Women’s Group is accessible as you enter the park via Kichumbanyobo gate which connects to the Southern sector of Murchison Falls National Park.

Best time to visit Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls Conservation Area is best to visit during the dry season for game viewing and this occurs starting June, July, August, September, and December, January, February. It is considered as the peak or high season where a large number of visitors visit the park.

Game viewing during the dry months is ideal in that the vegetation is not dense and offers a clear view of wildlife species, birds. The wet season is perfect for bird watching and begins in March, April, May, and October, November. It is usually a breeding period for a variety of bird species thus offering incredible bird sights.

Accommodation in Murchison Falls National Park

The luxury accommodation choices in Murchison Conservation Area include Chobe Safari Lodge, Paraa Safari Lodge, Baker’s Lodge. The Mid-range options include Pakuba Safari Lodge, Murchison River Lodge, Sambiya River Lod Fort Murchison Lodge and Budget lodges include Fort Murchison Tents, Boomu Bandas.

How to get to Murchison Falls National Park

By road, tourists on Uganda safari can reach Murchison Conservation Area starting from Kampala/Entebbe via the Luweero-Masindi route then connect via the Kichumbanyobo park gate in the South.

To the North, Murchison Falls Conservation Area is reachable along the Kampala-Gulu highway through Karuma Falls then you enter from Paraa and Karuma Falls through Chobe gate. Mubako gate is reachable from Karuma Falls bridge on Kampala-Pakwach road.

By air, you can fly from Entebbe Airport or Kajjansi airfield to Pakuba airfield in the Northern part of Murchison Falls National Park, Bugungu airstrip in the South, and Chobe airstrip in the East.

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