Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park is the only national park set suitably in northwestern Uganda, sprawling to cover parts of the lush shores of Lake Albert on the Victoria Nile. It spans up to 3840 square kilometers and together with Karuma Wildlife Reserve (720 square kilometers), Bungungu Wildlife Reserve (748 sq.km).

Murchison Falls National Park makes up the vast Murchison Falls Conservation Area. Murchison Falls National Park is the largest national park in Uganda and its northern sector comprises of stunning savanna grassland and Borassus palms, acacia trees and riverine woodland. To the south, it consists of a woodland and forest cover.

Murchison Falls National Park derived is named after the beautiful and powerful Murchison falls. It was gazette in 1952 to offer refuge to its diverse natural wonders. Including 76 mammal species for instance elephants, lions, buffaloes, leopards, hippos, crocodiles, giraffes, warthogs, over 451 bird species, 23 of which are Albertine rift endemic including the rare shoe-billed stork, dwarf kingfisher, Goliath heron, white-thighed hornbill and great blue Turaco a mention but a few.

Murchison Falls National Park is about 300 kilometers’ drive away from Kampala capital city approximately 4-5 hours’ drive. It is set in Buliisa district in the west and Nwoya district in the north.

Activities to do in Murchison Falls National Park

Game drive

Game viewing is a major safari highlight in Murchison Falls National Park. Game drives in Murchison National Park takes you via the Buligi game trail, the northern bank of the park which gets you the best sights at a huge concentration of wildlife species including the African bush elephants, buffaloes, lions, leopards, warthogs, giraffes, bushbucks, duikers, Uganda Kobs, Oribis and not to leave out distinct birds.

Launch trip

Boat trip is another remarkable way to explore what Murchison Falls National Park has to offer. It takes you to the bottom of Murchison falls with astonishing views of the basking Nile crocodiles on the river banks, hippos as well as aquatic water birds such as the fish eagles, kingfishers and others.

Birding

With over 450 bird species, Murchison Falls National Park is undoubtedly a birders paradise. The birds to spot out while on birding tour in Murchison Falls National Park include the goliath heron, grey crowned cranes, Abyssinian ground hornbill, black billed barbet, black headed Gonolek, African jacana, blue headed coucal, swamp flycatcher, white browed sparrow weavers, speckle fronted weavers, African quail finch a mention but a few.

Your may also embark on nature walks in Kaniyo-Pabidi forest, Rabongo forest; hike to top of the falls, sport fishing, hot balloon safaris, chimpanzee tracking in Budongo forest, cultural encounter in Mubako community.

Accommodation options in Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park features a wide range of safari lodges for visitor overnight stay. They include Nile safari camp, Paraa safari lodge, Baker’s Lodge, Chobe lodge (luxury); Murchison River Lodge, Bwana Tembo Safari Camp (Midrange); Red chili rest camp.

Best time to visit Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park is open for visitor exploration at any time of the year. For exceptional encounters, better to visit Murchison Falls National Park during the dry season which starts in the months of June, July, August, September, December, January, February. You can as well visit Murchison Falls National Park during the wet season that begins in the months of March, April, May and October, November.

Getting to Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park is situated in northwestern Uganda about 4-5 hours’ drive from Kampala. Your journey to Murchison Falls National Park starts from Kampala via Luweero-Masindi. By air, your flight starts from Entebbe Airport or Kajjansi airfield and then you land in Pakuba or south at Bugungu.