Discover the Best of Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park was established in 1952 and is the largest park in Uganda covering an area of 1,503 square miles. It is found in northwestern Uganda in the Districts of Kiryandongo, Masindi, Nwoya and Buliisa. The River Nile flows through the park dividing it in two and leaving behind beautiful waterfalls. The British Explorer Sir Samuel Baker was stunned by one of waterfalls in the park and gave it the name Murchison Falls which later given to the park.
After differences with the western world because of his human rights record, the Ugandan dictator Idi Amin attempted to rename the falls Kabarega (after the King of Bunyoro) but this only lasted during his regime. Murchison Falls National Park largely consists of Savannah grasslands, woodlands, open plains and wetlands. The park is part of the wider Murchison Falls Conservation area that also includes Karuma Falls and Bugungu Wildlife Reserves. It has large forests like Budongo, Rabango and Kaniyo Pabidi. Kaniyo Pabidi contains large mahogany and ironwood trees. All three forests are known for hosting numerous bird and primates species like Chimpanzees, blue monkeys, olive baboons,black and White colobus monkeys.
Explore Great Activities at Murchison Falls National Park
Boat Cruise at the bottom of the falls
This is one of the most popular activities while at the park and is similar to the launch cruise at the Kazinga Channel of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The cruise lasts about 3 hours starting and ending at the bottom of the falls. The top of the falls offers a breathtaking view of the waterfall and the loud roars coming from the water rushing down to the river.
The section of the Nile after the falls shores has abundant wildlife and some of the greatest collection of hippos and crocodiles in Africa. Visitors can also see buffaloes, elephants and various species of antelopes drinking by the shores of the river. The water birds include bee-eaters, cormorants, ducks, fish eagles, herons, kingfishers and shoebill stork After taking photos and seeing enough of the birds and animals, the captain will turn the boat upstream to bottom of the falls for visitors to disembark and climb up to level ground.
Birdwatching
Murchison Falls Park is one of the best places for birding in Uganda. The activity can be done during the nature walks or using a safari vehicle. As a large park, the Murchison Falls provides countless opportunities and places to go birding. It could start right outside your lodge, then to the Savannah grasslands, the forests and the river Nile.
Birdwatching can also be done at Kaniyo Pabidi forest area. The bird species in the park include the Abdim’s Stork, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, African Darter, African Fish Eagle, African Jacana, African Quail-Finch, African Skimmer, Bar-breasted Firefinch, Beautiful Sunbird, Black Crake, Black Scimitarbill, Black-billed Barbet, Black-billed Wood-Dove, Black-faced Waxbill, Black-headed Batis, Black-headed Gondola, Black-headed Gonolek, Black-headed Plover and more
Chimp Trekking in Budongo forest
Chimp Trekking in Budongo forest
Budongo Forest is found south of the park and is part of the Budongo and Kaniyo Pabidi forest reserve. The forest has over 464 species of plants and mammals including over 820 chimpanzees. There is a research station by Jane Goodall in Budongo forest and hence tracking Chimpanzees is the most popular activity in the forest.
Chimpanzee tracking starts at 8am and ends at around 3pm. The chances of seeing the chimps are high but will depend on the season of the year. The best time to see the chimp’s are in May and August. The activity can go on for long but trackers should never be bored in such a beautiful forest with birds (over 360 species) and smaller primates like the black and white colobus, blue monkey, forest galago, pattos and red-tailed monkeys. An experienced and well-informed guide usually leads visitors to help them identify the different species of birds, animals and vegetation.
Game Drives
Rhino tracking at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Chimp Trekking in Budongo forest
This is arguably the most enjoyable activity in the park. Game drives can be done alone although the presence of a ranger from the park turns it into a more educative activity because they can help identify the types of birds and mammals or take you to the best places to find them. While on a 3 hour game rive to Murchison Falls, expect to spot animals like buffaloes, crocodiles, elephants, giraffes, Hippopotamus, Leopards, lions, Monitor lizards, Side Striped Jackals, Spotted Hyenas and warthogs.
Among the antelope species in the park include the Bohor Reedbuck, Bushbuck, Defassa Waterbuck, Hartebeest, Oribi and the Uganda Kob among others. The primate species in the park include Baboons, Black and White Colobus, Patas Monkeys, Vervet Monkeys and Chimpanzees in the Rabongo and Budongo Forests.
Rhino tracking at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Rhino tracking at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Rhino tracking at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
The Ziwa Rhino sanctuary is located along the way to the Murchison Falls national park from Kampala. Due to extensive poaching, rhino’s no longer roam Uganda’s national parks. The Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary was established to protect the remaining rhinos and increasing the numbers through careful breeding before reintroducing them to the larger parks once their numbers reach 20. Tracking rhinos on foot is the main activity here and is usually supervised by rangers from the sanctuary. The Rangers share information about Rhinoceros, the history of the sanctuary, the breeding programme and the wider conservation efforts. They then lead visitors to see the large mammals up-close as they feed. Apart from Rhinos, there are small primates and bird species that call the vast sanctuary home.
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