Murchison Falls National Park lies in the northern end of the Albertine rift valley were the sweeping Bunyoro escarpments into vast palmed wood land savannah. It was first gazeted as the game reserve in 1926, Murchison falls national park is not only Uganda’s largest conservation area but also the oldest. Hosts over 76 species of mammals, 451 species of birds. This world’s famous protected area of great and wonderful nature has been loved and visited by the some of the iconic people of their time. From as far as back their existences to the present from royalty to the world leaders and other nature worlds loving celebrities have visited this park. Murchison falls national park gives the ultimate treat after treat wit activities that you would explore for the entire week and still not get tired of it.
The park derives n its name in early 1952 the parliament which was sitting in London during colonial time in acted law to gazette this place as national park and it derives its name from the spectacular Murchison falls which happens to be on Victoria Nile which bisects the park into two sides. Once referred to as Kabalega national park, this protected area was named after the thunderous Murchison falls the strongest waterfalls. In 1970 During the Idi Amin, the name of the falls was changed to Kabalega falls and automatically the park also changed to Kabalega national park. However, after Idi Amin the name which was in the constuition revamped back. Murchison falls conservation area is the largest Uganda’s conservation area covering 5072kmsq, this contains the Murchison falls which covers 3893kmsq and it’s among the best birding sites with 451 species of birds with one of the endangered species the shoe bill.
Activities in Murchison falls National Park
There are many activities you can participate in on your tour to Murchison falls national park safari holiday.
Game viewing /driving
You will for game around the Murchison falls national park in the Nyamasika plateau, while on the game drives cape buffaloes, Rothschild’s giraffes, Uganda Kobs, hartebeest, elephants and water bucks are commonly seen. You may also spot Oribi, Bushbucks, Bohor red buck, shy Sitatunga, bush duiker, warthog, and bush pigs plus carnivores including lions, leopards and spotted hyena, Chimpanzees and olive baboons head the list of six primates found in the park.
Boat cruise and Hike to the top of falls
After your game drives you take the afternoon boat cruise on river Nile on the bottom of falls. while on your boat cruise you will see hippos, crocodiles, water bucks and wide variety of birds like unusual shoe bill. After your boat cruise you will take hike to the top falls, the boat stops just ten meters from the “Devil’s cauldron”. From here you will disembark and take hike to the top of falls.
Birding experience
Murchison falls presents with 451 species of birds with the of rare shoebill you while go birding in different parts of Murchison falls national park like birding along the Nile with boat cruise and top of falls presenting with species like Egyptian geese, goliath heron, pied kingfisher.
Chimpanzee Tracking Budongo Forest
You can take chimpanzee tracking in budungo forest giving you chance to interact the closest relative of human being in the forest while doing birding and nature walk. You can still participate in many activities like fishing, white water rafting and community visit.
How to get to Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison falls national is about 305km from Kampala or Entebbe. Murchison falls National Park can be accessed by both air and the road. There are several airfields that are established in the park to accommodate visitors who prefer taking flights to Murchison falls national park. The most known airfield in this park is Para airfield. Where you take the flight from Kajjansi airfield to Para to Murchison falls national park takes 45-50 minutes which saves you 4-5 hours you would have endured on the road
Accessibility to Murchison falls National Park
The journey to Murchison falls national park both by air and road has advantages and disadvantages. Before booking safari holiday to Murchison falls national park or running into conclusion about which travel means you will take while on your Murchison falls safari holiday kindly look through a better choice. If you have a lot of time to embark on your holiday safari, road access would do you no harm. No matter of the fact it’s the best option you can have, the option gives an opportunity to enjoy the country scenic views along the drive to includes the Luwero triangle, en-route visit to Ziwa Rhino sanctuary. You should know that when planning your holiday, the drive is much cheaper option compared to booking a flight to the park.
Flying into Murchison falls National Park
This is ideally the best option for travelers having a short time to spend on a holiday to Murchison falls national park safari holiday to Uganda (less three nights). Flight to Murchison falls national park departs from Kajjansi airfield by aero link which is about 45-50 minutes to Para airfield in Murchison falls national park.
Aero link is the company licensed to carry and operate flights internally in Uganda. Flying to the great Murchison falls national park offers you the ultimate beautiful aerial views of the park and Kampala city, the aircraft really fly low which offers you a chance to enjoy aerial views of savanna grassland while on your Murchison falls national park safari holiday. The view is blended with spotted shrubs and the major highlights, the Murchison falls, river Nile as you make it through the Para airfield where you picked up and driven to the place of accommodation.
Best Time to Visit Murchison falls National Park
The dry seasons from June to October is the best time to go for a safari holiday to Murchison falls national park but the peak season belly from July to September. The beginning of January through the end of February signals the warmest and easiest period in the region. This means wildlife will be in shorter supply due to the start of the rainy season, flooded roads and generally wet weather. This time makes it poor for game viewing while wile on Murchison falls safari holiday, combined with slippery roads, mosquitoes are also much more prevalent during rainy season. June sees the start of dry season with low water levels and riverbanks leaving with wildlife, you will be able to observe elephants, buffaloes, water bucks, Uganda Kobs, hippos, crocodiles, birds while on your adventure boat cruise at the bottom of the falls.