WELCOME TO MURCHISONFALLS NATIONAL PARK
About Murchison Falls National Park
In Murchison Falls National Park’s center lies the most beautiful and powerful cataract on the continent of Africa, the Murchison Falls. Named by Sir Samuel Bake in 1862 after the geologist Roderick Murchison, then the Royal Geographical Society president, Murchison Falls National Park (MFNP) is Uganda’s most prominent and top Africa Safari destination attracting thousands of tourists each year. Within this magnificent gem’s boundaries are the famous Big 5 animals, small ones, and some of the best savannah scenes on the African continent. Most popular is the boat ride on the Nile that showcases a plethora of animal species on the Nile river banks.
Murchison Falls National Park (MFNP) is the largest and oldest national park in Uganda. Gazetted in 1952, the Ugandan Wildlife Authority manages the park. It is part of the greater Murchison Falls Conservation Area (MFCA). The MFCA is the largest conservation area in Uganda, measuring 3,840 sq km combining MFNP, Bugugu Wildlife Reserve, and Karuma Wildlife Reserve. This African savanna park is excellent for game viewing, while Kaniyo Pabidi is great for chimpanzee trekking.
The park is located in the northern region of the Albertine Rift Valley. In this area, the vast Bunyoro escarpment joins together into the extensive Acholi plains and straddles the Ugandan districts of Buliisa, Nwoya, Kiryandongo, and Masindi. It spreads inland from Lake Albert’s shores around the Victoria Nile, up to the Karuma Falls. MFNP is also adjacent to the Masindi-Gulu Highway, the Karuma Falls, the 600 megawatts Karuma Power Station location, which will be Uganda’s largest power station.
The park is bisected by the Victoria Nile from east to west for about 115 km. At Murchison Falls, also known as Kabalega Falls, the Nile River channels through a narrow cleft in the Rift Valley escarpment. The dramatic Murchison falls created when the Nile squeezes through an 8-meter wide gorge and plunges with a thunderous roar into the ‘devil’s cauldron,’ forming a residual water stray that includes a beautiful rainbow. From here, it continues westward into the stunning Lake Albert.
The park contains riverine woodland, wetland, savannah, tropical forest, Borassus palms, and acacia trees. The park hosts 76 mammals and 451 bird species. Many wildlife species are found here, including four of the Africa Big Five animals (Lions, Leopards, Elephants and Buffaloes). You can enjoy and appreciate the impressive waterfall by hiking up to the top of the falls and taking the boat launch trip. Permanent residents at the riverbanks include hippos, Nile crocodiles, and aquatic birds, while regular visitors are elephants, giraffes, and buffalos. The park has an extensive collection of water birds, such as the rare shoebill stork. You can also enjoy chimpanzee trekking in the Budongo forest which is also part of the conservation area.
When you visit the park, you join the list of notable historical visitors to the park including Sir Samuel Baker and his wife, Winston Churchill, Theodore Roosevelt, Ernest Hemingway, Jidena, Kanye West, and his wife Kim, among several others.
Wildlife of Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls Conservation Area has 76 species of mammals as well as Uganda’s largest population of crocodiles. The park hosts four of the Big Five; only rhino is absent due to poaching but they will soon will be reintroduced. You will find many different animal species like crocodiles, hippos, buffaloes, Rothschild’s giraffes, Jackson’s heartbeats, waterbucks, warthogs, oribis, Uganda kob, grey duiker in Murchison’s Falls Park, and chimpanzees in Budongo forest. The Victoria Nile is a magnet for wildlife, and it teems with crocodiles and hippo and several water birds as permanent residents on addition to several visitors who come to quench their thirst in the river like elephants and many others. Around 800 chimpanzees live in the Kaniyo Pabidi and Budongo Forests. Olive baboons are common along the roadside. Blue and red-tailed monkeys and black-and-white colobus find the forested sectors habitable.
Murchison falls varied scenery and vast landscapes, starting from the savannah plains, the swamps, the forests, the unique wildlife, rich culture, and the eye-catching magnificent falls on the Victoria Nile. The very scenic Victoria Nile bisects the park. Africa Safari boat trip on the Victoria Nile waters takes you to the Murchison Falls base, where you can see the Nile squeezing through a narrow gorge before plunging into the ‘Devil’s Cauldron.’ Most visitors revere this particular scene, and you must not miss it. Challenge yourself to a 20-minute hike up the top of the falls, the experience worth every second of your time.
The Northern bank of the river is a savannah habitat dominated by grassland dotted with Borassus palms while the Southern bank of the river is dominated by woodlands with forest patches. The park harbors many wildlife, plant species like the whistling acacia, sausage trees, hundreds of bird species, butterflies, and many more.
Murchison Falls National Park Scenery
Best Time To Visit, Weather and Climate
The best time to visit Murchison Falls National Park is between December and February during the dry season because you can easily view wildlife coming to the river bank and water points. There is also little undergrowth for the animals to hide. Chimp trekking trails are also dry, making trekking easier.
The High tourist Season in Uganda is from June to September, and most tourists prefer this time because it is cooler and the rain isn’t bothersome. During the wet season, some paths can be impassable explaining why we use 4x4 safari vans.
Travelers can visit Murchison Falls National Park throughout the year. However, the best time for wildlife viewing is the dry season (from December to February), when animals congregate around the Victoria Nile and other reliable water sources.
Murchison Falls has a consistently tropical hot climate. Because the park is close to the equator, temperatures are relatively uniform throughout the year. Temperatures are also affected by the wide variation in altitude across the park. However, it does get hotter during the relatively brief Dry season (December to February). Light rain falls in the Wet season (March to November).
Daytime temperatures of around 31°C/88°F are typical, with it cooling down at night to around 18°C/64°F. The altitude ranges from 615-1, 187 meters, so climatic variations occur within the park as temperatures drop by about 6.5°C for every 1,000m you climb.
December, January & February these are the driest months. It is mostly sunny with clear skies. These are also the hottest months, with average temperatures of 33°C/91°F during the afternoon. It cools off at night to about 18°C/64°F.
March, April & May—By March, the rains start, and there are more overcast skies. April and May experience more rainfall. Daytime temperatures average 31°C/88°F, while at night they average 20°C/68°F.
June & July this is a bit of a drier spell, but rain should still be expected. Average daytime temperatures are around 30°C/86°F.
August, September, October & November, These are the wettest months, reaching a peak in October. It doesn’t rain every day, but when it does, it tends to be torrential storms. Temperatures start to increase by November slowly.
Activities In Murchison Falls National Park
Safari Game Drives and Wildlife Viewing
Murchison falls home to various wildlife species, over 76 mammals, and 451 bird species widely spread all over the Savannah grasslands. The park’s landscape is so perfect for game viewing/game driving. The River Nile bisects the park into two parts: the Northern bank and the Southern bank. Africa safari Game drives are best done on the Northern bank since you can find a large concentration of wildlife in the Savannah plains. On the Southern bank, a lesser number of antelope herds and few other animals. Different tracks like Albert, Victoria, and Buligi tracks, each endowed with a diversity of wildlife.
On the savannah northern banks, you can marvel at the variety of wildlife in a game drive around the Buligi game tracks, a 7 km track north of Paraa. Animal species here include; buffalo, herds of elephants, warthogs, towering giraffes, bushbucks, duikers, kobs, oribi unusual-looking hartebeest, lions, and you may spot a leopard at dusk or resting in a tree.
In the southern bank, a new track, the Honey Moon track, was opened, and to boost the drive, 15 giraffes were trans-located from the northern bank to this area in January 2016. Areas like Nyamsika gorge are home to many water animals that come to get water. Nyamsika cliffs have a higher concentration of buffalos, lions, and different birds like the Egyptian plover and the bee-eaters.
Game drives are an all-year-round activity, though, during the rainy season, the grass is a bit tall, making it harder to spot wildlife. You can easily watch a lion hunt during the dry season because the grass is shorter. Game viewing can be done in the morning from 6:30 am. Evening game drives start at 4 pm and last between 3 to 4 hours.
Boat Safari Cruise On The Nile
The boat safari launch trip upstream from Paraa to Murchison Falls’ foot presents wildlife’s fantastic display. Hippos and crocodiles are abundant, and you will see elephants, buffalos, waterbucks, and many bird species. The launch departs at 9 am and 2 pm daily and takes three hours.
A boat trip to the Nile-Lake Albert Delta is a four- to five-hour return voyage. This voyage is excellent for birders. Take the downstream morning cruise to spot the grotesque archaic Shoebill. Alternatively, a tranquil sundowner cruise offers the classic view of a tropical sunset reflected on the river.
Bird Watching Safaris
Murchison Falls National Park is home to a variety of birds. 451 different species have been recorded, including; the Shoebill Stork, the Goliath Heron, Grey Crowned Cranes, Blue-headed Coucal, Swamp Flycatcher, Secretary Birds, Black-bellied Bustards, Open-billed Storks, Widow Bird, and many more. You get an opportunity to see these birds during game drives, nature walks, and boat cruises.
There are more thickets and woodlands at the river banks, and you will find Swallow-tailed and Red-throated Bee-eaters. In the Nyamusika Cliffs, you will discover Pied, Giant, Malachite Kingfishers, Francolin, Hornbills, Grey heron, Hamerkop, Shrikes, Flycatchers; Cuckoos; Woodpeckers; Crombecs and Warblers, ducks, geese, stilts, and plovers.
Bird watching in Murchison Falls is perfect all year round. However, the dry season of January to March is the best time. Birding during the rainy season – April to May – and from August to October is difficult since the hiking trails become slippery and roads in the park become impassable. The Shoebill is best sighted in the dry season from January to March. Migratory birds occur between November and April.
We recommend that birders carry a birder’s guidebook, a pointer, and a pair of binoculars, Sunglasses, hats, sturdy hiking shoes, and enough water.
Sport Fishing Safaris
Murchison falls National Park permits sports fishing along the River Niles rocky surfaces, the bottom of the falls, the Devil’s Cauldron, and the Nile banks. The two fishing sites are at Murchison Falls and below Karuma Falls. Nile perch and some catfish provide exciting challenges to anglers using casting lures. You can catch smaller fish, like the tiger fish, using live bait or the spinning method. You can access fishing spots either by boat or walking down from the top of the falls to the gorge. The walk takes approximately 45 minutes.
You can take a fishing trip in Murchison Falls National Park any time of the year, although the best catches happen early in the morning and late in the day. When the water level is low and more evident from mid-January to early April, you can catch more due to the fish feeding more thanks to the dramatic weather conditions.
You are advised to carry your fishing equipment, enough sun protection equipment, wear long socks, long-sleeved trousers, and don’t’ forget insect repellent to help avoid tsetse fly bites. All anglers are advised to have rods between 8 ft. and 11ft, with a multiplier reel and 7” spinning rod for smaller fish. Be cautious of the Hippos and Nile crocodiles while fishing at the Riverbanks.
Chimpanzee Trekking Safaris
Chimpanzees in Budongo forest can be tracked any time of the year however, the best time to visit would be from May to August, where the chance of viewing chimps is at 90%. In months; February, March, April, September, and early October, the chances are 70%. Late October, November, December, and January chances are at 50% since trackers move long distances to find them because food, shelter, and water are scarce
Hot-Air Balloon Safaris
You can do a hot-air balloon safari in Uganda only at the Murchison Falls and the Queen Elizabeth National Parks (QENP). Hot air ballooning is perfect for those on a honeymoon, adrenaline junkies, and those seeking a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. The scenes up there are spectacular, and the air is fresh and soothing. Travelers experience this unique experience of flying in a hot air balloon under the following options;
Sunrise/post-sunrise hot air balloon safari with/without bush breakfast.
Sunset hot air balloon safari—this flight starts precisely at 4 pm. However, this one does not come with any special offers like bush meals after the ride. They are short rides for large groups and students.
Please note: only eight passengers are permitted to fly up in the balloon at a time. Children below the age of 6 and below are not allowed.
As part of the ballooning, you will experience: a unique view of the park, the Lake Albert and Victoria Nile views, hidden animals, the bush breakfast experience in the wild, the participation certificates, destination pick up and of course, the ride on the hot air balloon.
WALKS AND HIKING TO THE TOP OF THE FALLS
A boat cruise up the Victoria Nile to the Murchison Falls base leads to a short trail that hikes up to the top of the falls for the magnificent views. The boat lands at the bottom, and you hike up for a 45-minute guided hike. While on this hike, you will have a great time admiring rolling hills, varied vegetation, birds, and getting a closer view of the narrow gorge. However, some time the water levels are so high to get off the boat from the bottom of the falls and in ths case the hiking is done the other way round from the top of the falls to the bottom
Additionally, Travelers can explore Murchison Falls National Park’s vast landscape and varied scenery on foot. Walking Trails through Kaniyo Pabidi and Rabongo Forests provide sightings of many primates and birds.
Community And Local Cultural Encounters
Boomu community and Women’s groups Kihaguzi and Kigaragara came together with programs to reduce poverty and malnutrition within the communities and utilizing the availability of tourism in the region and currently, It has now grown from a craft group to a community tourism project, guided tours, and a well-tended garden. You can experience everyday rural life, stories of customs and culture, cooking demonstrations, blacksmith artistry, and basket weaving. Additionally, Mubako community located beside the park with few economic opportunities in this region, and the climate makes farming hard. So, the revenue generated through tourism by the sale of wooden sculptures and hand-woven items, cultural songs, and dance performances helps improve their livelihood so when you participate in these cultural and community activities, you contribute to community empowerment and cultural conservation.
