Discover Murchison Falls National Park

Background

Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s largest National Park covering approximately 1,503 square miles. The park is located in the North-western Uganda and spreads inland from Lake Albert’s shores, around the Victoria Nile going up to the Karuma falls.

The park and the adjoining Budongo forest are a habitat to over 76 species of mammals and over 450 bird species. The mammals include; the valued Rothschild’s giraffe, the cherished Uganda Kob, the cape buffalo, elephants, warthogs, and hippos. The notable bird species include; the rare Shoebill stork, Goliath heron, dwarf kingfisher, great blue turaco and the white-thighed hornbill. Murchison Falls National Park is a terrific safari destination for the wildlife enthusiast.

Adventure & Activities

The uniqueness of Murchison Falls – Uganda’s largest park ‘Stretching over 3,893 square kilometres (1,503)’, makes it rich with various safari adventure activities to engage in.

1. Game drives

Game drives are a ‘must do’ adventure in Murchison Falls National Park. A drive through and around the game tracks presents you with the possibility of seeing herds of buffalos, warthogs, elephants, bushbucks, oribis, duikers, reedbuck, kobs and the slender and tall giraffes looming over the lush savannahs. Occasional stops are made for you to capture the amazing wildlife in motion on camera or video, you can however decide to imprint the spectacular scenes on your memory.

2. Community Visits

A safari trip to Murchison Falls National Park will give you a chance to encounter the remote community of Mubako. The thatched huts and crude setting of the Mubako community presents a vivid reflection of the traditional African society. The vibrant performances of traditional songs and dances around an evening camp fire is like colour added to the picture . It is a thrilling experience meeting and interacting with these strangely beautiful people.

3. Hiking and Nature Walks

The immense park has vast landscapes and numerous trails and places to go for nature walks. There is option of trekking through Kaniyo Pabidi and Rabongo forests where you can sight many birds and primates, you can also choose to hike through the woodland to the top of the falls for a mind-blow experience. Being on top of the falls is like stepping out of the world into another planet. You can also choose to walk to Paraa – Uganda’s largest wildlife conservation area.

4. Birding

Murchison Falls National Park is undeniably a great for birding. The park has a number of birding spots you can encounter during game drives, hikes, and nature walks. The park has over 450 bird species among which are; Albertine rift endemics, forest birds and birds. The bird species to encounter in Murchison falls National Park include; Abyssinian ground hornbill, widow birds, open-billed storks, marabou storks, black-bellied bastards, Secretary birds, Hornbills, grey heron, flycatchers, warblers, and woodpeckers.

5. Sport fishing

The banks of the Victoria Nile below the deafening Murchison Falls offer a terrific fishing spot to anglers. With a hook and line among other fishing equipment, the avid anglers have an opportunity to battle for the Nile perch which is normally buried deep in the strong current and the Nile’s oxygenated water. The adventure is somewhat exerting but satiating especially when you hook a fish as great as 108kg!