How To Plan A Safari In Murchison Falls National Park And Queen Elizabeth National Park

To plan a safari in Murchison Falls National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park, you need to identify the activities to do in both parks but they should be within your holiday time frame. Both Queen Elizabeth National Park and Murchison Falls National Parks are game rich destinations in Uganda.

Murchison Falls National Park is bisected by Victoria Nile which is part of River Nile course. The presence of River Nile in this park is a blessing as is lifeblood of wildlife that exists in here. A number of wild animal congregate on the shoreline of River Nile to take a bath and quench thirst. The presence of Murchison Falls is one of the highlights of this park where river Nile unleashes most of its energy. Enquire

Queen Elizabeth National Park is a biosphere reserve situated on the floor of the rift valley. The northern part of the Park has the Mweya peninsula where the main headquarters of the park are situated while in the southern sector in the Ishasha area, the tree climbing lions are most prominent residents. The Kyambura gorge which is part of this park is home to the chimpanzees. 

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What To Do On Safari To Murchison Falls National Park And Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Game Drive In Queen Elizabeth National

A game Drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park is most rewarding in the morning when you take a drive in the tracks of the park. During the game drive especially in the Buligi sector, you may get the chance to find lion prides here as they try to prowl and prey on the Uganda kobs that are common residents here.

Other animals you may find during the game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park include herds of elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks, bushbucks, hyenas, leopards, warthogs and other inhabitants. A game drive in Ishasha sector may give you an opportunity to find the tree climbing lions that are residents of this area.

Launch trip on Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park

The shoreline of Kazinga channel is a wildlife spectacle as this 40 meters long channels is a congregation spot for animals that move from the rift valley plains especially in the dry season. A number of hippos and crocodiles are spotted in the channel too. The launch trip on Kazinga channel starts from the Mweya pier and may take 3 hours of return trip.

While on the launch trips, you may spot herds of elephants, waterbucks, buffaloes, hippos,  crocodiles and many other animals. Multitudes of birds are attracted on the shoreline of the channels all year around including forest migrants

Chimpanzee Trekking In Kyambura Gorge Of Queen Elizabeth National

A community of chimpanzees lives in Kyambura gorge which is a forested part of Queen Elizabeth National Park that is 100 meters deep. The Kyambura gorge was formed when River Kyambura eroded its way towards Kazinga channel.

To do chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge, you need to secure a permit from Uganda Wildlife Authority. You can do the morning or afternoon chimpanzee trekking experience in Kyambura gorge.

Visit to the crater lakes area

The 27 kilometers long scenic crater lakes area is winding with both wet and dry craters. These craters are beautiful and can be explored when you drive from the main and Equator gates. Some of the outstanding craters in Queen Elizabeth National Park include lake Nyamunuka with a putrid smell, the blue copper lake close to Maramagambo forest, Lake Katwe which is one of the oldest industries in Uganda where rudimentary methods are still being used and many others.  At times flamingos are  spotted visiting the craters situated adjacent to the Kyambura wildlife Reserve.

Nature walks in Queen Elizabeth National Park

The nature walks in Maramagambo forest are exciting with chances of spotting a number of primates including black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, olive baboons, red tailed monkeys, blue monkeys and much more. The bat cave with millions of bats that roast in it and get out as the day comes to the end.

Birding Safari Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park is a rich Uganda birding destination as the park has more than 605 bird species recorded as residents here. During the birding tour in Queen Elizabeth National Park include Grey headed kingfisher, African Skimmers, Payrus Gonolek, Black rumpled Buttonquail, Red chested sunbird slender billed, African Harrier Hawk, Martial Eagles and others.

Some of the finest birding locations in Queen Elizabeth National Park include the stretch from the crater lakes areas, the dotted Rwenzori ranges in the Northern part of the park, around the lake Edward area, around the Ishasha river, Maramagambo forest and others.

Murchison Falls National Park

Game safaris in Murchison Falls National Park

The game drives in Murchison Falls National Park are exceptional especially when you start early morning. By taking the Buligi track to the Albertine Nile, you may get the opportunity to see lions in action at the way to prey on the Uganda kobs that are common residents here. Other animals you may find during the game drive include lions, leopards, hartebeest, giraffes, buffaloes, elephants, waterbucks, bushbucks and others.

Launch trip to Murchison Falls     

The launch trip to Murchison Falls is a wildlife spectacle with a number of animals that often congregate on the banks of River Nile to quench thirst and take a bath on a hot sunny day. On the way, you may get the chance to identify a number of animals including the hippos and crocodiles that are permanent residents of the River, lions, giraffes, buffaloes, herds of elephants and others.

The view at Murchison Falls is breathtaking with River Nile pushing through the 6 meters wide gorge the burst out vigorously before cascading the 43 meters high cliff to continue with the course. If you wish to visit the source where the entire adventure is generated from a hike to the top of the falls is a great choice.

Birding in Murchison Falls National Park

The birding adventure in Murchison Falls National Park is rewarding as the park hosts about 350 bird species. The elaborate bird list in Murchison Falls National Park is owed to the varied vegetation zones in the park including tall grass woodland, Acacia savannah, wetlands around lake Albert and its tributes.

During the birding adventure in Murchison Falls National Park, you may find birds including yellow throated leaf love, purple banded sunbird, African fish Eagle, Red winged Grey Warblers, shoebill stock and others.

Chimpanzee trekking in Kaniyo Pabidi Forest

Chimpanzee trekking in Kaniyo Pabidi forest of Murchison Falls National Park is open to the public. From Kicumbanyombo gate of Murchison Falls National Park, Kaniyo Pabidi forest is about 8 kilometers from the gate. During the search to find the chimpanzees in Kaniyo Pabidi forest, you may encounter other primates including grey cheeked mangabey, olive baboons, black and white colobus and others.

When with the chimpanzees in Kaniyo Pabidi forest only one hour is allowed with them as conservation measure. Chimpanzees are some of the endangered primates in the world on the IUCN list.

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

A detour to Ziwa Rhino sanctuary to and from Murchison Falls National Park is an opportunity to spend time with the rhinos that are under rehabilitation. Uganda was once home to Rhinos but because of the endless civil wars in the country, they were wiped out. The rehabilitation program of Rhinos in Ziwa sanctuary is positively growing as more infants have been registered at the Ziwa sanctuary.

Sports fishing in Murchison Falls National Park

Sports fishing in Murchison Falls National Park is a great choice to make when on safari in Uganda. Murchison Falls National Park has points where anglers can catch fish. Catch and release method is encouraged for sustainable existence of different fish species.

Tourists need to have a sports fishing permit from the Uganda Wildlife Authority to be allowed to do this activity. Some of the fish species you my catch include Tilapia, Nile Perch, lungfish, catfish, mud fishing and others.        Tourists need to have a sports fishing permit from the Uganda Wildlife Authority to be allowed to do this activity. Some of the fish species you my catch include Tilapia, Nile Perch, lungfish, cat fish and others.

When Is The Best Time To Do A Uganda Safari In Murchison Falls And Queen Elizabeth National Park

The dry season is most preferred time for Uganda safaris because the wilderness is dry and grasslands where animals live is shorter providing better visibility toof the game. The environment in the game parks provides chance to explore the forest although the environment in Murchison Falls National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park tends to get dusty.

The animal find there way to different parts of the game parks in Uganda as they have to search for a meal to feed on. the chimpanzees in the forest of Kyambura gorge and Kaniyo Pabidi are quicker to find.

Note that more tourists book Uganda safaris in the dry season which is normally June to September and December to February.

The wet season is also great time for engaging in Uganda safari to Queen Elizabeth National Park and Murchison Falls National Park. Expect most of the animals to stay in sheltered spots most of the time especially on a serious rainy day. The wet season is normally March to May and the vegetation is expected to be high as this acts like hiding spot for infants born in this season.

How Safe Are Safaris In Queen Elizabeth National Park And Murchison Falls National Park

The safaris in Queen Elizabeth National Park and Murchison Falls National Park are safe because on ground there are ranger guides from Uganda Wildlife Authority to keep law and order around these Uganda conservation areas.

When in these game parks, there are guidelines that every tourists is expected to abide by so as to remain safe. Donot step out of your lodge in the night because you donot know what may be watching from close by.

During the game safari, donot make noise or hoot as you may agitate some of the animals and they my charge at you.

What are the Rules of safaris in Queen Elizabeth National Park and Murchison Falls National Park

Driving in the Park must be within the set speed limit set by Park Authorities in order not to hurt the wildlife.

Feeding animals in the park is forbidden because they must not depend on human supply but fend for themselves

Driving off track while in Murchison Falls National Park is forbidden because chances of hurting the wild animals are high.

Dumping garbage while in the National Park is forbidden because this alters the nature of Park

Touching wild animals no matter how nice looking they may be is forbidden because they can spread some germs to you from the wild or you to them so keep your distance.

Noise making during a game drive is forbidden because this may scare the wild animals and send them into hiding.

While with the chimpanzees donot use flashlight as this may scare them and send them into hiding.

During sports fishing, catch and release method is used so as not to deplete the species in River Nile.

The wild animal also have feelings and mood swings so try to act in a way that may provoke them.

Stepping out of your safari vehicle without an armed ranger guide is not acceptable because you may not know what may be watching.

In case you have to use a drone or other filming gargets that are exceptional inform the authorities in order to avoid being stopped or they may be confiscated.  

During the boat cruise, stay at the points recommended by the ranger guide or captain so as to balance the boat avoid uncertainties.

Donot take drinks that may compromise your sense of judgement during the boat trip so that you can be able to enjoy the entire experience. Book Now