When Is The best Time For A Safari To Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park is best experienced in the dry season although it is open all year. Murchison Falls National Park has a busy schedule during the June to October and December to January season when visitors yarn for a spot in this park for the holiday. In terms of size, Murchison Falls National Park is about 3893 square kilometers and is the largest Uganda protected area.

The position of Murchison Falls National Park stride the River Nile strategically puts it on an advantage because it is the lifeblood of the park. There is plenty of supply to feed on by park dwellers and may be this is why the park pauses a long list of wild species.

The presence of Murchison Falls referred to as the strongest falls in the world, it is also the most exciting part of the River Nile Course and is the highlight of the entire Park. The roaring sound of River Nile as it squeezes through the 6 meters wide gorge to burst out and produce a thundering sound is unbelievable.

During the season, more wild animals move to the bans of River Nile to quench thirst and take a bath under the scotching sun and this can best be experienced during the launch trip. An array of birds flocks the shores of River Nile all seasons to get a taste of the freebies in the marshes. You can never run out of what top see in Murchison Falls National Park Par no matter what season you visit.

Visiting Murchison Falls National Park in the wet season must not worry you because there is plenty to see too including the possibilities of witnessing new births. The grass is higher providing a safe haven for infants to hide from predators unlike in the dry season when the grass is generally lower because it is over feed on.

What You Can Expect To See And Do In Murchison National Park Uganda

Launch trip to Murchison Falls

Listening to the roaring sounds of River Nile as it stumbles over the bed of rocks, squeezes through the 6 meters wide bend and burst out to produce a thundering sound is emotional. This moment can only be explained by those on ground because it brings such a great feeling.

As you sail to the Murchison falls, look over to the banks of River Nile that are often decorated with several wild animals like crocodiles, schools of hippos, lions, giraffes, herds of elephants, cape buffaloes , hartebeests, leopards to mentions but a few. A plethora of birds of different species enjoy moment at the shore of River Nile and can be seen and clearly even from your boat,

You hear the sound even before facing the power of River Nile as the sight of Murchison Falls come into vision. The violent River Nile then cascades down the 43 meters high cliff to continue with the rest of the course and you can feel this power even at your boat because its turbulence changes. At the Murchison Falls it is where the last of River Nile energy is transformed into a broad placid stream that flows quietly across the rift valley for about 55 kilometers to Lake Albert.

Hike to the Top of Murchison Falls

The cooking point of the River Nile drama to form the magical Murchison Falls is best witnesses from the top of the fall. From this point, you watch River Nile slowly build its momentum as it staggers over a bed of rock for about 80 kilometers launches its anger in the 6 meters wide gorge to later burst out and form the cloudy appearance. This point is also know as the devil’s scoundrel but it may not be for the faint hearted.

You can get to the top of the Murchison Falls by disembarking from the boat but this requires advance arrangement or drive to the top of the Falls but you must be in company of a ranger guide.

Game Drive in Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park never runs out of what to see and do and taking a game drive in this par is never a disappointment. To enjoy the best experience on game drive in Murchison Falls National Park, an early rise is very important and using tracks like Buligi trail open better chances to witnessing game drama. This trail is a hangout spot for antelopes and even predators like lions love spending time around such juicy areas to catch a meal for the day.

During the game drive in Murchison Falls National Park, you may encounter wild animals like waterbucks, bushbucks, giraffes, Buffaloes, oribi, hartebeests, reedbucks, leopards, hyenas to mention but a few. Over 350 bird species are recorded as residents of Murchison Falls National Park some of which include kingfisher, African skimmers, white backed Night Heron, Silver bird, Vitelline Masked Weaver, Black Headed Gonolek, White Rumped Seedeater, shoebill to mention but a few.

Birding Safari in Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park is a rich Uganda birding destination with chances of spotting a wide range of birds because of its unique habitants. The presence of the long list of birds is enhanced by abundant wildlife and scenic and scape. At the moment about 350 birds species have been recorded as residents of Murchison Falls National Park.

Some of the birds you may get the chance to find on Uganda birding safari in Murchison falls National Park include Blue-napped mouse bird, Buff belied Warbler, Vitellied Masked Weaver, Verreaux’s Eagle Owl, Pel’s Fish Owl, Yellow throated leaf love Shoebill Stork to mention but a few. You can do birding long the shores of Victoria Nile or Kaniyo Pabidi forest or around the different areas of the Park to enjoy the best experience. An early rise is very important to catch up with the early risers before they disperse.

Chimpanzees Trekking in Murchison Falls National Park

The chimpanzees of Murchison Falls National Park are residents of Kaniyo Pabidi forest which is about 8 kilometers from Kichubanyombo Gate of the park. These chimpanzees can be trekked early morning or afternoon but you need a chimpanzee Trekking Permit.

The Kaniyo Pabidi forest is one of the still existing natural forests with a few of the leftover fully grown Mahogany trees. The trails created by regular visitors to this forest lead you to where the chimpanzees may be spending there day.

Chimpanzees are indeed man’s closest relatives wit traits very close to what humans have. They live in communities under the leadership of an alpha male who is democratically selected by the community members. The behavior of the chimpanzees during the moment of one hour that you are allowed to be with them you may notice has a closer resemblance to some of the characters of humans.

For conservation reasons, only one hour is allowed in the presence of these primates to allow them go about there daily activities. The longer humans are allowed with the chimpanzees the more they are exposed to chance of getting some infections and vice verse. Chimpanzees need to also search for a meal for the day which they cannot fully achieve with humans interruption.

Scenic Viewing In Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park provides a spectacular environment away from the usual. Other than the activities in the park , while in Murchison Falls National Park, you get moments to wind and rewind from the life challenges while enjoying the view of the staggering River Nile. Listen to the wild calls and watch the sun cast its rays on the surface of the River as day time gives way for night to take charge.

For honeymooners, spending time in Murchison Falls National Park Creates everlasting memories after your great day. You can never run out of what to do during Safari in Murchison Falls National Park.

Sports Fishing in Murchison Falls National Park. Murchison Falls National Park is bisected by the Victoria Nile which is part of the great River Nile and here, anglers have plenty to catch. You need to have a fishing permit from the Uganda Wildlife Authority to be allowed to engage in sports fishing in Murchison Falls National Park.

Carry own fishing equipment too and hire a fishing boat. The time you spend angling in Murchison Falls National Park depends on your budget as some take half day, Full day or a couple of days on fishing safari in Uganda.

Some of the fish species you may get chance to catch during fishing tour in Murchison Falls National Park include Nile Perch, Tilapia, Cut fish, lungfish and others. Catch and release method is used for sustainable existence of the fish in River Nile. Fishing on River Nile in Murchison Falls National Park is gazetted for certain areas as there are also breeding spots too.

How Much Is The Cost Of Uganda Safari To Murchison Falls National Park

The cost of Uganda safari to Murchison Falls National Park varies with activities you hope to engage in. the cost of Par entrance fees is compulsory for every tourists and at the moment, the cost is about $45 per person per 24 hours.

Other costs you may have to incur include ferry crossing which is a must in case your activities include heading to the southern banks of the Park that is the Paraa area especially for game drivers and accommodation.

For chimpanzee trekking in Kaniyo Pabidi, you need a chimpanzee trekking permit, the hike to the top of the falls is accompanied by a ranger guide, launch trip, vehicle hire, gas to last the entire game drive and much more.

In a nutshell, the cost of safari to Murchison Falls National Park Par is influenced by factors like number of days, number of people travel with, number of activities to engage in, timing of the safari, additional safari activities to mention but a few.

Safari packages that form the cost of the Murchison Falls Tour are categorized into Upmarket, Mid-range and basic.

Is Murchison Falls National Park Safe To Visit?

Murchison Falls National Park is safe to visit as on ground there are check points that every visitors in the par must go through. These are highly guarded by well trained ranger guides and others Uganda security operatives together they keep law and order in and around the Park

Murchison Falls National Park has guideline expected to be followed by every tourists for their safety and the wildlife in the park. Violating some of the rule of your stay in Murchison Falls National Park may put people in your company at risk like no stepping out of your vehicle without permission from the ranger guide because you may not know what is watching. Even in the night, you must not step out of your room because night dwellers are in action.

Persona safety starts with you so while in Murchison Falls National Park, make sure to abide with the regulations of the National Park

Rules Of Safari In 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.