What to Do on Safari In Queen Elizabeth And Murchison falls National Park Africa

Both Queen Elizabeth National park and Murchison Falls National park are game parks in Uganda east Africa. Murchison falls National park is bisected by River Nile with a rich wildlife enjoying the flavors of Northern Murchison falls banks and Southern Murchison falls banks. It’s really a Kew garden and zoo on unlimited scale as baptized by Sir Winston Churchill.

Queen Elizabeth National park lies on the floor of the western arm of the East African Rift valley watered by several lakes like Lake Edward and Lake George plus numerous craters on its floor. A number of wildlife enjoy its environs composed of bushy grassland, Acacia woodland, forest grassland and lake shore swamp vegetation.

Both Murchison falls National park and Queen Elizabeth National park share there free habitats with a eclectic number of game like Lions, hyenas, African Buffaloes, water bucks, bush bucks, leopards, warthogs, giant forest hogs, ungulates like Uganda Kobs and others. Each national park also harbors unique animals that do not exist in another like giraffes, Okapi, hartebeests are known to Murchison Falls National Park.

Taking a Uganda safari to both Queen Elizabeth National park and Murchison Falls National Park takes you into the wonderland of the African wilderness.

Activities To Do In Murchison Falls National park in Uganda

Game drives in Murchison falls National Park

Varied habitats such as savannah, open water, papyrus swamp, woodland and tropical forest are home to numerous animals. An early rise drive for game drive especially in the northern sector Paraa side gives you chance to watch early risers depart from night hide outs.

When you take the savannah grassland, especially Buligi trail to the shores of Albert Nile you have high chances to see lions niggling to grab a Kob that enjoy spending the day munching the lovely grass here. Look out for elephants, giraffes, water bucks, bush bucks, hyenas, Okapis, hartebeests, African buffaloes and huge flocks of birds to mention but a few.

Take as many pictures of animals as you see them especially the carnivores because they are not so common to locate. They keep hiding from there prey.

A Boat Trip To Murchison falls in Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison falls boat trip is the climax of any tour to Murchison Falls National Park. it’s a time to wind and unwind about the beauties endowed by in and on the banks of Victoria Nile. A lot the ride, you have chance to spot water dwellers like Nile crocodiles, schools of hippos, otters, herds of elephants taking a bath at the shores.

Water bird shore off there tactics some of them include grey headed kingfisher, swamp flycatchers, water thick-nee and others. When you look over the high plateau that overlooks the Nile valley, you enjoy numerous birds that nest in holes engraved in the slopes of this cliff.

As you draw closer to the falls, the boat starts palpitating causing a change in turbulence. Foamy toppings come into view as you here heavy plashes of water from the falls. Watch the Nile as its squeezes through a narrow gorge and violently burst out to create a cloudy appearance.

Take as many photos as you can but do not attempt to get into the water because it’s dangerous. They’re very many monsters waiting for a meal.

Get back to your lodge

Hiking To The Top of the falls in Murchison Falls National Park

Getting the full view of River Nile as it stumbles upon a bed of rocks to make a vigorous exit through a 6 meters wide gorge is at the top of the falls. You can get there by vehicle then a short hike or off a Paraa boat and hike.

The magnitude of splashing Nile water that goes through this bend is unbelievable displaying all the sights and sounds of River Nile. It’s no wonder that Sir Samuel Baker his wife described it as the best part of River Nile.

Chimpanzee trekking in Murchison Falls National Park

In Kaniyo Pabidi the forested part of Murchison Falls National Park are communities of chimpanzees. They are habituated chimpanzees living with other primates like olive baboons, vervet monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, L’Hoest’s, black and white colobus to mention but a few.

Fishing on the Nile in Murchison Falls National Park

Anglers have a chance to catch the huge Nile perch during sport fishing on a safari to Murchison Falls National Park. Particular points are designated for Sport fishing so advance booking is required plus carry your own lures. A private is necessary to sail you to those points and can be hired too.

Visit Ziiwa Rhino sanctuary on the outskirts of Murchison Falls National Park

Just on the periphery of Murchison Falls National Park is Ziiwa Rhino sanctuary where rehabilitation of the once extinct Rhinos in Uganda is being done. A walk to locate the huge Rhinos is absolutely awesome as you may get chance to spot some calfs. Over the years, the Rhinos have multiplied to now about 30. It’s all from the supporters who take off there time to do the Ziiwa Rhino sanctuary visit.

Activities To Do In Queen Elizabeth National Park Africa

Game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Taking an early morning game drive or evening game drive within vast skies of in Queen Elizabeth National park is an opportunity to see a wide range of wildlife. The Kasenyi grass land is the drama zone of this park where lions may be seen camouflaging in the grass to catch busy Uganda Kobs.

Look out for herds of buffaloes that may be seen in the wallows with warthogs, elephants, water bucks, topis, mongoose, vipers, hyenas, leopards, tortoises and so much more. The remarkable bird life is exceptional in Queen Elizabeth National park hosting over 605 bird species.

Crater Lake visit during the game drive takes you to beautiful views of wet and dry craters. Then most outstanding are Nyamunuka Lake with a putrid smell and at times referred to as wild animals’ hospital. Lake Katwe dates back in the ancient days where salt was mined and used for Barter exchange

Taking off time in Queen Elizabeth National Park is like bringing to the reality and walking out of jungle book.

Boat Trip On Kazinga Channel In Queen Elizabeth National Park

The most enduring activity of Queen Elizabeth National park is the boat trip from Mweya peninsular sail on Kazinga channel to Lake Edward. Granting hippos light up the shore at times with a fountain display, huge Nile crocodiles find time on the shore line, flocks of birds grace the shore all day long including foreign migrants. Others animals love to cool the day’s heat from the channel water like elephants, buffaloes, water bucks and others.

It feels great spending your evening on a scenic boat ride going passed wonderful mix of vegetation zones. Watch the sun go to sleep behind the horizons before returning a shore.

Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge Queen Elizabeth National Park

Descending the 100 meters deep Kyambura gorge offers you chance to see the chimpanzees and other primates that enjoy the forest goodies. This gorge is a result of Kyambura River action on the rift valley floor as it flows to Kazinga channel.

Each day ranger guides brief clients early morning and afternoon who later go into the forest searching the chimpanzees. During the severe rainy seasons, the slopes of the gorge are slippery so you have to pack covered tracking shoes that will support during chimpanzee trekking.

Forest Walks in Maramagambo Forest Queen Elizabeth National Park

Maramagambo forest is a lovely tropical forest home to a huge population of primates like black and white colobus, olive baboons, red tailed monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey. A wide-range of bird also spend there day in the forest.

Taking a forest walk in Maramagambo forest gives you chance to not only meet primates and birds, enjoy the view of blue Sulphur Lake, the ancient bat cave, huge and rare tree species and others.

Visit Bwindi national park for Gorilla trekking after Queen Elizabeth National Park safari

After game drive in Ishasha sector of the park, you have chance to connect with gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable National Park. You can drive through Ishasha sector and may have chance of spotting the tree climbing lions. This drive is about 5 hours with scenic views of Kigezi highlands.

You need to have reserved a gorilla trekking permit and packed the right gorilla trekking gears because Bwindi activities involve self-participating and getting dirty to get happy. You need to have tracking boots, long sleeved shirt, rain proof gears, pair of hand gloves,  at least 2 clean mask, covid -19 certificate with negative results in 72 hours or full immunization certificate to mention bur a few

What To Pack for Queen Elizabeth National park and Murchison Falls National park safari in Africa

Both parks receive extremely hot seasons during drought seasons. You need to know the weather forecast of the park before travelling to help you pack right. Carry a mix of sleeveless and sleeved wear to match all possible seasons.

A camera with great lenses to focus and captcha a great photo of wild animals that cross your way. Every moment matters as it may go in a flash.

Insect repellants to cover your full body because the forest is infested by some stinging insects too.

Flip flops or comfortable pair of shoes to wear while in the vehicle on a game drive. You rarely get out to the ground.

A cap to protect your hair from the park dust especially peak seasons when many vehicles drive in the pack.

Sun screen to protect your skin from harsh sun rays that tend to cover the parks all day especially the dry seasons. June to September and December.

Toiletries just in case your hotel or lodge doesn’t offer these services.

Some Itineraries with Queen Elizabeth National park and Murchison Falls National park

 3 day Queen Elizabeth National park

3 Day Murchison Falls national park

5 Day Gorilla Trekking and Queen Elizabeth National park

6 Day Gorilla trekking and Murchison Falls National park

8 day Gorilla trekking, Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls National Park