Why Choose Murchison Falls National Park For Uganda safari

Murchison falls National Park in Uganda is an astounding African safari destination, well endowed and perfectly positioned at center of the country. Murchison Falls National Park is a prime Uganda safari destination bisected by River Nile the longest river in the world and the largest wildlife habitat in the country. Request For A Quotation

When on a Uganda safari to Murchison Falls National Park expect to engage in game drives, launch trips, chimpanzee trekking, birding, sports fishing, nature walks and more. A well tailored itinerary that covers most of its Uganda safari activities may take the least time 3 day Uganda safari to Murchison Falls National park.

Brief summary of Murchison Falls National Park

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Murchison Falls National Park covers about 3893 square kilometers of protected land but expands to more than 5072 square kilometers inclusive of wildlife reserves that is Karuma and Bugungu. In 1864, a famous explore Sir Samuel Baker and his wife visited Murchison Falls National Park during his expeditions then named it Murchison Falls after the name of the then president of the society he came from.

In 1926, Murchison Falls National Park was gazette as a game reserve with the aim of protecting the savanna. Early in 1907, Winston Churchill had described the park as a “Kew garden and zoo combines on unlimited scale.

Murchison Falls National Park has featured in several movies like “The African Queen” in 1951 by Humphrey Bogart and more. Several high profile dignitaries have also spent holiday time in Murchison Falls National Park like Late Edward VII in 1930, Queen mother in 1959 and more.

The energy at Murchison Falls is so strong in that Sir Samuel Baker referred to it as the most important part of the entire River Nile course where the river spends most of its energy.

A multitude of wild animals, birds and much more are recorded as part of the occupants of Murchison falls National Park including lions, leopards, waterbucks, bushbucks, giraffes, buffaloes, hartebeests and more.

Some entry points into Murchison Falls National Park include Tangi gate close to Pakwach, Wankwar Gate close to Purongo, Chobe gate close to Karuma Falls and more.

Distance covered by River Nile in Murchison Falls National Park

The River Nile course is the life blood of Murchison Falls National Park flowing in the park for about 120 kilometers and along its course several animals, birds move down to quench thirst, take a bath, grab a meal and more. Several plants thrive along the River Nile course which keeps them vibrantly green all year.

The Victoria Nile which is part of the River Nile course first stumbles for atleast 80 kilometers over a bed of underlying rocks creating white water placid, the river squeezes through a 6 meters wide gorge. River Nile furiously bursts out of the gorge, cascades a 43 meters high cliff into a plunge pool then continue with its course on the floor of the rift valley for about 55 kilometers to lake Albert.

Safari Activities to Do in Murchison Falls National Park Uganda

Game Drive in Murchison Falls National Park

Get up early for a morning game drive in Murchison Falls National Park but the southern part of the park especially the Buligi savanna area is most preferred. This is the prime savanna game viewing area, a grassland and wilderness situated between the Victoria Nile and albert Nile.

While on game drive in Murchison Falls National Park, you may spot, leopards, lions, herds of Elephants, cape buffaloes, hartebeests, waterbucks, giraffes, hyenas and more. The game drive from Paraa area takes you to the Delta point lasting more than 3 hours to 4 hours.

Chimpanzee trekking in Murchison Falls National Park

The chimpanzee trekking experience during Uganda safari in Murchison Falls National Park is exciting and gets you closer to these endangered primates in their natural habitat. Kaniyo Pabidi forest which is 8 kilometers from Kichumbanyonbo gate of Murchison Falls National Park is the home to these primates.

Other primates are residents of Kaniyo Pabidi forest too including black and white colobus, red tailed monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, blue monkeys and more.

Only one hour of chimpanzee trekking is allowed with the chimpanzees as a measure used to allow humans visit these primates but give them chance to go on with their lives too for the day.

One must reserve a morning or afternoon chimpanzee trekking permit for Kaniyo Pabidi forest.

Birding on Uganda Safari in Murchison Falls National Park

Over 451 bird species are recorded as residents of Murchison Falls National Park including Albertine Rift endemics. While on birding safari in Murchison Falls National Park, you may spot are shoebill, Black-Billed Turaco, African Fish Eagle, African Skimmer, Green Sunbird, Red throated Pipit, Senegal  Plover, Shikra Accipiter badius, white-throated Bee eater and more

Some of the best birding spots in Murchison Falls National Park include papyrus delta, riverine, Kaniyo Pabidi forest and so many others.

Launch trip to Murchison Falls National Park

The highlight of safari activities in Murchison Falls National Park is the launch cruise which gets you to the source of River Nile drama. While seated at the comfort of your boat, you get to watch several animals that move down the River banks to quench thirst, several birds flock the river banks daily to pick freebies from the marshes, stunning ever green vegetation and more.

You hear the roars of Murchison Falls before coming face to face with these magical falls and this also changes boat turbulence especially as you sail closer to the view point.

Finally, Murchison Falls comes into view with a cloudy appearance as River Nile irately squeezes through the narrow bend, produce a thundering sound before plunging into the valley to catch up with the course.

Take photos of Murchison Falls with instructions from the ranger guide on board as the water at this point is very dangerous in case you accidentally drop in.

Hike to the top Of the Falls

You can choose to do a hike to the top of the falls where River Nile drama is generated. The hike to the top of the falls has drama as you get to watch River Nile water dramatically stagger over a bed of embedded rocks push the rough the narrow bend.

The hike to the top of Murchison Falls take about 45 minutes to 60 minutes but you must be company of a ranger guide. An alternative route to the top of the falls is the 30 minutes drive of the main Masindi route which is at a distance of about 15 kilometers.

Sports Fishing in Murchison Falls National Park

Go wild by taking on the angling challenge while on safari in Murchison Falls National Park Uganda. Carry you own fishing equipment and hire a boat to spend time with while trying to catch some fish in River Nile.

Do not forget to purchase a fishing permit from Uganda Wildlife Authority. Some of the fish species you may while on sports fishing adventure in Murchison Falls National Park include Nile perch, tilapia, mud fish, cat fish and more. Catch and release method is mostly used during on sports fishing adventure in Murchison Falls National Park t avoid depleting fish from the river.

Trip to the Delta point in Murchison Falls National Park

Take a boat from Paraa area downstream passed swamps where you may get the chance of spotting a number of water birds including shoe bill, papyrus endemics and more. the distance to cover from Paraa to the delta is about 20 kilometers for about 4 hour to 5 hours.

A number of wild animals like hippos, crocodiles, at the banks can be seen on the way to the delta where Victoria Nile flows into Lake Albert.

Advance booking is necessary so that necessary planning can be made.

Nature Walks In Murchison Falls National Park

A guided walk in the forested areas of Murchison Falls National Park immerses you in the natural aromas of the park. A Walk in Rabongo forest which is a riverine forest situated in a sea of grasslands in the east of the Murchison falls conservation area. 

The guided nature walk in Kaniyo Pabidi forest is unforgettable. While on a guided walk in Murchison Falls National Park you may find black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, red tailed monkeys, olive baboons and more.

Several forest birds are often seen moving around the forests in Murchison Falls National Park and so much more.

Tips To Uganda Safari In Murchison Falls National Park

• Carry the right safari gears noting that Murchison Falls National Park receives high temperaturessometimes. Do not forget to pack both warmers and light safari wear to cover up for the changes in weather. Avoid bright colors that may attract insects especially blue, white, black, yellow and more.
• Hire a 4×4 wheel drive vehicle for the game drives in Murchison Falls National Park because the tracks in the park get messy sometimes. Having a professional and well trained ranger guided is recommended for you to enjoy the entire experience on this Uganda safari.
• When driving in Murchison Falls National Park, use the recommended speed limit to avoid chances of knocking down some animals or loosing speed.
• Stay at accommodations within or outside Murchison Falls National Park so that you can catch up with activities in the park like early morning game drives.
• Do not step out of your lodge or vehicle while in Murchison Falls National Park because you may encounter the wild animals that may hurt you.
• In case you have to take a walk in Murchison Falls National Park, hire a ranger guide for security purposes.
• The river crossing in Murchison Falls National Park is every hour except for 1300 hours when lunch break is taken. Ferry crossing starts at 0700 hours and stops at 1900 hours in Murchison Falls National Park so take note of this timing

Best time to Do Uganda safari in Murchison Falls National Park

The best time to visit Murchison Falls National Park is the dry season that is June to September and December to January. The tracks in Murchison Falls National Park are easier to navigate in the dry season and grass lower allowing better visibility of even far ranging animals.

Most of the day, the wild animals and birds keep closer to water sources during the dry season that is along Riverine so during activities like launch trips, you get to spot a variety of them.

The wet season that is March to May and November is open for game drives in Murchison Falls National Park as the park is not affected by extreme weather.

Distance From Kampala or Entebbe to Murchison Falls National Park

The drive from Kampala to Murchison Falls National Park is about 305 kilometers lasting about 5 hours. From Masindi the drive to Paraa the main administration area of the park is about 85 kilometers

Another route into Murchison Falls National Park is via Budongo forest at a distance of about 135 kilometers.

From Chobe Gate, you can get into Murchison Falls National Park closer to Karuma Falls and Tangi gate closer to Pakwach at 25 kilometers and this is the northern route.

Accommodation To Book In Murchison Falls National Park Uganda

Murchison Falls National Park has a variety if accommodations categorized into luxury, mid-range and basic. Murchison Falls National Park accommodation include Nile Safari Lodge, Paraa Safari Lodge, Murchison River Lodge, Sambiya Lodge, Red Chillis Camp and more.

Find out the inclusions and exclusions in the cost of accommodations for Murchison Falls National Park to plan in advance.

What Is The Cost Of Uganda Safari In Murchison Falls National Park

The cost of Uganda safari to Murchison Falls National Park is categorized into Upmarket, mid-range and budget. The park entrance cost for Murchison Falls National Park is currently between $40 and $45.

Consider other safari expenses too included in this Uganda safari to Murchison falls National Park including accommodation cost, transport cost and more.

Do not forget the cost of personal expenses likely to incur while on safari in Murchison Falls National Park. Carry some hard cash to use for on ground expenses like purchasing drinks, souvenirs, tipping and much more.

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