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Murchison Falls National Park Attractions and Various Activities

Murchison Falls National Park Attractions and Various Activities

Many consider Murchison Falls National Park the heart of the Pearl of Africa because it offers astonishing wildlife, magnificent waterfalls, and the gentle flow of the Albert River. Consequently, these features make it an ideal place for a safari. Furthermore, it serves as the largest conservation area in Uganda, covering 3,893 square kilometres.

Location

The Park spans across four districts: Kiryandongo, Masindi, Buliisa, and Nwoya. Furthermore, it occupies the northwestern part of the country along the scenic shores of Lake Albert.

How to get to the Park

You can access the Park through different routes.

  • From Kampala via Masindi, a stopover at Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary before reaching Kafu Corner is always on the itinerary. We generally refer to this path as the northern route.
  • From Kampala, via Masindi, use the Kichumbanyobo gate—the southern route.
  • Also, via the Hoima road, Buliisa district, turn East and enter the Park through the Bugungu gate.

About the Park

Originally, the Bunyoro kings used the Park as their private hunting grounds. Because only the royal family could access the area, they inadvertently provided massive protection for the wildlife. However, when Europeans arrived, they gazetted the land as hunting grounds for white governors. Later, the area became the Bunyoro Game Reserve until officials finally gazetted it as a national Park in 1952, alongside Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Murchison Falls National Park Attractions and Various ActivitiesThe River Nile divides the Park into two sections, which form the southern and northern banks.

You can find most game drives on the northern bank, where savannah grasslands and widespread borassus palm trees create an ideal habitat for a variety of wild animals. Furthermore, the Park’s geology features rocky areas along the escarpment and sandy, rock-free terrain towards the delta.

You can usually spot lions on early morning drives along the Queen and Victoria tracks.

The Park is a habitat for approximately 76 mammals and 451 bird species. The Park is one of the few which contains large numbers of animals, with elephants as ecosystem engineers. The elephants changed the Park’s ecosystem in the early 1950s.

The animals include buffaloes, leopards, lions, warthogs, baboons, bushbucks, oribi, and spotted hyenas, among others. Among the bird species is the endangered shoebill stork in the delta of the Victoria Nile. You can spot a wide variety of water birds during the cruise to the bottom of the falls.

During your visit to the Park, you cannot miss out on chimpanzee tracking in the Budongo Forest, at a relatively low price compared to the cost in Kibale National Park.

Many birders consider the Royal Mile the best destination in Africa because of its rare bird species. Furthermore, this area is a butterfly paradise where you can encounter over 250 species on your trips.

Meanwhile, resident chimpanzees may visit you as you explore the forest. You cannot miss the forest walks in Budongo Forest during your visit.

Murchison Falls National Park Attractions and Various ActivitiesAccessibility in the Park

Park officials have developed various trails for you to explore, such as the Victoria Trail. Furthermore, you can enjoy spectacular views of the top of the falls along Wankwar Road, while Chobe Road offers a quieter drive with less traffic. To reach the other side, the ferry transports passengers from the southern bank to the northern bank at regular intervals starting at 7 am.

The Bunyoro trail offers a chance to view the two magnificent falls in the Park: The Murchison Falls and the Victoria Falls.

The Acholi trail also offers good views of the Uhuru Falls.

Top of the falls

You can access this place by taking a rewarding cruise to the base of the falls. During the journey, you will see a wide variety of animals, including the highest concentration of hippos in Africa along the Nile. Furthermore, you can spot various water and ground birds, such as the pied kingfisher, while observing Nile crocodiles as they enjoy the riverbanks.

The boat docks on a base rock where the hike to the top of the falls starts. Up the falls, you get the clear views of how the mighty waters form a 7-meter narrow gorge to form the Murchison, which pours into a 43-meter plunge into the devil’s cauldron.

Murchison Falls National Park Attractions and Various ActivitiesAccommodation

A variety of Accommodation facilities are available in the Park, ranging from high-end, middle-class, and budget options, including Chobe Lodge, Paara Lodge, Nile Safari Lodge, Pakuba Lodge, Sambiya Lodge, UWA public campsites, Boomu women’s community, and Global Village Lodge, among others. These provide excellent service to the visitors, making the visit memorable.

Communities and culture

The Park doesn’t operate in isolation; it works hand in hand with the local people around the Park, for example, the Boomu women group, who engage in craft work and sell souvenirs to our guests. The Acholi, Langi, and Alur cultures surround the Park in the north. Consequently, when guests encounter these vibrant communities, they create many lasting memories.

In the southern part, we have the Banyoro and Bagungu; all the stunning experiences with these cultures are worth it for the guest.

Activities in the Park

  • Game drives and night drives
  • Launch cruise
  • Birding
  • Bush camping
  • Spot fishing
  • Hot air balloon
  • Village/community walks
  • Jane Goodall developed chimp tracking in the Paniyo Pabidi
  • Cultural performances near the ferry