Murchison Falls National Park

Formally known as Kabalega National Park, Murchison Falls National Park is in northern Uganda, northwest of the capital Kampala, and extends its boundaries to a number of districts within and beyond the Bunyoro escarpment including Nwoya, masindi, Kiryandongo and Buyisa. It is found on the northernmost reaches of the Albertine Rift Valley with its terrain bisected by the Victoria Nile.

Murchison Falls National Park was first gazetted in 1927 and today is the largest park in Uganda, covering an area of 3840 sq km / 1483 sq miles.

Murchison Falls National Park is popularly known for having the world’s most powerful waterfall that emits large volumes of water about 300 cubic meters per second or 11,000 ft³/s.

Murchison Falls National Park is home to more than 73 animals species among which are four the ‘Big Five’ including buffaloes, leopards, lions and elephants (except rhinos) and also known to have various primates living within its verdant forests like the Budongo among are over 610 chimpanzees, in addition to 451 bird species including 23 Albertine rift endemics.

Sightseers that enjoy to sight marine wildlife have the chances to also sight some marine species and also the national park has three-quarters of the world’s population of Rothschild giraffes plus a population of herbivores which has recently doubled including the Uganda Kobs.

Murchison Falls National Park offers a very breathtaking view worth enjoying and this comes about from the powerful water fall which creates a thunderous noise with a splashing cloud of fog.

Murchison Falls National park can easily be accessed easily by air and road. From Kampala to Murchison Falls it is about 4h 30 mins via Kampala – Masindi route (282 km) or 5h 30min via Kampala-Hoima. There are also charter flights from kajjansi Entebbe to chobe airstrip.

Safari activities at Murchison Falls National park

There are various safari activities that can be carried out from Murchison Falls National Park and these include;

Bird Watching: due to the various species including Albertine Rift endemics, water birds and savanna forest birds, Birders will surely be well rewarded with a great birding experience while at the national park.

Murchison Falls National Park
Birding in Murchison Falls National Park

Nature Walks & Hikes: Murchison Falls National park offers several trails that can be explored on foot through the Rabongo and Kaniyo Pabidi forests to see birds and primates.

Cultural Tours: Murchison Falls National park offers thrilling energetic cultural dances by the Mubako as you sit by a campfire, village tours to see the traditional lifestyle of the locals and the crafts shop by the Boomu Women’s Group.

Game Drives: These are conducted early morning as well as in the early evening offering you a chance to enjoy up-close views of the different animals.

Boat Safaris: Boat safaris along the Nile River are another popular activity in Murchison Falls National Park. These boat cruises provide excellent opportunities to see hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of bird species along the riverbanks.

These are some of the various safari activities that can be carried out at Murchison Falls National park as you get to know more about the destination and also marvel at the beauty that is within the safari point.

Accommodation at Murchison Falls National park

While at Murchison Falls National park there are different accommodation ranges from budget lodges, mid-range lodges and luxury lodges like the Chobe Safari lodge hence offering options for all sightseers irrespective of your Uganda safari budget.

Some of these accomodations include; Red Chilli Rest Camp, Yebo Safari Camp, Pakuba Safari Lodge, Murchison River Lodge, Fort Muchison Safari Lodge, Parkside Safari Lodge, Boomu Women’s Group Bandaas etc.

Note: sightseers on a safari holiday to the Murchison Falls National Park are advised to pack a number of things including; a valid passport with visa and a yellow fever vaccination certificate, camera, comfortable safari clothing that are not brightly colored, long sleeved shirts, scarfs, trousers, sunscreen, sunglasses, caps, a hat, evening wear, durable waterproof shoes with ankle support especially when going on nature walks or chimpanzee trekking.

For more information about Murchison Falls National park get in touch with our most trusted tour company Explore Rwanda Tours to be booked up for the thrilling safari activities in the national park and all over Uganda.

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