Murchison Falls National Park is located in the north western part of Uganda and is home to the world’s strongest waterfall, this stunning national Park is also one of Uganda’s best game drive destinations as it has a vast area of 3,893 square kilometres making it Uganda’s’ biggest national park. It lies along River Nile Africa’s longest River and spreads to the shores of lake albert. Murchison Falls National Park is found in the districts of Nwoya spreading through Masindi, Bulisa and Kiryandongo. It is approximately 305 km from Kampala the capital city of Uganda. Wildlife at Murchison Falls National Park include; Lions, elephants, buffaloes that move in herds, leopards, crocodiles, chimpanzees, hippopotamus, Nubian giraffes, Jacksons hearte beast, Uganda kob, sitatunga, warthogs, bush bucks, water bucks, hyenas, monkeys, oribis, Rhinos which are at Ziwa Rhino sanctuary, baboons, fish among others.
Murchison Falls national park is a birders haven with a variety of birds species. The park is a home to about 450 bird species which are spread throughout Murchison Falls National Park. The following are some of the wonderful bird life one can view while having a Uganda birding tour at Murchison Falls National Park; Abyssinian ground hornbill these usually migrate from other country, blue-headed coucal, swamp flycatcher, African fish eagle, silver bird, Senegal thick-knee, Goliath heron, malachite kingfisher, African jacana, yellow-fronted tinkerbird, black –billed barbet, giant king fisher, Black –headed gonolek, Denhards bustard, malachite kingfisher, speckle-fronted weaver, silver bird, shoe bill, osprey, weaver birds, African jacana, African qualifinch, piapiac, osprey to mention but a few.
Tourist activities to do at Murchison falls National Park
Game drives; Murchison falls national park is known for the best game drives in Uganda where one can experience one of the best wildlife safaris. Murchison falls national park is filled with numerous wildlife species such as; Lions, elephants, buffaloes that move in herds, leopards, crocodiles, chimpanzees, hippopotamus, Nubian giraffes to mention but a few which shall fulfil one’s wildlife viewing expectations.
Birding; Murchison falls national park is a UNESCO recognised birding site and is home to numerous one’s bird species of approximately 450 these indeed shall fulfil a birders experience some of these bird species include; African fish eagle, silver bird, Senegal thick-knee, Goliath heron, malachite kingfisher, African jacana, yellow-fronted tinkerbird, black –billed barbet, giant king fisher, Black –headed gonolek, Denhards bustard, malachite kingfisher, speckle-fronted weaver, silver bird, shoe bill, osprey among others.
Murchison falls; These are the world’s strongest falls and have beautiful features surrounding such as the trees, the beauty of water falling from a level above the ground not for getting the therapeutic sound of the water fall while it squeezes through the gorge and falls to the ground. This alone is a very great experience for one while on a Uganda safari at Murchison falls National Park.
Boat cruise; On waters of river Nile or just below the falls one can have an opportunity of a boat cruise with a guide and guide where to pay, and duration of the cruise and view wild life such as hippos, crocodiles on water. This is a fun and relaxing experience which a tourist can enjoy on their visit to Murchison falls national park.
Community experience; Murchison falls national park has a diverse community and tribes that surround the park. For example, it has the Alur in the northwest, the Bunyoro in the south and the Acholi in the North east all these have unique cultural practices and backgrounds. While on a Murchison falls national park safari one can visit these tribes according to convenience and learn about their ways of life, their traditional crafts, dances and songs to mention but a few
Chimpanzee trekking; Towards Murchison falls lies the forest reserves of Bugoma and Budongo, these forest reserves are home to very many Chimpanzees. One can enroute from Murchison falls to Visit this beauty and carryout chimpanzee trekking.
Nature walks; There are walking trails around Murchison falls and these trails can enable one to have the best scenic views of the water falls, the beautiful vegetation and also view wildlife while on a walking safari isn’t that incredible about the walking trails in Murchison falls national park?
Hot air balloon safaris; One can view wildlife while in a hot air balloon and get a chance to view some animals that cannot be seen from the ground. This experience usually lasts for an hour to 5hours and at Murchison falls national park it begins from 5am and usually one pays 380USD if they are foreign residents and 925,000UGX for both Ugandans and east African residents. One while on hot air balloon safari can view herds of buffaloes, elephants, and get an aerial view of the water falls.
The best time to visit Murchison falls national game park is during the dry seasons of the year in the months of January, February, June, July, August, September, November, December. This national park however can be accessible throughout the year.