Activities in Murchison Falls National Park; Murchison Falls National Park is famously known as the largest and oldest game park in Uganda, covering an area of about 3876 square kilometers that inhabits large population of wildlife with over 86 mammals and more than 450 bird species many more.
There are many different activities and attractions to engage in while on safari to Murchison Falls National Park and below are things to do and see;
Murchison Falls
This is the major attraction to be attracted by most of tourists who visits the park. No one visit these falls and be disappointed. It provides magnificent view of the thunderous waterfalls and bubbling water balloon as well as enjoying memorable photography. This site can be accessed by car.
Game Drive
Murchison Falls National Park is comprised of open savannah grassland, woodland as well as the tropical forest which are habitant for various bird species and mammals. Among the animals to see include the lions, hippopotamuses, Rothschild’s giraffes, warthog, Cape buffalo, Uganda kob, Jackson’s hartebeest and elephants among others.
There are three sessions to engage in, morning game drive afternoon, evening and night game drive. Morning game drive is the best rewarding experience because tourists are able to see bucket of game especially the predator like Kings lions, spotted Hynes, leopards among other. Game drive here is best enjoyed in an open poop safari land cruiser with a knowledgeable English-Speaking guide. The best time to go for game drive in Murchison is during the dry season.
Boat cruise
Boat cruise in Murchison Fall is quite a rewarding experience, where you will get to cruise close to devil’s cauldron- one of the most scenic views in the park. Get to watch water species like hippos, bird species among others.
Boat cruise can also be done at the bottom of the falls as well as at Lake Albert. And there are two sessions; the morning boat cruise starts at 9:00pm and afternoon boat cruise starts at 2:00pm. Below is a simple explanation about the two types of the boat cruise;
The bottom of the fall boat cruise;
The bottom of the falls is quite exciting as you begin your boat cruise at the starting point. While on boat cruise, you will sail near the hippos and the crocodiles pool where you will be able to view huge number of hippos floating on water. Watch quadric birds such as cattle egrets, white egrets many more. The ride is more interesting with bottles of cold drinks with the friends.
The boat cruise gives great opportunity of rewarding view of Nyamusika cliffs, nature around and wildlife species like buffaloes, elephants and various kobs. You will also be able to cruise near the bottom of the falls with gainful view of devil’s cauldron as well as viewing Nyamusika cliff which is rugged with various holes formed by the force of water droplets hit the ground from the cliff thus acting as home for various bird species among others.
The Albert Delta Launch Cruise
Boat cruise to the Albert delt starts from paraa and the boat sails on the gently flowing Nile waters after losing its power from the falls plunge pull. You will cruise down the stream where the river divides up to create many floating Island of papyrus zones. At the Albert delta, expect to sight see the sought-after unique shoebill storks and perfect site for the sun downers.
The launch trip upstream from Paraa gives impressive views of the wildlife and waterfalls.
The sundowner boat cruise can be enjoyed at around 5:30pm, offering a thrilling view of an equatorial sunset reflected on the river.
What is the cost of boat cruise in Murchison Falls National Park?
Boat cruise in Murchison Falls National Park goes at USD30 per person respectively. Drinks on the boat are sold at a reasonable fee.
Bird watching
The best places for birding in Murchison Falls are between Paraa Rest Camp and Ferry crossing and some of bird species to see include; Spotted Mourning Thrush, Silver bird, Bluff-bellied Warbler, Blue-napped Mousebird, Vitelline Masked Weaver, Chestnut -crowned Sparrow -weaver Black -headed Gonolek, Black -headed Batis, White -rumped Seed-eater among others.
The Park also rewards with common nocturnal species including; Verreaux’s owls, Nightjars like long tailed and Pennat -winged nightjar best watched between the months of March to September. Other bird species include; White African fish eagles, African skimmer, Long-toed plover, Gray Crowned crane, Goliath Heron among others.
Nature walks
Guided nature walks is best done on foot while in Murchison Falls Conservation area. Walk through exciting trails at paraa winds throughout low hills, gullies and forest around the river.
Nature walk can also be done at top of the falls, Kaniyo pabidi and Rabongo Forest. While on walking safari ,you will explore different primate species like Red tailed monkeys ,Black and white colored monkeys, chimpanzees ,view birds and medicinal plants.
Kaniyo Pabidi is a serene area of natural forest within Budongo Forest Reserve. Walking experience can be done at the beneath of mature Mahogany trees and Chimpanzee trekking is the best-done activity here. While in Budongo forest, you will encounter many forest birds, including the chocolate backed kingfishers, White-thighed Hornbill and Puvell’s IIIadopsis which can’t be found elsewhere in East Africa.
Buligi Peninsula
This is an excellent site for game viewing in the park where tourists expect to see species like buffalo, elephants, antelopes and giraffes and if you’re lucky, you might come cross lions and leopards. Follow another game track at the Delta point where the Nile flows north out of Lake Albert thus a stopping place for refreshments as well as viewing waterbirds offshore and distant hippos.
Heart of Murchison
The heart of Murchison lies in the southern part of Murchison Falls National Park, covered by bush and thick forest. Along your game experience here, expect to view herds of Uganda kobs, lions and other species.
Visit the top of the falls
Visiting the top of the falls is worthwhile because of its powerful fall with splashing water.
This site is quite rewarding for both birders and nature lovers which starts from Sambiya River lodge or Mubako Junction. Encounter the hidden treasures on foot along the north bank from paraa passing the Emmy River. The walking experience can take between one to two hours.
Spot Fishing in Murchison Falls
Fishing in Murchison Falls National Park can be done around the year and the best caught fish species include; catfish, Nile perch, tilapia, tiger fish and Ngara. So we advise you to carry your own fishing equipment’s.
Chimpanzee Tracking
Chimpanzee tracking in Murchison Falls National Park can be done in Budongo forest a home of mahogany tree species, various birds and primates. Chimpanzee tracking starts in the morning with accompany of the guide who will lead you through the tracking trails in search of them. The trekking experience can last between 30minutes to 6 hours depending from where last seen the previous day.
On finding them, you will be given one hour to observe their way of life in the jungle- watch them grooming their younger ones, playing, feeding, swinging on the tree branches.
Hot Air Balloon
This is the one of the major activities in the park to enjoy the park’s species in aerial view as well as enjoying complementally bush breakfast out in endless plains of the park.
Culture encounter
During cultural encounter in the park, expect to visit Mubako small craft shop sells carved wooden sculpture and handwoven item made by the local community. You will also be entertained by the local cultural groups with amazing songs and dances around the campfires of local lodges.
Where to stay?
There is no worry from where to stay while on safari in Murchison Falls National Park, you can sleep in comfortable accommodation facilities ranging from luxury to Budget lodges such as Nile Safari lodge, Pakuba Safari Lodge, Chobe safari lodge, Paraa Safari Lodge, Parkside safari lodge, Amuka safari lodge ,Parkside safari lodge ,Sambya safari lodge ,Baker’s lodge among others. They all offers perfect amenities.
How to Get to Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park have got several gates including Chobe, Wankar and Tangi gate in the northern sector and Kichambanyobo ‘’main gate’’ as well as Bugungu gate in the southern sector.
By road transport; You will drive from Kampala or Entebbe via Masindi to the main gate ‘’Kichambanyobo which takes between 5-to-6-hour drive.
By Air Transport; One can also reach Murchison Falls National Park by a domestic flight ‘’Aero link Uganda’’ from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjasi to fly you either to Bugungu air field, Chobe air field or Pakuba airfield within 45hours.
You can book the chartered aircrafts that operate domestic trips to the national parks in Uganda like Aero link Uganda, stationed at Entebbe International Airport.
When is the best time to visit Murchison Falls National Park?
The best time to visited Murchison Falls National Park is during dry season which starts from December to February and June and September. The Park lies in the hottest regions of Uganda with the temperature ranges between 25 to 35 degrees Celsius.
Get started planning a visit to Uganda’s most visited destination Murchison Falls National Park and experience the unbeaten hidden treasures that makes Uganda to be called the Pearl of Africa.