MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK UGANDA

MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK UGANDA

INTRODUCTION
Murchison falls national park is the largest and oldest park in Uganda located in the north western part end of the Albertine rift valley. It covers the districts of Buliisa, Nwoya ,Kiryandongo and part of Masindi, measuring approximately 3893 square kilometers.
Murchison falls national park is bisected by the Nile the longest river in the world, it also lies on the shores of Lake Albert which is shared by Uganda and DR Congo, lying over the Bunyoro escarpment and around Karuma falls wildlife reserve.
Murchison falls is also known as Kabalega falls and this was the name before Sir Samuel Bekar renaming it to Murchison in reward to his boss then Rodrick Murchison who was he president of the royal geographical society, it’s between Lake kyoga and Lake Albert on the Victoria Nile. River Nile forces itself through a narrow gorge less than 33ft wide forming the mighty Murchison falls where the park derives its name.

HOW TO GET TO MURCHISON FALLS 

Murchison falls national park is accessible by road and air from Entebbe international airport to Pakuba airstrip 19km from north of Para safari lodge, and Bugungu airstrip next to Red Chill rest camp and Murchison river lodge. This park has the northern bank and southern bank gates since it’s bisected by river Nile which makes it easier to access from which over direction you drive from.
The northern bank gates consist of the following Wankwar, safari lodge Chobe gate, and Tangi gates via Kampala- pakwach route which crosses the Nile at Karuma falls in the north eastern corner of the park as you access from Kampala.
The southern gates include kichumbanyo gate which is 16km from Masindi, Mumbako gate, Bugungu gate. The two routes lead to the park and the lodges within like Para safari lodge, Murchison river lodge, Nile safari lodge, Sambiya river lodge, Bakers lodge, Budongo Eco lodge, Kabalega lodge from Masindi, this is the most direct route if coming from the Kampala- Masindi high way through kichumbanyo gate,. On using this route visitors get a chance to penetrate through the heart of Murchison falls national park called Budongo forest the largest in Uganda where they can do Chimpanzee tracking, a little nature walk and bird sighting on the way.
On using this route you get easily to the top of falls since they are in the southern bank here you view the falls from the top as they drop about 48 meters through the rocks . A longer route on the diversions runs through Masindi to paraa via bulisa 136km. This route passes through Budongo forest before a memorable descent of the Rift valley escarpment with the view of Lake Albert and beyond to the Blue mountains of DR Congo.

ACTIVITIES AND ATTRACTIONS IN MURCHISON FALLS

Top of the falls (unique selling point) 

Tourists from all over the world come to explore the world’s most powerful water fall, the beauty and uniqueness of the water falls as viewed from the top, the falls pump and splash waters on the surface making the light rainfalls and the great roar made by the falls giving the tourists a memorable experience. Hiking on top of the falls you will get a grasp on the devil’s cauldron, where the beautiful rainbows touch the rocks and over the falls.

Wild life mammals and birds in Murchison falls national park
This park shelters over 76 species of mammals and over 451 species of birds. The park is famously known for having the big 4 (lions, leopards, buffalos, elephants) excluding the rhinos but these can be visited in Ziwa rhino sanctuary in Nakasongala on your way to the park or from the park depending on the direction you drive from and gives tourist a chance to see the big five. The other mammals include Giraffes, bushbucks, warthogs, Uganda kobs which are scattered in the savannah woodlands, crocodiles, Jackson’s hartebeest, etc.
Birds, Murchison falls national park also shelters 451 species such as the secretary bird, horn bills, widow bird, giant king fisher, gray crowned crane ,red throat bee eater etc. This gives opportunity to the birders and also promote bird watching in the Uganda as the birders haven.

BOAT CRUISE SAFARI ON THE NILE
Boat cruise launch from Paraa to view the Murchison falls from the bottom breaking through the cliffs at the head of fajao gorge. On this trip you entitled to viewing the rich riverside wildlife such as the school of hippos, crocodiles at the famous crocodile bar, elephants, bush bucks, water birds and vegetation.
Budongo forest Chimpanzee Tracking.
The heart of Murchison falls in the southern bank is covered with forests and bushes which gives an opportunity for nature walks, bird watching and chimpanzee tracking in Budongo forest as well as for educational tours.
Lake Albert delta Nile
Here is where the Victoria Nile merges in Lake Albert forming a swampy delta which shelters variety of bird species such as the famous shoe bill, African fish eagle and the reptiles, boat rides can be organized to the delta for the shoe bill stoke and sport fishing.

Game drive in Murchison falls national park
This is mostly done in the northern bank since there is a high concentration of animals compared to the southern bank which has few population but through translocation being done by Uganda wildlife authority there is hope in population increase in southern bank because they recently translocate a number of giraffes to the southern bank. The game drives are divided into two day and night game drives, this gives the chance to spot the big 5s, the herds of buffalos, antelopes, snakes and birds. Mj Safaris Uganda offers affordable tour packages to Murchison Falls national park.

Guided nature walks and Hiking
There is room for nature walks in the park, these can be done in budongo forest as it gives the opportunity to see the primates such as monkeys, chimpanzee and view of the birds and butterflies.
Hiking on top the falls, visitors getting off the boat cruise from Samuel’s point hiking on the Baker trail which gives them a clear view of Murchison falls and Uhuru falls.

BIRD WATCHING
The park has a good range of bird species over 451spieces such as secretary bird, African fish eagle, shoe bill, horn bill, gray crowned crane , Carmon bee-eater and many more. This gives a room for the birders and for the wild life photographers.

BOAT CRUISE
Paraa is the starting point of the boat trips to the falls and to the delta, it is also a site of the new bridge that crosses the Nile to connect both banks of the park and replacing the ferry. Boat cruise gives site of the rich riverside wildlife such as the school of hippos, herds of elephants, crocodiles, Jackson’s hartebeest and the birds as well as the rare flora and fauna. This also gives a great sea breeze experience while on the cruise.

Cultural involvements
Cultural entertainment done by the energetic dancers from Mubako perform around the camp fires. Though dancing and singing using the African traditional musical instruments, this keeps the tourists entertained and having a great night life experience.

ACCOMODATION IN MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK
lodges are found outside and within the park i.e. Paraa safari lodge, Chobe safari lodge, uwa bandas, Red chill camp, Nile safari lodge, Murchison river lodge, Kabalega safari lodge, Budongo Eco lodge, Pakuba safari lodge, Heritage safari lodge, Fort Murchison lodge, Sambiya river lodge, Baker’s lodge, Murchison tree house, Boomu women’s group bandas, Bwana Tembo safari camp, Global village guest house, Kalalo cottage inn, Masindi hotel, New court view hotel, Parkside safari lodge, Shoebill campsite, Uganda wildlife campsite, Yebo safari camp,