Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda (Kabalega National Park): Big 5 Uganda Wildlife Safaris & Tours
Murchison Falls National Park, locally known as Kabalega National Park, is situated at the end of the Albertine Rift Valley, and it is Uganda’s oldest and largest safari park. Murchison is located 305 kilometers north of Kampala in Masindi District and can be accessed by road or flight. Murchison Falls National Park was first gazetted as a wildlife reserve in 1926 and is home to 76 different mammal species and 451 birds. Murchison Falls Conservation Area is made up of Bugungu, Karuma wildlife reserves, and Murchison Falls National Park.
Murchison Falls National Park is bisected by the Victoria Nile, which plunges 45m over the remnant valley wall, creating the dramatic falls, the park’s unique attraction, and the final event in an 80km stretch of rapids. The mighty cascade drains the last of the river's energy, transforming it into a broad, placid stream that flows quietly across the rift valley floor into Lake Albert.
Regular visitors to the riverbanks include elephants, giraffes, and buffaloes, while hippos, Nile crocodiles, and aquatic birds are permanent residents. Notable visitors to Murchison Falls National Park include Winston Churchill, Theodore Roosevelt, Ernest Hemingway, and several British royals. Common activities include: wildlife viewing safaris at Murchison Falls / game viewing, launch trips to the bottom of the falls, and hikes to the top (Devil's Cauldron), birding, and nature walks.
Launch trips stand out as the most common exciting activities because they get you close to the centerpiece of the park. For those who want an aerial wildlife viewing experience, hot air balloon activities are available within the park. The vegetation of Murchison Falls National Park is made up of Savannah, Riverine forest, and woodland. Some of the wildlife includes kobs, elephants, Rothschild giraffes, hartebeests, oribis, leopards, lions, Uganda kobs, chimpanzees, and many bird species. This safari park is an all year wildlife destination but can best be visited on a uganda safari during June to late September or January to mid-March.
Location / Getting to Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park is located in the northern region of Uganda. It is located north-west of Kampala, the capital city of Uganda. The park spreads its boundaries to districts like, masindi, buyisa, kiryandongo and nwoya and it spans in land to form the shores of Lake Albert and over the bunyoro escarpment and around karuma falls wildlife reserve. Getting to Murchison Falls national park is easy and affordable, as one can decide to travel by bus and spend about 3hours from Kampala. Other travelers decide to fly from Entebbe Kajjansi Airport to the Chobe Airstrip, which is the quickest means of transport to the park.
Actvities In Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park has got a lot to offer in terms of activities that will spice up your tour to the conservation area. Some of the activities that you will not miss out on your safari to the park include Game Drives, Boat Cruise, Bird watching and nature walks. Each activity is paid for separately, and once your tour operator is booked, be sure to confirm the activities that you want to include on your safari to Murchison Falls National Park .
It's a thrilling experience as one feels so refreshed by the flashing waters that send off a cooling wave of water droplets. For the primate lovers, Budongo Forest offers chimpanzee tracking activities where travelers will engage with the primates.
Murchison Falls
The Murchison Falls are the main attraction in the national park and are the reason why the park took over the name Murchison Falls National Park. The River Nile falls into a gorge that is about 7meters wide at the point of the falls and later falls 45meters high to form a big splashing fog creating the magnificent Murchison Falls. For the travelers, this is an amazing experience as most of them are seen taking a launch cruise at the forefront of the falls to catch the amazing scenery. Others prefer to take a hike to the top of the falls and feel the splashing fog give them a touch of freshness.
Wildlife Species
Wildlife species are abundant in the park and are one of the main attractions that bring along many travelers from all over the world. On your tour to murchison falls national park, you will be delighted to spot several species like lions, giraffes, elephants, cheetahs, leopards, hippos, buffaloes, hyenas, and many more. As you tour the national park, you will also be able to have a glance at different bird species like the Abyssinian birds, illadopsis pulveli, the yellow-footed flycatcher, pitta reichenowi, parmoptilla woodhouse, and shoebill, among others. It is noted that the national park has over 450 bird species.
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Ziwa rhino sanctuary is a private and non- profit conservation project for the endangered animals in Uganda. It proudly harbours a unique animal species called the white rhinos, and it is the only place you can find the rhinos in Uganda after being depleted from Murchison Falls National Park and Kidepo National Park during the massive war in the 1970s, together with the rampant poaching in the 90s. Many tourists who travel to Murchison Falls National Park opt not to miss the sanctuary visit as it holds a unique feature, "White Rhinos". Visit Uganda to experience what Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary holds.
Budongo Forest
Budongo forest is part of the Murchison Falls National Park conservation area (MFCA). Budongo forest is the only natural forest that has been in existence for centuries in Uganda. The forest is a famous destination for chimpanzee safaris and nature walks in Uganda. This fame is, especially, attributed to the fact that it continues to be the only naturally grown forest in Uganda over the years, and it is a home for the endangered primate species, the chimpanzees.
Budongo forest is under the watchful care of the National Forestry Association (NFA). The works and programs of conservation in the Budongo area are also partly shared by Budongo Conservation Field Station (BCFS), a non-government organisation that works hand in hand with Makerere University to carry on the conservation projects of Budongo Forest, also known as a conservation reserve.
Kaniyo pabidi forest
Kaniyo Pabidi forest is a significant area in Murchison Falls National Park as well as in the tourism industry of Uganda known for its bird life, which supports birding safaris in Murchison Falls National Park. This forest is located north east of the major natural forest in Uganda; Budongo forest. The forest is managed by the Jane Goodall Institute of Research. It is located just 8km from the Kichumbanyobo gate of Murchison Falls National Park, which is a 30-minute drive. From Masindi town, Kaniyo Pabidi forest is situated in an area of about 112km from Masindi town.
Rabongo Forest
Rabongo forest of Murchison Falls National Park gives you the best camping Safari experience in the safest forest sites, guarded well. You can enjoy the thrilling nightfall with the sound of the forest dwellers, which creates the most epic night in the wild. The sweet melodies from the night birds, plus the soothing fresh air in the forest, added to the dappled light rays dropping through the spaces in the broad tall tree canopies and much more, make the most memorable safari camping in Rabongo forest.
Accommodation Facilities
When it comes to accommodation, Murchison Falls National Park might have the best tour facilities in terms of lodges in the whole country. The park provides a wide range of accommodation for the best Uganda safari/Uganda tours, ranging from budget lodges, mid-range lodges and luxurious lodges.
With the above activities, Uganda safaris / Murchison Falls safari, Uganda tours are a really must-do experience. Murchison Falls National Park highlights Uganda safari destinations. Besides visiting Murchison Falls National Park, there are also other top activities to do in Uganda. some other popular activities include Uganda gorilla trekking or uganda gorilla safaris conducted in bwindi impenetrable forest national park and Mgahinga gorilla national parks, chimpanzee trekking in kibale forest national parks , Uganda wildlife safaris at queen elizabeth national parks/ kidepo valley national park/ lake mburo national park. hiking trails at Mount Rwenzori/Mount Elgon, among others.
The moment you choose to do a safari, you have to be sure that you choose a trustworthy tour operator to carry out the trip for you. Tour operators help you smooth out your tour safari. They will be in charge of planning the journey, paying for permits, park entry fees, booking the accommodation facilities and all. For a tour to Murchison Falls National Park, we advise that you choose from the following tour operators, i.e., Achieve Global Safaris and Focus East Africa Tours. Also, remember to choose a tour operator that is registered under the Association of Tour Operators in Uganda.
