About Murchison Falls National Park
About Murchison Falls National Park : Murchison falls national park is one of the oldest, most visited and largest national park found in north-western region of Uganda , it was locally known as kabalega national park sitting on the shores of lake albert (The home of rare shoebill stork) around the Victoria Nile, up to the Karuma falls covering the total area of 3,893 square kilometers (1,503 ) square miles with wildlife for safari tour to spot wide range of animals since the park has over 144 animals, 51 both amphibians and reptiles and 556 species of birds) , savannah, forests, swamps, lodging among others . Murchison falls national park is was established in 1952 situated North West of Kampala, the capital city of Uganda.
How to get there; It takes approximately 305 kilometers (5-6 hours’ drive Via Masindi town to the park headquarters at Paraa (85km from Masindi ) the southern Kichumbanyobo gate since it’s the most direct and main gate from KAMPALA/ Entebbe international airport and an hour to fly to the close Pakuba airstrip . The park has 6 GATES that include; Kichumbanyobo gate, chobe gate, wankar gate, tangi gate ,Mubako gate and bugungu gate. You can be in Murchison falls national park through a tour agent/company or self- drive.
Murchison falls national park charges Entrance fee
Entrance fee refers to the money charged by (government body) Uganda wildlife Authority in charge of Tourism from Tourists Before accessing the park promises.
Foreign residents are charged 35 USD per person, Non foreign residents are charged 45USD per person and Ugandans 25,000 ugx per adult and children are charged 25usd per child non-foreign resident, 15usd per child foreign resident and 10,000 ugx per child Ugandan. Park Entrance permits are given at All ther gates .
Murchison fall national park has many different attractions and activities (Please note that each activity in the park is paid for) include;
Ziwa Rhino Tracking in the ziwa Rhino sanctuary located north of Kampala on the Kampala – Gulu highway towards Murchison falls national park . For one to Track Rhinos has to be charged 50 usd per person Non foreign residents , 25 usd per child and 30,000/- UGX Ugandans
Game viewing since there are over 144 species of mammals and it the home of the big five animals that incudes ; Elephants , Lions, Giraffes ,leopards though its rarely spotted, Uganda kobs ,antelopes , bush bucks , buffaloes , Jackson wildebeest, warthog , , hyena , jackals among others. The best time to spot wildlife in Murchison falls national park is December Through Febrary, for chimpanzee trekking in Budongo forest is October Through January since grasses are always short and fruits start to ripe..
Boat cruise to bottom of the falls that will give you a chance to see Hippos, Crocodiles and birds. It takes 2-3 hours. Boats are charged 30,000ugx per person Ugandans, 30USD per person for both Foreign and foreign residents.
Birding /bird watching activity especially for bird lovers since the park has 556 species of birds include; Black headed lap wing , Black Billed Barbet ,Senegal thick knee, yellow fronted tinkerbird, long –toed lapwing, long tailed nightjar , shoe bills along albertline among others.
Fishing in Murchson falls national park can be done all the time. you can either choose to fish or boat besides the nile (on the river banks ) ; The fish caught includes; Nile perch ,large cat fish , tilapia , Tiger fish etc . The commonly known fish caught is Nile Perch.
Cultural visits in the local village where tourists are entertained with traditional local dances participating in process of fishing ,making crafts for sale.
Murchison falls national park has different categories of lodging/accommodation inside and outside with budget option, mid- range and luxury that meets guests choices.
Budget lodges in lake Murchison falls national park include; Horn bill lodge ,Parkside safari lodge , Red chill rest camp, Barlyec safari lodge , shoebill campsite, Yebo safari camp , ziwa Rhino camp , Uganda wildlife campsites among others.
Mid- range lodges include; Pakuba safari lodge , Murchison river lodge , Fort Murchison lodges , masindi resort ,Murchison falls bamboo lodge ,Twiga safari lodge , sambiya river lodge , amuka lodge among others.
Luxury lodges in Murchison falls national park include; Nile safari lodge , Paraa safari lodge , chobe safari lodge(Under Marasa Africa) Bakers’ Lodge etc.
