Murchison Falls
Murchison Falls
Murchison falls is the main attraction in the southern part of Murchison falls national park. It is associated with a number of fringe activities which, all together can make a 2 days Murchison falls safari. Murchison falls got its name from the geologist called Roderick impey Murchison who was a president of the geologists’ society as well as the royal geographical society in 1862. It is from the falls that the whole protected area got its name in 1954 when it was established from then the safaris to this magnificent place began.
Back ground of Murchison falls
John Speke and James grant where the first Europeans to see the falls in 1862, sir Samuel baker and his wife Florence baker came and explored the whole area thoroughly in 1863. Sir Samuel baker named the falls Murchison after the president of the royal geographical society (RGS) that was sponsoring African exploration during the 17th century.
During the reign of the so called field marshal idi amin dada as the president of Uganda, he renamed Murchison falls to kabalega falls, which name is sometimes still used by the local people in the area. However, this drama all came to an end when idi amin was overthrown by President Milton obote who brought back the old name that the falls carry till present; Murchison falls and the national park at large.
Geology of Murchison falls
The victoria Nile at the point of the falls, goes through a narrow gorge of just a few meters; about 6 metres wide, before it falls down the 45 metres high cliff through the rainbow spray or fog or mist into a deep narrow valley below and continues flowing westwards to the albert delta; where it joins with lake albert.
The top of the falls has very old rocks which are pelitic schists and they also contain few centimetre sized muscovite crystals that have a tendency of sparkling when the sun shines on them. The schists, possibly, belong to the Proterozoic metasedimentary igisi group which is believed to have deposited on the congo border.
The Nile river flows gently over a graben border fault of the bunyoro escarpment to the albertine rift valley through the quaternary age sediments through the hydrocarbon field before it enters into lake albert; just south of the albert Nile’s out flow.
Description of Murchison falls
Murchison falls is found between Lake Kyoga and Lake Albert on the White Nile in north western region of Uganda. The water forces through a narrow way; a gorge of just 6 meters width, in fact is a small gap between the hard rocks. The pressure at which the water passes through the gorge causes a misty situation around the falls, sometimes when the sun shines, forms the rainbow colours around the falls, what a magnificent and spectacular view! The water, after, tumbles down off a tall cliff into a plunge pull and continues peacefully westwards to Lake Albert.
This battle of the fittest as the water forces through the rocks trembles the ground into and the rumbling sound, might freak you out into thinking that a huge herd of buffaloes is coming your way. It’s indeed beauty flaunted when you stand at the top of the falls. It is also a good place to take photos with your friends.
The top of the falls hike from the bottom of the falls, is also unique and interesting in a way, you can spot a number of birds tweeting in the trees, and also see many beautiful butterflies, its indeed magnificent. As you continue going up the falls, you will start feeling the droplets of water falling on you, and it is indeed a cooling moment from all the heat generated from the hiking.
You should not forget to add the top of the falls hiking to your itinerary of Murchison falls national park. To note, always remember to trust a tour company with your safari planning, it not only saves time, but it will help you enjoy your safari at peace, for, it relieves stress. Bienvenue au Murchison falls national park.
