Planning a safari to Murchison falls national park

Planning a safari to Murchison falls national park; Murchison falls national park is the largest and one of the most visited national parks located in north western part of Uganda. Murchison falls national park is a home of over 76 mammal species including the big four of the big five animals which include lions, leopards, buffaloes, elephants other animals like waterbucks, bushbucks, oribi, Jackson’s hartebeest, giraffes, warthogs, primates like chimpanzees, olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, l’hoest monkeys and over 450 bird species. when planning a safari to Murchison falls national park, there are a number of factors that you should consider including the best time to travel, activities in Murchison falls national park, where to stay, how to get to the park, what to carry among others and this article will guide you on how to plan a successful safari to Murchison falls national park.

Activities in Murchison falls national park

Game drives

Game drive is one of the major activities in Murchison falls national park where you will be able to explore the park in a comfortable pop up safari vehicle with a professional driver guide. Game drives in Murchison falls national park can either be done very early in the morning, in the evening or at night following different game tracks where you will be able to spot animals like elephants, buffaloes, lions, leopards, waterbucks, giraffes, oribi, warthogs, Jackson hartebeests among others.

Boat cruise

There are two types of boat cruise safari in Murchison falls national park that is the Nile delta boat cruise and the boat cruise to the bottom of the falls. During the boat cruise in Murchison falls national park which can either be done in the morning at around 9:00am or in the afternoon at around 2:00pm, you will be able to view water animals like hippos and Nile crocodiles, other animals like elephants, buffaloes, antelopes along the shores, view water birds like cormorants, hornbills, kingfishers, bee-eaters, view the fishermen preparing their fishing gears among others.

Bird watching

Murchison falls national park is a home of over 450 recorded bird species including savannah birds, migratory birds, forest birds and water birds which makes it one of the best bird watching destinations in Uganda. During bird watching in Murchison falls national park, you will be able to spot variety of bird species including the illusive Shoebill Stork, Black Headed Lapwing, Senegal Thick Knee, Grey Crowned Crane, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Palm-nut Vulture, Secretary Bird, Red-throated Bee-eater, Denham’s Bustard, Blue Headed Coucal, Black-billed Barbet, Giant Kingfisher, Black-billed Barbet, Swamp Flycatcher, Speckled Fronted Weaver among others.

Nature walk

Nature walk is an interesting activity in Murchison falls national park where you will be able to explore the park the savannah plains on foot with the company of an experienced park guide and an armed ranger guide to protect you from any danger. During the guided nature walk, you will get up-close and personal with different wildlife species, listen to sweet sounds of bird species, view colourful butterflies, enjoy the cool breeze among others.

Chimpanzee trekking

Chimpanzee trekking in Murchison falls national park is done in Budongo forest and it starts very early in the morning with a briefing about the rules and regulations to follow during trekking. After the briefing, you will start trekking in the forest which takes about 2 to 5 hours depending on where the chimpanzees are located because they like to move from one place to another in search of food. During trekking you will be able to view other primate species and once the chimpanzees are found, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their habitat which gives you an opportunity to learn more about their behaviours, habits, take photos and record videos.

Murchison falls national park offers other interesting safari activities that tourists can engage in during the safari such as top of the falls drive where you will be able to view the world’s most powerful waterfall, sport fishing where you will be able to catch and release different fish types, cultural tour where you will be able to interact with the local people among others.

Best time to visit Murchison falls national park

Murchison falls national park can be visited all year round though the best time is during the dry season in the months of June, July, August, September, December, January and February because during this period there is less rainfall in the park therefore vegetation will be short which gives you an opportunity to view animals clearly. During the dry season, game track trails, nature walk and chimpanzee trekking trails will be dry and passable which makes game drives and chimpanzee trekking easy.

Murchison falls national park can also be visited in the low/rainy season during the months of March to May and October to November because this is the best period for bird watching where bird lovers will be able to view colourful and migratory bird species.

How to get to Murchison falls national park

Murchison falls national park is located in north western part of Uganda and can be accessed by road transport means where you will drive from Kampala to the park headquarters which takes about 5 to 6 hours’ drive in a safari vehicle.

Murchison falls national park can as well be accessed by air transport means where you will book scheduled or charter domestic flights with Aerolink or Bar aviation from Entebbe international airport to Pakuba, Bugungu or Chobe airstrips and then connect to the park headquarters by road.

Where to stay in Murchison falls national park

There are several accommodation facilities in Murchison falls national park where you can stay during your safari. The accommodations range from budget, midrange to luxury including Nile safari lodge, Murchison River Lodge, Paraa Safari Lodge, Twiga Safari Lodge, Tilenga Safari Lodge, Parkside Safari Lodge, Red Chilli Rest Camp, Pakuba Safari Lodge, Sambiya River Lodge, Murchison Backpackers, Fort Murchison Lodge, Chobe Safari Lodge, Amuka Safari Lodge, Murchison Tree House, Budongo Eco Lodge, Bwana Tembo Safari Camp, Uganda Wildlife Campsite, Kabalega Wilderness Lodge, Heritage Safari Lodge, Yebo Safari Camp, Hornbill Bush Lodge, Gipir and Labongo Safari Lodge among others.

What to pack/wear for your safari in Murchison falls national park

When planning a safari in Murchison falls national park, there are a number of items that you should pack or carry including light long sleeved shirt and trouser, a hat and sunglasses, camera and extra batteries, insect repellent, sunscreen, hiking shoes, a pair of binoculars, drinking water, back pack among others.

For more information about planning a safari to Murchison falls national park, do not hesitate to contact us at Achieve Global Safaris or visit our website for various safari packages to Murchison falls national park.