Uganda Safari in Murchison Falls National Park

Uganda Safari in Murchison Falls National Park is an interesting safari package that a traveler can book to go and visit the biggest park in Uganda. Murchison Falls National Park is among the topmost visited safari destinations you can ever find when you come to Uganda. Also known as Kabalega National Park, Murchison Falls National Park is the oldest and largest national Park in Uganda that attracts a great number of visitors that come to experience the waters of the longest river in the world that is River Nile.

Murchison Falls National Park is situated at the end of the Albertine Rift Valley covering about 4000 square kilometers and consists of several attractions including over 76 mammal species with four members of the big five such as the leopards, elephants, buffaloes and the lion. Murchison Falls National Park was the first gazetted as a wildlife reserve in 1926. The safari park encompasses Bugungu, Karuma wildlife reserves and the Murchison Falls National Park.

Additionally, Murchison Falls was the name given to the point at which the River Nile is channeled through a narrow gorge within the Rift Valley, descending almost 50 meters below. The population of the wildlife was largely recovered from the poaching activities during the 1980s. About 780 square kilometers of Bugungu Wildlife Reserve and 720 Square Kilometers of the Karuma Wildlife Reserve, the place was established as the Murchison Falls conservation area.

Murchison Falls National Park is divided by the Victoria Nile, which streams 45 meters over the remnant valley wall creating the dramatic falls plus the 80 kilometers stretch of the rapids. The stretch features one of the stunning wildlife spectacles that no one should miss if you make your way to Murchison Falls National Park. This fascinating falls has a diverse ecosystem consisting of the different mammal species such as the hippos, crocodiles, giraffes and more while the place has about 450 bird species that have been recorded in the area such as Swamp flycatcher, papyrus Gonolek, Northern red bishop, Red-throated bee-eater, Squacco heron, shoebill and many more.

Safari activities in Murchison Falls National Park

Game Drive Safari: Murchison Falls National Park provides an opportunity to the visitors to have a game drive, an activity that can take from four hours to a full day depending on your choice. The game drive activity is carried out in the northern bank of the river where the tracks have been demarcated to cater for this service within Murchison Falls National Park.

To carry out this fascinating activity you need to be in a customized 4WD vehicle and access to a window to have a great experience during the drive. Some of the animals you will spot on this game drive include; Bushbucks, Waterbucks, hartebeest, Oribi, Uganda Kobs, giraffes, Patas monkeys, Warthogs, Elephants, Buffalos, Leopards, lions and much more.

Chimpanzee trekking at Kaniyo Pabidi in Budongo Forest: Budongo Forest in Murchison Falls National Park is filled up with different primates and the chimpanzees are among the remarkable animals you will find interesting to view and track. The chimpanzees can be found in the Kaniyo Pabidi, a section of Budongo Forest. The chimpanzee trekking activity can take about 3-4 hours depending on where the chimpanzees are located and you are allowed to be among the chimpanzees for approximately one hour as you watch them do their daily activities such as eating, playing, grooming and much more. Additionally, visitors can also go for a full day chimpanzee habituation experience which has to be booked prior to your safari.

Boat Safari on the Victoria Nile: This ultimate experience of the waters happens on the Victoria Nile, and this launch trip is done two times a day with the morning session that starts at 9 am and the afternoon session that starts at 2 pm. The Boat Cruise activity gets the visitors to have a spectacular view of the river bank animals that come to the river such as the crocodiles, hippos, monitor lizards, the buffalos and the antelopes that come to the waters. Most importantly, you can also book a boat and take the trip at your disposal.

Forest and Nature walks: Forest and Nature walks are normally done in the forests of Kaniyo Pabidi and Rabongo where visitors get to walk through these forests as they watch the different primates present in the forest such as the colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys and the chimpanzees not forgetting the tremendous birds that keep giving out pleasant sounds to the visitors providing the jungle experience of a lifetime. Additionally, visitors can hike to the top of Murchison Falls and the trip takes about one to one and a half hours hiking. At the top, you get to spot the waters of the Nile squeeze through a narrow gorge which is about 7 meters wide.

Community walks and cultural experiences: Community walks are very possible when you visit Murchison Falls National Park because around the safari park, communities have been set up and visitors have the opportunity to experience and relate with the people that stay in these areas. When you visit the communities, you get to learn how these people survive, farming methods; you can also visit the blacksmith plus getting a chance to learn basket weaving. For the visitors that want to stay longer, you have the opportunity to take a night in the area

Bird watching safari: Bird watching is also possible for the bird lovers since Murchison Falls National Park is home to over 450 different bird species making it a number 9 destination for the bird lovers. Birding is normally carried out during the launch trips, game drive and nature walks. Many birds can be spotted along the river banks while others in the forest. Some of the birds you will get to see include; the pied, malachite, giant kingfisher, Egyptian ducks, spur-winged, lapwings, intermediate, Great and little lapwings and many more.

Best time to visit Murchison Falls National Park

As the largest national park in Uganda, Murchison Falls National Park attracts a large number of visitors all year round. However, the best time to visit the safari park is during the peak season in the months of December to February and June to September. During that time, Uganda mainly experiences a dry season and it is easy to track the chimpanzees and also spot the different wildlife that comes to take water at the river bank.

Access to Murchison Falls National Park

If you are to access Murchison Falls National Park, you will have to either use air transport or road transport. If you choose to use air transport, then you will need to book a chartered plane from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi airstrip to Murchison Falls National Park. Visitors that prefer using road transport will have to drive from Kampala which is about a 5-hour drive. There is a southern gate for those traveling via Masindi or Fort Portal and a northern gate for those traveling via Karuma, and Guru.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Murchison Falls National Park has over the years been the number one destination for many tourists that what to experience the best safari in Uganda. A one to three days trip to the safari park will guarantee you the best memorable experience of a lifetime. All you have to do is a book with the best tour operator that will get you onto this natural encounter of a lifetime.