Murchison Falls National Park, Things to Do and See
Murchison Falls National Park is located in the North Western Part of Uganda stretching inland from the shores of Lake Albert around the Victoria Nile towards the stunning Karuma Falls. The park is managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority stretching across various Districts i.e Buliisa, Nwoya, Kiryandongo, and Masindi covering an area of 3,893 square kilometers (1,503 sq mi) inclusive of the Bugungu Wildlife Reserve and Karuma Wildlife Reserve.
The Park is prominently known to offer remarkable Wildlife Adventure Tours to all travelers looking to experience/ watch the stunning Wildlife animals in their natural vegetation habitat. The most Tourist Attractions around the Park include; the Murchison Falls, Lions, Leopards, Victoria Nile, kobs, small antelope, warthogs, elephants, giraffes, topis, waterbucks, bush buck duiker, buffalo etc. It also includes the Victoria Nile which flows through a narrow gorge of 7 meters (23ft) wide before plunging 43 ft.
Many different Bird Species can as well as be seen around the Park and these include; f waterbirds, including the rare shoe-billed stork, Budongo’s 59 “restricted range” species, dwarf kingfisher, Goliath heron, white-thighed hornbill and great blue turaco.
Activities to do at Murchison Falls National Park
Bird Watching
Bird watching is one of the prominent Safari Adventures carried out at Murchison Falls National Park due to the various species that live around the natural vegetation habitat. There are approximately 451 bird species that include; the Gray crowned crane, Giant Kingfisher, Giant Heron, Shoebill stork, Abyssinian Ground Hornbills, Nightjars, Marabou stork, Black headed lapwing, Back-bellied Bustard, blue napped mouse birds, silver birds, weavers and nocturnal birds like the Night Jars.
As you go bird watching in the forest vegetation around the Park, transfer from one place to another watching the birds in their natural habitat using binoculars, Spotting Scopes which offer remarkable Bird watching adventures.
Game Drives
This is another safari activity carried out in the Park and requires you transferring from one track to another watching Wildlife wandering in their natural habitat and these include; Buffalo, kobs, small antelope, elephants, lions, leopard, topis, bush buck duiker, waterbuck, hyenas, warthogs etc.
Boat Cruise
Boat Cruises are a very popular safari activity carried out in the Park along the beautiful Victoria Nile which offers you views at the hippos and Crocodiles beneath the water and this has two various sessions i.e the morning session which starts from 8:30 am and the afternoon session that begins at 2:30 pm. They go to the bottom of the falls where views of the vigorous waterfalls, descending Rainbow as well as numerous Bird species can be enjoyed.
Hiking and Nature Walks
Hiking and Nature Walks in Murchison Falls National park are also very exciting to take on in the Kaniyo Pabidi and Rabongo Forest offering sightings of various primates, birds as well as mammals. Another walk is that of Nile Delta where you take on swamp walks seeking to see the Shoe Bill Stork. The walk takes you 2 to 4 hours watching the green terrain vegetation as well as the beautiful scenery.
Cultural Encounters
Murchison Falls National Park is a stunning destination for all travelers looking to enjoy Cultural Adventures in Uganda on Tour due to the numerous local people tribe people who offer different Cultural Traditional experiences. The Park includes the Boomu Women’s Group a local community group that offers rich Cultural Adventures to all travelers interested in experiencing Culture to the fullest.
Chimpanzee Tracking
Chimpanzee Tracking at Murchison Falls National Park is carried out in the green beautiful Budongo Forest at the Kaniyo Pabidi Eco Tourism Site. The Chimpanzees here are habituated to be tracked by all travelers interested in watching the Chimpanzees at Murchison Falls national Park.