Murchison Falls National Park was established in 1952 and it is the oldest national park in Uganda. It is located in the northeastern region of Uganda. The park is the largest in Uganda covering over four districts of Buliisa, Nwoya, Kiryandongo and Masindi.
It started as a game reserve but later the British administration increased its land crossing to the other side of the Victoria Nile. It was done ton evacute the local people from the area due to the spread of tsetse flies in the area that caused sickness to the people.
Murchison Falls National Park is 3,840 square kilometers in size with an altitude of 127 meters above the sea level. The park was formerly known as Kabalega Falls National Park which was the name of the king of Bunyoro Kingdom Omukama Kabalega.
When Samuel Baker and his wife the explorers came and witnessed the falls in the park, they were amazed by the power and force of the falls and named it Murchison Falls. Roderick Murchison was the then president of the Royal Geographical Society and geologist. Murchison Falls National Park has a variety of features that make it unique from other parks.
The Victoria a tributary of the longest river in the world – river Nile crossing through the park and on its way forces itself between two rocks over the walls of the Rift Valley floor at a 45-meter height before plunging into an 8 radius pour thus forming the mighty Murchison Falls. This process takes a very short time with huge force and pressure between the water and the Rift Valley rock walls hence forming the strongest waterfall in the entire world.
Things to see at Murchison Falls National Park– Attractions
Murchison Falls National Park is a major destination for tourism in the world because of its diversity of features and vast landscape bearing a variety of flora and fauna. Tourists from all over the world flock the park in anticipation for the chance to witness some of big attraction Uganda offers. The following are some of the many things to see at Murchison Falls National Park.
Murchison Falls
Murchison Falls are the main tourist attraction in the park. The waterfalls are located on the Victoria Nile a tributary of the Nile River. Victoria Falls divide the park into two parks by flowing through it.
The park was named after the Murchison Falls because they are the highlight of the park since they are the strongest in the world. The formation of these falls is mainly a battle between the speed of the water and the rocky terrain of the landscape of Murchison Falls National Park.
The park is located in the western arm of the Rift Valley and the Victoria Nile with its speed squeezes itself through walls of the Rift Valley and at a height of 45 meters it pours down into the 8-radius pool. This small pool receives large gallons of water traveling at a speed for which it can bare thus forming the Murchison Falls.
The roar of the falls terrorizes even the strongest since it can be heard over a mile away. Don’t miss on visiting the park to have the best memories of the strongest force of nature while on a safari tour in Uganda.
Wildlife
The wildlife species in the park are also a main attraction to visitors embarking on a safari tour in Uganda.
Murchison Falls National Park is home to over 144 mammal species that vary from carnivores to herbivores. The park harbors the big 4 or the 5 animals in the wild and these include lions, buffaloes, leopards, and elephants.
Rhinos in the park got extinct as the last one was killed by poachers in 1983. However, on your way to the park in Masindi you can pass by Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and view the endangered white rhinos. Some of the other animals in the park include giraffes, antelopes, hyenas, waterbucks, hippos, crocodiles, warthogs to mention but a few.
Birds
Murchison Falls National Park is home to over 556 bird species with some of the rare Albertine endemic bird species. These birds are both residents and migratory that is can be spotted during different seasons.
The park is rich with a diverse landscape, different vegetation zones and abundant water thus a perfect place for birds. Giant kingfisher, Red-winged grey warbler, African darter, Standard-winged nightjar, Blue-headed coucal, Abyssinian ground hornbill, Senegal thick-knee, Black-headed lapwing, Denham’s bustard, Yellow-fronted tinkerbird, Long-tailed nightjar, Long-toed lapwing, Black-billed barbet, Rock pratincole, Swamp flycatcher, Grey-headed kingfisher, Piapiac are some of the birds in Murchison Falls National Park.
Victoria Nile
This is also an important feature in the park from the which the falls are found. The Victoria Nile is a large tributary of the longest river in the world. It crosses the park and joins with the rest of the Nile on the journey to Egypt. The Victoria Nile house different aquatic animals like hippos, Nile crocodiles, numerous fish species. From the Murchison Falls the river tends to be calm thus allowing several activities to take place like boat cruise and sport fishing among others.
Things to do in Murchison Falls National Park.
Murchison Falls National Park has a wide range of activities for tourist to choose from. These activities take center stage when choosing a safari destination and the park has everything covered. Below are some of the activities you can participate in.
Game drives
Game viewing or game drive is a very causal activity in the park. It offers a variety of wildlife to your disposal in the comfort of your vehicle. Almost all the wildlife species in the park can be spotted while on a game drive.
Game drives happen in two sessions one in the morning and another in the afternoon. Some of the animals to see on a game drive include the big 4 that is lions, leopards, buffaloes, and elephants and also giraffes, waterbucks, antelopes, hyenas and many others. Game drives also allow to drive to the falls and witness the power of the Murchison Falls.
Boat cruise
Boat cruise involves sailing on a water body while having a glimpse on the life on the side of the water. A boat cruise on the Victoria Nile is the best activity to spot of the animals especially in the dry season since they tend to concentrate on the shores on the river.
Hippos and crocodiles control the river and can be easily spotted while on a game drive. Elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, waterbuck and many other animals can be spotted on the shores. Just like the game drives, boat cruise has two sessions of morning and afternoon and each session a professional ranger guides you on the boat cruise.
Bird watching
Birding or bird watching involves moving along designated trails in the park in search of the bird species.
With the help and guidance of a professional and experienced ranger it does not take you before seeing the birds. The park also boasts with over 556 bird species thus birds can be spotted in any direction in the park.
Some of the birds in the park include Abyssinian ground hornbill, Senegal thick-knee, Black-headed lapwing, Denham’s bustard, Yellow-fronted tinkerbird, Long-tailed nightjar, Long-toed lapwing, Black-billed barbet, Rock pratincole, Giant kingfisher, Red-winged grey warbler, African darter, Standard-winged nightjar, Blue-headed coucal, Swamp flycatcher, Grey-headed kingfisher, and Piapiac among others.
How to get to Murchison Falls National Park- Accessibility
Murchison Falls National Park can be accessed by anyone at any time because of the improved transport sector in the country. The roads leading the park are all developed and up to standard as well the roads in the park. The park is about 305 kilometers from Kampala and this takes about 4-6 hours by road when the south gates of Kichumbanyobo and Masindi are used.
There are three airfields around the park and this makes flying to the easy. Traveling by air is the quickest way to the park as it takes an hour to land at Pakuba in the northern part of the park and Bugungu and Chobe in the south part.
Where to stay in Murchison Falls National Park?
Murchison Falls National Park has a lot of accommodation facilities in and around the park. The high anticipated accommodation facilities are those inside the park. this is because they give a feeling of sleeping in the wild together with the animals.
Listening to the roar of the Murchison Falls and the sounds of animals and birds will leave you with a story to tell. Some of the accommodation facilities include Red Chili Rest Camp, Chobe Safari Lodge, Baker’s Lodge, and Sambiya River Lodge among others.
What is the best time to visit Murchison Falls National Park?
Murchison Falls National Park is best visited during the dry months of the year that is June to September and December to February. During this time the animals are easily seen around water bodies and the trails in the are dry with thick vegetation. The wet season however has also other benefits like lowering on accommodation facilities and the park has less traffic. Therefore, keep the two seasons in mind when taking on a Uganda safari tour in Murchison Falls National Park.
