Game Drives In Murchison Falls National Park : Situated in the northwest of Uganda, Murchison Falls National Park spans 3,840 square kilometers and is around a 5- to 6-hour journey from Kampala. The Big Four can be seen in the nation’s oldest and largest national park, which excludes the rhinos, which were extinct by 1983. Fortunately, they were brought back to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary by 2005. The famous River Nile, the longest in the world, divides the park into two sections: the Northern Bank and the Southern Bank.
One of the greatest ways to view and enjoy the park’s abundant wildlife diversity is to take the Murchison Falls Game Drive. Buffaloes, Jackson hartebeests, antelopes, lions, kobs, giraffes, hyenas, bushbucks, and warthogs are among the 76 different animal species that call this park home, along with 451 bird species, including the African Darter, Goliath Heron, Black-headed Plover, Long-toed Plover, Black-billed Wood-Dove, Veracious Dove, and others, call Murchison Falls National Park home. Standard-winged nightjar, Pennant-winged nightjar, long-tailed nightjar, Giant Kingfisher, Pied Kingfisher, Malachite Kingfisher, Blue-naped Moosebird, Northern Carmine Bee-eater, Red-throated Bee-eater, Swallow-tailed Bee-eater, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Black Scimitar Bill, Tinkerbird with a yellow front, Barbet with a black bill, Black Chat with a white front, Silverbird, Lovely Sunbird, Piapiac Vaseline Masked Weaver, Chestnut-crowned Sparrow Weaver, White-browed Sparrow Weaver, Speckle-fronted Weaver, Finch of the bar-breasted fire, seed eater with a white rump, Nothern Crombec, Black Crake, Grey-crowned Crane, Blue-naped Moosebird, Spur-winger Geese, Sacred Ibis, Saddle-billed Stork, and many others
Types of game drives carried out in Murchison falls national park
There are mostly two types of game drives that are mostly carried out in Murchison falls national park and these may include
Self-game drives.
This is where one decides for him/herself where to go. This is mostly for those who have rented cars and want to experience Murchison fall national park while driving themselves. These are more flexible as you better consider your interests like deciding what you want to see, however these self-game drives limit you from seeing most of the animals as you don’t know the right spots to locate individual animals. And also self-game drives are prohibited in the park during night hours because of security purposes
When doing self-game drive an armed ranger has to escort you. The ranger is well conversant with the park and knows where to locate individual animals.
Guided game drives.
A guided game drive is where one or more tourists are led by certified guides either driver guides or ranger guides. These guides and rangers are more knowledgeable about the parks history and wildlife. Rangers or guides provide full detail and information about animals and about the local culture.
Best place to do a game drive in Murchison falls national park
Game drives at Murchison Falls National Park are most effective along the northern banks because there are more wildlife species there than on the southern bank. A game drive follows one of the park’s various game drive tracks. The Buligi, Victoria, and Albert tracks are among them. Since each of these routes is home to different ecosystems, driving along each of them during a game drive offers unique experiences. Located at least 7 kilometers north of Paraa, the Buligi track is one of the most popular places to see wildlife. Since lions are drawn to the abundance of antelopes in this area, you have the best chance of seeing them
Game drives schedules in Murchison Falls National Park
Mainly, there are 2 main schedules for conducting game drives at Murchison Falls National Park at the northern bank. That is the day and night game drives, and each of them takes about 2-4 hours. The afternoon game drive starts at 2 pm and can go up to 5 pm. However, the best and most satisfying game drives during the daytime are done in the morning from 6:30 am. For the visitor who spent the night at the southern bank, you are required to cross the Victoria Nile on the ferry at around 7
Murchison Falls National Park’s night game drives give tourists a rare chance to see nocturnal animals. These are led by experienced park rangers and guides who are adequately informed about the park’s safety procedures and animals. Among the animals you may see at night are lions, leopards, hyenas, bush babies, civets, and genets. There are also many different kinds of insects and birds to see at night. Game drives at night can begin at 6:30 or 7:00 p.m. and go up to three hours. To prevent upsetting the wildlife, you must go with specific illumination.
Best game drive tracks in Murchison falls national park
During a game drive safari at Murchison Falls National Park, you can follow a number of game drive trails that take you through different areas of the park and provide you with views of numerous attractions. These tracks which are described below, include Albert, Victoria, and Buligi tracks.
The Buligi Track is a 7-kilometer prime game drive track in Murchison Falls National Park. It circles the triangular Buligi Peninsular, which is dominated by grassland and bordered by the Victoria Nile as it enters Lake Albert and the Albert Nile as it exits Lake Albert. The track converges at the delta point where the river Nile flows north out of Lake Albert. Because it provides views of numerous species, including antelopes, giraffes, elephants, buffalo, lions, leopards, and many more that visit the area to drink water, Buligi trail is the most popular game drive trail. Nyamsika Gorge is the ideal place to see wildlife on Buligi Track since it draws a lot of animals that come to drink water
When to visit Murchison falls national park for a game drive
Although game drives are available all year round at Murchison Falls National Park, the dry season is the ideal time of year to come. This is due to the fact that the dry season is usually characterized by bright skies, dry park pathways, less dense foliage, and comparatively less rainfall. These are ideal circumstances for traversing the park with ease and seeing the wildlife up close. December to February and June to August are typically considered to be the dry season. However, the wet season results in muddy trails, thick undergrowth, and fewer wildlife sighting opportunities. However, negotiating the park’s muddy and slick roads increases your chances of seeing migratory bird species.
Recommended vehicles for a game drive in Murchison falls national park
Various vehicles are available for usage; they are cozy, roomy, and have a pop-up canopy for clear photography and animal viewing. It is recommended to have a 4X4 vehicle, which could be a van, compact car, or long-distance land cruiser. Other vehicles, including saloon cars and coasters for larger gatherings, can also be utilized. You can drive yourself through the park, but it’s best to have a park ranger guide with you. During wildlife drives, you should also always abide by park regulations.
The cost of game drive in Murchison falls national park
Cost of Murchison Falls game drives varies according on the schedule. It costs USD 25 for foreign non-residents, USD 20 for foreign residents, and UGX 25,000 for East African citizens to go on a wildlife drive during the day per guide. For nighttime game drives per person, foreign non-residents must pay USD 40, foreign residents must pay USD 35, and East African citizens must pay UGX 40,000.
However for the self-game drive (without a private tour guide or UWA ranger guide) costs USD 10 for non-foreign residents, USD 10 for foreign residents and UGX 10,000 for the East African Citizens.
Conclusion
Game drives in Murchison falls national park provide an unparalleled opportunity to experience the raw beauty of Uganda’s wilderness. From observing the iconic big four of five to marveling at the park’s unique landscapes. Murchison falls is a destination that promises to deliver unforgettable experiences for wildlife lovers. Whether you are photographer, a birdwatching enthusiast, or someone seeking the thrill of an African safari, Murchison falls national park offers a diverse and dynamic safari experience, set against one of the most stunning backdrops in the world.
