Murchison Falls national park is locally referred to as Kabalega national park. It is Uganda’s national park located in the Albertine rift valley. This park was named after a geologist Sir Roderick Murchison. Murchison falls national park is famous because it has the most powerful waterfall in the whole world. The park is located in the northwestern part of uganda. It occupies 4 districts of Uganda namely: Nwoya, Buliisa, Kiryandongo and Masindi.
Attractions in Murchison falls national park
- Murchison falls
Murchison falls are also referred to as Kabalega falls. They are the most powerful waterfalls in the whole world. The are located in Murchison falls national park in Uganda. This in the major attraction in this national park. Visitors come from different locations of the world to just have a glance at this powerful waterfall.
- Birds
Murchison falls national park is a home to over 451 bird species making it a good birding spot. some of these birds include marabou stork, black headed lawping, giant kingfisher, abysian ground hornbill, Senegal thick knee, nightjars, palm nut vulture, African jacana and many more.
- Animals
The park is a habitat to over 76 mammal species. It is a home to 4 of the big 5 which include hippos, elephants, buffaloes, leopards. Other animals in the park are antelopes, Uganda kobs, warthogs, spotted hyenas and many more.
- Karuma falls
Karuma falls are found on Victoria Nile in the northwestern part of Uganda. These falls are one of the major attractions in Uganda therefore when one visits Murchishon falls national park, he or she wouldn’t opt to miss out on reaching Karuma falls. Karuma falls are surrounded with various mammals and birds that visitors can view.
- Budongo forest
Budongo forest is situated in the northwest on your way to the park from Kampala Uganda’s capital city. Budongo forest is a good spot for birding and chimpanzee tracking in Uganda. Visitors visit this forest to carry out these activities. It harbors a big number of chimpanzees
- Kaniyo pabidi forest
Kaniyo pabidi forest is situated in the northeastern part of Budongo Forest Reserve. Bird watching is one of the activities carried out in this forest, it harbors over 360 bird species making it a good location for birding. Some of the birds in these forests include zoothers, camarones, ratis iturinis, little green sunbird and many more.
- Primates
Murchison Falls is a home to a number of primates including the chimpanzees, red tailed monkeys, black and white colobus and many more. These primates are mainly found in the kaniyo pabidi forest. Visitors visit kaniyo pabidi for chimpanzee tracking.
- Paraa
Paraa is located in the southern part of Victoria Nile. Most of the activities in Murchison falls national park are done in the Paraa region.
- River Nile
River Nile is the longest river in the world and it crosses murchison falls national park. It is also a tourist attraction in Murchison falls national park.
- Buligi game area
Buligi game area covers an area of approximately 160 kilometers and it lies between Albert Nile and Victoria Nile. Game drives are one of the activities done in this area. The drive. takes about 3 to 4 hours. Animals like elephants, hippos, buffaloes, lions and leopards can be seen during the game drives in buligi game area.
Activities in Murchison falls national park
- Game drives
Game drives are one of the activities done in Murchishon falls national park. They are done in the morning and the evening with trained guides and thoroughly briefing. This activity is done all the year though it is advisable to do in it in the dry season for a better and comfortable experience. The game drives take approximately 5 hours.
- Cultural visits
Some of the places in the park where Uganda cultural tours can be done is in mubako village. Visitors who visit this place are exposed to the actual African architecture and can also see different items of African tradition and also interact with the locals.
- Murchison falls national park boat cruise
The boat cruise at Murchishon falls national park starts atbthe Paraa dock and visitors proceed to the Murchishon falls wgere they are also able to spot different mammals and bird species along their ride to the falls. This cruise takes approximately 2 to 3 hours.
- Nature walks
Nature walks are done in Murchison Falls National Park are done is various places including Albert delta areas, kaniyo pabidi forest and rabongo forest. While carrying out the nature walks, visitors follow trails in these places. This activity is best done in the dry season because the trails are dry and passable.
- Bird watching
Murchison Falls National Park is one of the best spots for birding since it is a home to over 451 bird species. Birders visit the park for bird watching all the year though this activity is best done in the wet season wgere the vegetation in the park grows due to the heavy rains hence attracting the birds to come out of their hiding spots which makes it easy for visitors to easy see them.
- Chimpanzee tracking
In the park, chimpanzee tracking is done in Kaniyo Pabidi Forest. This activity takes approximately 3 hours plus one hour of stay with this chimpanzees after spotting them. This is done with the supervision of a guide. Chimpanzee tracking is done very early in the morning and late in the afternoon being that it when these primates are more active.
- Albert Delta launch cruise
Albert Delta launch cruise in the park starts at Paraa. While on the cruise, visitors are able to spot a variety of bird species for example the silver birds, king fisher, Senegal thick-knee and many more.
- Bottom of the falls boat cruise
The bottom of the falls boat cruise is done is two phases that is to say in the morning hours between 9:00am and 11:00am and in the afternoon at 2:00pm to 5:00pm.This activity takes approximately 2 to 3 hours. One can get an opportunity to sight the hippos, elephants, buffaloes and many more.
Accommodation facilities in Murchison falls national park
Accommodation facilities are categorized in three types that is to say luxury, budget and midrange accommodations and below are some of the lodge that one would opt for:
- Paraa safari lodge
Paraa safari lodge is located in the north western part of Uganda in murchison falls national park offering a luxury type of accommodation.
- Red chilli rest camp
Red chilli rest camp is a budget accommodation located in Paraa in the heart of the park
- Murchison river lodge
Murchison river lodge is a midrange lodge situated on the southern bank of River Nile in Murchison Falls National Park
- Sambiya river lodge
Sambiya river lodge is a midrange accommodation in the heart of Murchison falls national park in Masindi district in Uganda.
- Murchison giraffe camp
Murchison giraffe camp is a budget accommodation located in mubako village just a kilometer away from mubako gate of tghe park.
- Fort Murchison
Fort Murchison is a budget accommodation with 12 en-suite units in Packwach. It is on the boundary of Murchison falls national park.
- Nile safari lodge
Nile safari lodge is located in the northern part of Uganda on the southern bank of the Nile River within Murchison Falls National Park offering luxury accommodation to visitors.
- Baker’s lodge
Baker’s lodge is located on the south bank of River Nile outside the boundary of the park. It offers a luxury type of accommodation.
