KEY FACTS ABOUT Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park Protected Area (3840 sq km) located In the northwest, approximately 90km from Masindi and Uganda`s largest wildlife safari park , is comprised of Bugungu and Karuma Wildlife Reserves. It is named after the dramatic Murchison Falls, where the world’s longest river explodes violently through a narrow cleft in the Rift Valley escarpment to plunge into a frothing pool 43m below. It becomes a placid river whose banks are thronged with crocodiles, hippos, waterbucks and buffaloes. Savannah grasslands, riverine forest and woodland characterize Murchison vegetation.
Murchison Falls National Park Wildlife includes lions, Uganda kobs, chimpanzees and many bird species that include the rare shoebill. Murchison Falls National-Uganda’s largest national park is home to a chunk of untamed African savannah divided by the mighty river Nile.
Summary Facts About
The Conservation Area
– Total area of MFPA: 5025km2, (MFNP 3,877 SQ KM, Bugungu Wildlife Reserve 473sq km, Karuma Wildlife reserve 675sqkm).
– Altitude: 619m at the delta and 1,292m at Rabongo hill.
-Mean temperature: high 29oc low 21oc.
– Dry seasons: mid-December to mid-February, June and July.
– Wettest months: April and November.
– Wildlife: 76 mammal species and 450 bird species.
Dos and Don’ts while in
Murchison falls National park
– Enter the Park through Kichumbanyobo, Bugungu or Tangi gate.
– While n the park, rive only between 6:30 am and 6:30pm.
– Drive only on designated roads while in the park.
– Sounding your horn is prohibited within the park.
– Walk on designated trails only.
– A guide should accompany visitors on nature walks and game drives.
– Camp only at designated campsites.
– Do not cut plants, pick flowers or destroy any vegetation.
– Any domestic animals(pets) are not allowed within the park.
– Firearms or ammunition are not allowed in the park.
– Do not litter the park rather dump in the provided trash cans.
– Light fires only at the fire rings at the campsites.
– Retain all official receipts issued for park activities.
Things to do in
Murchison falls National park
This park`s Wildlife populations have largely recovered from the poaching of the 1980s; in the lush borassus grassland to the north of the Nile, giraffe ,elephant, buffalo, and a variety of antelope are regularly encountered on game drives, and lion are common sight with increasing frequency. Popular wildlife safaris in Uganda are often carried out in Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest and most spectacular National park in Uganda
Rabongo Forest -In the southeast of the park, is home to chimps and other rainforest creatures.
River Nile itself is home to one of Africa’s densest hippo and crocodile population, plus a variety of waterbirds including the world’s most accessible wild population of the rare shoebill stork.
Sport Fishing Uganda Tour
In the river sections above and below the falls Sport fishing is possible. The Nile Perch and tiger-fish are usual fun to fish by anglers. If you intend to do sport fishing, prior booking be made, since only a few can carry out this activity at designated sites at any time. Please carry along your own fishing equipment. Available are some boats for hire on prior booking for those who need a boat cruise.
Nature Walks in Murchison Falls National Park
Rabongo Forest, of Murchison falls protected area nature walks are done. Here one is offered the opportunity to explore the wild creatures on foot. Many animals, birds and plants can be closely and quietly observed as well as the top of the falls and Kaniyo Pabidi in Budongo Forest.
Game Drives in Murchison Falls National Park
Available is plenty of game/wildlife on the Buligi, Before the sun rises too high in the cool early morning, Albert and Queen’s tracks north of the River Nile. Visitors can picnic, enjoy the view and watch elephants and other game on the grassy hillsides at Nyamusika Cliffs. This is a four-hour game drive please be prepared and make sure you are in company of a guide . The best time to embark on this trip is 0700hr and 1600hr
Boat Cruise along the Nile & To the Delta
The launch trip from Paraa to the falls (17km) and back takes about 3hours. A boat trip from Paraa to the Delta (28km) and back takes about 4-5 hours and from this you can see a variety of animals. The boat trip is scheduled for 0900hr and 1400hr every day. This is among the best of Uganda safari highlights to Murchison Falls National Park is the Hippos and crocodiles are in abundance and you will see elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks and a variety of birds like ducks, bee-eaters, fish eagles kingfishers herons, cormorants, and at times the rare shoebill.
Top of the Fall Hike
This trail takes you around the top of the falls right up to the water’s edge. With an opportunity to hike to the top of the falls from the boat landing and to get close to narrow crevice through which the river plunges into the falls.
Rabongo Forest
This Ecotourism centre is located in an island of tropical riverine forest southeast of the protected area. This forest surrounded by Savannah grassland is 11/2hr drive from Paraa. A guide will help you to explore the forest on foot, spotting primates like the black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, baboons and sometimes chimpanzees, other animals, birds, tree species and medicinal plants. One can picnic and camp by the Wairing River, a place also ideal for student groups.
Kaniyo Pabidi Adventure
The Kaniyo Pabidi adventure offers an undisturbed area of natural forest within Budongo Forest Reserve, here you can walk beneath mature buttress rooted mahogany and iron wood trees. Chimpanzee tracking is the most famous activity here but assuredly you will see many forest birds, that including the chocolate-backed kingfisher, the white-thigh hornbill and puvel’s illadopsis found nowhere else in East Africa.
Kaniyi Pabidi is located 8kms from Kichumbanyobo along Masindi-Paraa road,
The National Forestry Authority manages Kaniyo Pabidi with a campsite that has water and firewood available.
Where to stay in Murchison Falls National Park
An up market Paraa Safari lodge, Bakers Lodge Murchison and Chobe Lodge is readily available, Nile Safari lodge is in operational with very unique quality services to the visitors, more up market Sambiya River Lodge, Murchison River Lodge and Fort Murchison as mid- range accommodation is an ideal place for relaxation and refreshment built along the banks of River Nile.
Twiga Tales Lodge, Heritage Safari Lodge, Red Chili hide rest Camp, Uganda Wildlife Bandas these too provides excellent friendly facilities to budget travelers especially those who wish to spend less on accommodation. Closer to the park one can find accommodation in Masindi, the Masindi Hotel and Masindi Court View Hotel offers the best hospitality services to visitors and highly recommended
Getting to Murchison falls National park
By road:
From Kampala through Masindi -via Kichumbanyobo gate, Paraa is a 41/42hours drive, 2 hours on tarmac and 21/22 hours on murram roads. A 4WD is recommended. The ferry at Paraa operates on scheduled time between the southern and northern bank of River Nile.
By Air:
AeroLink Uganda operates scheduled flights to Pakuba or Bugungu airstrip, x1 daily flight making it much easier reaching Murchison Falls in only 1 hours than by road spending over 5 hours. Flight departs 1230 from Entebbe arriving Pakuba/Bugungu at 1330 an returning from Bugungu at 1345 arriving Entebbe at 1630
Distances (km)
– Rabongo…………………………… 67
– Nyamusika…………………………… 14
– Top of falls(by road)………………… 34
– Top of falls (by water)……………… 17
– Kichumbanyobo gate…………………… 69
– Bugungu gate …………………………… 15
– Tangi gate …………………………… 25
– Bottom of falls ……………… ………. 14
– The Delta …………………… 28
– Bottom of falls to Albert Delta …………55
– Red chilli rest camp…………………… 0.6
– Paraa safari lodge ………………………02
– Sambiya river lodge ……………………25
– Nile safari camp ……………………… 22
From Paraa to Masindi via
– Kichumbanyobo gate …………………….86
– Bugungu gate …………………136
-rom Paraa to Kampala via
– Kichumbanyobo gate ……………………304
– Bugungu gate ……………………353