Murchison Falls National Park located in the in the North-West of Uganda in Masindi District at the end of the Albertine Rift Valley is the largest and oldest national park in Uganda. The park sits on an area of about 4000 square kilometers. Murchison Falls Conservation Area is bisected by the Victoria Nile, which plunges 45m over the remnant valley wall, creating the dramatic falls. The park is made up of Bugungu, Karuma wildlife reserves. Murchison Falls National Park with stretch of river Nile provides one of Uganda’s most remarkable wildlife spectacles and Chimpanzee tracking done in Budongo forest and Kaniyo Pabidi.
Wildlife in Murchison Falls National Park
Being the largest and oldest park in Uganda, Murchison Falls National Park harbors 76 mammal species with the big five animals include lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and buffalo with anther so many wild animals where some are mostly spots on riverbanks include elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, hippos and Nile crocodiles.
Birdlife in Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National hosts about 450 birds species makes it one of the best places in Africa to find the prehistoric-looking shoebill stork which include standard winged night jars, various kingfishers, bee-eaters the African skimmer and raptors such as the African Fish eagle and the martial eagle. This boat trip will also give you a chance to view Silverbird, Beautiful Sunbird, Piapiac, Speckle-fronted Weaver, White-browed Sparrow Weaver, Chestnut-crowned Sparrow Weaver, Vaseline Masked Weaver,Bar-breasted Firefinch, White-rumped Seedeater, Saddle-billed Stork, Sacred Ibis, Spur-winger Geese, Black Crake, Grey-crowned Crane, Blue-naped Moosebird, Spotted Morning Thrush, Nothern Crombec and so many anthers.
Tourist Activities in Murchison Falls National Park
Game Drives
The game drives through the park will allow you see many of the animal species including; lions, hippos, giraffes, warthog, Cape buffalo, Uganda kobs, Jackson’s-hartebeest and elephants. Game drives take place early in the morning and a tourist is able to see plenty of game. At Nyamsika Cliffs is where one can enjoy scenery the view and gaze at elephants and other wildlife on the green grassy hillsides and river below.
Boat Cruise to the bottom of the falls
The Launch trip commences at Paraa landing area at the point where river Nile enters into Lake Albert and takes you to the bottom of the falls. This boat cruise will get you to come face to face with the flora and fauna of the river Nile where you will sight hippos, waterbucks, crocodiles, buffaloes and elephants and birds species such as cormorants, Fish eagles, ducks, Kingfishers, bee-eaters and the shoebill.
Nature walk
The park opens you nature walks to explore the wild on foot while in Murchison Falls Conservation area with different trails within the park such as at Paraa winds throughout low hills, gullies and forest around the river. Nature walks happen at top of the falls, Kaniyo Pabidi and Rabongo Forest. Still in nature walk one can explore primates like the Red tailed monkeys, Black & white colored monkeys, Chimpanzees, birds, trees and medicinal plants. Kaniyo Pabidi is a serene area of natural forest within Budongo Forest Reserve, where you can walk beneath mature Mahogany and ironwood trees.
Bird watching
Bird Species commonly seen between Paraa Rest Camp and Ferry crossing are; Spotted Mourning Thrush, Vitelline Masked Weaver, Silver Bird, Bluff-bellied Warbler, Blue-napped Mousebird, Chestnut-crowned Sparrow-weaver Black-headed Gonolek, Green-winged Ptyilia, and Black-headed Batis, this is the best site for the localised White-rumped Seed-eater.
Fishing
Fishing is available in the river above and below the fall. A visitor comes with your own fishing equipment if you’re interested in fishing. Examples of fish available in the river to catch are Nile perch, tiger fish and more.
Where to stay in Murchison Falls National Park
The park has accommodation which meats to international stand such as Paraa Safari Lodge-luxury, Bakers Lodge- luxury, Chobe Safari Lodge-luxury and Nile Safari Lodge-luxury, Amuka Safari Lodge-midrange,Bwana Tembo Safari-midrange, Camp Fort Murchison Lodge-midrange, Heritage Safari Lodge-midrange, Kabalega Wilderness Lodge-midrange, Murchison River Lodge-midrange, New Court View Hotel-midrange Parkside Safari Lodge-midrange and Red Chili- budget, Rest Camp-budget, Shoebill Campsite-budget, New Court View Hotel-budget, Budongo Eco Lodge-budget, Global Village Guest-budget, House Masindi Hotel-budget, Ziwa Rhino Camp-budget and Yebo Safari Camp-budget.