Safari activities to do in Murchison falls National Park

The safaris activities to do in Murchison Falls National Park range from game viewings to water activities. Murchison Falls which is dissected by River Nile is admired for its immense natural beauty fed by the river Nile which is its lifeblood. The Murchison Falls where the park get it name is the icing on the cake because it is where most of the River Nile energy is drained  as Sir Samuel Baker referred to it as the most exciting part of the river course.

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Murchison Falls which is about 3893 square kilometers is the largest wildlife protected area in Uganda. The park forms part of the wider Murchison Falls protected area that extend to Karuma and Bugungu wild life reserves. Murchison Falls National Park is situated in the Northern end if the Albertine rift valley and it is here that the Bunyoro escarpment merges into the wider plains of Acholi land.

While in Murchison Falls National Park some of the notable activities you may choose to do including game drives, chimpanzee trekking in kaniyo Pabidi, launch trip, sports fishing, white water rafting on River Nile, birding and others. A 3 days Murchison Falls National Park tour is the least time you can enjoy a safari in this park.

Brief History of Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park was gazette as a game reserve in 1926 a means to protect a savanna which Winston Churchill had described as the kew gardens and zoo combined on unlimited scale in 1907. The beauty of Murchison Fall has been a visited by a number of notable people in the world including Prince Edward VII of wales in 1930s, Queen Victoria in 1959, Winston Churchill in 1907, Theodore Roodseve in 1909 and others.

The name Murchison Falls was given to this park by Sir Samuel Baker who was an explore in 1864.

What Safari Activities To Do in Murchison Falls National Park

Game Drives in Murchison Falls National Park

The game drives in Murchison Falls National Park are best enjoyed early morning or late afternoon. The southern Banks of River Nile that is Paraa area is the most game rich area of the Park especially when you take the Buligi trail through to the Albert Nile. At this point, you may get the chance to view prides of lions that live sneaking in ungulates that commonly spend time on this grassland.

As you embark on the game drive in Murchison Falls National Park you may spot animals including giraffes, waterbucks, reedbucks, herds of elephants, buffaloes, hartebeests, oribi, leopards, hippos grazing and others. More than 450 bird species have been identified as residents of Murchison Falls National Park including spotted morning thrush, Red winged grey warblers, African skimmers, black headed Gonolek and others.

It is best to use a 4x4 wheel drive vehicle during a game drive in Murchison Falls National Park because the terrain of the park may get messy especially in the wet season because the soil is soft. From the gate that ushers you into the Murchison Falls National Park, there are small stones that get quite slippery as you drive on so you need to carefully drive in order not to go off track.

Launch trip to Murchison Falls     

The launch trip on the Victoria Nile is the most rewarding activity in Murchison Falls National Park. During the launch trip, you get to enjoy wildlife on the banks of River Nile a stretch that provides unparalleled wildlife spectacles. On the way, you may get the chance to spot schools of hippos, crocodiles are common at the crocodiles restaurant, otters, water vipers and others.

As you get closer to Murchison Falls, the boat turbulence changes as an effect from the Water that plunges down the floor of the cliff that is part of rift valley, a foamy appearance suddenly shows up and you hear and a loud sound. Finally, you get the chance to face the reality at the Murchison Falls where River Nile pushed through the narrow bend which is 6 meters wide to burst out and form a cloudy appearance before cascading the 43 meters high cliff.

On a clear day, a rainbow may form right before your eyes at the Murchison Falls. Indeed this is the point where River Nile drains the last of its river energy in its entire course.

Hike To the Top of The Falls at Murchison Falls

To face the reality of where the Murchison Falls drama is generated from, taking a hike to the top of the falls is worth adding to the activities to do in the Park. River Nile runs 80 kilometers over a bed of rocks where it staggers and explodes through the 6 metters wide gorge where you feel the actual energy of River Nile as water splashes up. This point is not for the faint-hearted but worth watching because of the thrill.

You hike from the boat to the top of the falls but this requires having a ranger in your company and prior planning or drive to the top of the falls. The top of the falls experience at Murchison Falls is memorable and spectacular.

Chimpanzee trekking in Kaniyo Pabidi

Chimpanzee trekking on Kaniyo Pabidi is an exciting activity where you get to see humans’ closest cousins the chimpanzees in there natural setting. Chimpanzees have about 98% human DNA and this is why they are referred to as the closest humans cousins. They live in communities under the leadership of an alpha male who is communally and democratically elected.

Kaniyo Pabidi forest is 8 Kilometers from the Kocumbanyombo gate of Murchison Falls National Park. There are two chimpanzee trekking sessions in Kaniyo Pabidi forest that is morning and one in the afternoon but you must have a permit as a ticket that allows you to join this adventure. 

Other than the chimpanzee, Kaniyo Pabidi forest is home to other primates including black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, olive baboons and others. A number of birds are residents of this forest too and ornithologists have so much to enjoy as a bonus during the chimpanzee trekking adventure.

Birding In Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park hosts abundant birdlife with more than 450 bird species recognized as residents of this park including Albertine rift endemics. The long list of birds in this park is attributed to the rich wildlife and spectacular landscape.

During the Uganda birding safari in Murchison Falls National Park, you may spot birds including Black Headed Batis, Silverbirds, Vitelline Masked Weavers, Green Winged Pytilia, Blue Naped Mouse bird, Spotted Morning Thrush and others. The park hosts nocturnal birds which you may spot using a spotlight during a night drive including White backed Night Herons, Pel’s Fishing Owl, Eagle Owl, long tailed and pennant winged and others.

Sports Fishing on River Nile

Anglers have points in The Victoria Nile where they can enjoy the catch and releasing of fish. You need to purchase a fishing permit from the Uganda Wildlife Authority in order to be part of this adventure. Carry own fishing equipment in order to feel comfortable in case of any damage on the equipment.

Hire a boat and boat captain to use for the time of your sports fishing adventure on River Nile. Donot forget to apply sunscreen because Uganda is a tropical country where the Ultra Violet rays are high. Use the Insect repellant too because at times there are stinging insects that buzz around the park.

Some of the fish species you may catch in River Nile includes Nile Perch, Tilapia, Catfish, lungfish, Mudfish and others. We encourage the catch as and release method for sustainable existence of the fish in River Nile.

White water rafting in Murchison Falls National Park

Enjoy the thrilling adventure on River Nile where you may get the chance to beat the tides of River Nile. No experience to be part of the white water rafting adventure but have passion because on ground there are professional instructors to take you through the necessary procedures.

During the white water rafting adventure on River Nile, you peddle through the rough rides of the white water rapids on a tube boat, this experience has levels but you may end where you most feel comfortable. It is best to make your reservations in advance to avoid getting disappointment at the last minute.

Guided Forest walks in Murchison Falls National Park

To immerse into the unparalleled beauty of the forested part of Murchison Falls National Park, you can embark on a guided walk into this naturally thriving Forrest within Murchison Falls National Park. Try to follow the trails constructed by regular visitors to the park so that you do not create more paths. On the way, you may spot a number of primates including black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, blue monkeys, olive baboons and others.

A number of birds are residents of this forested area so keen birds may have the opportunity of spotting a wide range of them.

When is the best time to Tour Murchison Falls National Park

The best time to do a safari in Murchison Falls National Park is the dry season even though the park is open all year. The dry season in Murchison Falls National Park is normally June to September and December to February. The plain grasslands in the park normally have shorter grass in the dry season which allows better visibility of the park inhabitants and there drama.

Most animals spend more time closer to the river banks during the dry season because other water sources in the park may dry up yet they have to quench thirst and enjoy a bath. At Murchison Falls, the water sparkles and is brighter in the dry season providing chance to taking wonderful photos of this scenery. The river is calm most of the time in the dry season which provides chance to spot its inhabitants.

Note that more tourists visit the Murchison Falls National Park in the dry season because it is normally the high tourism season in Uganda. Expect to see other tourists' vehicles on the park tracks. The demand for accommodations to use during the Uganda safari in Murchison Falls National Park is high too in this season.

The wet season that is normally March, April, May and November is also open for safari activities in Murchison Falls National Park. Note that at this moment, the Murchison Falls National Park has lush green vegetation where infants may hide from predators so expect to get chance to see the infants in the wet season.

If you are looking for a sanctuary to unwind from the chaotic city, a safari in Murchison Falls National Park during the low tourism season is the perfect choice. You get to listen to the sounds of the flowing river Nile, watch the birds, the calls of from the jungle as inhabitants close there day is soothing. You may get the chance to have all the attention of the lodge staff on you as the only visitors for the time you are in safari.

What accommodation to use on Safari in Murchison Falls National Park

The accommodations in Murchison Falls National Park are categorized into Upmarket, Mid-Range and basic. Some of the Murchison Falls accommodations include Paraa safari lodge, Murchison River lodge, Nile safari lodge, Sambiya lodge, Red Chillis Rest Camp, UWA Bandas and campsite, Kaniyo pabidi Camp.

Ensure to check the inclusions and Exclusions in the cost of accommodation in Murchison Falls National Park so that you can prepare accordingly.

How to get To Murchison Falls National Park

From Kampala you may get to Murchison Falls National Park by road at a distance of about 305 kilometers at drive time 5 hours and over. On the way, you may do a detour to the Ziwa Rhino sanctuary where some Rhinos are being re-introduced into Uganda after they were wiped out of the country by poachers and endless civil wars then that happened in the country.

To cross to Paraa area in the southern part of the park, you need the ferry crossing which is hourly except at 1300 hours and stops at 1900hrs.

There are schedules for daily flights and charter flights to Murchison Falls National Park from Entebbe or Kajjansi airstrip to Bugungu or Pakuba air strips.

For more information please contact us.