What to see on a boat cruise in Murchison Falls National Park

What to see during the boat trip in Murchison Falls National Park is magnificent starting with the aim to get to the magical Murchison Falls where River Nile squeezes through the narrow bend to form a cloudy appearance. Sailing from the pier to Murchison Falls is an opportunity to watch wildlife from a more comfortable spot.

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During the boat ride to Murchison Falls, you may find a number of animals that make there way to the banks of River Nile from the northern part of Park. River Nile that is the Victoria Nile section of this river bisects Murchison Falls National Park into two parts with the headquarters of the park at Paraa. Before forming the Murchison Falls, River Nile races 80 kilometers over a bed of rocks then push through the 6 meters wide gorge.

While on the boat cruise, tourists may get up close with herds of elephants, buffaloes, hartebeests, leopards, waterbucks and others that often find there way to the banks of the river to quench thirst or enjoy a bath from the safety of the boat. An array of birds finds its way to the banks of River Nile each day and during the boat ride you may get the opportunity to spot some of these birds including the rare shoe bill stork.

Enjoy the stunning features on the banks of River Nile including the escarpments of the rift valley where a number of birds have created holes where they nest, various rocks protrude through the water and much more. When you hike to the top of the falls, you get the chance to see more rocks, deep valley where River Nile course passes and others.

The banks of River Nile have lush green vegetation where several birds may be spotted and forested parts where some primates by be spotted during the boat cruise.

Finally, the boat cruise gets to the foot of Murchison Falls where River Nile water bursts through the narrow gorge to form a cloudy appearance before cascading the 43 meters high cliff in an explosive rush of water. A rainbow may form right before your eyes on a clear day. At Murchison Falls is where River Nile shows off most of its energy throughout the entire course

The daring hike to the top of the falls is an opportunity to watch where the drama at Murchison Falls is generated from as River Nile staggers over a bed of rocks creating white water rapids for a distance of about 80 kilometers.

Nile Delta Cruise

The Nile Delta cruise which is a 20 kilometers  voyage from Paraa are may give chance to seeing a number of papyrus endemics. Chances of finding the shoebill stork are more open and so many wetland birds.

Arrange a Sundowner or Sunrise adventure

A private boat cruise to watch the sun as its casts its rays on the River Nile surface before giving way for night time to take charge can be arranged or watch the sun rise from below the horizon to meet the day. you may get the opportunity to see the hippos as they find a cool spot from the day’s heat.

When Is The Best Time To Do A Boat Cruise In Murchison Falls National Park

The best time to do a boat cruise in Murchison Falls National Park is the dry season even though this activity is open all year. The dry season which is normally June to October and December to February is characterized by increased temperatures that go as high as 29 degrees centigrade. This normally causes several animals and other park occupants to move to the shores to quench thirst and enjoy a bath.

From the comfort of the boat cruise, you may get the chance to spot animals in the grassland areas of the Park where the grass is lower. Even hippos and crocodiles are more active in the water during the dry season so there presence is more pronounced. Other than the boat trip in Murchison Falls National Park, embarking on a game drive in the park is exciting too during the dry season.

During the dry season, you can also enjoy the beautiful surrounding of River Nile from the deck as you relax other than during the wet season especially when it starts raining.

Expect to share your space with other tourists especially when you book the public launch trip to Murchison Falls National Park. It is very comfortable when you make the seat reservation on the boat cruise earlier because there are limited spaces. For a private boat cruise to Murchison Falls, they are available but you need to make reservation for the boat and captain earlier.

The wet season which is March to May is not excluded from the chance of embarking on a boat cruise however, you need to note that when the weather becomes extreme, the boat cruise may be suspended. This is because the River gets rough and so you may be at risk when you so a boat cruise under these conditions .

How Much is The cost Of  A Boat Cruise to Murchison Falls National Park

Currently, the cost of the Boat cruise to Murchison Falls National Park is $ 30 for foreign nonresidents, $25 for foreign residents, 30,000shs for East Africans. Note that these costs may change any time without warning.

The cost of the boat cruise in Murchison Falls National Park includes about two to three hours return trip, boat captain fee, conservation fees and other. The boat cruise cost excludes park entrance fees for Murchison Falls National Park, tips and other personal expenses.

Is The boat Cruise In Murchison Falls National Park Safe

Before the boat trip to Murchison Falls starts, tourists are taken through briefing with details of the guidelines expected to be observed while on the boat cruise. These are measures that are taken to safe guard tourists from possible unsafe incidents.

Every boat cruise trip must be accompanied by arm armed ranger guide with an emergency safety weapon in case need arises. The tourists are often reminded to balance the boat and minimize those that may want to go to the deck.

Tourists are advised not to touch the surface of River Nile water as there are so many crocodiles, viper water snakes and hippos in the water and others. Swimming in River Nile during the boat cruise is forbidden because the water is not safe.

On a personal level, your safety while taking a boat trip in Murchison Falls National Park is very important. Donot drink anything that will compromise your sense of judgment during the boat cruise as this is prohibited.    

Ensure to balance the boat during the boat trip to Murchison Falls National Park to avoid causing accidents. Minimise your movements during the boat cruise as this can compromise the boat stability. Donot try stepping off the boat during the boat cruise because this part of River Nile is unsafe to swim in.

Are Children Allowed On The Boat Cruise In Murchison Falls National Park

Children are allowed to be on the boat cruise in Murchison Falls National Park as long as they are in company of a responsible adult. There is no age limit to those who can get on the boat cruise in Murchison Falls National Park as long as the children are not let free to get to the edges of the boat.

Ensure to carry there refreshments so that they donot disturb the peace of other people on board. Carry reasonable baggage for the children with only the necessary items and donot over pack as this may end in frustrating you and those close to you. Carry some warmer especially for the evening boat cruise because as evening breaks in the weather tends to get extremely cold.

How Long Is The Boat Cruise In Murchison Falls National Park

The time to take on Murchison Falls National Park boat cruise may be 2 to 3 hour’s return trip. For the private launch trips on Murchison Falls National Park, time may be more than this depending on the number of stops you make along the way.

It is best to relax and enjoy each moment as it lasts because everything amongst the wild animals in Murchison Falls National Park is unplanned for. It is a moment to create lifetime memories at your own pace and refresh from the hassles that life takes you through. Contact us for more information.

What other activities to do with the boat cruise in Murchison Falls National Park

Game Drives in Murchison Falls National Park

The game drives on the tracks of Murchison Falls National Park are amazing but the early morning and late afternoon game drives are most interesting. When on a game drive via the Buligi track, you may get the chance to see lion prides that prey on the Uganda kobs that are common residents here. Some other residents animals in Murchison Falls National Park include herds of elephants, buffaloes, leopards, giraffes, hyenas, hartebeests, warthogs, waterbucks, bushbucks and others.

Chimpanzee trekking in Murchison Falls National Park Kaniyo Pabidi Forest

Chimpanzee trekking in Kaniyo Pabidi National Park is exciting as you get to search for these vulnerable primates whose existence has tremendously been affected by habitat destruction. The chimpanzee community in Kaniyo Pabidi is under the management of the Jane Goodall but open to public visits. These chimpanzees have been habituated to be in the presence of humans at least for one hour.

Two chimpanzee trekking sessions are available in Kaniyo Pabidi National Park that is morning and afternoon. You need a chimpanzee trekking permit first to have access to this activity.

Sports Fishing In Murchison Falls National Park

Engaging in sports fishing in Murchison Falls National Park requires purchasing a fishing permit from Uganda Wildlife Authority first. Catch and release is encouraged during the sports fishing adventure in Murchison Falls National Park for sustainable existence of the fish species. Hire a boat to use during the time on River Nile. Some of the fish species you may get the chance to find include tilapia, lungfish, cat fish, Nile perch and others.

Birding in Murchison Falls National Park

Birding in Murchison Falls National Park is rewarding as over 350 bird species have been recorded as residents of this park, During the birding safari in Murchison Falls National Park, you may spot Black headed Gonolek, Vitelline Masked Weaver, Spotted Morning thrush, White backed  Night Heron, Blue naped Mousebird and many others.

What Are The Dos And Don’ts Of A Safari In Murchison Falls National Park

• Carry just what is necessary for your time on Uganda holiday so that you are not inconvenienced by the limited legs room in case you are sharing the vehicle with others.
• When in the park, do not hoot or make noise because you may scare the wild animals and push them into hiding yet others would like to see them too.
• In case you have children on safari donot let them out of sight as the parks have savages that may pounce on them.
• Drive a speed that is recommended by the Park authorities so as not to cause any accident to the animals or yourself.
• Do not dangle your limbs or get out of the car during the game drive because you do not know what awaits you in the bushes.
• Take some anti-malarial before travelling for a safari in Uganda because this is a tropical country
• No feeding the wild animals while on safari because they are wild animals that must search for there own food and not depend on human provision.
• Never dump garbage like wraps, cans, foil in the wilderness because this alters the nature of the environment where wild animals thrive.
• During the walking safaris, wait for the ranger guides to lead the way because you may easily be terrified by the wild animals.
• Never drive off track as this may calls for a penalty and if you have to do so, seek permission from the authority.
• Do not leave your engine on when you locate the wild animals because you may scare them.
• Respect others while on a game drive so that you can all have the chance to enjoy the wild.

Contact us for more information.