Murchison Falls National Park.
Murchison falls national park is the largest national park in Uganda, measuring 3,840 square kilometers. Located in Masindi district, the park glows with a minefield of diversity in species, ecosystems and landscapes. This unique biodiversity is partly facilitated by the flow of the Nile which splits the vast plains into two sectors: the northern and southern sectors. Throughout these sectors, a number of animals and birds exercise their freedom to life and are witnessed harnessing the power of survival mechanisms. As you venture further into the plains, the scenery and grandeur so revealed establishes the magnitude of photo moments which create an enduring scale of memories. The northern sector of Murchison majorly contains borassus palms and acacia trees that are dotted within the length of savannah and riverine woodland. The south however, is decorated by forest patches and is majorly dominated by woodland. It is right within these different kinds of nature vegetation that all the species of your find home and can thus be seen. These incude four of the big five: lions, leopards, elephants and buffalos. You will also find a plethora of other species that include giraffes, warthogs etc.
The Murchison falls!! The star of Murchison falls National Park
“The fall of water was snow-white, which had a superb effect and contrasted with the dark cliffs that walled the river, while the graceful palms of the tropics and the wild plantains perfected the view. This was the greatest waterfall of the Nile, and in honor of the President of the Royal Geographical Society, I named it the Murchison Falls, as the most important object throughout the entire course of the river” – Samuel Baker
At the heart of the park along the Nile river lies the pearl of Murchison: the grand Murchison falls after which the park was named. The falls were originally called Kabalega falls, but owing to the great work of geologist Roderick Murchison, then the president of the Royal Geographical Society, the falls were renamed. The Murchison falls are labelled the world’s most powerful waterfall and are the most iconic piece of nature witnessed in that part of the country. While here on your Murchison falls tour, you will witness the river squeezing through a 7 meter gorge and crushing down 43 meters into the devil’s cauldron and then flowing into Lake Albert. The spectacle so created is just out of this world and is limited to nothing but perfection.
Around the falls, a number of water birds create mellifluous tunes about the array of colors formed within the water as it squeezes through the tiny chasm. All these create a stunning picture of things that we all wish to forever! The Murchison falls also attract several other species that include large herds of elephants, buffalos and giraffes that come to bathe or take a drink. Within the waters, crocodiles and hippos can be seen doing what they do best while creating an enchanting scene.
Where is Murchison falls located? Where to find the falls for your tour.
The Murchison falls are located within the Murchison falls National park in the Northern end of the Albertine rift in North-western Uganda, straddling four districts that incude: Masindi, Nwoya, Buliisa and Kiryadongo. Within these districts lies the exact location of Murchison falls and its different gates. The park is part of Murchison falls conservation area which includes several wildlife reserves like Karuma, Bugungu and Pian-Upe wildlife reserves among others.
Getting to the Murchison falls: how to reach Murchison falls National Park.
Murchison falls National Park can be reached and accessed nearly through all directions since it has many gates around it. Since the park is divided into two sectors, visitors usually reach it either through the north or the south. The park is about 290 kilometers from the capital of Kampala and can be reached by road or by air.
By road, the park is approximately a 5-6 hours drive from Kampala. You will take the Kampala – Gulu road, a smooth tarmacked (paved) road if you are interested in entering the park by the Southern gates. Alternatively, you can take the Kampala-Packwach road if your interest is to enter by the Northern gates. Taking the Kampala-gulu road, you will be in Masindi town by around mid-day If you set off at 7 am. Masindi is approximately 72 kilometers from the Kibanda area of the park. The main route from Masindi leads to the south of the park where you can enter by the Kichumbanyobo gate. Alternatively, you can enter through the Bugungu gate along the Budongo forest where there a large numbers of birds and some chimps. Other gates include: chobe, wankwar, tangi and mumbako, although they are at the Northern side of the park. The Northern side can be accessed by the Kampala-Packwach road, where you will have to cross the Karuma bridge.
By air.
There is a flight of 1 hours although the transfer time to the accommodation depends on the chosen lodge. The air transfer usually follows scheduled flights by local air service providers like Aerolink, Fly Uganda and Eagle airlines among others. There is usually one flight from Entebbe to Murchison that departs at 12 noon. You will land at either Pakuba, Bugungu or Chobe Airfield stations. It is important to note however that there are terms, conditions and guidelines that apply before you can secure a scheduled flight. Getting to Murchison by air is quicker, although the road gives you more opportunity to see the country, its people and nature.
Activities in Murchison falls national park.
- Game drives: This is most popular activity in the park, when you go out driving through the established tracks looking out for some of the 77 species of mammals that call this their home.
- Launch cruise to the bottom of the falls: The Boat Safari on River Nile is your ultimate experience for water, animals, birds, and great scenery. Here you look out for animals coming to water and those resident/semi residents in water such as Crocodiles, Hippos, monitor lizards and many more. The boat cruise usually happens after lunch and lasts for 2-hours. It sets off at Paraa, going upstream to the bottom of the Murchison Falls.
- Bird watching: Almost every area in Murchison is a bird watching Zone. The three main spots for bird watching however are: The Nile Delta at Buligi, the virgin woods of Kaniyo Pabidi, and the area around the falls. Pabidi is a good place to see the endemic bird species. The Nile Delta is home to the Shoe Bill and other stunning water loving bird species. The Murchison Falls area is a good spot to watch the riverine and savannah forest birds. The park hosts an estimated 450 bird species.
- Others include: Chimp tracking at Budongo, Nature walks, Forest walks, Sport fishing, White water rafting and Balloon Safaris
Murchison falls hotels and accommodation.
There are different hotels and accommodation facilities in Murchison that range from luxury, mid-range and budget. You can make a choice of your own depending on your desired level of comfort and expenditure. Some of them include: Baker’s Lodge (Luxury murchison accommodation), Murchison River Lodge or Fort Murchison (Mid-range accommodation in Murchison falls national park and Budget)
Best time to visit the Murchison falls on an African tour.
The best time to visit Murchison Falls depends on what you plan to see, do and the season. The park can be visited throughout the year although some months offer better experience than others. The best time to visit Murchison is during the dry seasons during the months of June to September and December to February. During this period, the animals often converge near water sources in large numbers and are easier to see. However, there is usually a very high level of competition during this period of time for accommodation facilities and expenses tend to be high. Temperatures also tend to be high.
During the rainy season, some roads are usually bad and some areas tend to experience floods. This makes some areas remote and hard to access. However, the advantage is that the prices are usually low and there are fewer people which makes every activity easier to enjoy. Migratory birds are also easier to see.