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Nile Delta Boat Cruise in Murchison Falls National Park
Nile Delta Boat Cruise in Murchison Falls National Park: The Nile Delta boat trip is a highlight of every visit to Murchison Falls National Park, which, after Queen Elizabeth National Park, is Uganda’s most comprehensive and top savannah safari destination. Murchison Falls offers some of the most stunning wildlife viewing opportunities, with game drives spotting the plentiful Rothchild’s giraffe, buffalo, elephants, and lions praying on the plains’ abundant antelope. The Nile River, which flows from Lake Kyoga into Lake Albert, divides Murchison Falls National Park into northern and southern halves, providing a magnet for species concentration on the Victoria Nile’s banks. Take a boat tour along the Nile to see the park’s most numerous animal populations on the Nile’s banks.
In Murchison Falls National Park, there are two methods to experience the mighty Nile. Tourists take the boat from the Paraa jetty to the bottom of the thundering falls and climb up from Baker’s Rock to Fagio Gorge to see the falls from above. The other boat trip departs from Paraa and travels down the calm Nile waters to the papyrus-filled delta. This is where the Nile meets Lake Albert before splitting off to the north. Both provide amazing views of wildlife on the Nile River’s banks, the closest you can go to Uganda’s big game wildlife.
About the Nile Delta Boat Cruise in Murchison Falls National Park.
The Nile Delta is located 20 kilometers downstream from the Paraa mooring location in Murchison Falls National Park. It’s home to a plethora of magnificent aquatic bird species, including the prehistoric-looking shoebill stork, which is a popular sighting for most travelers on the Nile Delta boat ride. The 4-5-hour Nile Delta boat ride in Murchison Falls National Park takes travelers through the gorgeous Buligi region to Lake Albert Delta Point, putting them in close proximity to great animal sights. On the Nile River’s banks, you may expect to see herds of elephants, buffalo, and giraffes.
The boat travels the sluggish Victoria Nile waters in the Albert Delta in search of the vast birds chattering of the papyrus and marshy vegetation. Keep an eye out for the stocky bird hunting swamp fish and frogs with whale-like heads. The Shoebill is a must-see in these portions of the national park, but the landscape vistas are equally relaxing for an afternoon sunset boat excursion.
The Victoria Nile runs through the northern edge of Lake Albert to form the Albert Nile, which flows up into South Sudan at the Albert Nile Delta. Spend some time in the delta; you could see elephants, Nile crocodiles, and other spectacular wildlife before cruising back up the Nile to the Paraa docking location.
You may enjoy a planned Nile Delta boat trip with refreshments in Murchison Falls National Park. The Nile Delta boat trip departs from the Paraa docking station on the south bank at 7 am daily. The Nile Delta boat cruise in Murchison falls national park is conducted by Wild Frontiers and visitors can also do the sundowner boat cruise which sets off at 3 pm in the afternoon and only takes a minimum of 4 people
Other Boat cruise tours in Murchison Falls National Park
Boat Cruise to the Bottom of the Falls
The boat journey to the bottom of Murchison Falls, the world’s most powerful waterfall, is the most popular activity in the park. The trip also departs at the Paraa docking station, cruises up the Nile River, passing through a show of stunning wildlife along the Victoria Nile River banks, and docks at Baker’s Rock for travelers who choose to climb up to the world-famous Murchison Falls. Guests may see the Nile rip out roughly 300 cubic meters per second of water through a small gouge less than 10 meters wide at the top of Murchison Falls, Fajao viewpoint, causing 50-meter-wide splashes and a constant rainbow.
The raging water then cascades over the falls and back onto the Nile River channel, where it flows quietly down the Victoria Nile. Guests may pause at the base to watch this amazing scene unfold, which is surrounded by hippo pods, or trek up the cliff to see the spectacle from above. Launch trips to the bottom of Murchison Falls typically depart between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. You may also arrange for a private boat tour up the Nile to enjoy a sundowner or breakfast cruise, which lasts around 2-3 hours and allows you to explore the Nile River and wildlife.
How much is the cost of the Nile Delta Boat Cruise in Murchison Falls National Park?
The Nile Delta boat cruise in Murchison Falls National Park costs 56 USD per person and the sundowner boat cruise costs 45 USD per person.
When is the best time to go for the Nile Delta Boat Cruise in Murchison Falls National Park?
The Nile Delta boat cruises are available throughout the year in Murchison Falls National Park, however, the best time to go is during the dry season, when there is less rain to disrupt your pleasant ride on the Victoria Nile. This occurs between the months of December to February, and June to October, when, owing to the hot weather, many wildlife species congregate on the Nile banks to quench their thirst.
About Murchison Falls National Park.
Murchison Falls National Park, at 3840km2, is Uganda’s biggest park, ready for exploration with safaris to this lovely area. It is called after the Murchison Falls, where the powerful Nile is driven down a 7-meter-deep canyon into the ‘Devil’s Cauldron,’ generating an ever-present rainbow. The waterfall was named in 1864 by explorer Samuel Baker, who thought it “the most important object of the entire course of the river.” The park is only four hours from Kampala, Uganda’s capital, and with all of its features, it is an ideal site for an adventurous and exciting Uganda safari. Forest, savanna, riverine woodland, Borassus palms, and many acacia trees are among the ecosystems.
It is located at the northern end of the Albertine Rift Valley, with spectacular views of the plains and wooded areas, as well as the Victoria Nile, which flows into Lake Albert. At 612msl in the Delta, the Albert Nile Corridor is Uganda’s lowest point. You may see the falls from above as the Nile squeezes through the valley and from below when on a boat safari on the Victoria Nile. The launch journey on the Victoria Nile allows you to experience the Nile as the characters in the 1951 film “The African Queen.”
Attractions in Murchison Falls National Park.
Mammals
Murchison Falls National Park is home to 76 species of animals, including four of the big five. To complete your Big 5 list, stop visit the Rhino Sanctuary on your route to the park. Animals are frequently spotted on boat safaris and on wildlife drives throughout the park. Elephants, Giraffes, Buffaloes, Uganda Kobs, Bushbucks, Jackson’s Hartebeests, Oribi, waterbucks, and warthogs are among the more frequent creatures sighted. Leopards and Lions are more likely to be spotted when you go on a game drive early in the morning before the sun becomes too hot and drives them into hiding.
Baboons, Patas monkeys, Blue monkeys, Red-tailed monkeys, and Black-and-white Colobus monkeys, as well as Chimpanzees, may be found in the wooded region of Kaniyo Pabidi, which is part of the Budongo forest.
Bird species
Murchison Falls National Park features a variety of bird habitats, making bird viewing a popular pastime in this park, which contains over 450 bird species. Many migratory species and year-round residents call the park home. The park contains wooded and marshy regions, riverine woods, Savannah, and acacia trees, all of which provide habitat for birds. When you go on a boat safari to the delta or Murchison Falls, you will see a lot of water birds. The secretive Shoebill, Swamp flycatcher, papyrus Gonolek, Goliath Heron, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Northern red bishop, Squacco heron, Red-throated Bee-eater, and African-Quail Finch are among the bird species found in the national park.
Primates
Primate species in Murchison falls national park like as chimpanzees, olive baboons, red-tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, and blue monkeys may be found in the park’s southern sector, Kaniyo Pabidi Budongo forest. Visitors who want to see primates in the park can go on a chimpanzee trekking or a nature walk
Activities offered in Murchison Falls National Park
Viewing Top of the Falls.
Most tourists’ initial action is to climb to the top of the falls. The Murchison Falls are formed as the Nile River squeezes through a small valley on its journey to Egypt. After Victoria Falls, it is considered the most powerful waterfall in the world. You don’t need a guide to go to the top of the falls, although it’s best to travel in a group or someone who knows the region well. The view of the falls from the top is breathtaking. One of the most remarkable sights in the park is the tremendous boom as the water fights its way down the valley before dropping 42 meters below.
The mist created by the power of the water interacts with the sun’s rise to make beautiful rainbows that are breathtaking to witness. The mist from the waterfall provides a soothing and calming effect on a hot day or during the dry season, especially after a full day of activities.
This place is excellent for photography, and you should not visit without a camera. A walkway leads down to the river or to the lesser Uhuru Falls before the Murchison Falls after seeing the cascade from the top. “The crocodile bar” is a must-visit. This is a place towards the bottom of the falls where crocodiles congregate to await unfortunate animals and fish that are carried down by the tremendous water. Crocodiles of all sizes waited expectantly for their next prey.
Game Drive Safaris
This is, without a doubt, the most pleasant activity in the park. Although game drives may be done alone, the presence of a park ranger makes it a more educational activity since they can assist identify the sorts of birds and mammals or guide you to the best spots to find them. Expect to see buffaloes, crocodiles, elephants, giraffes, Hippopotamus, Leopards, lions, Monitor lizards, Side Striped Jackals, Spotted Hyenas, and warthogs on a three-hour game drive to Murchison Falls. Among the antelope species found in the park are the Bohor Reedbuck, Bushbuck, Defassa Waterbuck, Hartebeest, Oribi, and Uganda Kob. Baboons, Black and White Colobus, Patas Monkeys, Vervet Monkeys, and Chimpanzees may be found in the Rabongo and Budongo Forests.
Reptiles such as the African rock python, mambas, cobras, and various smaller snakes may also be seen in the park. In addition to daily game drives, tourists can choose a two-hour night game drive. The chances of encountering predators like as hyenas, lions, serval cats, and especially leopards increase during the night game drive. The rangers move with flashlights to ensure that no activity is missed. The night game drives begin late in the evening or when it begins to become dark.
Fishing
This is one of the most popular and exciting activities in the park, and it takes place along the Victoria Nile at the bottom of the falls, either from a boat or from the river bank’s rocks. Sport fishing in Murchison Falls National Park is done by throwing lures, live bait using worms or termites, or spinning. Sport fishing allows you to capture species such as Nile perch, catfish, and tiger fish.
Bird watching
Murchison Falls National Park is one of the top spots in Uganda for bird watching. The activity can be carried out on nature hikes or in a safari vehicle. As a big park, Murchison Falls offers several possibilities and sites to go birdwatching. It might begin immediately outside your resort and go through the Savannah grasslands, woods, and the Nile River.
Chimpanzee Trekking in Budongo Forest.
Budongo Forest, located to the south of the park, is part of the Budongo and Kaniyo Pabidi forest reserves. The forest is home to over 464 plant and animal species, including around 820 chimpanzees. Because Jane Goodall has a study station in Budongo forest, tracking chimps is the most popular pastime there. Murchison Falls National Park’s chimpanzees. Chimpanzee tracking in Budongo forest near Murchison Falls National Park begins at 8 a.m. and concludes at about 2 p.m.
Cultural Tours
Murchison Falls National Park is bordered by local settlements like Bunyoro, Acholi, and Alur, each with a distinct cultural history. During the community encounter, you will meet with people from other cultures while learning about their lifestyles such as gardening, and crafting, and being entertained by traditional performances such as cultural dances and music, among other things.
Accommodation in Murchison Falls National Park.
The luxury, midrange, budget, and campsite accommodations in Murchison Falls National Park include Paraa Safari Lodge, Pakuba Safari Lodge, Red Chilli Rest Camp, Geolodges Shoebill Camp Site, Parkside Safari Lodge, Nile Safari Lodge, Yebo Safari Camp, Sambiya River Lodge, Chobe Safari Lodge, and Murchison Safari Lodge among others.
How to get to Murchison Falls National Park.
By Road
Murchison Falls National Park is approximately 4-5 hours by car from Kampala. Although the route from Kampala to the park is paved, the stretch going to the park is constructed of rough dirt. Travelers can use public transportation such as buses, personal vehicles, or the services of a tour operator. There are no public buses that go through the park.
By Air
Murchison Falls National Park may also be reached by air, as domestic airlines such as Aerolink and Bar Aviation conduct regular and chartered flights from Entebbe airport/Kajjansi airfield to Pakuba/Chobe airstrip and Bugungu airstrip in the southern sector. Aerolink and Bar Aviation planes operate on a daily schedule, departing from Entebbe at 12:05 pm and arriving at Bugungu/Pakuba airport at 13:00pm. The return planes depart at 13:20 pm from Bugungu/Pakuba airstrip and arrive at Entebbe airport at 16:30 pm.
