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Safaris to Murchison Falls National Park
Safaris to Murchison Falls
Murchison falls national park is without doubt the largest protected area in Uganda. The national park spans up to 3840 square kilometers. Its name was originally Kabalega National Park, but lately, it is derived from the Murchison Falls, where the great River Nile bursts through a short valley in the Rift Valley Escarpment before flowing down to become a tranquil river. This area includes Bugungu, Karuma game reserves, as well as the Budongo Forest. It is protected and managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
The park is also home to a large mahogany forest which is located in the Budongo Forest Reserve. The forest is a 790 sq km extension of the park that is protected inside the Budongo and Kanyiyo Pabidi reserves. About 800 chimpanzees and 465 different plant species can be found in this reserve. One of the best birding locations in Uganda is The Royal Mile, which is 14 kilometers from Busingiro. 366 distinct species have been identified during birding expeditions in the reserve, which is well-known for them. 460 bird species and 76 animal species can be found in the park.
Safaris to Murchison Falls national Park:
The ideal place for adventure trips is Murchison Falls. Everyone in the globe should go there because it’s an exhilarating experience for tourists. 400 different species of birds, 76 different species of mammals, and four of the big five are all found in Murchison. This includes the elephant, lion, buffalo, and leopard. The rhinos, however, can be arranged to be viewed in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary on your way back to Kampala. Over 40 rhinos and other reptile species have a wonderful home in the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. However, other places can also be visited, such as the nearby Queen Elizabeth National Park and other places, and Murchison Falls National Park is not the only place with wildlife.
Attractions in Murchison falls national park
Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s most popular tourism safari destination; the park is beautiful and filled with fascinating attractions that visitors can see while on safari. Murchison Falls National Park is the most incredible place to go on a safari and see some of Africa’s incredible attractions. Visitors who plan to travel to Murchison Falls National Park by land or air would have access to everything in the park according to their travel arrangements. The distance can be traveled in around one hour by flight and up to four hours by road.
Wildlife:
Murchison Falls National Park has a variety of vegetation types that attract a wide range of animal species, such as warthogs, elephants, hippopotamuses, Rothschild’s giraffes, cape buffaloes, lions, antelopes, Uganda Kobs, Jackson’s-Hartebeest, Oribi, waterbucks, bushbucks, leopards, spotted hyaenas, vervet monkey. Most of these are along with Lake Kyoga, woodlands, and grassland, the park also features marsh vegetation, which is essential for the survival of wild animals.
Birds:
Murchison Falls National Park is the best place to go bird watching because there are so many different bird species flying around. They can be seen on your tour primarily on nature walks, boat cruises, and other locations. Birds found on the shores of a body of water differ from those found in the forest, even though they are all classified as birds.
This park is home to over 400 bird species, which will delight your eyes with beautiful bird species in the air. Grew Crowned Crane, Western Banded Snake Eagle, Greate Blue Turaco, African Darter, Piapiac, Silver Bird, Whistling Cisticola, Heuglin’s Francolin, Brown Twin Sports, Brown Babbler, Shoebills, Pel’s Fishing Owl, Senegal Lapwings, crested crane, giant kingfisher, northern carmine bee-eater, pied kingfisher and goliath heron. This makes the park an ideal place for birders on Uganda Birding Safaris.
Murchison Falls:
Murchison Falls National Park is famous for having the world’s most powerful waterfall, which serves as the park’s trademark tourism attraction and gives the park its name. This is incredible and draws a large number of tourists to the park.
The Murchison Falls, formerly known as Kabalega Falls, gained its name from during the early years of European exploration days. The falls are along the Victoria Nile River, which is located 20 miles east of Lake Albert. Before contracting to a width of more than 6 meters and descending over 120 meters in a series of three cascades, the Victoria Nile travels through miles of rapids. Murchison Falls offer a breathtaking perspective of the surrounding landscape that will make your time in Uganda one to cherish. The falls can also be seen while on a boat cruise along the Nile River.
The Mighty River Nile:
River Nile is known as the world’s longest river, and it runs through Uganda, specifically in Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest park. River Nile is the main source of water for the park’s ecosystem, and when the water is flowing, it can be occupied by numerous animals drinking water and cooling themselves by bathing. The river separates the park into two sections, north and south. The River Nile is a popular attraction in the park because it is home to many water bird species, hippos, and Nile crocodiles, among other aquatic animals.
River Nile is an excellent option for tourists on a Uganda safari because it offers activities such as sport fishing, white water rafting, boat cruises, and river Nile using a launch boat allows you to visit Murchison Falls, among others.
Budongo Forest:
Budongo Forest is located in Murchison Falls National Park, in the southwestern part of the park, and continues to Kaniyo Pabidi Forest. Budongo forest is made up of a variety of African mahogany tree species that are home to chimps. Budongo is home to over 360 bird species such as vultures, harriers, rollers, Arrow marked, Barbet, Eagles, and others, 475 tree species, primates such as chimpanzees, blue monkeys, olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys, and others, butterflies, moths, and many others. Budongo forest is a recognized site in Murchison Falls National Park that provides tourists with proper viewing of bird species and primates.
Karuma Falls:
Karuma falls are spectacular and beautiful in Murchison Falls National Park. The falls are located in the park’s northeastern region, in the well-known Chobe area. Karuma falls are such an amazing one from the natural rock-formation through which water sparkles and forms the magical white foam, the fall forms a thrilling water inform of the pool and various animal species do surround the pool like the baboons, giraffes, buffalos, Uganda kobs, and among others, as well as numerous bird species to tend to occupy around the pool like the shoebill stork, goliath heron, and among others which gives the tourists. Karuma falls act as the bird watching site, game viewing site, sport fishing site and among others.
What to do on Safaris to Murchison falls National Park
Game Drives: Game drives are a popular tourist activity done on safaris to Murchison Falls National Park, where visitors can observe the park’s various wildlife from a 4×4 open roof car. Murchison Falls National Park offers three different game drives to tourists: morning game drives, afternoon game drives, and night game drives.
Morning game drives are the most rewarding because the animal species are more visible in the park and can be seen in their natural habitats. Hippos, oribis, bushbucks, jackals, elephants, lions, leopards, waterbucks, and other animals have been spotted.
Afternoon game drives provide tourists with a clear exploration of the various animal species in the park; it is during this time that tourists can spot animal species that they would have missed seeing during the morning game drive. Tourists see a variety of wildlife while enjoying the sunset horizons in their savannah plains, giving them the best spot.
Night game drives give tourists the opportunity to see nocturnal animal species found in the park, such as leopards, lions, and hyenas, among others. These can be more rewarding, and tourists get the best game drive safari experience in Murchison Falls National Park.
Boat Cruises: Boat cruise in Murchison Falls National Park is one of the most beautiful safari activities done while on Safaris to Murchison falls, and it is one of the best activities that many visitors enjoy. A boat cruise along the Victoria Nile takes you to the bottom of the Murchison Falls. Tourists on a boat cruise safari get the best views of various wildlife such as hippopotamuses, water bird species such as African black crake, great blue turaco, dwarf kingfisher, and others, as well as get up close and personal with the world’s most powerful falls.
Boat cruises in Murchison Falls National Park are available in two varieties: Nile boat cruises and Delta boat cruises. Though their schedules and times differ, they provide the same boat cruise safari experience as the Murchison.
Bird Watching: Bird lovers who visit Murchison Falls National Park have the best birding safari experiences because the park has over 450 bird species, some of which are endemic to the Albertine, others are rare and endangered. Murchison Falls National Park is spectacular with the shoebill stork, but the park also has a large number of other beautiful and colorful bird species that include the yellow footed fly catcher, Abyssinian bird, secretary bird, African jacana, Goliath heron, Palm-nut vulture, silverbird, and many others that attract a large number of bird lovers.
Bird watching in Murchison Falls National Park is done through various activities such as game drives, boat cruises, nature walks, hiking, and so on. Bird watching in the park is best done during the low season, which is December to February when there is less rain, but November, April to May is the best time for bird watching because this is when birds breed and migratory bird species visit the park.
Hiking and Nature Walks: Hiking and nature walks in Murchison Falls National Park are the most appealing ways for tourists to explore the park’s entire wilderness with an experienced guide. Nature walks are so rewarding to tourists because of the park’s beauty and landscape, as well as the animal species, bird species, and plants, among other things.
Murchison Falls National Park has various trails where nature walks take place, such as Rabongo Forest, Albert Delta, Kaniyo Pabidi, and others, which provide tourists with amazing adventures. The activity has health benefits when compared to other safari activities because it burns calories. Hiking impresses safari tourists because it allows them to see water birds and other primates such as chimps and monkeys while hiking to the top of the falls.
Sport Fishing: Sport fishing is done in Murchison Falls Park because the park is crossed by the Nile River, which supports the sport fishing activity while providing an excellent fishing location for large fish species such as Nile perch, though other fish species such as cat fish, tiger fish, tilapia, and others can be caught.
Sport fishing in the park is mostly catch-and-release and not for food, and it is mostly done on a boat. This is a great activity because it is done using modern fishing techniques to keep the anglers safe. Sport fishing is best done during the dry season, which lasts from January to March and July to October, when the weather is warm. Visit Murchison falls national park and enjoy the massive safari activities in the largest national park of the country with Lake Side Tours and Travel Limited.
Hot air ballooning: Hot air ballooning is one of the most exciting safari activities available in Murchison Falls National Park. It is available in two sessions: morning from 5:00 a.m. and evening from 4:00 a.m., each lasting two hours. This is where visitors can get breathtaking views of the entire park, including bird species, animal species, vegetation, sunrises, Murchison Falls, and so on. Although hot air balloon rides are open to the public, they are especially meaningful for honeymooners, wedding proposals, and other special occasions. After landing, you will be given certificates for your participation in the hot air balloon safari and will be served breakfast.
How to get to Murchison Falls National Park:
By Road: It takes 4-6 hours to drive from Kampala to Murchison Falls National Park (305 km). Although the park’s headquarters are located in Paraa (85 kilometers from Masindi), the most direct route is through the southern gates (Kichumbanyobo and Masindi South Gate). The northern gates (Purongo or Takigate-Packach) are also an option, but they are longer than the other gates.
By Air: Entebbe International Airport’s flight is scheduled to travel directly from the airport to a nearby aircraft. The plane will make a stop in Pakuba, Chobe, or Bugundu, which will take more than an hour from the airport to the plane. This is done on a daily basis to and from the park.
It is also possible to use Kajansi aircraft because it is close to Kampala and the closest aircraft to Murchison Falls National Park is Pakuba.
