Murchison Falls National Park was gazetted as a game reserve in 1926 and upgraded into a national park in 1952. Murchison falls national Park is the largest national park in Uganda covering a total surface area of 3,840km2 . It lies in the western Arm of the East Africa rift valley at the northern end of the Albertine Rift. Its dominant vegetation is vast, palm dotted savannah sweeping into Bunyoro escarpment. It hosts over 76 species of mammals giving a rich game drive experience and over 451 bird species sighted along the delta, and along the river Nile on the boat to the top of the falls.
The main attraction in the Murchison falls National Park is the stretch of rapids covering over 80 kms with the sightings of rainbow all the times. The Falls can be reached using the boat on the famous boat cruise along the river Nile or a hike to the top of the falls. Murchison falls National Park is divided into two; the northern bank and southern bank which is bisected by the Victoria Nile. The northern bank section of the park contains savanna and borassus palms, acacia trees and riverine woodland. The south is dominated by woodland and forest patches.
Murchison falls national park has the highest number of mammals that makes it rich in game drive experiences. Some of the mammals include; leopard, lions, hyenas, elephants, buffalos, giraffes, Nile crocodile, water buck, bush buck and other different species of antelopes which are found on the norther bank, while the southern bank is mostly occupied by the chimpanzee found in Budongo forest making chimpanzee tracking the most dominant tourism activity
Murchison falls is managed as a conservation area that consists of other game reserves that form part of the eco-system that forms part of Murchison Falls conservation Area. Some of these reserves include: Bugungu wildlife reserve, Kabwoya wildlife reserve, Karuma wildlife reserve, Ajai wildlife reserve and East Madi Wildlife reserve.
Murchison Falls National Park can be accessed from Kampala through 2 gates; through Tangi gate using Kampala-Karuma Pakwack road, and Kikyumbanyobo gate through Masindi
The major tourist activities include the following:
Guided Game drives (Day and night): Murchison falls national park is endowed with the highest number of wild animals making it a favorable place for game viewing. Game drives can be done during the day; in the morning (6;30 Am to 12:00 noon) and in the evening from 4:00PM to 7:00 PM. Game drives can also be done at night from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM. Animals expected to be sighted during game drives include; Antelopes, Rothschild giraffes, elephants, buffalos, hyenas, lions and leopards among others. Game drives take place in the northern bank of Victoria Nile that contain savanna and borassus palms, acacia trees and riverine woodland. All game drives take place in the northern bank of the park.
Launch Cruise; This is also the most interesting activity in this park. Normally what has been missed during the game drives is likely to be sighted here. There are high chances to see animals coming to drink water during sunny. The Launch cruise lasts for 3 hours and goes to either the top of the falls or the Albert delta. However, the most famous one goes to the top of the falls where you will be able to view the falls in close range and take nice photographs that will give you lasting memories. The launch cruise is scheduled according to the available bookings of the day. There are boats available that take both small groups of 5 people and big groups of 40 people. While on this launch cruise, you will be able to see other animals on the shores including buffaloes, elephants, hippos, Nile crocodile and a variety of bird species.
Hiking top of the falls. This is a 45-minute guided nature walk which gives you an opportunity to view the falls from different points. The client will have a chance to watch waves of white water of Murchison falls and listen to the water roaring like a lion and seeing the river banding through narrow gorge. The UWA ranger guide will lead you to this hike and will explain the history of falls and the value attached to it. On this hike, there is also an opportunity to encounter with other wild animals, primates and bird species. There is a restaurant at the top of the falls and you will have an opportunity to refreshen, have a snack or a drink as you rest from the hike.
Guided Nature walks. Murchison falls national park has beautiful scenery which can be explored on a guided nature walk by foot in Rambogo forest and Kaniyo Pabidi in the southern bank which provides an opportunity to sight many primates and birds. The famous guided nature walk preferred by most clients is to the Nile Delta where the famous shoe bill can be sighted especially when the water levels have reduced on Lake Albert delta. Nature walks can also be done through the forests especially for botanists with particular interests in different species of plants. Nature walks take 3 to 4 hours
Birding; Murchison Falls National is a good birding destination with its famous Shoe bill sighted along the Albert Delta waters. Murchison falls hosts over 451 bird species including; savannah forest birds, water birds, and Albertine rift endemics birds. The main bird that attracts tourists is a shoebill usually seen in dry season from January to March along the delta. Other bird species include; marabou stork, Abyssinian ground Hornbill, secretary birds, black bellied Bustards, widow bird and open- billed storks, swallowed tailed, red throated bee eaters, and kingfishers. Bird watching treks can also be done along Sabirya river lodge or Mubako junction both on the south bank and walk along the north bank from Paraa, passing Emmy river. Birding watching lasts between 3 to 4 hours and is led by professional Birder guides.
Sport Fishing; Sport fishing is done any time of the year provided the client has an annual fishing permit that costs $50. This is done on the Victoria Nile where clients are provided with boats to sail themselves to do spot fishing and catch different fish species including; Nile perch, tiger fish, cat fish, electric fish among others. In addition, UWA conducts an annual sport fishing competition through sponsors/companies who run the competition. Interested clients will pay to participate in this competition once its announced. Clients who win by catching the largest fish are awarded. During the same event, Sponsors donate gifts like motorcycles to UWA to support her conservation efforts.
Chimpanzee trekking: This takes place in the southern bank of the park in Budongo Forest. Budongo forest has both habituated and non-habituated chimpanzees. This provides an opportunity to clients to do chimp trekking either in the morning and afternoon. Professional guides will give you a briefing on the do’s and don’ts of chimp tracking and will then lead you to the chimpanzees, and once you encounter them, you will have an opportunity to view them for 1 full hour while taking photos in close range. Chimp trekking lasts between 3 to 5 hours
Hot air ballooning:
This is considered scarily, but provides exciting and a unique experience that gives great memories to tourists. Hot air balloon safaris take place in the norther bank where most of the wild animals are found, lasting between 3 to 4 hours. It takes place throughout the day and it includes; sunrise, post sunrise hot air balloon, bush and breakfast sunset hot air balloon
Some of the Accommodation in Murchison falls national park include:
Chobe safari lodge
Paraaa safari lodge
Nile safari lodge
Sambiya river lodge
Chili budget camp
UWA managed bandas.
