Murchison falls national park is the largest park in Uganda managed and protected by Uganda Wildlife Authority. It measures approximately 3,893 square kilometers (1,503 sq mi) and the park is bisected by the Victoria Nile from east to west for a distance of about 115 kilometers (71 mi). Murchison falls national park is located in south western part of Uganda highly visited due to big five mammals and most powerful falls in the world. The park is a home of 76 species of mammals and 451 species of birds.
Things to do in the park
Game drive.
Murchison falls national park is the best destination for game drive which takes about 2-3 hours. Game drive in the park involves a tourist vehicle as visitors search for wildlife species in their habitats which can be done early morning hours or evening hours to spot early raciers and gracier. During game drive, visitors will spot various mammals and despite the park being known for big five mammals, there are high chances of spotting them including lions, leopards, elephants, Rhinos, buffalos, and other mammals like waterbucks, Uganda kobs, giraffes and many more.
Birding watching.
The park Murchison falls is the birding paradise for bird lovers. The park is a home of over 556 bird species which some are endemic and others are migrates. Some of these birds include Gray crowned crane, Giant Kingfisher, Giant Heron, Shoebill stork, Abyssinian Ground, and many more. Some of the birds are spotted during game drive and others boat cruise and nature walks however bird watching as an activity involves footing searching for various bird species in the park. It takes half day or full day with the help of guide birders who know the best spots for various bird species.
Hiking and Nature walks
Murchison falls national park is a best destination for nature walks and hiking for example trails to Murchison falls top. The nature walk trails in Murchison falls national park, go through kaniyo pabidi, rabongo forest, and the albert delta areas; all areas are part of the vast Murchison falls conservation area. Although hiking and nature walks in murchison falls national park comes with burning calories, exercises and tensed muscles, it is always interesting and great experience for visitors taking part in it. Visitors are also advised to be physically fit to be able to enjoy. Amazingly during hiking or nature walks, visitors get a chance to be closer to some wildlife species and spot various bird species.
Boat cruise.
Despite the fact that the park has Nile delta along the park with the most powerful falls in the world, it offers visitors the best destination for boat cruise. Boat cruise could be in morning or afternoon hours taking about 2-3 hours. Visitors may do sports fishing while on the boat cruise however others may enjoy the cruise to the bottom side of the Murchison falls. While cruising on the albert Nile delta, visitors will spot various wildlife species forest elephants, water bucks, crocodiles, hippopotamus, buffalos, kobs and many more.
Chimpanzees tracking.
Murchison falls national park is best destination for chimpanzees tracking in budongo forest. Chimps are primates which have been recorded to be 98% humans according to the researchers and they move in big number over 60 individuals. Before tracking chimps, visitors are advised to pack cameras, binoculars, comfortable hiking boots, long t-shirts, long trousers, rain coat, insect repellent and many more. Chimpanzees tracking is done in morning hours and afternoon hours however Uganda has other places where chimps can be spotted including kyambura and kalinzu in Queen Elizabeth national park and kibale national park in kanyanchu and buraiga.
How to access the park?
Murchison falls national park can be accessed by either road or air transport. By road transport, visitors will take about 6-7 hours to reach the park from Kampala. Visitors may use private or public vehicles or buses for road trip to the park. Visitors may use Tangi gate or Chobe gate, Wanker gate, Mubako gate, Bugungu gate, and Kichumbanyobo gate although road trip to the park seemed to be long distance, it is worthy it due to beautiful sceneries spotted along the way.
By air transport, visitors may from kajjasi or Entebbe International airport to the park taking about 1-2 hours to chobe airstrip or pakuba airtstrip.
Where to stay?
Muchison falls national park offers luxury, mid-range and budget lodges where visitors may spend a night depending on their choices.
Murchison falls bamboo village.
Murchison falls bamboo Village has amazing fourteen rooms offering flexible, home style service with attentive & friendly staff. They offer delicious meals at the restaurant, laundry, swimming pool, driver accommodation, bar, car hire, safari as well as river cruise. The lodge rooms are fully self- contained, with balcony, wifi, 24-hour power, hot and cold water, while our deluxe rooms add intercom, luxurious bamboo floors, super king-sized beds and more!
While at the lodge, visitors may spot wildlife species and various bird species.
Sambiya River lodge
Sambiya River lodge derives its name from sambiya river in Murchison falls national park. Sambiya River lodge has 24 cottages designed as individual and family cottages which have en suite bathrooms, fans, screened doors & windows and a veranda, flashing toilets, and many more. The river lodge sambiya facilitates swimming pool, restaurant where international meals are served and prepared by professional chefs, well stocked bar with had and soft drinks, laundry, and many more.
While at the lodge, visitors are able to do game drive, bird watching, nature walks and boat cruise on Albert Nile which flows through the park.
When to visit the park?
Although the park is visited annually, there is always the best time. Uganda receives two climate changes which are dry season and wet season. The best time to visit Murchison falls national park is during dry season in months between December to February, and then again from June to September however some visitors prefer wet season. Wet season is a bit challenging with slippery roads, bushy grasslands which hide wildlife species, less bird species and many more although these visitors enjoy green sceneries which visitors of dry season can’t see.
