Murchison Falls National Park is in northwestern Uganda in the districts of Buliisa, Nwoya, Kiryandongo, and Masindi. The park was established in 1926 with approximately 3893 square kilometers divided by the Victoria Nile. The park has Budongo Forest, which has 76 species of mammals as well as 450 bird species, and the distance between Kampala and the park is 305km by road, although from Masindi there are 72km.
ANIMALS FOUND IN Murchison Falls National Park
Nile crocodiles, lions, waterbirds, Rothschild’s giraffes, leopards, zebras, chimpanzees, white and black rhinos, wildebeests, blue-headed coucals, Ugandan kobs, buffaloes, hippopotamuses, elephants, warthogs, reedbucks, duikers, oribis
Birds
Dwarf water birds, shoe-billed storks, goliath herons, white-thighed hornbills, great blue turacos, dwarf kingfishers, grey herons, marabou storks, Abyssinian ground hornbills, giant and malachite kingfishers, open-billed storks, secretary birds, and black-billed bustards.
AREAS OF INTEREST.
Murchison Falls. This is between the rocks and water, where the water goes through a narrow gorge, spraying misty droplets up over 50 m, causing a continuous roar and a permanent rainbow. This is the most powerful fall in Africa.
Nile –Lake Albert delta; this is a calm, wide stretch of water where the Victoria Nile flows into Lake Albert, and its shores have papyrus that attract birds like goliath herons, African fish eagles, and great egrets.
Karuma Falls are located in the northeastern part of the park on the Victoria Nile in the Chobe region and have a series of natural rocks endowed with 76 mammals, 13 primates, 451 bird species, and an area for sport fishing.
Rabongo forest. This covers 4 square kilometers of the park surrounded by the savannah, where different animals and birds are also found. The forest is also good for educational tours that provide opportunities to identify birds, medicinal plants, trees, and animals.
River Nile: This is on the northern part of the park, and activities like boat cruises, guided nature walks along the north and south banks, and sport fishing are carried out here, and a variety of animals and birds seem to be found in these areas.
Buligi game track: this is stretching between the Victoria and Albert Niles, covering 120-170 km, passing through the savannah grassland , the woodland, and riverine vegetation. Most of the game drives happen in this place, especially during the morning and evening.
OUTSIDE THE PARK
Budongo Forest. This is a natural forest covering 435 square kilometers lying in the southwest of the Murchison Falls Conservation Area with 24 mammals, 289 butterflies, and 360 bird species, and activities like forest walks and bird watching are carried out.
ACTIVITIES in Murchison Falls National Park
Bird watching: this can be done in the savannah forest and the Albertine Rift, where various species are found. Birds can also be viewed on a game drive and also on launch trips, such as swallow-tailed and red-throated bee-eaters, hornbills, and many more.
Hiking and nature walks: the trails through Kaninyo Pabidi and Rabongo Forest provide nice viewing points for the primates as well as the nature walks.
Launch trips: these are recommended to be done in the morning or evening on a boat cruise. They can be in the Paraa area, falls for the birders on the Nile-Albert Delta.
Game driving: is mostly carried out in the deltas, Buligi game tracks, and the southern part of the park, especially in the morning and evening.
Sport fishing: there are various species of fish that can be caught, like the Nile perch, catfish, tiger fish, electric catfish, and tilapia. This is carried out on the shores of the River Nile and Karuma Falls.
Cultural encounters: The Mubako dancers perform around the lodges during campfires and sell carved wooden sculptures and handwoven items, while the Boomu women’s group offers accommodation, shops with handicrafts, and village tours.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Paraa Safari Lodge. This is a luxury lodge found in the northwest of the park, which was established in 1954. The lodge has over 54 rooms that are self-contained cottages, suites, doubles, twins, and single standard rooms. They have a restaurant that serves dinner, lunch, and breakfast to the tourists depending on their costs of pay, bar.
Nile Safari Lodge. This is found within the park on the southern shores of the River Nile, and it takes 15 minutes to get to the fall. This is a mid-range lodge that has 8 bandas, a restaurant, and a bar. It is 305km from Kampala via Masindi to the lodge in about 5 hours by road.
Red Chilli Rest Camp. This is a budget accommodation facility found on the southern banks of the river in the park that has safari tents (2 single beds), twin bandas (2 single beds), self-contained bandas (1 double and 1 single), and family bandas. They offer a restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, and international and local cuisine. Well-stocked bar.
Pakuba Safari Lodge. This is a mid-range lodge found within the park near Albert Nile Northwest. There are 189 miles from Kampala via Karuma Falls by road in about 6 hours and 10km from Tangi Gate. They offer a complimentary English breakfast from their restaurant and are carrying 46 rooms: 32 single rooms, 4 double rooms, and 4 family rooms.
Budongo Eco Lodge. This is a budget lodge in the southern sector of Budongo Forest, 8km north of the Kichambanyobo gate. They have 5 eco cabins (twin beds), 4 mixed dormitory rooms, a restaurant, a visitors center, and a well-stocked bar.
Baker’s Lodge. This is a luxury accommodation facility found in the park on the southern banks of the River Nile, and it was named after Sir Samuel Barker. They have 20 safari tents (wood, canvas, and thatch), a bar lounge area, and a dining area.
Chobe Safari Lodge. This is a luxury lodge on the northern shores of the River Nile in the Kiryandongo district. They have 36 rooms, 21 luxury tents, 4 suites, a presidential cottage, and gift shops. The lodge is 272km from Kampala by road, and by air transport, it takes 1 hour from Entebbe airport to the Chobe airstrip.
Parkside Safari Lodge. This is found outside the park 5 minute drive to the park. They have 11 rooms, which include family cottages, single rooms, and double rooms, and offer services and facilities like a restaurant that serves both international and African-inspired meals, a bar, breakfast, picnic lunch, and dinner. It is a mid-range lodge 2km from the Tangi gate of the park. It is 305 km from Kampala via Masindi to the lodge, about a 5-hour drive.