Game drives In Murchison Falls National Park: Game viewing in Murchison Falls is more rewarding early morning or late afternoon as animals retire to their night hangouts. Large mammals like elephants, buffaloes, lions and others may come into full view during the game drives. Driving through the game rich Buligi grassland to the shores of the Albert Nile may give you chance to see animals like giraffes, water bucks, hartebeests, bush bucks, oribi the list is endless.
On the way to Murchison Falls a break to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary offers big support to Rhino rehabilitation program. The 1980s civil wars in Uganda saw the departure of the last Rhinos in the country plus poaching for barbaric reasons as locals believe that the Rhino horn cures some illnesses. This sanctuary if the so far new home for the rhinos and are being monitored too. Some successes have been achieved as a number of calves have been born.
The magic of River Nile on a launch trip to Murchison Falls is exceptional. Sailing on River Nile to catch the view and listen to the mighty power of Murchison Falls which is the most epic part of the River Nile course is unmatched.
A number of riverine birds grace the marshy shores and spotting thirsty animals quenching thirst from the banks is unavoidable. You may get to see elephants, herds of buffaloes, giraffes, lions, hyenas, water bucks bush bucks, hartebeests and so many others.
River Nile is the life blood of Murchison Falls National park and having a launch on it bring out many views that you would miss while on land.
A number of birds nest in the plateau that overlooks Victoria Nile and you may get to see them departing or arrive home while on the launch. When you look in the vegetation closer to the banks, more birds love spending the day close to River Nile. Some of the birds you may get to see include Black-Headed Gonolek, Vitelline Masked Weaver, Black-Headed Batis, Yellow-throated Leaf Love, Grey-capped Warbler to mention but a few.
Watch out for huge Nile crocodiles especially at there restaurant where they love to bask like logs to catch a prey, schools hippos hide like rocks embedded in water.
As you close up to the falls, the boat turbulence changes and you can hear thunderous sounds as River Nile furiously bursts out of the 6 meters wide bend to form a cloudy appearance. The Nile water cascades down the 43 meters high cliff to continue with the rest of the course.
Hike To the Top Of the Murchison Falls
Some daring tourists hike to the top of the falls the actual point where most River Nile Drama is exposed. Here you can see, hear and feel all the River Nile waters as it stumbles upon a bed of under lying rocks and majestically explodes through the 6 meters gap in the cliff.
Chimpanzee Trekking in Kaniyo Pabidi Forest
Going chimpanzee trekking in Kaniyo pabidi Forest of Murchison Falls National Park is a super choice. Chimpanzees are the closest human cousins in animals Kingdom made up of 96 % human DNA.
They live in communities with the leadership of an Alpha male who is democratically elected. The females contribute a lot to the election of an Alpha male and so possible candidates must impress them first during campaign.
Two chimpanzee trekking session that is morning and afternoon are available for tourists to experience Chimpanzees out of the cages of the zoos.
Every tourist must attend briefing where you go through the guidelines of chimpanzee trekking like no provoking the chimpanzees, keep a distance of about 8 meters apart from them when you meet them and so much more.
Only one hour is allowed to be with the chimpanzees so as to let go about their day today activities.
Look out for other primates like L’Hoest’s, blue monkeys, black and white colobus, olive baboons, grey cheeked mangabey, red tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys to mention but a few.
Birding In Murchison Falls National Park
Variety of unique habitats and superb birds make Safaris in Murchison Falls National Park a must for every birder. Birding in Murchison Falls is enhanced by favorable habitats that make up the vegetation zones of Murchison Falls National Park.
Taking the Rabongo forest trails you get to see a number of birds common to Murchison Falls National Park. During the birding safari, you witness them constructing nests, feeding chicks and pecking on fruits of the forest that supplement their diet.
On a good birding day to Murchison falls nation park, you may get to see spotted Morning Thrush, Silver bird, Black-headed Gonolek, Vitelline Masked Weaver, Chestnut crowned Sparrow-weaver, Blue-naped Mousebird, shoebill, Standard-winged-backed Night Heron, saddle bill stork, Grey crowned Crane, yellow-throated leaf love, Long-tailed and Pennant winged to mention but a few.
Sport Fishing in Murchison Falls National Park
Sport fishing on River Nile offers you chance to catch some of the fish monsters like Nile Perch. Some area of river Nile in Murchison Falls National Park have been gazetted to allow angler catch some fish in a sustainable manner.
You need to come with your fishing equipment and book a boat with its captain in advance. Some of the fish you may get to catch include Nile perch, tilapia, cat fish, lungfish to mention but a few.
What Accommodation to Book in Murchison Falls National Park
Accommodation in Murchison Falls National Park is supporting all budgets ranging from up markets accommodation facilities, Moderate facilities and Budget facilities. A comfortable night on holiday creates great memories of your safari in Africa.
Some of the lodges in Murchison Falls National Park include Budongo Ecolodge, Murchison River Lodge, Paara Safari Lodge, Kaniyo Pabidi Ecotourism Camp, Chobe Lodge, Nile Safari Lodge, Sambiya Lodge, Red Chillis Rest Camp, Kaniyo Pabidi Camp, Busingiro Ecotourist Site and more are still under construction
How To Get to Murchison Falls National Park
By Road
Murchison Falls National Park is about 305 km from Kampala the Capital of Uganda last about 5 hours without stops
You have to use a number of entry points depending on the direction where you are coming from, some of the gates into the park include Chobe gate via Karuma Falls or Tangi gate in Pakwarch, Wankwar Gate near Purongo,
By Air
Daily domestic scheduled flights depart Entebbe Airport or Kajjansi air strip to Bugungu or Pakuba Air Strip.
More private charter flights can be arranged upon request from our office.
Catching the ferry crossing time especially if you’re overnighting in Paraa area is key to arriving on time before the routes are closed by the end of the day,
When Is the Best Time to Do a Safari in Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park is much busier in the dry seasons June to September, December to Mid-January when the animals are more visible because grass is on average height. Much of the drama is in the open grass land where lions sneak at Uganda Kobs that love spending their day in Buligi area.
The Wet months March to May and November though less visited have a lot of infants born by different animals, plenty of grass to feed on and hide the babies away from scavengers. There is less obstruction from safari vehicles that at times cause the animals to go into hiding because of noise.
What To Pack for Safari in Murchison Falls National Park
Pajamas to wear in the night because it gets extremely cold
A Pair of Binoculars to get a clearer picture of animals and birds in the park from a far.
Sunscreen to protect your skin from strong sun rays while under the scotching sun in Murchison Falls National Park.
You have to pack some light wear especially during the drought seasons June to September and December. Carry a fleece especially for the early morning game drives when the temperatures are low. Pay attention to the colors of your clothes to avoid those that can attract insects like black, white and navy blue attract tsetse flies.
Comfortable footwear like flip flops or safari shoes since you are not getting out of the vehicle to walk in the park. Try to avoid bright colors because they may look suspicious to some wild animals and cause them to charge at you. The wild is dusty at times which may make your clothes dirty in case they brightly colored.
A camera with good lenses that can zoom photos from a far and preserve memories of you Africa safari experience.
Some hard cash as credit cards are less accepted for transaction in Africa because of lengthy procedures of collecting money from them.
One more fully charged battery to alter the one that runs low while in the field.
Insect repellant to keep away stinging insects in the park.
First Aid kit in case you get injured while on safari.
Toiletries in case your lodge doesn’t provide them
Energy snacks to munch on while doing ant activity in the park but do not dump wraps in the wilderness.
Contact us for more information.
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