Murchison Falls National Park
Uganda’s largest and oldest conservation area and the location of the famous waterfall where the Nile River bursts through an 8m-wide gap and tumbles into a broad, placid stream that nourishes a huge diversity of wildlife in the park.
Murchison Falls National Park Highlights
Certainly, a highlight of Murchison Falls National Park is Murchison Falls itself. This powerful waterfall is the end point of the Nile River’s 80km-stretch of rapids where the energy of the river is confined as it passes through a narrow gap, bursting into a waterfall complete with rainbow. The deafening roar of the water is astonishing to witness. From this point, the Nile flows calmly towards Lake Albert, bisecting the 3800 sq. km national park along the way and sustaining its incredible population of wildlife and birds. Picture rolling green hills dotted with game and strewn with palm trees. An emerald haven.
- The northern part of the park is characterised by rolling savannah littered with borassus palms, acacia, and riverine vegetation, while the south features woodland and forest.
- Visitors cross the Nile River by pont to access game-filled northern region of the park, just downstream from Murchison Falls itself.
- The banks of the Nile in Murchison Falls National Park are one of the few homes of the rare and unusual shoebill stork, which is a top spot on any bird-watcher’s list.
- Located in the northwestern part of Uganda, the national park incorporates Bugungu Wildlife Reserve and Kuruma Game Reserve, and the presence of the Nile is a defining feature.
Murchison River Lodge : Located on the southern banks of the Nile and overlooking the park, the view from Murchison River Lodge incorporates fantastic game viewing and bird watching. There is a variety of accommodations to suit guest preferences, and it is ideal for families with special rooming and rates for kids.
Paraa Lodge: Upmarket accommodation complete with a restaurant and business facilities for those who need to stay connected. Situated on the Nile River bank, Paraa Lodge has landscaped gardens and a distinct air of the Explorer Era, which extends from the popular bar, to the swimming pool and the 54 guest rooms.
Budongo Eco Lodge: Nestled in the forested southern region of the park, this intimate bush lodge focuses on chimp tracking and forest experiences as well as classic wildlife excursions on the open plains. Accommodation is in simple and eco-friendly forest cabins, which are entirely comfortable yet not luxurious.
How to Get There
Sun Safaris can arrange all scheduled flights for visitors to one of the many airports in Uganda, but primarily international guests enter the country at Entebbe Airport, about 50km outside of the capital city, Kampala. Once guests arrive at Entebbe, they will connect with their pre-arranged road or light air transfers that will take them directly to their safari destinations. Most of the major game parks are remote and have private airstrips for scheduled fly-in safaris, or have regular road transfers running to and from major tourism centres in and near the national parks close to Kampala, the capital.
Murchison Falls National Park is located just over 300km north of Kampala and a journey by road could take up to five hours. There are numerous airstrips in the park servicing the safari lodges in the areas, which offers a quicker, more direct journey.All travel arrangements can be made with your travel agent.
Murchison Falls National Park Game Viewing and Activities
Murchison Falls National Park is one of the most abundant wildlife areas in Uganda, home to a staggering 450+ bird species and 76 mammal species in total. Its large surface area, verdant vegetation and greenery, and the presence of the Nile attract impressive quantities of buffalo, waterbuck, elephant, kob, hartebeest, giraffe, hippo, and crocodile. The predators are, of course, present in pursuit of the wandering plains game, with lion, leopard, and spotted hyena leading the troops. The Rothschild’s giraffe is one of the most endangered species of giraffe, but it thrives in Murchison Falls National Park, making for really special and exciting viewing. Chimpanzees live in the forested regions of the park and tracking excursions are offered at some of the lodges. The birdlife in this tropical park is fantastic, and special sightings include the shoebill, Rüppell’s vulture, Abyssinian ground hornbill, palmnut vulture, grey-crowned crane, and black-bellied bustard.
