Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park was first gazetted in 1926. Also known as the Kabalega National Park, Murchison Falls National Park is the largest protected area in Uganda, covering a land area of 3,840sq.km at an altitude of 127m above sea level. It is popularly known for having the world’s most powerful waterfall that emits large volumes of water about 300 cubic meters per second or 11,000 ft³/s at a very powerful pressure that causes the surroundings to tremble. The park is commonly visited for Uganda Safari Tours because of its diverse safari activities and rich wildlife. Contact our team for more information.

Location

Murchison Falls National Park is found in northern Uganda, northwest of the capital Kampala, and extends its boundaries to several districts within and beyond the Bunyoro escarpment including Nwoya, Masindi, Kiryandongo, and Buliisa. It is found on the northernmost reaches of the Albertine Rift Valley with its terrain bisected by the Victoria Nile.

Wildlife in MFNP

When we talk about Murchison Falls National Park, we’re also talking about abundant wildlife. The park is home to more than 556 bird species, 51 reptiles, 51 amphibians, and 144 mammals among which are four of the ‘Big Five’ including buffaloes, leopards, lions, and elephants (except rhinos). You can complete the “big 5” experience by visiting the nearby Ziwa Rhino sanctuary before or after the Murchison Falls NP tour. The park is also home to three-quarters of the world’s population of Rothschild giraffes plus a healthy population of herbivores which has recently doubled including the Uganda Kobs all of which can easily be seen on the Wildlife Safari Tours here. There are various primates living within its verdant forests like the Budongo among which are over 610 chimpanzees, in addition to 451 bird species including 23 Albertine rift endemics.


What You’d Expect to See in Murchison Falls National Park

The Murchison Falls

The highlight of visiting Murchison Falls National Park is visiting the falls to see how large volumes of water from the Victoria Nile forces its way through an approximately 7-meter gorge to plunge 43 meters below into a pool. This powerful waterfall creates a thunderous noise with a splashing cloud of fog offering a very breathtaking view worth enjoying. You’ll tell how powerful the waterfall is by hearing the roaring sound from the falls.

The Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

This private non-profit project was established in 2005 to revive the population of the white rhino in Uganda following the intense poaching that happened during the 1990s that totally depleted this species from the Murchison Falls and Kidepo National parks where these animals previously lived. Today there are twenty-two (22) southern white rhinos found at this sanctuary. Upon arrival at the sanctuary, you are led by a guide to the wild in search of the white rhinos.

The Rich Wildlife

The diverse vegetation cover of the park which includes woodlands, savannah, and riverine forests supports a great diversity of animals which you can easily see on your Murchison Falls Safari. These include the Uganda Kobs, Hartebeests, lions, elephants, leopards, Rothschild giraffes, buffaloes, cheetahs, and hyenas among many others. For Birders, the park has a diversity of species to see like the rare shoebill stork, the Goliath heron, the yellow-footed fly catcher, the African jacana, the Abyssinian ground hornbill, pitta as well as the pied giant and malachite kingfisher, and others, making the count to be about 451 species.

Activities to Partake in Upon Your MFNP Visit

Launch Trips

This 2-hour launch trip begins at Paraa, and it is overseen by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. The boat cruise offers holidaymakers an opportunity to see various wildlife and the magnificent views of the bottom of the falls. The wildlife to see includes a large number of giant Nile crocodiles, hippos, buffalos, monitor lizards, and various birds like the rare shoebill stork. These animals come to the river to cool off during the hottest hours of the day and to quench their thirst. This offers great photographic opportunities. Other boat trips operated by private institutions can take you to the Nile delta, where many water birds and animal species call home, due to the abundance of swamp and riverine vegetation.

Game Drives

These are conducted early morning as well as in the evening. The game drives give you a chance to enjoy up-close views of the different animals. The Delta area, Buligi Peninsular, and the southern sector are the main game viewing areas. You get to see several animal species like giraffes feeding on tree shoots, leopards, lions, buffalos, and elephants. The park management also offers an opportunity to do night game drives that allow you to see a variety of nocturnal animals and carnivores.

Cultural Tours

Enjoy thrilling energetic cultural dances by the Mubako as you sit by a campfire, village tours to see the traditional lifestyle of the locals, and the crafts shop by the Boomu Women’s Group.

Chimpanzee Tracking 

Within the verdant forest of Budongo are some of the best Chimpanzee Tracking Tours conducted in Uganda. You will enjoy up-close encounters with these great apes. You start this activity by driving to the visitor center in Budongo from where you attend a briefing. After that, you head to the forest with a guide who explains the flora and fauna of the forest. After finding the chimpanzees, you spend an hour in their presence. After that, you head back to the starting point.

Bird Watching

With various species including Albertine Rift endemics, water birds, and savanna forest birds. Birders will surely be well rewarded. Bird-watching can be done during the launch cruise and game drives. You can also go birding on a nature walk while a guide from the Uganda Wildlife Authority accompanies you.

Nature Walks & Hikes: The park offers several trails that can be explored on foot through the Rabongo and Kaniyo Pabidi forests to see birds and primates. These nature walks also reward you with views of landscapes.

How to Get there

The park can easily be accessed by air and road. From Kampala to Murchison Falls it is about 5-6 hours via Kampala – Masindi route via Hoima. Alternatively, you can pass via the Kampala-Luwero-Nakasongola road, taking about 6-7 hours. There are also charter flights from Kajjansi Entebbe to Chobe Airstrip or Masindi Airstrip. From the airstrips above, you then drive for 20 minutes to 1 hour to your lodge, depending on where you booked your accommodation. Book with us today.

Where to Stay during your Murchison FNP Safari

Accommodation facilities in Murchison Falls National Park range from budget lodges to mid-range lodges and luxury lodges. This great diversity offers accommodation options for all travelers irrespective of your safari budget.

The Paraa Safari Lodge, Chobe Safari Lodge, and Nile Safari Lodge are among the other luxury facilities, Pakuba Safari Lodge, Murchison River Lodge, and Fort Murchison Safari Lodge are mid-range facilities while the Boomu Women’s Group Bandaas, Red Chilli Rest Camp, Yebo Safari Camp and Parkside Safari Lodge are the budget facilities. So don’t be misinformed as budget safaris in Murchison Falls National Park are also possible

Why Book A trip to MFNP with us?

As a reputable tour operator in Uganda registered with the Uganda Tourism Board and Association of Uganda Tour Operators, we provide excellent tour services. The experiences we have accumulated over the years allow us to organize the best tailor-made trips in Uganda. Contact us today to start planning for your gorilla, chimpanzee, and wildlife safari in Uganda.