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Experience the Murchison Falls National Park
The Murchison Falls National Park is bisected by the Victoria Nile. A boat trip along this atmospheric river brings you to the base of Murchison Falls, where the water squeezes through a narrow gorge before cascading down into the Devil’s Cauldron. Even more impressive is the view of this deafening cascade from the Top of the Falls. North of the river, a cover of rolling grassland is dotted with tall borassus palms. South of the river, the main habitat is dense woodland with forest patches.
Huge herds of elephant and buffalo are common, while lions and leopards are quite often seen in certain areas. The only absentee among the Big Five is rhino, which can be tracked en route at Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch if you are coming from Kampala. Murchison Falls NP is the world’s most important stronghold for Rothschild’s giraffe, which is often seen moving in large herds. Antelope include Jackson’s hartebeest, defassa waterbuck and Uganda kob. Chimpanzees can be tracked within the greater Murchison Falls Conservation Area at Budongo Forest.
Locate the Murchison Falls National Park
Discover: Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park: Giraffes
Murchison Falls National Park: Guinea Pig
Murchison Falls National Park: Murchison Falls
Murchison Falls National Park: Crocodile
Murchison Falls National Park: Elephant
Murchison Falls is notably blessed with over 144 mammals,556 bird species,51 reptiles, and 51 Amphibians. With a great number of African elephants, Murchison falls is impressive all year round. The aerial survey noted over 900 individuals and 1,330 and is at an increase. Historically Giraffes exclusively inhabit the northern sector of the park. Buffalo populations have spiked to over 10,000 while Uganda kobs have leaped to more than 35,000. The bird checklist with the shoebill as the most common along the river stretch approaching the Albert delta and many profolic bird species occupy the park.The white crested turaco,red winged grey warbler,all asociated with woodland in the southern bank. Notable visitors to the park include Winston Churchill, Theodore Roosevelt, Ernest Hemingway, and several British royals.
Getting There
By Air: You can access Murchison Falls using a domestic flight from Entebbe International Airport or Kijjansi Airfield to various airstrips in Murchison Falls National Park, which include Pakuba Airstrip, Bugungu Airstrip or Chobe Airstrip. Daily flights depart from Entebbe International Airport at 12:00 p.m. and arrive at Pakuba, Bugungu or Chobe at 13:00 p.m. It takes about 1 hour to fly. Popular Airlines are Bar Aviation and Aerolink
By Road: A drive from Kampala to Murchison Falls takes approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes via Kampala -Masindi Route (282km) or Kampala-Hoima 5 hours and 30 minutes
Best time to visit
Wildlife viewing in Murchison Falls National Park is generally good at all times of year, although best during the Dry season (December to February). However, January and February can be very hot. Scenery is more beautiful during the Wet season from March to November.
Wildlife Experience
Murchison Falls National Park supports four of the Big Five (only rhinos are absent). Buffalo and elephant are particularly common. A healthy lion population preys on the abundant Uganda kob. Despite being more secretive, leopards are seen with increasing frequency. Other antelope include oribi, Jackson’s hartebeest, defassa waterbuck, common duiker and bushbuck. The Victoria Nile river teems with crocodiles, hippos and waterbirds.
Large herds of the localized Rothschild’s giraffe have long been a feature of the plains north of the Nile and now also occur farther south. Leopards, though far from numerous, are most likely to be seen in the vicinity of Pakuba Lodge. Troops of the localized patas monkey can play on the grassy plains north of the Nile, while the forested riverbank is home to black-and-white colobus. Chimpanzee trekking is available in neighboring Budongo Forest.
Birdlife
Murchison Falls National Park has an impressive bird checklist of more than 450 species. It is one of the best places to look for the shoebill, a massive and prehistoric-looking relative of the pelicans. Shoebills are most often seen on early morning boat trips to the Lake Albert Delta. This and the more popular boat trip to the base of Murchison Falls are both great for checking off other waterbirds. Migratory birds are present from November to April.
