Off the chilly shores of Lake Albert, within the northwestern Albertine basin lies Murchison Falls National Park; the largest park in Uganda. It stretches for about 3,893 square kilometres from the nearby shores of Lake Albert, devouring the Victoria Nile in its wake to the popular Karuma falls further north.
Moreover, Murchison Falls National Park promises raw wildlife bliss to about four districts in the northwestern plains of Uganda; Buliisa, Nwoya, Kiryandongo and Masindi owing to its unshakable beauty and the majestic Murchison Falls. A safari to Murchison Falls national park will serve to reassure you that it is quite the popular safari in Uganda Murchison Falls destination.
Also known as the Kabalega falls, the Murchison falls are a majestic drop of water occurring on the Victoria Nile within Murchison Falls National Park. The site is famous for its thunderous roar of large amounts of water (about 300cubic meters per second) gushing through a 7-meter gap between rocks before falling 43 meters into the river below.
Standing at about 43meters (141ft) high and 7m (23ft) wide, the Murchison falls were discovered by Europeans John Speke and James Grant while on their expedition in 1862. However, they were named after a geologist, Roderick Murchison by Sir Samuel Baker and his wife during an exploration trip to Uganda.
Murchison Falls National Park is home to some elusive birding specials like the great blue Turaco, Denham’s Bustard and Shoe-billed stork among others. The entire Murchison Falls Conservation Area along with the surrounding reserves is home to about 76 mammal species including some members of the Big 5 making it a worthy safari in Uganda Murchison Falls destination.
Travelmonke is a registered local operator in Uganda with 10 years of excellence in operating safari in Murchison falls National Park. At Travelmonke, we prioritize unique eco-friendly tours aimed at offering back to local communities in Murchison falls National Park and other destinations to include; Kenya safaris, Tanzania and Rwanda.
Our tailored tours are designed to fit all travellers interests from single to big groups with major emphasis on the finest hotels, amazing guides and good safari vehicles. Our service has proven excellent over the years as indicated by our safari travel reviews. Booking a Murchison falls safari with us offers you an opportunity to travel in style enjoying life-changing safari experiences on a fairly priced safari well designed and fitted to your preference.
Wildlife Game Drives
Murchison Falls National Park offers visitors an opportunity to explore the lush green of the park and its intriguing occupants through a series of guided game drives in a comfortable 4*4 wheel vehicle offering unobstructed views of the park and wildlife. The game drives are conducted at different time intervals to provide, each a different view of the park and the wildlife.
The tourists embark on a memorable safari with their guide who points out animals and outstanding features for about two to four hours with a chance to spot 76 mammals including members of the Big 5. Visitors to Murchison Falls National Park can opt for either morning or late afternoon game drives.
Game drives are often carried out following trails like the Buligi Game Area, Waterfall and Nile delta trails and morning game drives are especially perfect for tracking following fresh trails and observing them as they exit their nests and go out to find food. This game drives often kick off early and you can enjoy animals like Hippos, Lions, Leopards, hyenas and several primates.
While on an afternoon safari in Uganda Murchison Falls, tourists can expect to spot animals gathering around the Nile to quench their thirst amidst the scorching heat while crocodiles wait by the shores to grab a bite or two. On this drive, animals like Jackson hartebeests, Antelopes, Kobs, Giraffes, bushbucks and Warthogs are more common.
Hiking and nature walks are quite a thrilling safari in Uganda Murchison falls adventure that you ought not to miss out on. Murchison Falls National Park gives you the chance to explore the park on your terms with their elusive guided hiking and nature walks package. Tourists are accompanied by a game ranger who will ensure they do not miss out on anything.
The Murchison falls trail is the commonest hiking trail that is undertaken by tourists on safari in Uganda Murchison Falls. The trail opens up at the base of the falls, at the baker point, where you get to put your physical fitness to the test by trekking through the lush green riverine forest to the top of the falls for a breathtaking yet humbling sight of nature and authentic bird life.
Alternatively, tourists can also opt to enjoy a swamp walk that leads through the open savannah plains of Murchison Falls National Park to the Nile delta. This trail promises the most views of wildlife as you will come across some animals in the plains and some water dwellers by the river banks like crocodiles, Monitor Lizards and the Shoebill Stork.
The Rabongo and Kaniyo Pabdi forest trails for a safari in Uganda Murchison Falls nature walk adventures are the perfect opportunities to enjoy a varied range of primate species like monkeys, bushbabies, Chimpanzees among others. While on this trail, you could plan a light Chimpanzee trek of your own to add some spice to your Murchison Falls safari.
Safari in Uganda Murchison Falls hiking and nature walk adventures in Murchison Falls National Park are completely safe once you are accompanied by a game ranger. The game rangers often carry ammunition to use in case need arises. Also, they are experienced enough to avoid paths that are often used by predators to further ensure your safety.
Off the southeastern shores of Lake Albert in western Uganda at the base of the rift valley, lies a small village, Kibiro, famous for sport fishing. Kibiro is strategically located within the Albert basin thus enjoying a fresh supply of a variety of fish like the Nile perch, catfish and tiger fish spinning off Lake Victoria through River Nile.
To fully enjoy a safari in Uganda Murchison Falls fishing adventure, tourists are encouraged to carry their fishing equipment and also wear the appropriate fishing attire. The fishing spots can easily be accessed by boat on Lake Albert, by foot after some light hiking or using a 4*4 wheel vehicle.
Apart from fishing, Kibiro is famous for its rich salt deposits as a result of its location at the base of the rift valley. When visiting Murchison Falls National Park, tourists come here to watch women gather, process and sell salt. The salt production process is mainly carried out by the Banyoro women in an attempt to earn a living.
Salt in Kibiro village in Murchison Falls National Park is produced locally without major production equipment as you will observe. The water in the area is mainly salty so what the women need to do is only pour dry soil over the moist soil in the water channel and the result will be lumps of salt that are filtered and burnt to make salt crystals.
Additionally, while at Kibiro, you will realize that Murchison falls isn’t the only breathtaking water wonder in Murchison Falls National Park. In Kigorobyo Sub County, on the outskirts of Lake Albert, you will find an intriguing hot spring that shoots up extremely hot water of about 100 degrees Celsius before creating a stream that flows into Lake Albert.
Although Hot Air Balloon safaris and adventures are quite a new safari activity on the tourism scene in Uganda, it has captured the interest of many a tourist on safari in Uganda Murchison Falls. Sadly, however, throughout the entire country, you can only enjoy a hot air balloon safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park and Murchison Falls National Park at the moment.
Hot Air Balloon safaris are completely safe as they are carried out by Dream Balloons, a company that was certified by the Uganda civil Aviation Authority, NEMA, UWA and the Uganda Communications Commission. Also, both parks are large enough and offer plenty of mind blowing vistas for any one that embarks on a Hot Air Balloon safari.
Murchison Falls National Park is a natural Uganda wonder of its own and we guarantee a blissful moment as your guide points out animals and stunning features from 10,000 feet in the air. The experience often kicks off very early in the morning where tourists are briefed about the precautions to take before springing high up in the air.
After about an hour of enjoying an aerial view of the park, you proceed to receive your certificates and enjoy a bush safari in Uganda Murchison Falls breakfast with a bottle of Champagne. Tourists should note that only persons above 6 years of age are allowed to participate in the activity since it might be a bit frightening to children.
Safari in Uganda Murchison Falls Hot Air Balloon experiences in Murchison Falls National Park can be conducted in two phases; the morning Balloon safari so that tourists get to break with the day or evening Balloon safari where tourists get to enjoy the sunset. You should note however, that evening safaris do not come with a bush meal or Champagne.
Budongo forest is not only the largest habitat for Chimpanzees in Uganda but it is also the largest Mahogany forest throughout East Africa. These two distinctive properties have earned it a soft spot in many tourist’ hearts thus making it a must-visit for a safari in Uganda Murchison Falls adventure.
This 115 kilometre stretch of Mahogany and ironwood trees is situated along the eventful drive to Murchison Falls National Park about 3 hours from the capital, Kampala. Budongo forest is a hiding place for various wildlife including Lions, Leopards, Buffaloes and about 9 primate species and the most popular being Chimpanzees.
The impressive wildlife biodiversity of the forest is supported by a network of streams and the main one being River Waiga. Between 24 mammal species, 360 bird species and 465 tree species. Budongo forest is bound to put on quite a safari in Uganda Murchison Falls show at the observing points including Kaniyo Pabidi and Busingiro ecotourism sites.
Chimpanzee trekking happens to be one of the most sought after activity in Budongo forest. This is simply because the forest is home to the largest population of Chimpanzees in Uganda. So while you plan a trip to Murchison Falls National Park make time to track down these intriguing primates and gain some enlightenment on how they live.
Without a doubt, Budongo forest is as equally enchanting as the Murchison Falls. This is simply because of its uncommon beauty, unique wildlife and endless natural charm. You will learn that it is still in this forest that you can find rare birds like the Yellow-footed Flycatcher and Illadopsis puveli that cannot be seen anywhere else in East Africa.
The Victoria Nile boat Cruise
Your safari in Uganda Murchison Falls brings with it an opportunity to explore Africa’s longest river, the River Nile. On its way to Lake Albert, river Nile flows from Lake Kyoga to Murchison falls National Park as the Victoria Nile where it falls off a 43-meter high cliff; forming the thunderous Murchison falls.
Murchison Falls National Park offers a relaxing two-hour boat cruise on the Nile starting from the river’s banks to the base of Murchison Falls. The cruise offers the time of your life with a blend of the serene free-flowing river and a series of moderate and violent rapids as you navigate through the splendour of the Nile.
Arriving at the base of the Murchison Falls while on your safari in Uganda Murchison Falls, you should best grab onto your wits lest you get blown away by the water’s roar. Most people when faced with the might of the Murchison falls and having to look at it close up find themselves awe-stricken. Your guide will bring you closer to the devil’s cauldron for further inspection.
As you make your way back to the river bank after your moment with the Murchison falls, remember to watch out for hippos, buffaloes and crocodiles lying about while waiting for their prey. Some birdlife is present at river banks as well. Boat cruises are often done in two phases; the afternoon phase and the late evening phase.
Murchison Falls National Park is one of Uganda’s top birding destinations mostly because it is home to about 451 bird species. The bird diversity in the park is comprised of endemic, rare, occasional and common bird species making it a definite “go-to” for a birder’s safari in Uganda Murchison Falls birding adventure.
There are several birding sites within Murchison Falls National Park and each provides for a unique and fun experience of its own. For example; along the river’s banks and the swampy areas expect to enjoy some birds while you cruise like the Shoebill stork, Grey-crowned crane, swamp flycatcher, Goliath Herons and Black-headed lapwings among others.
The pristine forests of Kaniyo Pabidi, Rabongo and Budongo in Murchison Falls National Park provide unique vistas of rare, endemic and eccentric birds like the yellow-footed flycatcher, Ituri batis, white thighed hornbill, Puvel’s Illaposis and Chocolate backed Kingfisher among others. Weavers, mousebirds and silver birds are more common in the Paraa region.
Other birds you can enjoy within Murchison Falls National Park include; blue Turaco, Black-billed Barbet, Malachite Kingfishers, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Denham’s Bustard, Dwarf Kingfisher, African Quail Finch, Black-bellied bustard, Marabou stork, Osprey, Veracious Dove, Rock Pratincole and long-tailed Nightjar among many other birds.
Although birding in Murchison Falls can be quite a fun activity, tourists are advised to fully prepare for it so that they can have the best time possible. Always make sure you have enough drinking water, a pair of binoculars, a birder’s guide book, a pointer, hiking boots, a hat and sunglasses to protect from intensive sunlight.
In addition to the thrill of the Murchison Falls, Murchison Falls National Park offers yet another expedition to fully engulf the beauty of the raw natural wilderness. Kaniyo Pabidi forest is an 8 kilometre stretch of Mahogany and ironwood forest that straddles the boundary of Murchison Falls National Park and Budongo forest.
Kaniyo Pabidi forest is not only a fun place to see and visit but it is of quite ecological importance to the entire country since it is home to some of the rarest bird species like Puvel’s Illaposis, chocolate backed kingfisher, white thighed Hornbill, yellow-footed flycatcher and Ituri batis. Some of these birds are only found here in the whole of East Africa.
Furthermore; Kaniyo Pabidi forest is a top destination for a safari in Uganda Murchison Falls Chimpanzee trekking. The activity is managed by the Jane Goodall Institute at the Kaniyo Pabidi tourism site. Chimpanzee trekking also gives you better odds at viewing some other primates like monkeys as well.
Rabongo forest is an ancient patch of natural forest spinning off from Budongo Forest in Murchison Falls National Park. The forest appears as an isolated haven dominated by gigantic Mahogany trees that stretch up to about 60 meters high and ironwood trees amidst open savannah plains. Other tree species include; spiky faraga trees and parasitic strangler figs.
The forest offers guided nature walks to see primates like black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, baboons, pottos and some buffaloes. Rabongo forest is also very popular for wild camping in Murchison Falls National Park. Tourists pitch up tents in the middle of the forest to spend a night with nature while on Safari in Uganda Murchison Falls.
Cultural safaris in Murchison Falls National Park are carried out at the Bomu cultural village to offer tourists a chance to enjoy an authentic day in the life of a Ugandan native. The Cultural experience is provided to tourists on safari in Uganda Murchison Falls by the Boomu women’s group.
The Boomu women’s group was founded in 1999 to improve the livelihoods of the natives by providing employment and income-generating trades to women and their households. One of the missions of the centre is for each household to raise enough money to put their children through school and sustain their education.
The center is meant to help women support their families but it is jointly run by both men and women and thus; you are bound to find plenty of men working there as well to earn a living and support their families. The village also provides bandas for tourists who wish to spend the night while on this Boomu Cultural Village Experience.
Some activities carried out at the center include; arts and crafts, preparation of herbal medicine and special native cuisines and music, dance and drama sessions. You will have the chance to meet the locals, see how they grow and harvest their food and perhaps purchase some souvenirs as well.