Murchison Falls Boat Cruise

Murchison Falls Boat Cruise

One of the perks that come with the River Nile crossing through your premises is the possibility of a boat cruise. A Uganda safari Murchison Falls National Park adventure would be incomplete without a boat cruise or boat launch on the Victoria Nile; in that many travelers book a safari in this park to have the opportunity to sail along the swift waters of the Nile.

A boat safari is executed via two different routes in Murchison falls; the first route is the Albert Delta launch cruise along the river course and the bottom of the falls boat cruise which basically takes you to listen to the thunderous roar of Murchison Falls as the water hits the rocks.  Adventurers can choose to go on either route of the boat safari.

Some people come to Murchison Falls National Park solely to experience a luxurious voyage upon the Nile and to delve into the beauty of Murchison Falls while others book it as an addition to their safaris like birding and hiking to the top of the falls. This is simply because a boat cruise is the only way to access the spot from which one can be able to hike up to the top.

Boat Cruise Routes

The commonest and most undertaken route is the bottom of the Murchison Falls boat cruise. This thrilling yet relaxing adventure will start off at a dock in Paraa where you can expect animals like Elephants, Oribis, Warthogs and crocodiles. The boat will then take off, making for the clear streams ahead all the while giving you special tickets to a Hippo and crocodile show.

Further upstream, you will start to make out a violent thunder-like noise that will most likely grip your intrigue by the core. Yes, you are coming closer to the base of the Murchison Falls. However it won’t matter how much you have read or heard about the waterfall because nothing can prepare you for what your senses will be witnessing at this point.

At the base of Murchison Falls, prepare to pull out your camera and take the best pictures possible. It will be at this point that you might encounter other travelers hiking to the top of the falls and perhaps others enjoying a Murchison Falls fishing safari a distance further away from the devil’s Cauldron. Pull out a cold drink as you enjoy the birdlife swirling around the Murchison Falls. 

Alternatively, you could opt to lavish yourself with the Albert Delta Launch Cruise. While the bottom of the Murchison Falls route is best done during the afternoon and morning hours, the Albert delta route is best in the evening. It is in the moment when the sun is going down that everything comes together. In fact you might hear your guide refer to it as “the sundowner’s trip down stream”.

On this route, the Murchison Falls Boat cruise safari kicks off from Paraa as well so you can see the wildlife idling by the river banks and hippos semi immersed into the Nile. The boat sails further along the Nile but this time not to the base of the falls, but rather to the exciting Albert Delta. The Albert Delta is where River Nile enters into Lake Albert.

You will literally be standing at the inlet that feeds Lake Albert straight from Lake Victoria. When River Nile reaches this point, it splits into smaller streams thus creating endless islands of papyrus; a haven for the Shoebill stork. The perfect moment will be you pulling out your camera and taking pictures of a Shoebill floating on a hippo’s back in an attempt to catch some fish.

When to go for Murchison Falls Boat cruise adventure

Seeing as Uganda has fair weather all year round, we would say game viewing can be done anytime of the year. However, there are specific months where the safari would be affected; for example in the rainy months of March to May and August to September. Other dry months and fairly rainy months should be okay for you to view game for Uganda safari Murchison Falls National Park.