Overview
Famous activities to do in Murchison Falls National Park; also known as Kabalega Park was named after the mighty waterfalls locally called Kabalega falls and is located in the northwestern part of Uganda in Masindi district.
The park is the biggest national park in Uganda. More to that, it was established in 1952 and covers a total area of 3840square kilometers. Furthermore, it has several animals, for instance;
- the big five
- bushbucks
- Uganda kob
- waterbucks
- Jackson’s hartebeest
- hyenas
- warthogs
- hippos
- crocodiles
- baboons
- several monkey species
The park is also a home to several bird species including the rare shoebill stork.
Location
The park lies in Murchison falls conservation area (MFCA) which comprises Murchison falls national park, Bugungu, and Karuma falls wildlife reserves. You can see them in the open savannah grasslands, along the shores of the river Nile. On your adventure to Murchison falls national park, there are a lot of famous activities to do in Murchison falls national park, for instance;
Visiting the powerful Murchison falls;
Visiting the unique Murchison falls is among the famous activities to do in Murchison falls national park. The waterfalls which are on the Nile river are the most powerful waterfalls in the world. More to that, they have a large volume of water squeezing through narrow 7m crevices in the rocks that plunge over 40m below. This results into a mighty roar of spraying water, especially at night and the ground shaking.
For those who want to engage in canoeing along the river below the falls, this is the best opportunity to use as you enjoy other attractions in the park. In addition, the most spectacular view of the falls is on the top of the Nile where the sight and sound of the Nile gives you a memorable experience. You can hike from the bottom to the top of the falls or take a drive.
Exploring River Nile
This is one of the famous activities to do in Murchison. Popularly known as the longest river in the world, River Nile flows through Murchison falls national park. More to that, it is usually crowded with streaming hippos and giant crocodiles. The best way to explore the river is by taking a launch trip up the stream all the way to the bottom of the waterfall. During that experience, you will see various animals and birds. Also, this is one of the famous activities in the park which you can do in the morning and afternoon every day. Also, you will get around three hours sailing on the Nile and observing its beauty.
Game viewing in Buligi game area.
The park is a home of 76 mammal species, birds, primates which you can view in the widely spread open savannah grasslands, riverine vegetation, woodland, and acacia. However, Buligi game reserve is the best game viewing area. Among famous activities in Murchison is game drives which one can go for both in the morning and late afternoon. Animals can be watched grazing or hunting like leopards, lions, elephants, buffalos, Uganda Kobs, antelopes, and many other animal species. The park has an amazing landscape for wildlife viewing where you will have a chance to see wildcats feeding in the early morning till evening.
Timing
Game drives are done any time of the day and they are best done in the northern part of the park where trails of Victoria, Albert, and Bulingi tracks. The area is located between the Victoria Nile and the Albert Nile providing excellent views towards the western lift valley beyond Lake Albert into DRC.
Explore some of the popular Murchison falls Safaris
- 3 days Murchison Falls
- 8 Days Uganda Safari to Bwindi, Queen Elizabeth, Kibale, and Murchison Falls
- 18 Days Best of Uganda Safari
- 7 Days Uganda safari highlight with Murchison Falls
Primate viewing.
Famous activities to do in Murchison is exploring the different numbers of primates with chimpanzees as the mainly trekked primates. These are available for viewing in Budongo forest reserve and in the Kaniyo Pabidi area among other primates. There are about 800 chimpanzees, olive baboons, black and white Colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and many others.
For the case of chimpanzees, you need to first secure a permit to trek the chimps. These are some of the famous species available for trekking in Budongo forest reserve (in Murchison forest national park). The activity takes one hour for trekkers to encounter the chimps. For those who are interested in the habituation experience, you will take 4 hours which can be done in the morning and the afternoon.
Visiting Paraa
This is another important area worth exploring in Murchison falls which is located near the banks of the river Nile. The word Paraa means home of hippos because of the large number of hippos found in the area. Watching these can either be through a game drive or hot air balloon experience, fishing trips, nature walks, cultural visits, or even birding tours. There is also a museum in the northern part of Paraa with a gift shop which is open daily, this can be visited by all tourists.
Hot air balloon experience.
This is one of the famous activities to do in Murchison falls park that allows you to view all around the park in a hot air balloon. The balloon is completely safe and is registered with Civil Aviation Authority which is an ultra-magic type M-160 manufactured in Spain. The pilots operating the balloon are licensed by the Egyptian and Uganda Civil Aviation Authority and have experience of 1000+ hours of flying. You will be able to view the wildlife, the vegetation and have some of the most memorable experiences in Uganda.
Birding in Murchison falls park.
This is one of the best birding places in Uganda with 450 bird species including the Albertine endemic bird species and savannah bird species. The Nile corridor of the Murchison has a big allay of water birds. Additionally, you can spot the birds elsewhere in the open savannah grasslands and the river Nile swamps.
More to that, the scenic landscapes will give you one of the memorable experiences during your fly-in to Murchison falls park. Some of the birds include;
- the rare shoebill stork
- grey crowned crane
- hornbills
- the Goliath Heron
- African quail-finch
- white-browned sparrow weaver
- swamp flycatcher
- red-throat Bee-eater
- silver bird
- African Jacana
- Abyssinian ground-hornbill
- Denham’s bustard
- sandpipers
- Eastern grey plantain-eater
- black-billed barbet
Exploring Budongo forest reserve.
This is one of the famous areas in the park since it harbors some of the most famously visited chimpanzees. The park is worth exploring on your trip located in the Southwestern part of this conservation area. More to that, the forest boasts a diversity of wildlife with 24 mammals, 287 butterfly species, 460 tree species, and about 360 bird species. This makes the forest worth visiting on your trip to Murchison falls national park. Within the forest, you will see different primate opportunities such as chimpanzees, black and white monkeys among others.
Also, you will explore the royal mile which is a well-maintained road stretch displaying various tree species and popular for bird watching opportunities.
Accommodation facilities in Murchison fall National park.
The park has got a variety of accommodation choices which range from budget, mid-range to luxurious choices. The choice of your lodge depends on the airstrip or the side of the sector where you will land for easy accessibility. Budget choices; chili hideaway, Pumba safari lodge among others. Midrange choices; Kabagala wilderness camp, Murchison River Lodge, Pakuba safari lodge, and Paraa safari lodge and Luxury choices; Nile safari lodge, Chobe safari lodge, bakers lodge.
Recommendation
Pamoja tours and travel company has a fleet of safari customized 4×4 vehicles with a popup roof which allows you to view clearly, the best for photography even in a distance. Additionally, our professional and well-informed drivers will guide you as they identify different animal species and birds as they drive past at a slow pace. Please contact us to arrange for you a package, book permits, and your accommodation.
This is the easiest way of booking because we will advise you accordingly and book everything yet you don’t have to even lift a figure. We can help you book accommodation, secure your trekking permits, arrange different activities (for after trekking) and transport you to your destination.
