Activities In Murchison Falls National Park

Activities In Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park is one of Uganda’s National parks that is situated in the Northwestern region of Uganda, and this park is famous for owning the most powerful waterfall in the whole world. This park is home to a variety of wildlife species and is situated on approximately 3893 square kilometres. Murchison Falls National Park has a number of activities that are done by visitors who visit it. The activities in Murchison Falls National Park are detailed below.

1. Game drives

Game drives in Murchison falls national park are done in the Buligi track, Victoria track and Albert track in Murchison falls national park. The game drives in Murchison Falls National Park are done in several phases in a day, which include the morning game drive, afternoon game drive, evening game drive and the night game drive.

The day game drives in Murchison Falls National Park take about 3 to 4 hours, and those conducted at night take about 2 to 3 hours. The night game drives expose you to the sights of the nocturnal animals like the lions, leopards, hyenas, serval cats, civets and many more.

2. Bird watching

Murchison Falls National Park is a shelter to about 451 bird species, which makes it one of the best birding destinations in Uganda. Some of the notable bird species in Murchison Falls National Park include black billed barbet, grey-headed kingfisher, veracious dove, black headed lawping, African darter, denham’s bustard, rock pratincole, giant heron, African jacana, malachite kingfisher, secretly bird, swamp flycatcher, martial eagle and many more.

3. Bottom of the falls boat cruise

The bottom of the boat cruise is also done in Murchison Falls National Park. This boat cruise lasts for about 2 to 3 hours. The boat cruise at the bottom of the falls starts at the Paraa dock, where you are first briefed before setting off. The bottom of the falls boat cruise is done in two sessions, which are in the morning at around 9 am and at 2 pm.

You will be rewarded with sights of aquatic life like the crocodiles and hippos, and other animals on the shores taking water. There are also several bird species to spot while of the bottom of the falls boat cruise.

4. Chimpanzee trekking

Chimpanzee trekking in Murchison Falls National Park is carried out in Budongo Forest. Chimpanzee trekking involves trekking into the forest with an armed ranger guide with the aim of spotting the chimpanzees. This may take about 30 minutes to 4 hours, depending on the location of the chimpanzees in the forest.

After spotting the chimpanzees, you are given one hour with the chimpanzees, and this is used to monitor their way of feeding, playing, and also you take photos and videos of them in their natural habitat.

5. Albert Delta launch cruise

The launch cruise at the Albert Delta is another activity done in Murchison Falls National Park, and this takes about 3 hours. This launch cruise is done in the morning at around 9 am and in the afternoon at around 2 pm. The Albert delta launch cruise exposes you to a variety of wildlife species, like the crocodiles, hippos that reside there.

You can also spot several birds like the African darter, shoebill giant kingfisher and many more, plus other animals on the shores like the elephants, lions, and buffaloes, among others.

6. Cultural tours

Cultural tours are one of the activities conducted in Murchison Falls National Park, where you get the chance to learn about the cultural and traditional practices of the locals who reside in those local communities. The cultural tours in Murchison Falls National Park are carried out in Mubako village, which is just near the Mubako gate of Murchison Falls National Park.

In this community, you get entertained when you visit through their cultural dances that they perform for you and also teach you how to prepare their local dishes. In this village, you can also purchase several items from the locals, like the wooden sculptures they make some crafts

7. Nature walks

Nature walks are done in Murchison Falls National Park, and these are conducted either in the morning or in the evening. There are several places in Murchison Falls National Park where these game drives can be done, and these include Kaniyo Pabidi forest and Rabongo forest, where you get chances of spotting several primate species and birds, including the various tree species.

The nature walks can also be done at the top of the falls, where you can have a view of the powerful Murchison Falls. The swamps near the Nile delta are also a good place for a nature walk, where you can also sight a variety of bird species. The nature walks in Murchison Falls National Park last for approximately 2 to 4 hours.

Best Time To Visit Murchison Falls National Park

The best time to visit Murchison Falls National Park is in the dry season of the year in the months from June to September and December to February, when the roads are easily accessible and the trails in the park are also dry and less slippery. The dry season makes the vegetation in the park thin, which makes wildlife viewing easy.

Accommodation Facilities In Murchison Falls National Park

• Luxury

Paraa safari lodge is one of the luxury accommodations in Murchison Falls National Park, and it overlooks the Victoria Nile in Murchison Falls National Park. This lodge is nestled in the northwestern region of Uganda. Paraa Safari Lodge was put in place in 1954.

• Midrange

Pakuba safari lodge is a midrange lodge in Murchison Falls National Park that is situated in the Northwestern region of Uganda on the eastern bank of the Albert Nile.

• Budget

Red Chilli Rest Camp is one of the budget accommodations in Murchison Falls National Park, and this camp is nestled in the heart of Murchison Falls National Park, on the outskirts.