Top Things to do and see in Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park is one of the largest park in Uganda and is named after the Murchison falls where the mighty river Nile is forced through a narrow gorge of 8m into the ‘Devils Cauldron’ creating an ever-present rainbow. Samuel Baker the explorer considered the Murchison falls as “the most important object of the entire course of the river” named the waterfall in 1864. The park is only 4 hours away from Kampala the capital and with all the attractions is the perfect destination for exciting Uganda safaris. The habitats range from forest, savanna, riverine woodland, Borassus palms, and several acacia trees.
It lies in the northern end of the Albertine Rift Valley giving it great views of the plains and forested areas and the Victoria Nile that pours into Lake Albert. The Albert Nile Corridor is Uganda’s lowest area at 612m at the Delta. You have opportunity to view the falls from both up as the Nile squeezes through the gorge 7 meters wide, and topple to 43 meters forming residual water stray that forms a magnificent permanent rainbow, making it one of the world’s most powerful waterfalls.
Morning Game Drive
A morning game drive in one of the largest national park is one of the most rewarding wildlife encounter to visitors who come to see wildlife in their natural habitat, Murchison Falls National Park has got over 76 mammal species including Lions, Buffaloes, Antelopes, Giraffes, hyenas among others. With over 450 bird species in the park, bird watching is also a popular tourist activity Murchison falls National Park.
The park has got such an amazing landscape of Savannah grasslands perfect for grazing and while on a game drive through the park, there are high chances of encountering animals lurking in the grasslands waiting on their unsuspecting prey. Both morning and evening game drives are carried out in the park but the best time is early morning around 6:00 am with a packed breakfast which is usually enjoyed at the Nile Delta. Evening game drives start at around 4:00 pm and can last up to 4 hours.
Boat cruise
Boat cruise is the most interesting and enjoyable activity Murchison Falls national park offers. The boat cruise can either be to the bottom of the Murchison Falls or the Albert delta.
To the bottom of the falls
This is the most enjoyable activity in Murchison falls national park because the launch starts from Paara dock and sails upwards towards the most powerful waterfalls in the world (Murchison Falls) as you set your eyes on schools of hippos, a variety of water birds, terrestrial wild animals at river banks like elephants, oribis, warthogs, buffalos are usually seen taking water and cooling their body temperatures. Crocodiles are also seen especially in spots near the waterfalls basking. The boat cruise to the falls gives our clients opportunities to take photos at a close range and good viewing of wildlife since the boat cruises closer to the animals.
The Albert delta launch cruise
The launch cruise to the Albert delta also starts from Paara dock sails smoothly on the flowing waters of river Nile. The river splits up creating numerous Islands of papyrus zones. This delta also inhabits the rare shoebill plus some other birds. The boat cruise to the bottom of the falls is done in the morning and afternoon daily. The morning boat cruise starts at 9 am and the afternoon boat cruise starts at 2 pm both lasting for 2 to 3 hours depending on the speed of the boat.
Hot Air Balloon Over Murchison Falls National Park
This once in a lifetime activity will see you soaring over Murchison Falls National Park sights of what you cannot see on a normal African safari game drive, spelling out the beauty of the savanna park with abundant wildlife and beautiful landscape of the park. On this adventure, you be able to see the Mighty Nile River meandering through the park as it empties into Lake Albert with some sightings of Crocodiles, Hippos and water birds, the famous African ‘Big Five’ game, large herds of elephants, Rothschild Giraffe, Antelopes, Buffalo, big cats like lions and Leopards in the largest National Park in Uganda.
Sport Fishing
Sport fishing is one of the most exciting adventures and one of the most exciting all-day activities on the Mighty Nile. Sport fishing is called out at the banks of the Nile provides an exciting challenge that enables visitors to enjoy fishing a variety of fish species like Nile Perch, catfish, Tilapia among others. For more information about African Wildlife Safari, kindly contact Adyeri Creations so we can tailor your Safari in Africa.