Murchison Falls National Park – The World’s Strongest Waterfalls

Murchison Falls National Park also known as the Murchison Conservation Area comprises Budongo Forest Reserve, Bugungu National Reserve, and Karuma Game Reserve. The Park was gazette in the year 1952 however in the 1970’s the president then Iddi Amin Dadda decided to call it Kabalega Falls National Park a name that still exists on some Ugandan Maps. With a wildlife species count of 76 mammal species that is elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, and others; over 465 bird species, with over 10 primate species, and the most sought after are the chimpanzees of Budongo Forest. The River Nile which is Africa’s longest river covering a distance of 6700 km long crosses this park for about 115km supporting a lot of wildlife along as it makes its way to Egypt.

An amazing safari destination – Murchison Falls National Park

Just like Queen Elizabeth National Park in the southwestern part of Uganda, Murchison Falls can also be accessed by both road and Air Transportation. Travelers on a Uganda tour to Murchison Falls National will have to endure a long 6 to 7 hours drive to Murchison Falls from Kampala especially those who love adventure and with time on their size.

However, some travelers go for luxury Uganda tours and wouldn’t wish to go through the long hassle of drives to the park, these will take a one-hour Flight from Entebbe to Uganda’s largest national park Murchison Falls.

Murchison Falls National Park derives its name from the Murchison waterfalls a point Where thousands of liters of River Nile water force itself in a small 4-meter rock gap pouring down 7 meters as the river makes its way to Egypt.

TOURIST ACTIVITIES

There are quite several tourist activities and tourist attractions in Murchison Falls National Park and these include the following:

GAME DRIVES

The Safari Game Drives in Murchison Falls National Park are mainly carried out in the northern part of the park which is a typical savannah type of vegetation characterized by scattered trees and plain grasslands. This makes wildlife viewing in this section better as you are gifted with good shots of Giraffes feeding, Uganda kobs, Lions, and elephants among other wildlife species. The Game drives in Murchison Falls begin as early as 6:00 am when the park gates open because that is the best time when most of the wild cats especially lions are very active in hunting. There are also late evening game drives and these also begin at 4:00 pm late in the afternoon. Furthermore, while in this park, you can engage yourself in a night game drive to experience the nightlife or spot some nocturnal wild animals of the Park.

BOAT CRUISE

Since the Park is crossed by the world’s longest river, the River Nile 115km, tourists on their Safari in this Park can do one of the most popular activities. These may include a boat cruise on the Nile and wildlife game drives. The two-hour boat cruise takes you to the powerful waterfalls. While on it, you will spot quite a lot of Birds, basking crocodiles, yawning hippos, and a lot of elephants cooling quenching down their thirst in the cold waters of the Nile.

MURCHISON FALLS HIKE

Right after your Boat cruise, more adventure travelers have the option of hiking on top of the falls. It’s quite a fitness-testing kind of hike that lasts for about 1 to 2 hours depending on the pace of the slowest person in the hikers’ team. However, once you get on top of the falls, the rhythm, sound, and beauty combined with the power of the waters of the River Nile will make you forget all the hassle you went through to get to the top of Murchison Falls. While on top of the falls, you will take nice picture shots of the falls, and believe me, you will agree that this is the most powerful waterfall on planet Earth.

BUDONGO FOREST RESERVE

The Budongo Forest Reserve which is part of the conservation Area in the southern part is home to a lot of primate species the most famous ones being the Chimpanzees. Chimpanzee tracking in Budongo forest is becoming a popular activity in Murchison Falls National Park. Most of Uganda Safari visitors especially those with more than two nights in the park undertake this tourist activity. There are various accommodation facilities in Murchison Falls National Park and depending on your interests and budget you can’t be limited to choice