MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK
Welcome to the oldest and largest game reserve straddled on the districts of Buliisa,Nwoya ,Kiryadongo and Masindi .This park is managed by Uganda Wildlife Authority situated in the North Western Uganda spreading inland from the shores of Lake Albert ,around the Victoria Nile and up to the Karuma falls. Acombination of Bugungu Wildlife Reserve,Karuma Reserve to make the the present day Murchison Falls park.
Historical Background
The first explorers visited this place in 1862 that is John Speke and James Grant. Shortly in 1863 Sir Samuel Baker visited and named it the Murchison falls after the Geologist Roderick Murchison. Between 1907 and 1912 the inhabitants were evacuated due to the sleeping sickness which was spread by the tsetseflies. Therefater in 1910 the Bunyoro Game Reserve was created south of the nile and in 1928 ,it was extended to the present day Nwoya District which later in 1952 after the enactment of the Nation Parks Act the park became to be known as Murchision falls.
Hwever, during the reign of Idi Amin Dada the falls were later renamed Kabalega Falls as most people refer them to but this was shortlived after his down fall since the name was never legally adopted thus reerting to the Old name of Murchison Falls National Park .
What is entailed in the park?
Murchison falls park has a lot to offer with 76 species of mammals,largest population of the Nile crocodiles,and over 450 bird species.
Accomodation
The park is blessed with so many options as to where to sleep after long days tour or on arrival preparing for your tour around the park. Campsites ,lodges,hotels and guest houses some of which are built on top of the falls and the facilities are eco friendly.
There is the Upmarket traveler’s places like the Nile safaris, Paraaa safari, and Sambiya river lodges that will have you covered.
The Budget travelers accommodation is also available in places like Kaniyo Pabidi Lodge, Red chili Lodge and the Rest camp Lodge.
Murchison Falls National Park Activities
Guided Game Drives
The experience is thrilling and unforgettable, imagine watching Predators like lions make moves on their prey. This is best done during the dry season since the grass is shorter making game viewing at its best, it is an al year activity though during the rainy season the grass is longer making game viewing a bit hard.
The Drives start as early as 6:30 am for those who slept on the northern side, but those sleeping on the southern bank the drive starts at 7:00 am since it requires crossing the river by ferry. The drive approximately takes 5 hours.
There is also the evening session which starts at 4 pm and takes about 3-4 hours. . The Park is divided into the Northern Bank and Southern Bank.
Game drive is best done on the northern bank since that is where a large concentration of the wildlife can be found in Savannah plains, however, the southern banks have few antelope herds and other few animals.
The Game drive has tracks followed which include Lake Albert and Victoria Buligi track,Nyamiska gorge and Nyamisika cliffs, all these tracks are guided.
Nature Walks and Hiking
Murchison falls is blessed with various beautiful scenaries and vast landscapes ranging from savannah plains, to the swamps and the forests.Most conservation can be best explored while on foot and the different trails can be followed upon getting permission from the park authorities and with a guide ,the walks range from walking on top of the falls,Rabongo Forest and Kaniyo Pabidi hills,walking through hills gives you a chance to see the flora and fauna at a very close range in the park.
Let us look at the Rabongo forest
From Paraa it is a hour and 30 minutes drive ,a very great place for nature walking and trekking with forest cottages and campsites.
We have the 2-4 hours guided swamp walk to the Nile delta ,giving you an opportunity to see various eco systems and also the rare shoebill stork, especially when water table is low.
Hiking
For one to hike, you must be physically fit, and it is a great time for watching rolling hills, vegetation types while listening to the thunderous roars of the falls. Please take note that the walks take only 1-2 hours
SIGHT SEEING
Looking for the perfect sight-seeing venture, look no further Murchison falls has magnificent great sights of the falls that form a 45m through an 8m wide gorge thereby giving you a beautiful look and thunderous roar of the waters before it continues its course along the Victoria Nile.
There is also an amazing vegetation especially Savannah and wildlife species like the lions,warthogs,elephants and antelopes among others. Come see and Learn .