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Murchison falls National Park

In the search for breathtaking scenes, look scenes in the world, look no further than Murchison falls
National Park.
Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s oldest and largest and largest national park located in north-
western Uganda and sprawling internally from the shoreline of Lake Albert, around the Victoria Nile, up
to the Karuma Falls. It combines the neighboring Bigugu Wildlife Reserve and Karuma Wildlife Reserve,
all forming Murchison Falls Conservation Area; it is managed by Uganda Wildlife Authority.
in 1862, The explorers John Speke and James Grant became the first Europeans to visit this park,
thereafter an adventure by Samuel and Florence Baker in 1863-4 who named it Murchison falls after
the geologist Roderick Murchison, who by then was the president of the Royal Geographical Society. in
the years 1907 and 1912, the occupants of Murchison areas that were approximately 13,000 square
kilometers (5,000 sq mi) were vacated because of tsetse flies in the area that caused sleeping sickness.
Bunyoro Game Reserve was created south of the River Nile in 1910. That area roughly corresponds to
the part of the Park that is in the districts of Buliisa, Masindi, and Kiryandongo. Furthermore, In 1928,
the park’s boundaries were extended north of the river into the present-day Nwoya District. then as the
British administration established the National Parks Act of Uganda in 1952, the conservation area
gained its status as a national park.
Murchison Falls National park is divided by Victoria Nile, which rests 45m over the remaining rift valley
wall, forming the spectacular Murchison Falls, the central attraction of the park. The great cascade uses
up the last of the river’s energy, converting it into a wide, docile stream that flows silently across the rift
gorge into Lake Albert. This extension of the river offers one of Uganda’s most extraordinary wildlife
surprises. Some of the available clients at the riverbanks include elephants, giraffes, and buffaloes; with
hippos, Nile crocodiles and aquatic birds being the permanent residents.
The park is gifted with numerous attractions such an estimate of roughly 76 mammal species with four
members of the big five namely, the lion, the leopards, the elephants, and the Buffaloes, others include
Uganda kob, bushbucks, giraffes, Jackson’s hartebeest, hyenas and many more giving chance for visitors
to engage in several activities.
Sport Fishing
This is one of the fun games one should engage in while in Murchison, it is done in the river sections
above and below the falls. Normally the number of people carrying out spot fishing has to be regulated
on the different designated spots and this requires those interested in this activity to make an earlier
booking.
Game Drives
This is one of the activities that have not to be missed; it can either be night or an early morning game
drive in the northern part following the Buligi, Albert and Queen’s tracks north of River. Wildlife safaris
big herds of buffaloes and elephants can be seen grazing in this grassland. The most convenient time is

between 0700hr and 1600hr. It happens to be the most remarkable area in terms of wildlife
concentrations, especially around the delta. The area offers an exceptional bird watching opportunity
with chances of spotting the majestic grey-crowned crane, eye-fluttering Abyssinian ground hornbill,
saddle-billed stork, the localized Denham’s bustard, and many more
Nature Walks
Here, you will walk on foot with the guide while enjoying sweet stories and viewing a variety of animals
and birds at a close range. Nature walks are common in Rabongo Forest, Top of the falls and Kaniyo
Pabidi in Budongo Forest.
Launch Cruise on the Nile
There is that three hour trip to the bottom of Nile that you will not have to miss since it gives you a clear
view of the majestic waterfalls as well as the thundering sounds of the waterfalls. This launch cruise sets
off from Paraa to the foot of Murchison Falls (17 km). The banks of River Nile are congested with Hippos,
crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks and a variety of birds like herons, cormorants, ducks, bee-
eaters, fish eagles, kingfishers and at times the rare shoebill.
The launch trip from Paraa to the falls (17km) and back takes about three hours. A boat trip from Paraa
to the Delta (28km) and back takes about four to five hours and you can see a similar variety of animals
and birds
The Top of the Falls Trail
This trail takes you around the top of the falls and proceeds right up to the water’s edge. Besides the
activities’ mentioned above, one can also engage in chimpanzee tracking in Kaniyo Pabidi and Budongo
Forest, as well as birding as you search for some rare bird species such as the chocolate-backed
kingfisher, the white-thigh hornbill, and Pavel’s IIladopsis found nowhere else in East Africa.
Access
To access Murchison falls national park by road from Kampala through Masindi (via Kichumbanyobo
gate), A four-wheel drive is more recommendable. Choose to Use a ferry at Paraa that operates on
scheduled specific time between the southern and northern banks of River Nile.