Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park, locally referred to as Kabalega Falls, is Uganda's largest national park, located in the northwestern part covering 4000km2 all in the Albertine rift valley spanning the districts of Nwoya, Buliisa, Kiryandongo, Masindi and bordering The Democratic Republic of Congo to the west. The coordinates for the approximate center of the park are roughly 2.2716o N latitude and 31.7352o E longitude.

The park is named after The Murchison Falls named after Sir Roderick Murchison (a 19th century Scottish geologist and president of the Royal Geographical Society) formed as a result of the Victoria Nile passing through a narrow gorge and squeezing through a 7-meter-wide cleft in the rocks, plunging about 43 meters (141 feet) down forming a breathtaking display of water cascading down the rocks as the Victoria Nile flows through the park making the falls a top destination for visitors.

The Albertine rift valley region proved to be richly in diversity of fauna, over 70 wildlife species and 400 bird species fronted by lions, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, crocodiles, hippos, rhinos and chimpanzees. Due to those favorable conditions, the area was gazetted in 1926 and was officially declared a National park in 1952 offering various activities such as game drives, boat trips to the base of the falls and along the Victoria Nile, White water rafting, bird watching, hiking, chimpanzee trekking and nature walks in Budongo forest

In the early stages if the park, the large size of the park was hardly observed and monitored by the park officials, this led to enormous poaching and unmonitored hunting of rhinos. Their population reduced drastically to zero affecting the attraction status of the park. In order to reserve and repopulate the rhinos’ population, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary was opened with the goal of preserving the rhinos and over the years, an increase of rhinos has been recorded. For tourists visiting Murchison falls National Park, they can visit the sanctuary on route, they will as well see other animals like monkeys, ostriches, bird species.

The park is a top attraction to wildlife Enthusiasts, Adventure seekers, Photography Enthusiasts, relaxation and wellness seekers, Bird watchers and Conservation Advocates.

Attractions in Murchison Falls National Park.

Murchison Falls National Park is a top attraction to wildlife Enthusiasts, Adventure seekers, Photography Enthusiasts, relaxation and wellness seekers, Bird watchers and Conservation Advocates, visitors should be looking forward to an un forgettable experiences

Murchison falls: locally known as Kabalega Falls, these have turned out to be one of the top destinations in the park. They are located in between two lakes albert and Kyoga. formed as a result of the Victoria Nile passing through a narrow gorge and squeezing through a 7-meter-wide cleft in the rocks, plunging about 43 meters (141 feet) down forming a breathtaking display of water cascading down the rocks as the Victoria Nile flows through the park making the falls a top destination for visitors at a cost of $10.

Wildlife: The Albertine rift valley has influenced growth of savannah vegetation influencing dependence and survival of wild animals like hippos, buffaloes, African Elephants and over 400 species of birds like the shoe bill, Grey Crowned Crested Crane, Giant King Fisher and much more that co-exist and live among this environment.

Game drives: visitors are highly to see the big five while on a game drive in the park. The park offers both night game drives ($25) and daytime game drives ($20). Visitors get to see tree climbing lions, lions hunting for prey, large herds of buffaloes, zebra and so much more.

Boat cruise and safari: the park offers boat cruises on the Victoria Nile River where visitors are sailed up river to the bottom of the Murchison falls. The cruise lasts for 3 hours and it’s done normally in the afternoon at a cost of $30 per person. On while on the cruise, visitors get to see hippos, crocodiles and other animals in the park as they come to feed on the banks of the river

Bird watching: for the bird watchers, the game park is home to over 400 different types of birds. From the African fish eagle, giant kingfisher, the yellow-billed stork and so much more. Visitors will be able to track these birds while they are feeding, resting and flying around the park. The activity costs $30.

Chimpanzee trekking and Habituation: Budongo forest located in the park is home to over 500 chimpanzees and other primates like monkeys. Visitors can go chimpanzee trekking as part of their safari in the park. While on the trek led by English speaking park rangers, visitors will be able to visit the habitat of these primates, see them feeding, and migrate through the trees. Chimpanzee habituation is an activity in the park, during this exercise, visitors will be able to experience and see the park rangers try to tame these primates.

Top of the falls hike: for a full experience while in the park, a visit to the top of the Murchison Falls as they flow down is a once in a lifetime breathtaking experience. Visitors get to hike to the top of the falls (starting point). This vantage point provides excellent photo opportunities. The hike costs $15.

Waterbodies and fishing trips: besides the falls, the park has other water bodies like Lake albert and Kyoga, the Victoria Nile River that goes through the park. These are a must see for visitors on their safari in the park. Visitors interested in fishing can try their luck and fish in the waters of these large lakes for fish like the Nile perch, tilapia, mudfish and much more. In order to fish in the park, visitors are required to purchase fishing permits costing $50.

Hiking and Nature walks: Budongo forest provides a scene, nature filled sense suitable for nature walks while in the park. Visitors are capable to feel one with the forest. Visitors can as well go on guided nature walks in the Kaniyo Pabidi and Rabongo woods for a chance to witness certain bird species and animals. Lodges like sambiya River lodge and Mubako junction also offer short walks to visitors. Nature walks performed during day cost $15 and $40 for night walks.

Hot Air Balloon Safaris: the park offers aerial view of the landscapes and wildlife. A unique perspective to tour the park in a hot air balloon.

How to get to Murchison Falls National Park.
The primary means of transport to the park is Road. In efforts to promote tourism, wild life and plant conservation in the Albertine region, the Ugandan government has ensured development of proper road infrastructure to the park straight from Kampala. The drive takes approximately 5 – 6 hours. While on the road, the route drives through forests, crosses River Kafu and the Karuma falls and River Nile, so visitors get to see all these while on their way to the park. Visitors get to visit Ziwa rhino Sanctuary, a chance to visit the endangered rhinos’ sanctuary.

The road network arrives at all the park gates: The Chobe gate in the north of the park, Kichumbanyobo gate near Masindi town, Tanga gate found in Paara district. The route crosses the Victoria Nile River, while at this point, the tourists will cross the river on a ferry to the northern side of the park. The park can as well be accessed via Air. Direct flights to the park can be booked either from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip straight to airfields in the park like Chobe, Bugundu, Kabalega International Airport and Pakuba in a duration of 1 hour to 1 hour: 30 minutes only.

Murchison Falls National Park Entrances and fees.
Tourists can enter the park through many gates located in different sections of the park, such as the Chobe gate in the park’s northern sector and the Kichumbanyobo gate near Masindi town in the park’s southern sector. Tangi gate is located in the Paara district, and in order to enter the gate, travelers must first cross the Nile on the ferry.

The Wankar gate, located 10 kilometers off the main route, and the Mubako gate along the Kampala-Pakwach route, however tourists will be able to reach the park by crossing the River Nile via the Karuma falls bridge. Even before you enter the park, there are numerous eye-catching attractions such as the Nile River, aquatic birds that may be spotted along the river banks, and many more. Visitors entering the park are required to pay a fee of $45 for adults and $25 for children per person only valid for 24 hours in the park.

Accommodation in Murchison falls national Park.
On the goal to promote and create a pleasant stay for visitors while in the park, accommodation facilities have been strategically set up located in and out of the premises of the park to give visitors a feel of the life and experience of living in the wild. These lodges vary according to the budget of the visitors, from budget lodges, mid-budget to the five star lodges offering the top services, dinning offering all dishes around the world, bar and 24 hours’ room services.
Lodges offering budget accommodation;
1.Saltek forest cottages
2.Mama Washindi lodge
3.Grassroots cottages and tours
4.Murchison backpackers
5.Bwana Tembo Safari lodge.

Mid-range accommodation;
1.Pakuba safari lodge
2.Sambiya River lodge
3.Budongo eco-lodge
4.Fort Murchison Lodge
5.Anyadwe House (group of 8)
6.Kabalega wilderness lodge
7.Nile safari lodge
8.Park side safari lodge
9.Red chilli rest camp
10.Twiga safari lodge

Luxury accommodation
1.Chobe safari lodge
2.Nile safari lodge
3.Baker’s lodge
4.Paraa Safari Lodge.

Conservation and sustainable Tourism.
If you choose to visit Murchison Falls National Park with us, you will be supporting the eco-system of the park both physical, socially and financially. A portion of the funds paid during your visit at the park in and out applies as a source of employment to the rangers, lodges and the locals around the park. Funds are as well centered to the conservation of the park through planting more trees in order to maintain the fauna eco-system of the park, protect the animals in the park from poachers and keep the park secure. Through this support, the park is kept intact and climate changes are managed promoting the life-cycle of the park.