HOME IS THE WORLD’S GREATEST FALLS-MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK.

Murchison Falls is the worlds greatest falls and is also a national park in Uganda. It is oldest and largest national park covering an  area of 3840sqkm being divided by the Nile into the northern and southern parts. The park was Uganda’s first gazetted area in 1952 by Uganda Game and fisheries department  and now managed by Uganda wildlife authority. Originally it was gazetted as the Bunyoro and Gulu wildlife reserve in 1926 up to when it was upgraded to a national park.

The park sits on the shore of lake Albert in northwest Uganda on Albertine rift valley where the sweeping Bunyoro escarpment merges into a vast, palm-dotted savannah and is well known for Murchison falls, where victoria Nile squeezes itself through an 6m wide gorge and plunges 45m into the ‘Devil’s Cauldron the park can be accessed mainly by road and airport transport. There are scheduled flights to Pakuba airfield, Chobe, Bugungu within the park and charter companies can organize flights to the park any time from Entebbe international airport or Kajjasi airfield near Kampala.

Getting there and beyond …

It is 305km(4hour) drive from Kampala through Masindi town to paraa on the northern side of the park. The most direct is the 86km approach which enters the park through Kichumbanyobo Gate, 16km from Masindi. Diversions along the way include the Kaniyo Pabidi section of Budongo Forest, the Heart of Murchison game viewing area. Murchison Falls the park harbors over 76 mammal species, over 451 bird species- birds endemic and others are migratory. It is also home to over 20 species of reptiles.

The park enjoys an excellent climate with temperature 25-32oC by day, making it one of the hottest regions in Uganda. Nights are cooler, dropping to around 18oC. Rainfall is low, though when it arrives it falls in torrential storms

The park can be best visited during the dry season from December to late February and from June to September when animals are concentrated around water points. The prime time for bird watching is January-March when tourist numbers are lowest. Most tourism activities take place on the northern side of the park and the southern part has the administrative headquarters and mainly accommodation.

Activities and attraction.

Boat cruise and hiking on the falls

From Paraa landing site on the northern part of the park, it is 3 -4 hour boat ride to the bottom of the falls.  This is coupled with a view of birds species, elephant herds, hippos, and Nile crocodiles busking on the sun.  There is an option to hike to the top of the falls which gives a beautiful and incredible scenery and true definition of the beauty of Murchison falls national park

Game drive

This can be done either early  morning or (late) evening. Sometimes in the afternoon but when the sun is hot, wildlife tends to hide.  A typical Game drive lasts between 2-3 hours during which a variety of animals can be seen. These include – lions, spotted hyenas Rothschild giraffes, cape buffalos antelopes, baboons, leopards, and different bird species.

To see also are stunning hills.

Bird watching  

For bird watchers look no further.  Murchison falls has all a birdwatcher may want from the get-go. At the entrance, beautiful and joyful melodies of the singing birds welcome the parks visitors.  The park is home to over 450 different bird species along the delta including the rare and endangered shoebill stork. This elusive bird can be found at the delta. Other bird species include but are not limited to- the snake bird, vultures, eagles, heron, egrets.

Nature walk

This gives a good experience to people who feel they want to enjoy the true definition of living wild. Walking with nature presents a big opportunity to watch birds, plants, mammals, reptiles more closely. This is done with an armed ranger guide.