Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park (MFNP)
Murchison Falls, also known as Kabalega Falls sits on the shores of Lake Albert, in northwest Uganda between Lake Kyoga and Lake Albert on the Victoria Nile. Murchison Falls is just one part of the 384,000-hectare Murchison Falls National Park (MFNP), established in 1952 and now the largest and one of the most-visited national parks in Uganda. This is home to more than 73 animals species among which are four the ‘Big Five’ including buffaloes, leopards, lions and elephants and sustains three-quarters of the world’s population of Rothschild giraffes
World's most powerful waterfall
Murchison falls
Imagine an equivalent of 200 bathtubs full of water forced through a 7 meter gorge and plunging down 43 meters. This is the sound of the world's most powerful waterfall.
Famous For
World's most powerful falls - Murchison Falls. River Nile flowing from Lake Victoria forces its way through a gap in the rocks, only 7 m (23 ft) wide, and tumbles 43 m (141 ft), before flowing westward into Lake Albert as a placid river whose banks are dense with hippos, crocodiles, waterbuck and buffaloes. The outlet of Lake Victoria sends around 300 cubic meters per second (11,000 ft³/s) of water over the falls, squeezed into a gorge less than 10 m (33 ft) wide. The pressure is so great that the ground trembles around it.
The park can be accessed both by road and air. It takes approximately 4-6 hours (305 km) to drive from Kampala capital city to Murchison Falls National Park headquarters. By air, it takes under one hour to charter a flight from Kajjansi Airfield near Kampala.
Adult foreign non-residents pay 40$, Children foreign non-residents pay 20$ , Adult foreign residents pay 30$, children foreign residents pay 10$, East African adult citizens pay ugx15,000 and children pay ugx5,000 per day. Any extra minutes is counted an extra day.
The general concept of ‘when to visit’ doesn’t necessarily apply to Uganda. Murchison Falls National Park is an all year round destination and can be visited at any time of the year. Watching wildlife is generally good and at its best during the Dry season, from December to February.
At a Glance
Murchison Falls national park was initially protected as a game reserve in 1926, it was later declared as one of Uganda’s first national parks in 1952 and now covers an area of 3,840 square kilometers making it the largest protected area in the country. In the 1960's, the park contained some of the largest concentrations of wildlife in Africa. But with the civil wars in the 1970's and 80's wildlife populations declined rapidly.
Now, the park once again contains over 70 mammal and 450 bird species, three-quarters of all of the world’s Rothschild giraffes live here, and four of the Big 5 (all but the rhino) survive, over 600 chimpanzees live in the Budongo Forest, the largest mahogany forest in East Africa and it the park is also home to the rare shoebill stork.
Devil’s Cauldron
Devil’s Cauldron is a highlight that offers beautiful and breathtaking views of the falls. As the force of the Nile river forces its way through an 8 meter gorge, it forms a rainbow around the falls. The roar of the waters can be heard from a distance and the ground around trembles. Boat rides are offered to the devil's cauldron and last for about three hours with great views of the game on the shores.
Boat rides take approximately 30 - 45 minutes to get you as close as possible to the devil's cauldron to have a clear view of the falls. You will get to see aquatic mammals like Hippos, crocodiles, birds plus land mammals like elephants and giraffes.
Game drives
Game drives are one of the popular activities in Murchison falls park. Here you get to explore the park in the comfort of your 4x4 safari vehicle. Game drives can be done during day or night. Daily departures are now available and you’ll have the opportunity to reconnect with nature. All game drives offer you a unique experience and offer insight into the landscape and most importantly the wildlife that surrounds us.
These game drives combined with a Boat Safari gives one the added opportunity of witnessing Hippo's, Crocodiles, lions and other animals in their natural habitat. The majority of game drives in Murchison are enjoyed on the Buligi Peninsula with 170km of tracks.
Boat Safaris
Boat Safaris in Murchison falls are a must do activity. There are two boat cruises in different direction and all offer detailed views of mother nature. The bottom of the falls cruise and the Albert delta cruise and all launch from paraa dock. The bottom of the falls cruise is the link to the ``hike to the top of the falls`` a nature walk trail that takes you to the top of the falls.
The Albert delta cruise also start from Paraa dock gently following the flow of the Nile river. It's on this cruise that you get to see the shoebill and numerous floating islands. It is perfect for romantic getaways as it is mostly done in the evening.
Sport Fishing
Murchison falls is the leading parks where sport fishing is done in Uganda. It involves catching fish by casting lures used for catching larger fish species like the Nile perch and cat fish or using live bait like worms, termites to catch smaller fish species like the Tiger fish. This activity is mainly done along the Victoria Nile which involves catching fish along rocky surfaces or the bottom of the falls mainly the Devil’s Cauldron.
Fishing spots can be accessed either by taking a boat ride or walking down from the top of the falls. Either of them provides beautiful scenery of the dense jungle and fishing can be done anytime of the year. The record for the largest Nile perch is a 113 kilograms and largest cat-fish was 45 kilograms
Hot Air Balloon
Sunrise and sunset sights from the hot air balloon are matchless as skyline changes its color. A hot air balloon ride in the park will make you regret nothing about it, thus, it really deserves a spot in your travel goals. It gives you a lovely glimpse of the wild beneath you. Staring at the same surroundings from below will look astoundingly different from above.
This ride is perfect for a romantic get away or just family having fun. The experience is equipment-free. It's just you and the hot air balloon. No carrying of heavy bags and gears.
Chimpanzee Tracking
Chimpanzee Tracking in Murchison Falls National Park is second only to Kibale Forest National Park and takes place in Rabongo forest and Budongo forest. With Budongo forest is home to over 600 chimpanzees and comes in second after Kibale National Park that the largest number of chimpanzees in Uganda.
Tracking takes 30 minutes to 4 hours depending on the location of the chimpanzees which is determined by the weather season. During the dry seasons when the trails are dry, the chimpanzees normally move deeper into the forest as food and water get scarce.
Birding
Murchison falls national park is a birders paradise as it is home to more than 500 bird species which are habitant as water birds, Albertine rift endemic birds, savannah bird among other. Birding at Murchison gives you a lifetime experiences as you get a chance to spot the rare shoebill.
Birding in the park can be done both on land and on a boat cruise which gives you sightings of different species like the giant heron, black-headed lapwing, giant kingfisher and many more.
Explore Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison falls national park has so much to see and discover. It delivers what it promises it being the biggest national park in Uganda. From Africa's iconic big 4 of 5, with the rhino in a nearby sanctuary on your way to Murchison park to a bucket list of up to 76 mammals, you won't be disappointed.
Murchison is famous for its predators and expect lion and leopard sightings. This is one park that accommodates everyone's travel desires, whether it be birding, sport fishing, game drives and many more. No one is left out.
The park is home to large herds of buffalo and elephant and several antelope species from grey duiker and Ugandan kob to oribi and Jackson’s hartebeest. Murchison park is the native range of the Rothschild's giraffe and hosts an estimated 700 individuals that make up 75% of the total world's population and also has Uganda’s largest population of crocodiles.
The park’s 450 species of birds will get you excited as there are water birds to be seen from the river, as well as savanna birds and endemic species from the Albertine Rift Valley.
This is a birders paradise and the top highlight is a sighting of the endangered shoebill stork, a rare creature that sits at the top of many birders’ wish list and you can see them from the comfort of your boat cruise on the Delta cruise boat ride.
Murchison Falls National Park is part of the greater Murchison Falls Conservation Area, which incorporates the Bugungu and Karuma reserves, as well as Kaniyo Pabidi forest, where you can go chimp trekking. You can spot some monkeys and baboons on the short hike up to the top of the falls.
