Murchison Falls National Park- Uganda

Facts, Information, Background and Best Safari Tours- Murchison Falls National Park – Uganda

The name "Murchison" Falls was given to us by Sir Samuel White Baker, (June 8 1821 – December 30 1893) a British explorer, naturalist, big game hunter, engineer and also served as the Governor-General of the Equatorial Nile Basin (today's South Sudan and Northern Uganda) between Apr. 1869 - Aug. 1873. Baker named them after Sir Roderick Murchison, president of the Royal Geographical Society. The falls lend their name to the surrounding Murchison Falls National Park. Murchison Falls National Park in Uganda is the largest of National Parks, one can say literally, that a river runs through it and that river is the Nile River.

The Park was started under the colonial rule by the British in 1952. When Idi Amin (the former Ugandan dictator and self-styled "Conqueror of the British Empire") came along in the 1970s, he had a way of removing any British name reference and renamed the Falls "Kabarega", after the Omukama (King) Kabarega of Bunyoro. But this was never legally promulgated and the name reverted to Murchison Falls following his 1979 downfall.

When the Lord's Resistance Army caused havoc in the North including at Murchison Falls Park. Some countries listed Murchison Falls Park as an area that is dangerous and that is true in the past, but for the last 9 years there has been peace in the north and that peace has also meant that Murchison Falls is now a safe place to visit since there has been no rebel activity since 2005. - LRA used to be in South Sudan, at times in the Democratic Republic of Congo and in the Central Republic of Africa. No safari company would put clients into an unsafe area and the thousands who visit Murchison Falls Park can attest to that.

Getting there

By road, the Nile river crossing at Paraa, in the centre of the park, is approximately 4½hrs drive from Kampala (305km). Paraa is 85km from Masindi town by the direct route. A longer (135km) alternative route passes through Budongo forest and enjoys spectacular views across Lake Albert from the rift valley escarpment above Butiaba. Paraa can also be approached from the north, via Chobe Gate near Karuma Falls and Tangi Gate near Pakwach (25km to Paraa), and Wankwar Gate near Purongo.A vehicle ferry crosses the Nile at Paraa. This operates hourly between 07.00 and 19.00 with the exception of 13.00. Murchison can also be reached by air. Charter flights can land at airstrips north of the Nile at Pakuba (19kms from Paraa) and south at Bugungu (13kms from Paraa

Murchison Falls- Top of the falls Visit.

Murchison falls along river Nile is a true master piece of nature! In a small space a million cubic meters of water from the Nile squeeze themselves through the Albertine gorge as they make their way 6,853 km (4,258 miles) towards Egypt.Many people wonder how the scenic falls would actually be, but once you are on top of them and see the entire Nile going through a small gap, it make sense why so many visitors make the trip. The Nile River is about 50 meters wide on top just before the falls, it drops down 43 meters through a 7 meter wide gorge. The journey to the park is a long one but once you reach this place, it becomes worth it. The thunderous spectacle and noise made by the water as it passes through the tiny hole is magnificent – one not to be missed by anyone with the means because no better words can explain the display.

A guide can walk you around, but most people choose to do it on their own.  There is a path down to the bottom of the river, but there is also another path that leads you upriver to another set up falls that comes before the Murchison Falls that most people see. That walk will take you about 20 to 30 minutes. If you walk to the last viewing point and look back at the falls, there is a a rainbow that does not disappear.

And you can find a cave in the wall where bats come out at nighttime and during the day time you can find various raptors and swallows. You might run into some baboons along your walk but that is about it.

Nile Wildlife Boat Safari to the bottom of Murchison Falls:

Boat Safaris at Murchison Falls are one of the highlights of your safari here. This is a fantastic 3 hour boat ride, there are several boats used and the best one is the one with a top deck where you can stand and take pictures of the animals, the boat will slow down when the pilots sees some wildlife of interest on the banks. Wildlife in abundance along the shores of the River Nile. Then there is of course the bottom of the falls, the sounds are overwhelming coming from the power of the water rushing down. You can take a boat up the River to the Falls themselves and disembark at the bottom of the falls and hike up. You can also take a trip down the river which is a must for birders – an area where you most often find the elusive shoebill stork.

Game Drives (Safari drives): 
Game drives are the highlight of any safari trip in Uganda and are usually very enjoyable. One can go without a Uganda Wildlife Authority Ranger, but it is more enjoyable when you do. They certainly understand the locations of animals and where they can usually be found and also know the names of the various birds found in the park. On a safari drive in Murchison Falls National Park, you can see an abundance of wildlife such as elephants, lions, leopards, antelopes, buffaloes, warthogs, giraffes and much more. Murchison Falls Park is simply a great park especially if you only have  since it gives you the ability to see maximum wildlife on a short safari.

Lake Albert Excursion: 
Go downriver by boat and there you will find even more bird life and often spot the shoebill stork and lots of other birds, besides the wildlife coming to the river and later to Lake Albert. This trip takes over 5 hours and up to six hours. Those in search of birds favor this ride.

Visit the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

These are dark days for the rhinos all over the continent. The location of the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is very good, on the way from Kampala to Murchison Falls National park. You will find sanctuary on 176 km north of Kampala on the Gulu highway just before Murchison Falls. The highlight here is the rhino tracking. The sanctuary ranger meets you upon arrival and gives you an introduction to sanctuary and some information about the rhinos. It is wonderful to see these huge creatures so close when you are on your foot. It is unforgettable. There is decent lodging and food for those wanting to spend a night on thier way up or from Murchison Falls NP. Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary does great things, it's nice to know that the profits from food and accommodation are going towards the breeding programme of these amazing creatures, and the eventual release into the wild of the rhinos.

Fishing: Fishing can be arranged with a boat, or you can fish from the river bank, many 200 pound Nile Perch has been caught here. It is best to bring your own tackle, a fishing license must be bought. You can actually fish just below the Falls either from the shore or by boat in one of the pools.

Rabongo Forest Walk: This is mainly for birders and a forest walk with ranger can be arranged and it is on the other side of the Nile from Paraa Lodge. You will also see various kinds of monkeys on this walk.

Animals, Wildlife and Birds found at Murchison Falls Park 
72 kinds of Mammals have been found at Murchison Falls Park including:

·         Elephants: You can find them or they will find you on game drives and also as you take the boat launch up to the bottom of the falls.

·         Buffaloes: The African Buffalo is quite a large animals and moved about in groups and you will find them most anywhere as you go on game drives or on boat launch.

·         Lions: Hopefully the savanna grass is not too high and you can get an up close look at a pride.

·         Giraffes: Gracefully moving across the savanna, they are fabulous animals

·         Antelopes: Uganda Kob, Hartebeest, Bushbuck, Defassa Waterbuck, Bohor Reedbuck, Oribi

·         Monkeys: Vervet Monkeys, Baboon, Black and White Colobus, Patas Monkeys and some Chimpanzees in the Rabongo Forest and you can track them in Budongo Forest.

·         Warthogs: That unique looking pig can be found in many places here, even as you cross the Nile for a game drive or to check in to your lodging at Paraa Lodge.

·         Side Striped Jackal: Hopefully you will come across some as you take your game drive, they are often quite elusive.

·         Leopards: Most people simply adore the pattern of their coat and here you can find one in the wild.

·         Spotted Hyenas: Scary looking but most often move away from humans.

Over 450 species of Bird are found at Murchison Falls Park including:

• Over 50 kinds of Raptors
• Numerous water Birds
• Shoebill Stork

Reptiles:

• Snakes of various kinds...the closest you will usually get is when you see a bird flying off with one.
• Crocodiles: The Nile crocodile is quite large here and numerous.

Savanna Monitor: Often mistaken for a crocodile.

Safari Lodge Accommodation in Murchison Falls

Murchison Falls park accommodation can be found at Nile Safari Camp: A luxury tented camp with 6 tents and swimming pool, overlooking the Nile. Paraa Safari Lodge: Luxury lodge with 54 bedrooms and swimming pool overlooking the Nile.Masindi Hotel: A mid-range colonial hotel in Masindi with 22 rooms. Recently renovated. Red Chilli Rest Camp: superbly located in Murchison falls National Park. The camp offers a wide experience of nature to its guests
Court View Hotel: 15 room basic