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
