Unforgettable safari experience in Murchison Falls National Park

Unforgettable safari experience in Murchison Falls National Park: Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s oldest and largest conservation area located in the northwestern part of the country. The 3892 square km piece of land is the country’s most iconic safari destination hosting thousands of travelers from different parts of the world. In 1952, Murchison Falls National Park was gazetted as the country’s first national park and currently harbors over 144 mammals, 556 bird species, 52 amphibians, and 51 reptiles.

A safari to Murchison Falls National Park comes with very many beautiful memories as the area has a lot to offer. Tourists on a safari to this park need to take part in most of their activities which will enable one to encounter most attractions found there. Below we are looking at the most popular activities in Murchison Falls National Park that tourists shouldn’t miss out on during their visit.

Things done in Murchison Falls National Park

Game drives

Murchison Falls National Park is the largest national park in the country and hosts several wild animals in the savannah grassland vegetation. Game drives are the best way tourists can spot these wild animals, and the driver guides as well as rangers are always ready to help you explore the park. Game drives within this park are carried out in the morning and evening, and those interested in seeing nocturnal animals can do night game drives.

Game drives in Murchison Falls National Park are carried out on the northern bank due to its high concentration of wildlife. During game drives in this park, tourists have an opportunity to see animals such as lions, buffaloes, elephants, spotted hyenas, giraffes, leopards, hartebeest, defassa waterbucks, Uganda kobs, crocodiles, and warthogs, to mention but a few.

Visiting the top of the falls

Murchison Falls National Park gets its name from Murchison Falls which found inside the park. Before this park was named Kabalega national park but when Sir Samuel Baker visited the park he was amazed by the great views and named them the Murchison falls after Sir Roderick Murchison, the president of Royal Geographical Society. Tourists on a safari to Murchison Falls National Park can drive to the top of the falls and walk down for viewing or they can hike through the forest to the top of the falls.

At the top of Murchison Falls, tourists will be able to witness the waters running at a every high speed get forced through a narrow 8-meter-wide gorge before plunging 45 meters into the Devils Cauldron below, creating a powerful and thunderous waterfall. At the top of the falls, tourists can take photos, and record videos for future memories.

Chimpanzee trekking

On a safari to Murchison Falls National Park, tourists can carry out chimpanzee trekking in Budongo Forest. This is one of the natural habitats for chimpanzees, and among the few that live in this forest, there are those that have been habituated, and others are still going through habituation. To trek the chimpanzees of Budongo Forest, you need to have purchased chimpanzee permits in advance.

Early morning is when chimpanzee trekking starts in Budongo Forest. Trekkers first gather for a briefing about the rules and regulations of the activity. Later grouping is done, and trekkers are given armed ranger guides to lead them in the forest where the chimpanzees live. Once spotted, trekkers are given 1 hour to be around the members, and this enables them to learn about their habitat and record moments.

Boat Cruises

Boat cruises are popular activities carried out in Murchison Falls National Park. The park is bisected by the mighty River Nile, and it’s here that tourists carry out boat cruises. Most of the boat cruises in Murchison Falls National Park go to the bottom of the falls, and a few go to the Nile Delta, especially by those that are carried out by bird watchers.

Boat cruises in Murchison Falls National Park are carried out morning, mid-morning, and evening for 2 to 3 hours. The boat cruises come with an opportunity to see aquatic animals such as crocodiles and hippos. Tourists are able to encounter animals on the shores of the lake such as buffaloes, elephants, antelopes, and birds to mention but a few.

The best period to have a successful safari in Murchison Falls National Park

The driest months of the year are the best to visit Murchison Falls National Park if you are looking for a memorable safari. These months are June to September and December to February, and they are the best because they have little rainfall and plenty of sunshine. The game tracks around the park are dry and easier to drive through. This allows tourists to access most of the park areas which increases the chances of seeing different wild animals.

During the dry season, the vegetation is short and scattered which gives a clear view of the wild animals including the tiny ones. Tourists will also have an opportunity to meet animals near the water sources since they move looking for water and fresh vegetation cover. Clear spotting of animals can also lead to clear photography.

Tourists may still travel during the low season especially those who are looking for discounted tour packages. The lodges reduce the room rates during the low season to attract a few travelers who intend to travel. March to May and October to November are the low season months however, they are characterized by little sunshine and plenty of rainfall.

Tourists who travel during the low season will encounter most of the park animals but in areas where the vegetation is too tall, they might get unclear views and poor photos or videos. The game tracks tend to be muddy and slippery which limits access to some of the area, and this reduces the chances of seeing most park animals.

Getting to Murchision falls

Murchison Falls National Park is located in the northwestern part of the country, 305km away from Kampala. It can be accessed by road transport and also air transport for those who want to travel in a luxurious style. From Entebbe, tourists drive to Kampala, Luwero, Nakasongola, and Masindi where you drive to Kikumbanyobo gate.

Tourists who use road transport to Murchison Falls National Park have an opportunity to pass by Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the only home to rhinos for tracking. Air transport is another way tourists can get to Murchison Falls National Park, and this saves time. From Entebbe to Murchison, there are flights by PearlSky Uganda and Aerolink Uganda taking about 1 hour to Pakuba Airstrip, Bugugu Airstrip, and Chobe Airstrip.