Hike to the top of the falls – Murchison falls national park

Hike to the top of the falls – Murchison falls national park: A hike to the top of the falls is one of the activities you can do while on a safari in Murchison falls national park. The hike takes one to the top of the strongest waterfalls which are inside Murchison falls national park. Murchison falls were first discovered by an explorer named Samuel baker who named them after the geologist Sir Roderick Murchison the president of the Royal Geographical Society.

Hiking to the top of Murchison falls

A hike to the top of the falls takes 45 minutes and it can start from para if you want to first go for the boat cruise. The boat cruise from Paraa takes 2-3 hours to the base of the falls and these hours come with opportunities of meeting different animals such as hippos, and crocodiles in the waters, water birds such as papyrus gonoleck, swamp flycatchers, herons, marital eagle, shoebill stork and much more.

Tourists will also be able to see different park animals along the river shores especially in the dry season during afternoon hours when they have come to drink water or graze on the fresh vegetation. The boat cruise comes at its wone fee which is $30 for foreign non-residents, and foreign residents while East African citizens its UGX30,000.

At the bottom of the falls, you will be given time to record videos and take photos while seeing how the Murchison falls are formed. It’s from here that you can get out if the boat and use the trail there to hike to the top of the falls. The trail goes through some thick vegetation cover where tourists are able to meet different mammals, primates, and birds.

Hiking to the top of the falls is about 45 minutes to 1 hour depending on the speed of the trekkers and the nature of the terrain. When you reach at the top, you will be able to stand on the big rocks or on the fence where you can pose for photos, and record videos. Your ranger guide will be available to tell you how these waterfalls are made and you will be able to watch them being made. The water which comes at a running speed goes through a 7-8m narrow rock (Mother Nature’s gorge) downstream and later dropping 40 meters down hence producing a thunderous sound. Tourists will see a permanent rainbow on top of the waters, Murchison falls national park, River Nile, and Lake Albert.

Using a boat cruise to hike to the top of the falls is a bit expensive however there are other alternatives in form of nature walks or using a car where tourists a trail or road to the top of the falls. Tourists that are in Murchison falls national park and going for a hike to the top of the falls should always wear waterproof hiking shoes, long-sleeved clothes, a rain jacket, a hat, insect repellents, drinking water, energy-giving snacks, a camera, and a pair of binoculars.

How much does it cost to hike to the top of the falls in Murchison falls national falls?

Hiking to the top of the falls in Murchison falls national park comes at a fee which is $15 for foreign non-residents, $10 for foreign residents, and UGX10,000 for East African citizens. This fee is charged because the tourists are led by armed ranger guides who protect them from animals that could be dangerous as well as telling them different information about the waterfalls.

Other things to do in Murchison falls national park?

There are no tourists who visit Murchison falls national park with an aim of hiking to the top of the falls only, they always combine the activity with game drives where different animals are spotted, birding, boat cruises on River, sport fishing, cultural encounters, nature walks, hot air balloon, and primate watching in Budongo forest.

Best time to visit Murchison falls national park

Murchison falls national park can be visited at any time of the year for different safari activities however there are certain months that are better than the rest. The dry months are the best time to visit Murchison falls national park and these happen from June to September and December to February. These months have been said to be the best because they are characterized by little or no rainfall which makes the game trucks, and hiking trails stay dry, the vegetation is short and scattered around the park giving great views of the animals and other attractions and lastly, the roads leading to the park are in good conditions.

Travelers can still visit Murchison falls national park in the rainy season from March to May and October to November because the park will always be open. The rainy season is good for budget travelers because lodges are at a discount. There is plenty of rainfall in the park which makes game trucks and trails muddy, the vegetation is tall and thick with unclear views of the park animals and the roads leading to the park are in poor conditions, especially the marram roads.

Where to stay

Some of the accommodation facilities in Murchison falls national park include Chobe Safari Lodge, Paara Safari Lodge, Nile Safari Lodge, Pakuba Safari lodge, Murchison Tree House, Bakers Lodge, Geo Lodges, Nile Safari Lodge, Amuka Safari Lodge, Twiga Safari Lodge, Budongo Eco-Lodge, Murchison River Lodge, Kabalega Wilderness Lodge, Fort Murchison Safari Lodge, Heritage Safari Lodge, red chill rest camp among others.