Murchison falls- Murchison falls park

Murchison falls- Murchison falls park: Murchison falls are the strongest waterfalls in the whole world. They are located in Uganda and in the northwestern part of the country. The Murchison falls are found between lake Albert and Lake Kyoga. The Murchison falls happen to be inside Murchison falls national park which borrowed its name from these falls.

The Murchison falls had been in existence many years ago and they were called Kabalega falls by the locals in the area. The Kabalega falls were named after the king of Bunyoro who was ruling that time. In 1864, when sir Samuel baker a European explorer was mowing around Kabalega national park which is now called Murchison falls national park and he discovered these waterfalls.

Sir Samuel Baker is believed to have stop at a point named Baker today to see these spectacular waterfalls. He discovered the falls and decided to name them Murchison falls getting the name from the president of the royal geographical society, Sir Roderick Murchison. After naming the falls Murchison, the park was also changed to Murchison falls national park.

When Idi Amin Dada come into power, he changed the name of the falls back to Kabalega falls and the national park to Kabalega falls national park due to the differences between the western people and the Africans. After the downfall of Idi Amin, the falls changed from Kabalega falls to Murchison falls and Murchison falls national park to Murchison falls national park.

Murchison falls become famous after it was featured in the 1951 film titled The African Queen. The African Queen was recorded on the areas of Lake Albert and in the River Nile in Murchison falls national park. The Murchison falls are found about 32km west of Victoria Nile.

How are the Murchison falls formed?

The Murchison falls which are the strongest waterfalls in the world are formed when water running at a very high-speed flowing on top of the rocks a d forces itself through a narrow gorge 7 meters wide and toppling to 43 meters below the rock into a pool hence forming a thunderous sound. This water comes at a very high speed from Lake Kyoga and passes through this gorge while finding its way to Lake Albert.

Spotting the Murchison falls

Hike to the top of the falls

The best way to see the Murchison falls is by taking a hike to the top of the falls. At the top of the falls, one will get the most spectacular views of the Murchison falls. The sounds and the views of the strongest waterfalls are mind blowing while at the top of the falls. The hike to the top of the falls is just 45 minutes and it’s led by the armed ranger guides who take you through the vegetation while protecting you from dangerous animals and giving you information that could be necessary.

At the top of the Murchison falls, the waters come running at a very high speed and force itself through a narrow gorge that is about 7 meters wide. From the narrow gorge as water drops into the pool which is 40 meters below its when the falls are made. The water drops into the pool while forming sprays which form the Murchison falls.

From the bottom of the falls

Travelers can still have a view of the Murchison falls by taking a boat cruise to the bottom of the falls. A boat cruise to the bottom of the falls starts at Paraa dock and it comes with opportunities of seeing different animals as you find your way to the bottom of the falls. You won’t see the water going through the narrow gorge but you will see drop from the rocks above down into the pool.

Travelers who want to see the bottom of the falls and the top of the falls at the same time can be part of the boat cruise. When they reach the bottom of the falls, they will leave the boat and use the trail in the forest to get to the top of the falls. This is to enable them to see how the waters coming to high speed gorges through the gorge to drop into the pool while finding a way to Lake Albert.

How much does it cost to see the Murchison falls?

To see the Murchison falls, you either need to hike to the top of the falls or take a boat cruise to the bottom of the falls. Assuming that you are already inside Murchison falls national park all you need is to pay a permit to the top of the falls or buy a permit for a boat cruise to the bottom of the falls.

A permit to the top of the falls costs $15 for foreign non-residents, $10 for foreign residents, and UGX10,000 for East African residents. A lunch trip to the bottom of the falls is $30 for foreign non-residents, $25 for foreign residents, and UGX30,000 East African citizens.