Attractions in Murchison National Park Uganda : Murchison Falls National Park is one of the finest and most visited national parks in Uganda, the park is also the largest national park in Uganda. Murchison Falls national park hosts a number of fascinating attraction you will see on your Uganda safari and these are highlighted below
Murchison Falls – The most Powerful falls in the world
Murchison Falls are the main tourist attraction in Murchison Falls national park, according to history the park was established in 1952 purposely to protect the unique Murchison Falls from which the park is named from.
Murchison Falls is formed as River Nile squeezes through a narrow gorge of 7 meters in the rocks and plunges over 40 meters below into a 5o meters radius water pool, the powerful force of the water results into a loud roar and a water spray around the fall most especially in the night hours.
THE RIVER NILE
River Nile is also a major attraction in Murchison Falls national park, the river is popularly known has as the longest river in world with its sources in Lake Victoria and flows through the park. The stream of River Nile is crowded with hippos and numerous giant crocodiles along the sandbanks, you will also find other animals and bird congregating to drink water and also bathe.
River Nile in Murchison Falls national park is best explored on a launch trip up the stream all the way to the bottom of the water, during the launch cruise you will see various animals and birds.
Launch trips starts at 09:00 and 14:00 every day and the whole trip takes 3 hours, another boat trip goes downstream from Paraa down to the Papyrus delta at the point where the river enters into Lake Albert. The boat trip takes approximately 4-5 hours and provides an excellent chance to see the rare shoebill stork and various animals.
TOP OF THE MURCHISON FALLS VIEW
Murchison Falls offers the most spectacular views from the top of the Nile where you enjoy sight and sound of the Nile squeezing through a small chasm. The top of the falls can be reached by a car or on a 30 minutes climb from the boat at the bottom of the falls.
BULIGI GAME AREA
Buligi Game Area is the best game viewing area in Murchison Falls national park popular for game drives, the area comprises of open savannah grasslands, riverine vegetation, woodland and acacia.
In Murchison Falls national park, morning and afternoon game drives are conducted in the Buligi area taking about 3 hours and they are done with supervision of UWA ranger guide. Buligi Game Area is located between the Victoria Nile and the Albert Nile with excellent views towards the western rift valley beyond Lake Albert into the DR Congo.
A drive from Paraa passing the Delta points across the 170 kilometers areas takes 3 to 4 hours.
THE BIRDS AND ANIMALS IN MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK
ANIMALS IN MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK
Murchison Falls national park comprise of woodland, wetland, savannah and tropical forests which are habitant for over 76 mammal species, these animals include hippos, elephants, antelopes, Uganda kobs, hartebeests, bush pigs among others. There are also primates with over 610 chimpanzees, olive baboons, black and colobus monkeys among others
BIRDS IN MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK
Murchison Falls national park is a home to over 450 bird species including Albertine rift endemic birds, water birds and savannah birds. Water birds in this park are majorly found in the Nile corridor where you can spot the rare shoebill stork.
Birds found in Murchison Falls national park include Goliath Heron, African Quail-Finch, the elegant Grey Crowned Cranes, Blue-headed Coucal, White-browed Sparrow Weaver, Swamp Flycatcher, Red-throated Bee-eater, Squacco Heron, Silver bird, African Jacana, Piapiac, Sandpipers, Eastern Grey Plantain-eater, Denham’s Bustard, Weaver Birds, Abyssinian Ground-Hornbill, Malachite Kingfishers and the Black-billed Barbet among others.
PRIMATES IN MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK
Murchison Falls national park is a home to various primates including 800 chimpanzees, olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys among others which are found in the Kaniyo Pabidi and Budongo Forest.
PARAA
Paraa is an important area in Murchison Falls national park, the area is found close to the banks River Nile. The name Paraa is a local word meaning “home of hippos” which depicts the large number of hippos found in the area.
Paraa is an excellent area for game drives that is morning and afternoon game drive on which you will enjoy seeing a diversity of animals such as giraffes, cape buffaloes, elands, Uganda Kobs among others.
Other safari activities done in Paraa include hot air balloon rides, cultural visits, birding, fishing trips, guided nature walks and a launch/boat trips.
Boat/ launch cruise in Paraa offers you a chance to see various animals in the shallows of the River Nile and guided walks takes you on a visit to the native Luo people, where you will get a chance to learn more about their culture and way of life. Visit the museum with a gift shop found in the northern part of paraa, the same area also has Paraa Safari Lodge, a luxury accommodation facility offering great accommodation to visitors of the park.
BUDONGO FOREST
Budongo Forest is found in the Southwestern part of the Murchison Conservation Area located closed to Murchison Falls national park, the forest is continuous with Kaniyo Pabidi Forest and is encompassed by farmlands and villages on its other side.
Budongo Forest hosts a huge diversity of wildlife including 287 butterfly species, 24 mammal, over 460 tree species, about 360 bird species and primate species including chimpanzees, olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys among others.
In Budongo Forest, you will be able to explore the popular “Royal Mile” which is a well maintained road stretch displaying the various tree species and is popular for its excellent bird watching opportunities, Attractions in Murchison National Park Uganda .
KANIYO PABIDI FORESTS
Kaniyo Pabidi Forests are part of the Murchison Falls Conservation Area and lies in the southern park, the forests offer excellent Uganda safari activities such as chimpanzee tracking, guided nature walks and bird watching.
Kaniyo Pabidi forest hosts the Uganda’s largest remaining Mahogany forest, during chimpanzee tracking in this forest you will see chimpanzees and other primates such as black and white colobus monkeys, Attractions in Murchison National Park Uganda.
THE KARUMA WATERFALL
The Karuma waterfalls are another magnificent waterfalls found in Murchison falls, the falls are found in the Chobe Area within the northeastern part of the park.
The water comprise of cascading natural – rock formations through which the water forces its way forming a characteristic “white form” that is very mind blowing to watch, Karuma falls is a great place do sport fishing, the area surrounding the falls is a home to various species of wildlife such as monkeys, cape buffaloes, hartebeests, various antelopes such as Uganda Kobs, lions, baboons, giraffes among others.
Are you planning to go for a Uganda safari to Murchison Falls national park, book your safari with us.
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