Boat cruise in Murchison falls national park
Boat cruise in Murchison falls national park: Boat cruise in Murchison fall national park is the most adventurous activity done by almost every traveler on Uganda safari. Imagine cruising on the along Victoria that crosses through Murchison falls national park the oldest and largest national park in Uganda and a home to big 4 out of big 5 games which include; Lions, Elephants, Giraffes, buffaloes and the incase one needs to make the big 5 game, then there is an option of visiting Ziwa white rhino sanctuary situated in Masindi along the way to Murchison falls national park from Kampala. Other mammals seen in Murchison falls national park include Primates such as baboons, chimpanzees, grey checked monkeys, black and white Colobus monkeys among others, mammals such as Elands, Impalas, Zebras, Uganda kob, leopards, giraffes, Lion, antelopes, Leopards, Hippos, Crocodiles, Hyenas, Bush pigs, duikers, serval cats, waterbucks, forest hogs, and several species of birds which include water birds, forest birds and migratory birds plus the species endemic to Albertine rift. These birds include; sun birds, tinker birds, bee- eaters, shoebill stock, kingfisher, kites, among others.
Murchison falls national park offers 2 thrilling boat cruise safaris which include Nile boat cruise, delta boat cruise and sundowner bot cruise each leading to different destinations including upstream towards the base of waterfalls while the other leads downstream towards the Nile Delta but from the same starting points but offering different unique tourist attractions.
Nile boat cruise in Murchison falls national park: Nile boat cruise takes tourists upstream towards the base of the Murchison falls the world’s most powerful waterfalls that attracts a good number of tourists at any given period of time all year round to witness the magic as water forces itself through a tinny hole with a thunderous sound that makes everyone amazed. Nile boat cruise starts from Paraa jet situated in Northern part of the park along the shores of the Victoria Nile which is the starting point for any other boat safaris in Murchison falls national park and its done in two shifts that is morning boat cruise that starts as early as 9:00am and the afternoon boat cruise that starts at 2:00pm all allowing 2-3 hours sailing on top of the Victoria Nile while viewing the stunning vegetation cover with in Murchison falls national park. Both morning and afternoon Nile boat cruise are so rewarding as they enable tourists on board to view the breath taking and most powerful waterfall in the whole world known as Murchison falls previously known a Kabalega falls. During the boat cruise, tourists also have a golden opportunity of viewing several wildlife species along the shores of Victoria Nile as they graze on fresh vegetation and quench their thirst especially during the afternoon hours. Amongst wildlife seen during boat cruise include; Elephants, Buffaloes, Zebras, Uganda Kob, Hippos, crocodiles, plenty of water birds such as King Fishers, bee-eaters among others. The photographs captured while of a Nile boat cruise in Murchison falls national park are so rewarding and memorable with a green backgrounds and waterfall. However this boat cruise is also the gate way to tourist who intend to hike up the water fall as the boat takes them to the base of water fall with other cruisers and then off the boat they meet the rangers who brief them and they start up another fascinating but difficult hike to summit top of waterfalls in about 45minutes. However much this hike is tiresome, but it rewards hikers with a clear view of the entire park from above without forgetting the cool winds at the top of the waterfall.
Delta boat cruise in Murchison falls national park: Apart from Nile boat cruise, here comes a 4-5 hours Nile delta boat cruise that takes travelers downstream towards the Lake Albert delta the best birding spot in Murchison falls national park where water birds are easily spotted. Nile delta boat cruise also starts from Paraa jet though its mostly enjoyed by bird lover taking them closer to water bird species with an opportunity to watch the rare shoebill stork and other water birds such as Papyrus Gonolek, jacana, Kingfishers, herons and other wildlife species such as elephants, Hippos though not as many as those seen while on a Nile boat cruise.
Note: Apart from water fall boat cruise and Nile Delta boat cruise, Murchison falls national park also offers a tranquil sundowner boat cruise which offers a stunning view of the sunset over the horizon late in the evening. Sundowner boat cruise is done at 5:30pm to enable cruiser have a memorial experience of viewing the sun as it goes down. It’s as well known as the sunset cruise and it offers beautiful photographs of the sun as it reflects over the Nile.
Other Murchison falls national park activities
Apart from boat cruise, there are other activities done in Murchison falls national park and these include top of falls hiking safari, Game drive safaris, chimpanzee trekking in budongo forest and other primate viewing safaris, birding safaris, guided nature walks, sport fishing safaris, hot air balloon experience, cultural encounters among others that makes Murchison falls national park the number one destination visited severely by almost every traveler on a Uganda safari.
What is the best time for boat cruise in Murchison falls national park?
The best time to visit any park in Uganda is during the dry months and especially for cruisers, dry months are the best since the water levels are abit minimal thus easy to sail while viewing several mammals that flock the shores of the Nile River in search of fresh vegetation and water. For birders, dry months is also the best time when the water levels are reduced thus the best time to encounter with elusive shoebill stork at the swamp as there is enough food for it. These months include; from December to February and from June to October.
Conclusion
Murchison falls national park is easily accessed either by road drive which takes about 6 hours’ drive from Kampala the capital city of Uganda or by air using charter flights from Entebbe or Kajansi airfield to the park. The park offers both short budget safaris and luxury safaris depending of the choice of the traveler and it can easily be combined with other parks to prolong the Uganda safari. Inquire now for a detailed Uganda safari to Murchison falls national park or any other parks in Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya and DRC with Focus East Africa Tours” a trusted and registered tour operator that is ready to take you around the entire East African region.
