Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park: Background Info

Also known as the Kabalega National Park, the Murchison Falls National Park is popularly known for having the world’s most powerful waterfall that emits large volumes of water about 300 cubic meters per second or 11,000 ft³/s at a very powerful pressure that cause the surrounding to tremble. The park was first gazetted in 1927 and today is the largest park in Uganda covering an area of 3840 sq km / 1483 sq miles. It is commonly visited for Uganda Safari Tours because of its diverse safari activities and rich wildlife.

the highlight of any itinerary in Murchison Falls National Park is visiting the falls to see how large volumes of water from the Victoria Nile forces its way through an approximately 7 meter wide gorge to plunge 43 meters below into a pool. this powerful water fall creates a thunderous noise with a splashing cloud of fog offering a very breathtaking view worth enjoying

Murchison Falls National Park: Destination Preview

The Experience: Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park lies at the northern end of the Albertine Rift Valley, where the sweeping Bunyoro escarpment tumbles into vast, palm-dotted savanna. First gazetted as a game reserve in 1926, it is Uganda’s largest and oldest conservation area. The park is bisected by the Victoria Nile, which plunges 45m over the remnant rift valley wall, creating the dramatic Murchison Falls, the centerpiece of the park and the final event in an 80km stretch of rapids. The mighty cascade drains the last of the river’s energy, transforming it into a broad, placid stream that flows quietly across the rift valley floor into Lake Albert. This stretch of river provides one of Uganda’s most remarkable wildlife spectacles. Regular visitors to the riverbanks include elephants, giraffes, and buffaloes; while hippos, Nile crocodiles, and aquatic birds are permanent residents.

Spanning an impressive 350,000ha, it will come as no surprise that Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s largest wildlife reserve – but that’s not all this veritable Eden has to offer. Four of the Big 5 roam about and sip at the edge of the Victoria Nile whose waters eventually burst through a narrow rock face in a potent torrent and drop down a steep cliff before reaching the bottom in a frothy fury. Welcome to Murchison Falls!

Wildlife

When we talk about Murchison Falls National Park animals, it is home to more than 73 animals species among which are four the ‘Big Five’ including buffaloes, leopards, lions and elephants (except rhinos), has three-quarters of the world’s population of Rothschild giraffes plus a healthy population of herbivores which has recently doubled including the Uganda Kobs all of which can easily be seen on the Wildlife Safari Tours here. There are various primates living within its verdant forests like the Budongo among are over 610 chimpanzees, in addition to 451 bird species including 23 Albertine rift endemics.

Large herds of the localized Rothschild's giraffe are found in the park and leopard, though far from numerous, is most likely to be seen in the vicinity of Pakuba Lodge. Troops of the rare patas monkey can sometimes be spotted on the grassy plains, and chimpanzee can be tracked in neighboring Budongo Forest.

Birdlife

Birders as well the park has a diversity of species to see like the rare shoebill stork, the Goliath heron, the yellow footed fly catcher, African jacana, Abyssinian ground hornbill, pitta as well as the pied giant and malachite kingfisher among the over 451 species. Sightings of this bird are almost guaranteed on a boat trip on the Victoria Nile towards the Lake Albert delta. This boat trip, as well as the more popular ‘launch’ trip towards Murchison Falls, are, in fact, great for checking off many water-associated birds. The park’s impressive checklist contains more than 450 species in total. Migratory birds are present from November to April.

The birdlife in Murchison Falls is good year-round, but at its best from January to March. This is the low tourist season, but there is plenty of bird activity. December to February has the least rain, while April to May and August to October have the most rain. The heavy rains might result in delays due to impassable roads and slippery hiking trails and can limit your bird-watching time. Migratory birds are present from November to April.