HOW TO GET THERE:
Some of you may be wondering how to get to the park. But by means of road, it will take you around 5hours from Kampala with about 305 km. Paara covers a distance of about 85km from Masindi town by the shortest route.
A direct or longer route will cover an area of about 135km.Alternatively one may decide to take on the Budongo forest route that will provide magnificent views overlooking Lake Albert from the direct position of the rift valley escarpment over Butiaba.
You can also access Paara from the north through Chobe Gate, Karuma Falls along with Tangi.The Gate that is close to Pakwach covers an area of about 25km2 to paara in addition to Wankwar Gate close to Purongo. Click here for Uganda safaris.
Travelling by Road
People with Vehicles or public means will definitely go through the Nile at paara. You can opt to hire a car rental company to take you to Murchison Falls as well as other tourist sites in Uganda. It has a fixed time from 07.00 and 19.00. Besides road, Murchison can be accessed by air. Pakuba is the landing site for the charter flights and this takes about 19kms from Paraa and Bugungu covers an area of 13kms from Paraa.
Attractions in Murchison National Park Uganda, What To See
There are a number of fascinating attractions to see on your safari in the Murchison Falls National Park as highlighted below
The Powerful Murchison Falls
According to the history of Murchison Falls National Park, when the park was established in 1952, the Game Department enthused, that the main tourist attractions of this park was definitely the unique Murchison Falls after which the pack was named. the waterfall found on the river Nile which presents a theatrical battle between the water and the packed rocks displays a large volume of water powerfully squeezing through narrow 7m crevice in the rocks that plunges over 40 meters below into a 50m radius water pool. The powerful force of the water results into a loud roar and a water spray around the fall. Interestingly a large number of tourists prefer booking accommodation located close to the waterfall so that they can hear its roaring water especially in the quite nights.
The River Nile
Second, the River Nile was listed as the other major attraction in this park. The Nile whose Source is found in Uganda’s tourist town Jinja is popularly known as the longest river in the world. this flows through the Murchison Falls National Park and it is crowded with streaming hippos and numerous giant crocodile seen along the sandbanks, as well as large numbers of different animal species and birds getting down to drink and bathe.
The best way to explore the river is by taking a launch trip up the stream all the way to the bottom of the waterfall during which you will see various animals and birds. The launch starts at 09.00 and 14.00 every day. The round trip takes about 3 hours. Another boat trip goes downstream from Paraa down to the papyrus delta at the point where the river enters into Lake Albert. This 4-5-hour round adventure provides a good chance of discovering the shoebill stork and different varieties of Uganda safari wildlife.
Top of the Murchison falls view
The most spectacular view of the waterfall is on the ‘top of the Nile’ where the sight & sound of the Nile crashing through a small chasm make a memorable assault on your senses. The site can be reached either by car or on a 30 minutes’ climb, from the boat at the bottom of the falls.
Buligi Game Area
This is the best game viewing area in the park popular for game drives and it comprises of open savanna grasslands, riverine vegetation, woodland and acacia. There are both morning and late afternoon game drives conducted in Buligi area normally on the 3 Day Murchison Falls Uganda safari, and a ranger guide from UWA is recommended to help you on most of your game drive. The area is located between the Victoria Nile and the Albert Nile with excellent views towards the western rift valley beyond Lake Albert into the DRC. A drive from Paraa passing Delta Point across the 170 km areas takes 3 to 4 hours.
The birds and animals in Murchison Falls National Park
Animals in Murchison Falls National Park
Large mammals: The Park is comprised of woodland, wetland, savannah as well as tropical forests that are well known to be a habitant for over 76 mammal species and over 450 different bird species. Among the big mammals in the park include the hippo, Rothschild’s giraffe, warthog, cape buffalo, Uganda kob, hartebeest and elephants.
Birding in Murchison Falls National Park
Birds: With over 450 bird species, the Nile corridor of the Murchison has a big array of water birds such as rare shoebill stork other popular species include: the 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 several others.
Primates in Murchison Falls National Park
Primates: in addition, there are various primates found in this park among which are over 800 chimpanzees, olive baboons, black & white colobus monkeys, the red tailed monkeys and many others found in Kaniyo Pabidi as well as the Budongo forest. See more of these during your Uganda tours.
Paraa
Another important area worth exploring while in Murchison Falls National Park is the Paraa area found close to the banks of river Nile. According to the local language Paraa means the ‘home of hippos’ a word that well depicted the large number of hippos found in this area. While in Paraa you can enjoy a diversity of activities such as game drives in the early morning as well as in the late afternoon, hot air balloon rides, cultural visits, birding tours, fishing trips, guided nature walks and launch boat trips. The launch cruise will offer you a chance to see various animals in the shallows of the Nile. During the guided walks you can also visit the native Luo people and get a chance to learn about their culture and way of life. In addition, you can also visit the museum with a gift shop found in the northern part of Paraa. Within this area, there is a luxury accommodation facility – the Paraa Safari Lodge that offers great accommodation, a fine restaurant manned by professional chefs, a well-stocked bar and a very hospitable and professional team of staff.
Budongo Forest
Another very important area worth exploring on your trip to Murchison Falls is the Budongo Forest found in the southwestern part of this conservation Area located close to the park, continuous with Kniyo Pabidi forest, and encompassed by farmlands and villages on the other side. the forest boasts of a huge diversity of wildlife among which are over287 butterfly species, 24 mammals, over 460 tree species and about 360 types of birds. Here you will be able to explore the ‘Royal Mile” a well maintained road stretch displaying the various tree species and popular for its good bird watching opportunities. The forest also offer amazing primate watching opportunities
Kaniyo Pabidi forests
Located in the southern part of the Murchison Falls conservation Area, the trails through Kaniyo Pabidi forest that stretch for about 8 kilometer inside Kichumbar Gate, offer the opportunity for Chimpanzee Tracking and seeing other primates such as the blue monkeys, olive baboons, as well as the black & white colobus monkeys living under Uganda’s largest remaining mahogany forest. Bird watching is excellent with opportunities of sighting various species like the yellow-footed flycatcher, white thighed hornbill and Ituri batis during the guided nature walks offered in this forest. Buffaloes, elephants and lions are some of the other species living in this forest. There is accommodation offered in cottages, a campsite as well as Lodges like the Murchison Falls Lodge from where you can base to enjoy the guided nature walks in the forest conducted in the mornings and evenings.
The Karuma Waterfall
Located in Chobe area within the northeastern part of the Murchison Falls national park, this thundering waterfall comprises of cascading natural rock-formations through which the water forces its way forming a characteristic ‘white foam’ that is very impressive to observe. Because of its prime location, it is a great place to do some sport fishing. The area surrounding this falls is home to various wildlife including monkeys, buffaloes, hartebeests, various antelopes like the Uganda Kobs, lions, giraffes, baboons and birds
Activities in Murchison Falls
Birding in Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison falls is among Uganda’s best birding spots with over 451 bird species which include; Albertine rift endemic birds, water birds, and savannah birds. Viewing birds in the scenic landscape and amazing wildlife of Murchison is among the most interesting experiences while on a Ugandan safari. The park is located in the Northwestern part of the country about 305 km from Kampala hence approximately a 4 hours’ drive by road.
There are very many birds in the park of which some are rare, common, and occasional such as the Gray crowned crane (Uganda’s National bird), Giant Kingfisher, Giant Heron, Shoebill stork, Abyssinian Ground Hornbills, Nightjars, Marabou stork, Black headed lapwing, Back-bellied Bustard among others.
birding in Uganda
Birds in Murchison can be best spotted while on a game drive, nature walks through the savannah grasslands and on the boat cruise along the Nile and on Lake Albert Delta. Birds like the blue napped mouse birds, silver birds, weavers among others can be spotted near Paraa and Red chilli in through the dry thorn-shrubs. Nocturnal birds like the nightjars can be seen along the Paraa road and while on the boat on the Nile. While on the boat still very many birds such as the shoebill, Gray crowned cranes, Goliath herons, black headed lapwings among others can be spotted.
Hot Air Balloon Murchison Falls Uganda
Balloon safaris in Uganda are a recently introduced tourist activity by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) in the Murchison Falls National Park and today are increasingly becoming popular. Hot air ballooning can only be found at the Murchison Falls National Park and the Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda and are handled by the Dream Balloons who were registered and certified fully in 2011 by the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority, the National Environment Management Authority, the Uganda Wildlife Authority and the Uganda Communications Commission before they could to run this particular activity in Uganda’s National Parks.
Hiking And Nature Walk Safaris in Murchison Falls National Park
(cc)zappa.cc
Hiking and Nature Walks are among the top activities in Murchison Falls offering holidaymakers an opportunity to explore this vast wilderness on foot. Located in North-western Uganda covering an area of 3,840 sq km, Murchison falls National Park has varied sceneries and vast landscapes starting from the savannah plains, to the swamps, to the forests, the amazing wildlife, awesome culture and lastly the eye-catching magnificent falls on the Victoria Nile. The park harbors a lot of wildlife such as warthogs, buffaloes, antelopes, Jackson’s hartebeests, lions, elephants among others. Plant species like the whistling acacia, sausage trees, bird species, butterflies, and many more.
Most attractions in the park and around the conservation areas can be explored on foot, and although there are different trails that can be followed; tourists are only permitted to follow particular designated trails such as: to the top of the falls, in Rabongo forest and in Kaniyo Pabidi. hiking and nature walk adventures will be a great reward to Nature lovers and birders as they will reward you with great views of wildlife in Murchison falls National Park, birds and different plant life at a close range as they walk through low hills, gullies and riverine forests.
BOOMU CULTURAL EXPERIENCE
Boomu- An African Village Experience near Murchison Falls National Park in the Pearl of Africa
At Boomu you experience and get to know how it feels to be in an African village setting near Murchison falls in Kigaragara Village. To have this to the fullest one can either have an overnight stay in traditional Bandas or spend a day on a village visit with the Boomu women’s group; in this you learn how people in the rural areas of Uganda live.
Boomu Women’s Group
This Women’s group was formed in 1999 aiming at reducing malnutrition, poverty levels and enabling children go to school through the incomes received by the members. During the 90’s the subsistence farmers in villages like Kigaragara and Kihaguzi had remained with little to receive from the group since the land was dry and little to sell also. They started with making crafts, but of late what seemed small those days has now greatly developed into a tourism community project with amazing village guided visits, gardens, a restaurant, and traditionally themed accommodation.
Fishing Safaris at Murchison Falls National Park
Fishing in Murchison falls is done mainly as a sport and is among the main activities along the Nile. It involves catching fish by casting lures; this method is used for catching larger fish species like the Nile perch and some cat fish. There other method used for catching fish is the use of live bait like worms, termites to catch smaller fish species like the Tiger fish, also you can catch them using the spinning method.
Murchison falls is among the leading parks where sport fishing in Uganda is conducted. Fishing is mainly done along the Victoria Nile which involves catching fish along rocky surfaces, the bottom of the falls mainly the Devil’s Cauldron, and at the banks of the Nile by the anglers. Fishing along the Nile is an exciting experience though you are advised to take caution of the Hippos and Nile crocodiles especially while fishing at the River banks.
Game Drives In Murchison Falls Uganda
Murchison Falls Game drive is one of the best ways to see and appreciate the rich diversity of Wildlife in the Park. This park is home to different wildlife species including 451 bird species and over 76 types of mammal including the Buffaloes, Jackson hartebeests, Antelopes, Lions, Kobs, Giraffes, Hyenas, Bushbucks, and Warthogs among others. They are widely spread all over the Savannah grasslands, grazing or hunting for prey. This makes the park’s landscape so amazing for a game drives while on a Uganda Safari.
Murchison Falls National Park is positioned in the Northwestern part of Uganda and covers an area of 3,840sq km, about 5-6hours drive from Kampala. It is the country’s oldest and largest national park and hence you can spot the Big 4, leaving out the Rhinos that became totally extinct by 1983; good news is that they were re-introduced in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary by 2005. The park is also bisected by the renowned River Nile (the longest in the world) into two part: The Northern bank and the Southern bank.
Nile Cruise in Uganda, Murchison Falls
RIVER NILE
River Nile is famous to as the longest river in the entire world with its source beginning in Jinja found in Uganda. Its name was derived from a Greek word ‘Nile’ for ‘valley’. The river begins from the North-eastern section of Africa and flows to the nearby areas adjacent to the equator continuing to the Safari desert until it finally pours into the Mediterranean Sea. The Nile is approximately 6696 km long flowing through 9 countries (Uganda, Sudan, Ethiopia Burundi, Tanzania, Rwanda, Egypt, Kenya) although most concentration is focused on Uganda and Egypt.
This well-known river has 2 major twigs, the Blue Nile which joins in Khartoum and forms the central part of the Nile that comprises of Cataract Nile and the Egyptian Nile, and the White Nile which is the longest and separates into 3 parts; the lake plateau area, The sudd and the central Sudan area.
Visit Budongo Forest Uganda
Budongo Forest is situated approximately 3 hours drive northwest of the capital city Kampala on the way to the prominent Murchison Falls National Park. This is the biggest Mahogany forest found in the whole of East Africa as well as habitat to the largest number of chimpanzees throughout Uganda. The major tourist sites within this forest are: The Kaniyo Pabidi Ecotourism site, Busingiro Ecotourism site and Kaniyo Pabidi Ecotourism site which are located at boundaries to Murchison Falls National Park and dominated by Mahogany and Iron-wood trees.
The 115 kilometer expanse is a remote chunck of the Budongo forest. Its isolation once in a while offers a safe haven for the Lions, Leopards as well as Buffaloes. Early in the morning is the ideal time to set out touring because then you will have an opportunity to find a number of the forest inhabitants licking salt by the forest glades. River Waiga offers refreshment to the various Uganda safaris wildlife species within this forest.
Visit The Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary proudly harbors Uganda’s wild endangered rhinos. It is situated in Nakasongola District, near Nakitoma Village, in the north of Kampala along Kampala – Gulu highway approximately 180km by road; it covers around 7,000ha (70 sq km). It takes about 3 hours to drive there; this is about half way of the journey to Murchison Falls National Park.
Uganda used to have a big number of Rhinos in the 90’s but during the massive wars in the 1970s, there were serious killings, poaching and hunting and by 1983 there was extinction of Rhinos. In 2005 the sanctuary was established and rhinos were re-introduced by the Rhino Fund Uganda. Ziwa is the only place where you can track rhinos on foot; it is really great and exciting as you watch the white rhinoceros! This place has a tight 24-hour security, after the actions done in the 90’s.
SAFARI ACCOMMODATION IN MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK
‘Where to stay in Murchison Falls National Park?’ is a commonly asked question by many holidaymakers on a Uganda Safari to this park. However, worry not as there is a wide range of Accommodation facilities within the park ranging from campsites, lodges, hotels, and guesthouse and eco-friendly facilities. The safari lodges come in luxury, mid-range and budget facilities ranging from $500 to $50. Some of these accommodations are built on top of the falls, within the park and others are in the wider Murchison Falls Conservation Area.
For the budget travelers there is budget accommodation available among which are: Kaniyo Pabidi Camp and Red Chilli Camp Murchison Falls as the most popular. Tourists will to spend some extra dollars as they enjoy all-inclusive accommodation with splendid amenities and great service can stay at: the include Nile safari lodge Murchison Falls, Paraa safari lodge, Sambiya river as well as chobe safari lodge in murchison falls national park. There are a number of hotels near Murchison Falls National Park Uganda so in case you want to stop in Masindi, there is luxury accommodation such as Masindi Hotel along with Court view hotels that have excellent services.
UGANDA SAFARI LODGES AND ACCOMMODATION
Paara Safari Lodge
This lodge is well known for its luxurious and comfortable accommodation. It has about 54 beautiful rooms with en-suite bathrooms as well as balconies and some number of suits that offer a perfect view of the Nile.
Simbiya Safari Lodge
is positioned in the glorious Murchison Falls National Park. It has accommodation that will favor all tourist. The lodge is located within and it takes only 15 minutes to get to Murchison falls.
Nile Safari Lodge
This lodge is suited on the southern banks of river Nile surrounded by the well-to-do papyrus forest Nile Safari Lodge is designed to with beautiful wooden chalets along with lavishness tents that are located in a perfect area to give an amazing view of the park along with the African wilderness.
Red Chilli Rest Camp
Red Chilli rest camp is well known to be a financial plan camp, that is located within Murchison falls national park adjacent to the south bank of the River. The camp is mainly for budget travelers.
Get in touch with our expert travel consultants today and inquire about or book a tour, lodge or car securely online. Send email to info@ugandatouristguide.com or you can talk directly to us through +256 392911059 or +1 (818) 2906623 (USA)
