Murchison fall National Park is the largest in Uganda at the size of 3,840km2. Its one of the oldest National Park which was officially launched in 1952. 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, hosting 76 species of mammals and 451 birds.
Murchison Falls National Park is rich in attractions ranging from nature, cultural, wildlife. Most fascinating in the park is the breathtaking Murchison Falls where the Nile forces itself through a narrow gorge plunging down with a thunderous roar.
Often included in most Uganda safaris, there are lots of things to see in Murchison Falls National Park. Here are some of the best things to see in Murchison falls National Park;
Wild Game in Murchison Falls National Park
This Park is home to different wildlife species including 451 bird species and over 76 types of mammals 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 drive. Popular destinations for game viewing drives include Buligi, Albert Victoria among others.
Birds in Murchison Falls National Park
With over 450 bird species, there is a lot to tick off your Uganda bird checklist. The Nile corridor of the Murchison has a big array of water loving 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.
Murchison Falls – World’s most Powerful Waterfall
The Nile River provides one of the world wonder, in the heart of this wilderness is where the river squeezes itself into a narrow rock or gorge of 7 meters wide and forcefully pouring 30 meters down forming a thunderous roar and splashing water high to give you a wild shower moment! You are watching the world’s most powerful waterfall. This is a point where the park got its famous name, ‘Murchison Falls National park.’ Viewing from both the top of the falls and bottom are spectacular.
Chimpanzees
In the southern part of the park, in the dense verst rainforest also called budongo forest home to world’s endangered species – the Chimpanzee. Visiting these human closest cousins is one way of conserving them as they are on verge of extinction. Visitors here are treated to walking through the rainforest looking for a habituated chimpanzee family, take as much pictures and video clips as you wish. You are likely to meet other primates along the way such as olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys, velvet monkeys and lots of beautiful bird species. There are two trekking sessions early mornings and afternoon. Budongo eco forest lodge provides the best starting point for chimp trekking in this spectacular Budongo rainforest.