Murchison Falls National Park Uganda

Murchison falls national park is a home to 450 bird species and 76 mammal species and is dissected by the great River Nile forming 2 sections the Northern and the southern. MFNP is located 305 km from Kampala and is named after a waterfall that is formed by the river flowing through a narrow gorge of 7m and then plunges down for 43m.

Activities

Ziwa rhino sanctuary Rhino trekking

This sanctuary is found in Murchison falls National Park conservation area and is the reason Uganda’s big5 status. Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary proudly harbors the rhinos that are nationally endangered after they had been hunted in the early 90s.

Chimp trekking 

Typical of Budongo Forest Reserve in the southern section of the National Park and covers an area of 793 square kilometers of which only 53% is forest and the rest grassland. Budongo Forest boasts of a high biodiversity of 24 species of small animals 9 of which are primates, 465 species of trees and shrubs, 359 species of birds, 289 species of butterflies and 130 species of moths. The forest is famous for its high number of mahogany trees and chimpanzees.

Nature walks 

The boundless landscapes of Murchison Falls National Park and the surrounding Conservation Area can be explored on foot. Trails through KaniyoPabidi and Rabongo Forests provide sightings of many primates and birds species while around the Nile-Lake Albert Delta, Guided swamp walks offer possible viewing of the Shoebill when the water level is low.

Top of the falls

Initially the started at the bottom of the falls where the boat leaves you but due to the rise in the water levels, the activity has been halted. Listen to the sound that water makes as it strikes the rocks as it goes through the narrow gorge to tumble 43M.

Game drives

The morning drive will take you through different wildlife habitats where you will see the intact Savanna of Africa sheltering the BIG 5 game including lions, elephants, buffaloes and leopards. Other wildlife to see includes giraffes, Hartebeest, Bushbucks, Jackal, hyena, oribis, Uganda kobs and many others. For a better encounter with night grazers, a night game drive is Ideal

Boat cruise

The afternoon boat trip lasts 3hrs and sails to the bottom of the falls along the river Nile. The Nile hosts large concentrations of Hippos and crocodiles. For the birders, Murchison Falls is a birder’s paradise with concentration is many birds including the rare shoebill stork, Fish Eagle, African Skimmer, Grey-crowned Crane, Black-headed Gonolek, Goliath Heron, Green-winged, Long-toed Plover, Saddle-billed Stork