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Perched on the shores of the magnificent Lake Albert, Murchison Falls National Park is a popular tourist destination in Uganda that is known for its stunning beauty. It is the biggest National Park in the country and is the most visited due to its exciting attractions. The park sits on an area of approximately 3,893 square kilometers in the northwest of Uganda.
It is characterized by Savannah grasslands and woodlands with shrubs scattered all over that make up the stunning beauty.
Murchison Falls National Park is home to some of the most vibrant mammals on the African continent especially the Big 4 mammals that is to say African buffaloes, leopards, lions and elephants. The park also hosts the most powerful waterfalls in the whole world upon which it is named. It is a renowned habitat for over 450 known bird species living in the thick rainforests along the Nile River.
About the Park
History
Its Uniqueness
Activities carried out
Attractions
How to get there.
When to visit
History
Murchison Falls National Park was formerly known as Bunyoro Game Reserve. The reserve was created in 1910 just after it was evacuated by its inhabitants due to tsetse flies that had infested the land close to 13,000 square kilometers. This conservation area had its first European visitors in 1862 that is to say, James Grant and John Speke though it was later extensively explored in 1864 by Sir Samuel and Florence Baker – A couple that was committed to exploring marvelous areas on the planet.
They were funded by the Royal Geographical Society and after admiring the extraordinary beauty of the areas in the park, especially the powerful and flamboyant falls, they decided to name it after their boss Roderick Murchison. The reserve boundaries were extended northwards in the 1920s to expand the habitat for the variety of wildlife species and also conserve the various species of flora. The British government later in 1952 upgraded the reserve to National Park status making it the oldest National Park in the country.
Its Uniqueness
Murchison Falls National Park is very different from other national parks in the country, especially the fact that it is the largest and therefore harbors large numbers of wildlife species. The park is further unique since it hosts the most powerful waterfalls in the whole world.
Activities carried out
Game drives. Visitors to Murchison Falls National Park get to engage in exciting game drives that are conducted under the guidance of experienced tour guides to enable them to view the wildlife species, rare plants and beautiful sceneries of the park.
Boat cruises. Â These are usually conducted in the morning and the afternoon and they are launched to the view of the magnificent Murchison Falls along the Nile River.
Bird watching. Being home to over 400 bird species, Murchison Falls National Park is a favorable area where travelers can go birding to set their eyes on beautiful endemics such as cinnamons, egrets, hammerkops, African fish eagles, turacos, Abyssinian ground hornbills, black bee eaters, piapias,
oxpeckers, secretary birds and cuckoo shrike. These are usually viewed along the river as they feed in areas on the river banks and the nearby forests.
Hot air ballooning. Murchison Falls National Park elevates the experiences of the visitors by allowing them to view the beauty of the National Park from the skies. Visitors get the opportunity to observe the hidden treasures of the park and have the best of their time.
Attractions
Murchison falls. These were formerly known as Kabalega Falls named after the powerful King of the Bunyoro kingdom. They are the most powerful waterfalls in the whole world. River Nile forces its way through a 7 meter wide gap of rocks and sparks off a powerful force from the beautiful waterfalls. They are such a stunning attraction to marvel at while in the park.
Budongo forest. This breathtaking forest is just adjacent to the park and is made up of thick hardwood trees that form beautiful scenery on the banks of the Nile River. One gets to stare at this stunning forest while in the park.
Wildlife. Murchison Falls is also renowned for the wildlife species it harbors. The park is home to a variety of animals including the African Bush elephants, impalas, waterbucks, elands, common warthogs, lions, leopards, hippos, African buffaloes, monkeys and bushbucks.
How to get there.
The shortest route one can take to access the magnificent Murchison Falls National Park is using the Kampala – Masindi Highway which takes approximately 4 hours and 29 minutes covering the 240.1 kilometer distance.
When to visit
The best time to visit Murchison Falls National Park is during the dry seasons. The December to February window is the best time to visit. The period from June to September is also a favorable time since it’s characterized by less rainfall, and steady roads that aid successful explorations.
Our Partners
Uganda Tourism Board
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Uganda Wildlife Authority
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The Buhoma Gorilla Camp
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The Bwindi Kids Charity
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What our customers Say ?
Headspun2023-07-16Unforgettable Rwanda Emerald tailored our 5 day trip to Rwanda to all our many and frequently changing requests without any fuss. Chris, our driver/guide for the duration, could not have been more helpful and professional
Nic2022-10-25Amazing holidays! Great holidays! Even my special wishes were included into the planning although time was short. Our guide and driver City Tyson Magezi was caring and responsible. We traveled for four weeks and stayed in different accommodations from hut to tent to amazing hotels.
Susanne2022-08-19Just amazing It felt so safe and comfortable and exciting to travel with emerald. Our guide was so caring, so experienced and always friendly and an a great mood. He showed us so many animals included lions and leopards. That was just amazing . We saw wonderful landscapes like waterfalls and had contact to people . No Uganda or Eastern Africa without emerald . I m deep in love with Uganda and will come back as soon as possible.
Jose Murta2022-05-13Memorable Family Trip in Uganda Fantastic Trip that exceeded our expectations! Travelled to Uganda with wife and 2 children (9 and 10y old) for 7 days. Since the start (at planning stage) got a great support from Bob (company owner) and Edmund (our guide) via WhatsApp. They tailored a program to our needs including the unforgettable mountain gorillas hike, general hikes to waterfalls, safari including boat trip to see hipos!! Edmund, our guide, always super polite and the kids enjoyed him a lot! All our hotels, meals included in the package so no hassle on this….we just paid for drinks! The only regret I have is not staying one extra day in the Mburo National Park to explore a bit more ;) Memorable trip with so much nature and a super-humble people that made the experience even more enjoyable!! Super recommend!! The whole family just feeling we need to get back to explore more ;)Dwayne B2022-05-13Great Experience With Emerald!! It was an amazing experience! My guides Lucky and Hillary made me feel as if I was family and took care of everything I needed. They were very knowledgeable as we trekked to gorillas in Bwindi and a ride a wildlife safari through Queen Elizabeth. I learned so much from them about the animals, the terrain and the surrounding people. They we also incredibly helpful in helping me find activities around Buhoma, where I stayed, all of which were great. By the time I left I knew I had made friends who I will continue to stay in touch with. Can’t wait to come back with my family!
Dávid B2022-05-12Feeding python - 9 lions on a tree - leopard vs. lion We saw all animals and extremely special situations in a short period of time, good organization and friendly guide Paul with lots of knowledge.
Rachmurta2022-05-10Unforgettable trip! We spent one week in Uganda travelling by the guidance of Gorilla Experience safari. The whole experience were definitely above our expectations. Edmand was a friendly, polite and kind guide the whole time!
Vit Siv2022-04-22Ultimately Unique Experience of Uganda! It was unbelievable unique experience, one in a life time. Everything right from arrival to minor ditals was taken care of, too service! Itinerary was compiled/tailor to our wishes and needs as well as to include as much activities as possible. Tyson was our guide. He is an amazing guide, but even better person. He did an incredible job to put this all together, and make it all happen. We managed to do everything we wanted and even more. Definitely a trip to remember!!
Emmanuel OKalany2022-01-08A rewarding experience for a family visit to queen Elizabeth National Park My family and I had an excellent guided tour to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The itinerary planning provided was good and the costing of items was realistic. The care and hospitality of the team was excellent. They were also flexible to make time adjustments brought about because of traveling with children
Gordon Y2021-06-23Trip to Kaiso Tonya Game Reserve The guide/driver was too keen to find out my interests. That way, we always had something to talk abouts. Thank you
