Have a tale to tell when you visit Uganda’s spectacular, the Murchison falls National Park. Bisected by the Nile River arguably the world’s longest river and source of life in this versed wilderness. This pristine land is divided into territories with the northern river bank being open savannah where thrilling predator roars echo’s to pronounce their rule in their savage kingdom, the southern bank is characterized by shrubs and dense tropical rain forest where Chimpanzees and good number of primates thrive. Witness the untamed beauty and unforgettable moment of the wild roar at the glance of the world’s most powerful waterfall at the heart of Uganda’s wilderness.
Thrilling Game Drives
Unleash your wild side in the cradle of unmatched beauty in landscape. With variety of wildlife species, a trip to Murchison falls national park is an attempt to explore the big five animals, these were categorized by early animal hunters as ‘hard to hunt animals’ (Buffalo, Elephant, leopard, Lion and Rhino). Game drives here are spectacular during early morning hours of late evening because that’s when you’re likely to find animals very active especially the big cats before they go into hiding to probably escape from the heat. Other wildlife to lookout for include the Warthogs popularly known as “pumbas”, Giraffes, the beautiful Uganda Kob, Hyenas, jackals, Oribis, Jackson’s hartebeests, Waterbucks and a total of 451 colorful bird species like the secretary bird, Ground hornbill, Great blue turacle, northern red bishop among many.
The 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.
Chimpanzee Tracking
In the southern part of the park, in the dense vast rain forest 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 rain forest 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.
Water Safari
The section of Victoria Nile in the middle of the park provides wildlife viewing in Africa. The boat cruise along river takes you close to visiting wildlife coming to draw water from the river, giraffes Elephants, Waterbucks, bushbacks are some of the animals sighted. This sections of the Nile is known to have the giant Nile crocodile resident on the river banks and the same section of the Nile considered the largest hippo pool in Africa. You’re likely to meet hundreds of resident hippo schools up-close. This afternoon three hour boat safari takes you to the spectacular views of Murchison falls from the bottom. The aquatic birds are permanent residents.
Sunset boats also run downriver from Paraa to the Nile Delta where a mosaic of papyrus islands chokes the river’s entrance into Lake Albert. These are rich in water birds most notably the Shoebill stork, the Pied king fisher among many.
Spot Fishing
The river below Murchison falls on this Victoria Nile stretch provides an excellent challenge for Anglers with the record for Nile perch landed with rod and line standing at the hefty 108kg.
Hike to the Top of the Falls
The most spectacular viewpoint in the top of the falls and a hike to the top of the falls to see, hear and feel the Nile thunder through a 7 meter wide cliff. This is also called the Baker’s hike, Sir Samuel Baker, the early explorer, his journey from Egypt to looking for the source of the Nile, he hiked around the falls since he couldn’t go through it. For any visitor to the park, it’s more rewarding to take part in this 45 minutes hike through Fajao Gorge.
Cultural Encounters
On the outskirts of the park is Mubako village and comes the Energetic dancers that normally perform around some of the lodge campfire place. This complements on the magical African experience, you can as well participate in the cultural dance. Dusk Boomu Women’s group offers accommodation, a craft shop and village tours revealing realities of life in these rural communities.
