What to do in Murchison Falls National park?

What to do in Murchison Falls National park? Murchison Falls National Park isn’t just Uganda’s largest national park, it’s one of its most thrilling. From powerful waterfalls that roar through a narrow gorge to wide-open savannahs teeming with wildlife, this park packs in adventure, scenery, and raw natural beauty. Whether you’re after game drives, boat safaris, birdwatching, or a close-up view of the iconic falls, there’s no shortage of unforgettable things to do. This guide breaks down the top activities to help you make the most of your trip

Visits to the top of Murchison falls 

Most of the visitors visiting Murchison falls national park are mostly interested in visiting the top of the Murchison falls. The falls were formed as the result of the river Nile squeezing through the narrow gorge on its way to the Mediterranean Sea. Murchison falls is one of the spectacular and most powerful falls in the whole world putting aside the Victoria Falls. Visits to the top of the falls in Murchison Falls National park will make the visitors feel, enjoy, and hear the thunderous boom of River Nile plunging via the 6 narrow gorges. This amazing site can be accessed by using a 4wheel drive vehicle but it is more adventurous and interesting when you hike or climb it after a launch trip via Fanjao gorge and through here you will need a ranger guide to accompany you.

Here you expect to see a rainbow formed as the result of the falls mists and clear sunshine and this forms some of the surprising moments to the travelers. The site provides opportunities for photography and it would be a big miss if you visit this site without a clear camera. From this site, a downward trail leads you to a sizable Uhuru Falls just before you’re welcomed by the spectacular views of giant Murchison Falls where you will be enticed by “a crocodile bars” where crocodiles gather waiting for their prey such as animals and fish. All types of Nile crocodiles in different sizes will be present waiting quietly for their delicious victims.

Game drives safaris

This is one of the most adorable activities done in Murchison falls national park. Visitors alone or accompanied by park guides is an interactive activity with guides directing the visitors on the correct trails to take for visitors to encounter different wildlife. The trails for game drives are well demarcated for particularly in the northern part of the river Nile banks. Game drives in Murchison Falls National park can be done by the use of a 4 wheel drive vehicle with an open roof to allow you even stand and see the wild animals. The car should as well be served with windows and better be close to the window side to see the wondering animals in the Savanah grasslands.

How long do Game Drives take place in Murchison Falls National Park.

The game drive safaris re Murchison Falls National park takes approximately 3 to 4 hours depending on the clients’ interests and time to be in the park. While on your game drive safari, you will encounter animals, primates, birds, and reptiles. You will be rest assured to see animals such as buffaloes, elephants, giraffes, crocodiles, hippos, leopards, hyenas, warthogs, Uganda kobs, bushbucks, hartebeest, and others. Primates to watch on game drive safari include baboons, vervet monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, and Chimpanzees which can be spotted ion Budongo forests.  Further, you will encounter reptiles on game drives in Murchison falls National Park including monitor lizard, python, Snakes and sever others.

Visitors can also engage in night game drives which last for 2 hours. The night game drives offer visitors a greater opportunity to spot the predator animals which are rarely seen during the day or morning game drives. Cuts or predators such as lions, leopards, and hyenas can easily be spotted during the night. The ranger guides will mover with a gun and a spotlight such can any event during the night is effectively captured. Remember to follow the guide’s guidelines during the activity of game drives.

Nile Boat trips safaris

Nile boat trips on the river Nile is one of the exciting activities that can be done by visitors visiting Murchison falls national park. The Nile boat tribe takes place at the bottom of the Murchison falls and gives a memorable encounter with water, animals, and great bird species in addition to photographic sceneries. Travelers will get an opportunity to see animals coming for water and those residing in water including crocodiles, hippopotamus, elephants, buffaloes, and birds targeting fish from the water. Some of the birds include cormorants, pied kingfisher, and several others. The captain with a cruise up to the bottom of the falls for visitors to hike up the high-level ground.

Visitors can also take a boat trip safari to the Nile delta. This is where the river Nile linkup with Lake Albert. This is a furthered extension of a normal boat ride. It is quite a long activity you will spend over 5 hours on the water as you’re excited with several bird species. You will cruise until you enter Lake Albert waters. It presents a great chance to encounter a high concentration of animals gathering for water and a must to see the shoebill since this of Nile delta harbors most of the shoebill species.

There are two boat trips done in the park that is the morning boat drive that starts at 9 pm. The evening boat cruise that begins at 2 pm. There are also options for one to rent a boat trip for leisure at your convenience. A boat cruise via the Nile delta is highly recommended for birders.

Sport fishing safaris

To take part in sport fishing in Murchison Falls National Park, one needs to obtain a permit from Uganda wildlife Authority. You can obtain this license through a recognized tour operator. Sport fishing takes place near the base of the waterfalls. Visitors will have the opportunity to sport fish and catch several fish-type species. Other fish include tiger and tilapia fish. You need to carry your fishing gear purposely for this activity.

Chimpanzee tracking safaris

Guides conduct chimpanzee tracking in Budongo, Kaniyo, and Pabidi forest reserves in Murchison Falls National Park. These are situated in the southern part of Murchison falls national park. The forested areas harbor about 850 chimpanzees along with other primate species. These primates include baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys. The activity lasts for over 6 hours depending on their location. Once a group of chimpanzees is allocated, visitors are only allowed to observe them and take pictures for an hour.

The best time to do Chimpanzee trekking in Murchison Falls National Park is during the dry season (December to February and May to August). On your trekking safaris, you will encounter different bird species and other primates. To spend a longer period with the Chimpanzee, one needs to engage in Chimpanzee Habituation in Kibale National Park.

Birding safaris

Murchison falls National Park is an interesting destination for bird lovers. The African bird Guide lists Murchison Falls National Park  number 9 among the best birding destinations in Africa. The park is Home to over 450 species of unique birds. Visitors easily spot birds during game drives, boat rides on Nile river and nature walks in the forests. The park’s grasslands, forests, and waterbodies act as habitants for different bird species.

Tracing and finding bird species in Murchison falls national is very easy because of several grasslands. The most common bird species encountered include Grey, Egyptian ducks, Great egrets, Little egrets, Red Throated Bee Eater. Others like the Yellow-Billed Stork, Squacco Heron, Spur Winged geese, secretary bird, giant kingfisher, long-toed plover, Rock Pantincole.

Cultural safaris

Visitors will get a chance to enhance their cultural experience through visiting the Boomu cultural village. You learn about local people’s ways of life, traditional food preparation and practical skills of mats and baskets weaving. Deepening on your interests, spend a night in the local community as you fully immerse yourself in the culture. People are so friendly and hospitable willing to teach about the history and culture of the visited village.

Guided nature walks safaris

Forest natalure walks Safaris take place in Budongo and Kaniyo Pabidi forest reserves, south of the park. The forests harbor different wildlife species which you can explore during nature walk safaris in Murchison falls national park. You will encounter primates such as red-tailed monkeys, baboons, and intelligent chimpanzees. A professional guides lead the way during nature walks in the park.

Hot air balloon safaris

Hot Air ballon safaris take place in Murchison Falls National Park. Visitors can go and participate in this safaris with ease.  The activity is done in the morning. Visitors go through briefing about the safety measures before the safari begins. Travelers can move around the park and spot wildlife  while they are above the ground.  Tourists spend a full one hour in the air as they enjoy large herds of buffaloes, elephants, and several antelopes. Tourists can enjoy more animama pals than normal game drives animals. At the end of the safari, travelers get a certificate of participation. Uganda Civil Aviation Authority is responsible for the supervision of the activity. Dream Balloons is the company running this safari in Murchison falls National park