It’s undeniably that Murchison falls national park is a highlight for most if not all Uganda wildlife safaris. Situated in northwestern Uganda, Murchison falls is an ultimate destination for travelers in going for a safari to Uganda and offers it all to meet and exceed every traveler’s expectations. The thunderous falls, with permanent rainbow at its bottom and the diverse wildlife in the park make the it worth visiting. Murchison falls national park is bisected into two sections of northern and southern barks by the Nile River, which flows through the park. The location of the park on top of the plateau provides travelers with stunning views of wildlife and the neighboring communities and it’s from the mighty falls that the national park derived its name. Murchison falls is Uganda’s largest park covering a total land area of 3,840 square kilometers comprising of karuma and Bugungu wildlife reserves, which make it the largest national park in Uganda. The vegetation cover in the park involves riverine forest, woodlands, riverine forest and savannah grasslands all, which provide food and habitat for wildlife. Popular activities in Murchison falls national park include:

Game drives/Game viewing

Done in the northern part of the national park, game drives are the appropriate way of viewing and accessing wildlife in Murchison falls national park. Game drives are done two times per day in the early morning and evening times to target wildlife as they browse very early in the morning before the sun set and in the evening before they rest for the night. During game on game drives, expect to see a a variety of animals both predators and herbivores. The most seen animals include giraffes, buffalos, waterbucks, warthogs, Uganda kobs antelopes, elephants, lions, and leopards among others. Game drives help travelers to take nice pictures of animals grazing and hunting in the open savannah grasses. Night game drives are also done to see nocturnal animals such as pottos but these need advance planning. Besides game drives, travelers to Murchison falls national park has chances of trekking the famous chimpanzees in Budongo forest which makes the whole experience awesome.

Launch cruises

A boat cruise at the bottom of the thundering falls is a must do in the Murchison falls national park. A boat cruise can be done to the bottom of the falls and the most powerful one and the other one down to the victoria Nile delta stretching to the shores of lake albert. Its interesting that after falling down, the might falls slows down to a calm river After dropping down, the might fall calms into a flowing river which is good for a boat cruise. Interestingly, there is a permanent rainbow that does not disappear at any single time, which makes a safari interesting. A launch cruise also provide you with a fresh feeling of water airs hence appreciating that Uganda is indeed gifted by nature.

Hot air balloon safaris

This is a newly introduced aerial viewing of wildlife from above. Hot air balloon safaris begin as early as 6:30am starting with a simple briefing regarding safety cautions. After the briefing the balloon is refilled with cold air and then the pilot starts off. Travelers fly in the air above wildlife, which provide them with clear views of different animals grazing and hunting in the park. Travelers stay in the air for an hour as they take photographs after which they land down. A bush breakfast is the set after landing and it’s a unique experience to enjoy breakfast in the wild bush.

Bird watching
Besides animals, Murchison falls national park is a home to over 450 of bird species, which are mostly spotted along the water shores. The birds spotted include raptors, shoebills, Rufous-sided broadbill, white headed barbet, white Crested Turaco, Abyssinia ground hornbill, Grey crowned crane, black headed lapwing, white headed vulture, Senegal thick-knee rock pratincloe, Narina trogon, red-cheeked cordon blue, finches, Cabaries and sun-birds among others. Experienced birders help in spotting these birds and explaining in details about each spotted bird.

Spot fishing

Murchison falls national park is a best place to do spot fishing. Fishing is done in two sites one below the Murchison falls and the other one below karuma falls. Travelers are always excited in the activity and Nile perch is the most caught fish along with other fish species such as electric fish, catfish tiger fish, mud fish and lung fish among others. It’s only by boat that travelers reach out to these fishing sites.

Hiking to the top of the falls

Here travelers hike from bottom to the top of the mighty falls. Its surely a breath taking experience as travelers walk on the edge of the cliff with a closer view of the mighty power with which the fall squeezes through a narrow gorge.

Nature walks
This is only way to explore Murchison falls national park on foot and are done in the forests of Kaniyo Pabidi forest and Rabongo forest and in the Delta area. Travelers follow different trails into the forest providing travelers with impressive sights of primates like Vervet monkeys, olive baboons, Patas monkeys, Cobuses, white and black tailed colubuses as well as enjoying the sweet sounds of birds singing up in the trees. The common used trails in the park include Parra trails and to the top of the falls through the stunning gullies and low hills.

Conclusively therefore, visit Murchison falls national park , take part game viewing, boat cruise, hiking, spot fishing and nature walks which rewarding you with a thrilling experience.