This park is located in the northwestern part of Uganda, sprawling inland from the shore of Lake Albert around the Victoria Nile. It derives its name from the Murchison Falls water fall, where the mighty River Nile explodes through a narrow gorge and flows down to become a placid river whose banks are patronized by hippos, crocodiles, waterbucks, and buffaloes. The vegetation is mainly savannah, riverine forest and woodland. Wildlife includes; Lions, Leopards, elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, hartebeests, oribis, Uganda kobs, chimpanzees and many bird species including the rare shoebill.
This park is comprised of Murchison Falls National Park, Bugungu Refuge and Karuma Wildlife Refuge. This park is believed to be the oldest protected area in Uganda. It covers a total area of 3,893km2, with Bugungu Wildlife Refuge, Karuma Wildlife Refuge and Budongo Forest Reserve covering 510Km2, 678Km2, and 591Km2 respectively. While the National Park and the two wildlife reserves are under the auspices of the Uganda Wildlife Authority and Murchison Falls Conservation Area, Budongo Forest Reserve is managed by the National Forest Association.
History of the Park
Sleeping sickness decimated the inhabitants of an area of approximately 13,000Km2 during the period of 1907 and 1912. This paved way for the establishment of the Bunyoro Game Reserve in 1910, which is now part of the National Park in Masindi District. With time, the boundaries were extended into Gulu district, north of the river, and the resulting protected area became known as the Bunyoro – Gulu Game Reserve in 1928.
Established in 1932, Budongo Forest Reserve became the first commercial logging concession in Uganda and is one of the most intensively studied “working” Forest in the world to date.
The frontiers of this forest continued to expand over the next thirty years until their reached the current size of 825Km2. As the locals continued to lose hand, a lot of animosity was created as people never quite knew where the boundaries ended due to the frequent changes. Because of the reduction of hunting in the Bunyoro-Gulu Game Reserve, the animal population increased, which justified upgrading the reserve to Murchison Falls national Park. In 1952, the British administration established the National Parks Act of Uganda. By the mid 1960’s, Murchison Falls had become the prime safari destination in all of East Africa, with well over 60,000 visitors annually.
When the sleeping sickness outbreak was put into check, people began to populate the areas around the new park. It was deemed prudent to establish a buffer zone of controlled-use lands around the park, to mitigate encroachment and poaching pressures. In 1963, the Karuma and Bugungu Controlled Hunting Areas, which were later upgraded to game Reserves, were established. Karuma was upgraded in 1964 while Bugungu in 1968. The establishment if the National parks Act led to the forced eviction of come of the villages and new moratoriums on hunting.
From the late 1970s to the mid 1980s, the increasing number of mammals came to an abrupt end as Amin and later Milton Obote’s armies started shooting animals either for target practice or for food. A combination of political mayhem and decreasing numbers of animals in the 1970’s and 80s, led to a sharp decline in the number of visitors. But the numbers are now steadily increasing due to political stability. Murchison falls is a park, which is surrounded by lands that are not suitable for farming, which has availed less chances of converting the protected area to farmland except in the Karuma Wild Reserve. This gives it a unique position. Since the population around here is still low, a pro-active and inclusive approach can be devised to involve the locals in wildlife management.
The park is a viable breeding population of many rare mammals and bird species which will continue to draw tourists and yet the populations are still well below the carrying capacity of the land. There has been a period of over 20 years of very low impact by animals on the ecosystem due to political mayhem. This means that the park will grow and at the same time create an excellent laboratory to study the resilience of faunal species after a rapid decline, as well as vegetation succession patterns.
This is necessary because almost no ecological research is being done in the conservation area currently.
How to Get There
Byroad, the Nile river crossing at Paraa, in the centre of the park, is approximately 5hrs drive from Kampala (305km). Paraa is 85km from Masindi town by the direct route. A longer (135km) alternative route passes through Budongo forest and enjoys spectacular views across Lake Albert from the rift valley escarpment above Butiaba.
Paraa can also be approached from the north, via Chobe Gate near Karuma Falls and Tangi Gate near Pakwach (25km to Paraa), and Wankwar Gate near Purongo. A vehicle ferry crosses the Nile at Paraa. This operates hourly between 07.00 and 19.00 with the exception of 13.00. Murchison can also be reached by air. Charter flights can land at airstrips north of the Nile at Pakuba (19kms from Paraa) and south at Bugungu (13kms from Paraa).
Park Fees
The entrance to Murchison national park costs 45 US$ for the foreign nonresident, 35US$ for the foreign resident ,25000UGX for the East African residents.
Things to Do in Murchison Fall National Park
Game Drives
Game drive always takes place early in the morning and evening hours it takes about 2-3 hours. During the night game viewing expect seeing the rare nocturnal wildlife species it’s good to use open roof land cruiser that are fitted with spotlights and covered on the top to provide a better chance while exploring the remarkable wildlife in different eco system
While driving through the grassland seeing the big four like lion’s elephants African buffalo leopards and other animal, like giraffe antelopes’ warthogs oribi, hyena, bohor reedbuck, defassa waterbuck in addition sighting of predators like and jackals are so quite common do not expect seeing zebras they are nowhere to be seen at Murchison falls national park
The cost for game drive (day)costs25 US$ for the foreign nonresident and 20US$ for foreign resident 25000UGX for the East African resident
Self-game drive (without a private sector tour guide or Uganda Wild life Authority ranger costs 10US$ for the foreign nonresident 10US$ for foreign resident plus 10000 UGX for the East African community.
Hiking and Nature Walks
The walk is a fabulous experience through pristine forest explore culminating on to the falls giving ultimate opportunity to explorer the African wilderness on foot while enjoying the scenery of the park numerous primates and chimpanzee
it always takes place during dry seasons you can spot this adventure comes along with interesting benefits, like burning some calories exercising tense muscles and takes 45 minutes from the dock to the top of the fall
The cost for the nature walks costs 25US$ for the non-foreign resident 20US$ for the foreign resident 20000UGX for the East African resident.
Boat Cruise
The boat cruise happens around morning at 9:00 and in the afternoon at 2:00 boat cruise departs from upstream from Para, it is always an amazing journey and you cannot compare it with any boat cruise in the world for safety you are assured of the life jacket is given. The boat cruise takes you closer to the spectacular reaching here you can get out take plenty of photos, with the fall of background hence giving the most exciting experience which will keep in your brains for years.
Expect viewing the large resident population of hippos and crocodiles as well as other wildlife and extensive birdlife, expect seeing 50% of the bird species namely gray crowned crane {Uganda national bird) giant kingfisher, giant heron, shoebill, black headed lapwing giving the opportunity of witnessing dramatic wild life like elephant’s, buffalo, hippos sighting along the water bank of the Victoria Nile while admiring the power of the falls up close
The cost for the Launch trip to the bottom of falls is 30US$ for the foreign nonresident,25US$ for the foreign residents, 30000 UGX for the East African residents.
Top of the Falls Experience
This marks the climax of visiting the park expect the experience of being close to the most powerful falls in the world. The rainbow is created on the top by rising vapor of the falls hence unforgettable combination of natural beauty and powers.
visitors are allowed to take photo for purpose of memories,the cost of viewing the top of the falls is 10US$ for the foreign nonresident, 10US$ for the foreign resident, then 10000 for the East African resident.
Guided Community Tours
While at Murchison falls national park engaging in to community walk is of more advantageous and a good experiment since visitors engage in to some activities like visiting an African village home for the cultural experience and also having a village walk around. Going to the garden and collecting food prepare it along with the African women then eat the meals to taste the delicious lunch, later in the evening expect storyteller who is so amazing just know this will leave you with stories to tell to others who missed the journey to Murchison falls national park
Bird Watching
This was an extra ordinary activity while at Murchison falls national park during the trip expect seeing an impressive of beautiful bird exposure in the park namely gray crowned crane {Uganda national bird) giant kingfisher, giant heron shoebill, black headed lapwing among others this is really so magical and beautiful to see to the bird lovers.
it’s a good place to visit and explorer the uniqueness Murchison owns other than other parks in Uganda. The cost for birding at the park costs 25US$ for the non-foreign resident, 20US$ for the foreign resident, 20000UGX for the East African resident.
Diverse Landscape
While at Murchison falls, the landscape is more of savanna grassland woodlands wetlands riverine vegetation and rich tropical rain forest all within a single park the diversity of ecosystem not only results in high tally of unique wildlife sighting but also ends its self to the amazing panoramas
Sport Fishing
Expect having a good experience of fishing with the help of experienced fishmongers. While at Murchison falls national park visitors are guided well and end up fishing large cat fish and large Nile perch and after are laid back in the water alive for others.
Visitors are free to take photos for memories of that unique. enjoyable activity, the cost for sport fishing per day at the park costs 50US$ for the non-foreign resident 50US$ for the foreign residents.
Where to Stay in Murchison Falls Park
The park has accommodation facilities that ranges from budget lodges, midrange and luxury lodges, this diversity offers option for all travelers irrespective of your safari. safari includes Paraa Safari Lodge and Nile Safari Lodge among others luxury the park has Pakuba Safari Lodge, Murchison River Lodge, Fort Murchison Camp and for midrange budget are Yebo Safari Camp, Red Chilli Rest Camp, Parkside Lodge among others.
It is commonly visited for Uganda because of the diverse safari activities and rich wildlife being at Murchison falls national park expect magical experience. the park service providers are so hospitable to clients.
Upmarket Lodge
Sambiya River Lodge
This is a family run eco lodge in the heart of Murchison falls national park a twenty-minute drive from the top of the fall situated on a bluff overlooking the sambiya river valley and the lodge has free parking restaurant, free WIFI, swimming pool spa offering luxurious service to clients.
Nile Safari Lodge
This lodge is situated a short distance west of the park boundary on the southern bank of the Nile all enjoy a great river view discreetly located at swimming pool hippos’ crocodile and a variety of water birds can be seen on the river the lodge offers free parking restaurant, free WIFI, swimming pool spa offering luxurious service to clients
Paraa Safari Lodge
This lodge comprises of 54 rooms and is situated in the north bank of the park opposite the launch jetty. This one is certainly one of the best lodges in Ugandan park, the accommodation is provided in luxury and private positioned giving allowance of viewing the outside beauty.
With nice looking bathroom showers, restaurant well stocked bar free parking yard, WIFI, lounge near swimming pool to enjoy the breeze and sunset atmosphere,
Moderate Safari Lodges
Murchison River Lodge
This lodge provides a comfortable and clean mid-range accommodation in a beautiful location by the river Nile overlooking Uganda’s largest national park the place has solar lightening ensuite thatched cottages well stocked bar, restaurant swimming pool and lounge showers private bathroom hence making the stay easy
Murchison Tree House
This accommodation it is situated 6km from the mubako gate on the waseko road this new eco conscious lodge has isolated location in the magnificent providing accommodation ranges from a comfortable ensuite treehouse and the wooden thatched cottages to safari tents and Bandas using shared ablutions
Fort Murchison Lodge
This accommodation is situated on a rise overlooking the Nile about 10kilo meter north of the Tangi gate it serves delicious meals in generous quantities the ensuite room are brightly decorated with fitted nets, fans ,private balcony and swimming pool free wifi connection parking yard in a welcoming environment
Budget Lodges
Mataki Hotel
This motel offers clean comfortable and quite accommodation at affordable price with beautiful views it is only 600 meters from the down town shopping and business center within easy walking distance to the museum, library and close to the Murchison golf club and health center
Karuma Travelers Lodge
This accommodation comprises of 20 rooms flanking the Kampala-gulu Road almost 5km south of Karuma falls this hotel offers comfortable ensuite rooms that come with writing desk and fan.