Murchison falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park lies at the northern end of the Albertine Rift Valley, where the sweeping Bunyoro escarpment tumbles into vast, palm-dotted savanna. First gazetted as a game reserve in 1926, it is Uganda’s largest and oldest conservation area, hosting 76 species of mammals and 451 birds.

The park is bisected by the Victoria Nile, which plunges 45m over the remnant rift valley wall, creating the dramatic Murchison Falls, the centerpiece of the park and the final event in an 80km stretch of rapids. The mighty cascade drains the last of the river’s energy, transforming it into a broad, placid stream that flows quietly across the rift valley floor into Lake Albert. This stretch of river provides one of Uganda’s most remarkable wildlife spectacles. Regular visitors to the riverbanks include elephants, giraffes and buffaloes; while hippos, Nile crocodiles and aquatic birds are permanent residents.

Notable visitors to the park include Winston Churchill, Theodore Roosevelt, Ernest Hemingway and several British royals.

Park at a Glance

Size: 3,840km²

Murchison Falls became one of Uganda’s first national parks in 1952

At Murchison Falls, the Nile squeezes through an 8m wide gorge and plunges with a thunderous roar into the “Devil’s Cauldron”, creating a trademark rainbow

The northern section of the park contains savanna and borassus palms, acacia trees and riverine woodland. The south is dominated by woodland and forest patches

The 1951 film “The African Queen” starring Humphrey Bogart was filmed on Lake Albert and the Nile in Murchison Falls National Park

Areas of Interest within the Park

Murchison Falls

Murchison Falls is characterized by eternal war between rock and water. The waters violently compress through a narrow gorge, spraying misty droplets along their wake over a 50m radius. This creates a permanent rainbow over the battlefield and causes a continuous roar. From Baker Point on the southern side, you can also view the Nile splitting into the smaller Uhuru Falls, created in 1962 when the river burst its banks.

River Nile

A boat ride along the Nile to the foot of Murchison Falls is a rewarding experience for nature lovers, as the northern bank teems with a variety of mammals, birds and reptiles. Guided nature walks along both the north and south banks are another refreshing activity, and sport fishing is also possible here. Rafting will be available starting in 2012.

Nile-Lake Albert Delta

This wide, calm stretch of water, where the tranquil Victoria Nile flows into Lake Albert, is a key area for bird watchers. Its papyrus-lined banks are bursting with birdlife, including Goliath Herons, Great Egrets, and African Fish Eagles. The most sought-after species here is the rare Shoebill.

Buligi Game Tracks

The Buligi game tracks, stretching between the Victoria and Albert Niles, are the Murchison Falls National Park’s most popular safari destination. At around 120-170km in length, they pass through open savannah grassland, woodland, acacia and riverine vegetation. Most of the park’s game can be viewed here, especially during early morning and early evening tours.

Paraa

Paraa, meaning home of the hippo in the local Luo language, is the park’s tourism hub. All the park’s access roads converge here as the northern and southern banks are linked by a passenger ferry, and several accommodations are located nearby. Additionally, a museum and gift shop can be found on the north bank, and most game drives, launch trips and nature walks commence here.

Karuma Falls

The Karuma Falls are located in Chobe, in the northeastern sector of the park. These roaring waterfalls on the Victoria Nile are made up of a series of natural rock formations which cause the waters to ripple and give them a white, foamy appearance. It is an ideal area for sport fishing.

Kaniyo Pabidi Forest

In the south of Murchison Falls Conservation Area, this forest ecosystem contains black-and-white colobus and blue monkeys, olive baboons, and a habituated chimp group which can be tracked. Elephants, buffalos, lions and leopards are also frequent visitors. Many forest birds can be viewed here, including the chocolate-backed kingfisher, white-thighed hornbill and Puvel’s illadopsis which is found nowhere else in East Africa.

Kaniyo Pabidi has a campsite, cottage accommodation, forest walks and excellent bird watching.

Rabongo Forest

Surrounded by savanna and covering just 4km², Rabongo Forest is considered a birders’ paradise because of the endangered species found here. Rabongo is ideal for educational tours as it provides opportunities to identify animals, birds, medicinal plants and trees. For relaxation, visitors can camp and enjoy picnics by the Wairingo River.

Areas of Interest outside the Park

Budongo Forest

Budongo Forest, which is contiguous with the Kaniyo Pabidi Forest, lies south west of the Murchison Falls Conservation Area. Budongo is astonishingly biodiverse, with 24 mammal species, over 360 birds, 289 butterflies and 465 plants. All the forest’s tree species are on display along the “Royal Mile”, a beautiful stretch of road highly regarded for its bird watching. Budongo is also known for its primate population, which includes around 800 chimpanzees. Forest walks are possible at Busingiro Ecotourism Site on the Masindi-Bugungu route to Murchison Falls National Park. 

Birding in Murchison Falls

Both the game drives and the launch trips offer an opportunity for one to come across distinct birdlife, including savannah forest birds, water birds and Albertine Rift endemics. The park’s main birding attraction is the Shoebill, best sighted in the dry season from January-March.

Cultural Encounters in Murchison Falls

Energetic dancers from Mubako perform around lodge campfires, making for a magical African experience at dusk. Boomu Women’s Group offers accommodation, a craft shop and village tours, revealing the realities of life in this rural community.

Game Drives in Murchison Falls

A game drive around the Buligi game tracks on the northern bank with a trained ranger guide is a fantastic way to see and photograph the wide range of animals in the Nile Valley. Your guide will have a good idea where the lions are hiding, and you may even spot a leopard at dusk!

Hiking and Nature Walks in Murchison Falls

The vast landscapes and varied scenery of Murchison Falls National Park and the surrounding Conservation Area can be explored on foot. Trails through Kaniyo Pabidi and Rabongo Forests provide sightings of many primates and birds, while around the Nile Delta, 2-4 hour guided swamp walks offer possible Shoebill sightings.

Launch Trips in Murchison Falls

The launch trip upstream from Paraa presents an astonishing display of wildlife and culminates with the memorable frontal view of the falls. Recommended for birders is a morning cruise downstream to the Nile-Lake Albert Delta. Alternatively, a tranquil sundowner cruise offers the classic view of an equatorial sunset reflected on the river.

Sport Fishing in Murchison Falls

The banks of the Nile below Murchison Falls provide exciting challenges to anglers. Living within strong currents and highly oxygenated water is the Nile perch. There is the chance to land a massive catch – the record is 108kg!

Suggested Itineraries

4- DAYS NATURE ITINERARY

Day 1: RHINO SANCTUARY AND SUNSET VIEWS

On your way to Masindi from Kampala, branch off in Nakitoma – Nakasongola for a visit to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for a guided walk to view the rhinos walk followed by a picnic lunch.
Continue up to the Park, check in to your accommodation and take a sunset cruise on the River Nile or drive to the top of the falls where you can view both Murchison and the smaller Uhuru falls as the sun slowly descends.

Day 2: GAME DRIVE AND LAUNCH TRIP

Make the most of the morning by taking the 7am ferry (if staying on the south bank) to begin your game drive in Buligi. The area is home to many lions, as well as elephants, giraffes and other wildlife. After lunch, embark on the three-hour launch trip to the base of the falls. Cruise past huge hippo pods, crocodiles, bathing buffalo and numerous aquatic birds adorning the north bank on the way to the mighty waterfall.

Day 3: BIRDING ON THE DELTA AND GAME DRIVE TO TOP OF FALLS

Birders will be in for a thrilling experience during the boat ride to the Nile-Lake Albert Delta, where the River Nile meets Lake Albert. Have your binoculars ready for the rich bird life including the shoebill stork, Goliath heron and grey crowned crane. Alternatively, spend your morning relaxing at your lodge, cooling off in the pool, or taking a cultural walk to Mubako community with a local guide.
After, lunch hop in the car for a game drive along the newly opened Tebito track, finishing with a short walk down to the top of the falls on the north bank. Spend the night in a lodge in Budongo Forest.

Day 4: CHIMP TRACKING OR BIRDING IN BUDONGO FOREST

Meet our distant cousins! Gets an early start to catch chimps leaving their nests in the Budongo Forest, looking out for other primates and forest bird species along the way.
Alternatively, walk with an experienced guide along the renowned “Royal Mile” for some spectacular birding – over 360 species inhabit this forest.
In the afternoon, as you leave the Conservation Area, take a detour to Boomu Women’s Group just outside Kichumbanyobo park gate to discover a little about life in northwestern Uganda, and learn about the local culture, music and crafts.

4 – DAY BIRDING ITINERARY

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Day 1: BIRD TO MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK

Departing from Kampala, bird as you head to Murchison Falls National Park with a lunch stop at Masindi. After lunch, birds as you continue to Paraa via the top of Murchison Falls. Stretch your legs with a short walk around the top of the falls before it plunges over 40 meters in a majestic cascade. Look out for birds like raptors, Rock Pratincole, Crested Francolin, White crested Turaco, White-headed Barbet, Narina Trogon, Red-throated Bee-eater, Rufous-sided Broadbill, Silverbird, Red-cheeked Cordon blue, waxbills, finches, sunbirds and canaries, among others. Dinner and overnight at one of the lodges.

After an early breakfast, take the ferry to the northern bank for a game drive. After lunch at Paraa or a picnic, take the launch trip up to the bottom of the falls, cruising past hundreds of hippos, crocodiles, and birds. Look out for the Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Black-headed Plover, Rock Pratincole, Swallow-tailed Bee-Eater, Red-throated Bee-eater, Black-billed Barbet, Spotted Morning Thrush, Speckle fronted Weaver, White-browed Sparrow Weaver and more. You will also pass game such as the graceful Rothschild’s giraffe, Jackson’s hartebeest, Uganda kob, defassa waterbuck, buffalo, elephant, warthog, hippo, oribi and – if lucky – leopard or lion. Dinner and overnight as before.

Day 3: TRANSFER BACK TO MASINDI VIA THE ESCARPMENT

After breakfast with your packed lunch, proceed for the drive back to Masindi driving through the rift valley escarpment where you will have good views of Lake Albert. Bird the escarpment before proceeding to Busingiro Forest Centre, time permitting. Bird around the vicinity and the road. Drive through to Malinda where you will spend the night. Look out for birds like African Hawk-Eagle, Booted Eagle, Striped Kingfisher, Swallow-tailed Bee-eater, Black- billed Barbet, Cliff Chat, Spotted Morning Thrush, Northern Crombec, Red-faced Crombec, Green-backed Eremomela, Yellow-bellied Hyliota, Rattling Cisticola, Foxy Cisticola, Red-winged Warbler, Red-winged Grey Warbler, Black-headed Batis, Western Violet-backed Sunbird, Red-winged Ptyalin, Chestnut-crowned Sparrow-Weaver, Black-faced Waxbill among others. Dinner and overnight at one of the hotels. 

Day 4: BIRD THE ROYAL MILE

After an early breakfast, take packed lunch to bird Budongo Forest’s Royal Mile. Look out for species like the African Crowned Eagle, Hugli’s Francolin, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Chocolate-backed Kingfisher, Dwarf Kingfisher, White-thighed Hornbill, a Selection of Tinkerbirds and Barbets, Yellow-crested Woodpecker, Brown-eared Woodpecker, Greenbuls, Fire-crested Alethe, Red-tailed Ant-thrush, Lemon-bellied Crombec, Rufus-crowned Eremomela, Whistling Cisticola, Black-throated Apalis, Black-capped Apalis, Grey-throated Flycatcher, Forest Flycatcher, Ituri Batis, Red-bellied Paradise Flycatcher, Chestnut-capped Flycatcher, Western Black-headed Oriole, Purple headed Starling, Brown Twinspot among others. Primates like red-tailed and blue monkeys and the black-and-white colobus can also be observed here. Continue south to Kibale National Park, or return to Kampala.