Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls is the world’s most powerful waterfall. One can take the boat safari up to the falls and disembark at the bottom of the falls. Take the 45-minute hike up to the falls and be refreshed by the mist, feel the ground shake and vibrate under your feet – a most fantastic experience.

The waterfall hike is a guided hike, and the very path you are taken up, Winston Churchill came down and boarded a boat for Sudan. The trail is also part of the famed Baker Trail, named after Samuel and Florence Baker.

There is another fall in the distance, and that is Uhuru Falls, which means in English – Freedom Falls. The Falls hike has become a favorite with visitors to the park. This has become a favorite with most visitors.

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. The commonest species found in the plains include the Marabou Stork, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Secretary Birds, Black-bellied Bustards, Open-billed Storks, and Widow Bird.

The park’s main birding attraction is the Shoebill, best sighted in the dry season from January-March. Closer to the river where there are more thickets and woodlands, the commonest bird varieties include the Swallow-tailed and Red-throated Bee-eaters – particularly in the Nyamusika Cliffs; Woodland, Pied, Giant and Malachite Kingfishers; Francolin; Hornbills, Grey heron; Hamerkop; Shrikes; Flycatchers; Cuckoos; Woodpeckers; Crombecs and Warblers.

Experience the culture and the lifestyle of the locals who are resident in the neighboring areas of Murchison Falls National park. Relax in the evening as you watch the energetic dancers from Mubako perform. The Boomu women’s group offer accommodation, a craft shop and village tours where you will see the local lifestyle and their daily activities in the rural communities. The village is a cluster of traditional thatched huts, where villagers gather to escape the midday sun under the shade of a large tree.

At dusk, the local cultural groups perform at a campfire of the local lodge, accompanied by the beautiful sound of the “Adungu” which is an instrument made of cowhide and twine and the harmonies of different sizes. There are few economic opportunities in this region and the climate makes farming hard, but with the money generated through tourism, the community can buy produce from local markets, pay school fees and others.

In Murchison Falls National Park game viewing can be enjoyed while on a game drive in several designated game drive areas. The main areas are the Delta where there are great chances of seeing the Lions in wait for prey as they go to drink, the Buligi Peninsula and the southern sector is famously known as the heart of Murchison.

Explore the length of around 120-170km driving through the savannah grasslands, woodland, acacia and riverine vegetation viewing different animals, for example, the elephant, lion, herds of buffaloes, jackals, Uganda kob and so many others as well as different bird species. The evening game drives will help you spot leopards at dusk. The idea of moving with a game ranger is that they know different hideouts for different animals.

The launch trip in Murchison Falls National park is an upstream drive that presents an astonishing display of wildlife and culminates with the memorable frontal view of the Falls. The launch departs at 9 am and 2 pm daily and takes three hours. While on a launch boat cruise tourists will be able to see various animals dramatically parading on the ricer banks quenching their thirst and also see aquatic animals close to their boat while having lunch animals such as crocodiles and hippopotamus not forgetting aquatic birds.

The breathtaking river Nile as for ages been of great importance to the people living g around it and also a habitat to various animals, the river banks are very suitable for agricultural purposes and dams have been created for hydroelectric power. A tranquil sundowner boat cruise at 5.30pm offers the classic view of an equatorial sunset reflected on the river.

The vast landscapes and varied scenery of Murchison Falls National Park offers a great place for nature walks and hiking experiences. 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.

This is an experience that brings all the senses into play: watch waves of white water tumble hypnotically through this six-meter chasm, listen to the roar, taste the spray on your face and feel the rock shake beneath your feet. Sheer sensory overload! If you don’t fancy the trek to the top, stop off at the north bank during your game drive, and walk down a set of steps to stand within meters of the rapids.

Birders and nature lovers can enjoy short treks starting from Sambiya River Lodge or Mubako Junction, both on the south bank, or a walk along the north bank from Paraa, passing the Emmy River. All walks last from one and a half to two hours.

Sport fishing in Murchison Falls National Park is quite rewarding for the avid angler. There are great opportunities to land a large Nile Perch “mputa” or Cat-fish “semutundu”. Other fish include Tigerfish, Electric catfish, Tilapia, “Ngara” (Genus Alestes). The sport fishing activity is best done at the banks of the Nile below Murchison falls within the strong currents and highly oxygenated water. Here there are high chances of having a massive catch.

Experienced UWA Guides are available to lead you to the best fishing spots, however, to book for a sport fishing adventure at Murchison Falls National Park, you can get in touch with us to arrange for you the unforgettable adventure. A fishing permit is required and currently (March 2019) is at $50 per day or $150 for four days. Park entrance fees are paid separately details are on the UWA Tariff.