10 Factors for Murchison Falls
Popular activities in Murchison. Along the floor of the great Albertine rift valley is Murchison falls national conservation area, it is placed on the northern side of the country, the park boats animal, plants, vegetation, butterflies, and birds, it is home to several primate types living within the forested areas of the south side in Kanio Pabidi forest. These are the reason for Popular activities in Murchison. It is named after the great Murchison Falls, placed Between Buliisa and Nwoya district is Uganda’s largest and oldest national park covering an area space of approximately 3840square kilometres. The park is dived into two by the Victoria Nile forming the northern and southern banks. There are several reasons to visit Murchison Falls while on a Ugandan safari, activities not to miss include.
Popular activities in Murchison
The Game drives
Game drives in Murchison fall national park is the best way to appreciate and value wildlife, Drives normally take place along the Northern Bank because it has the highest concentration of animals compared to the South, expect to see Lions, elephants, leopards, warthogs, Rothchild’s giraffes, jackals, Jackson hartebeests. Waterbucks, there are game tracks to follow in the national park these present different wildlife sights which only enhances the experience. Game drives are done during the day starting early morning and can last for the whole day, the Night Game drives are done in search of Nocturnal species, especially the cat family-like leopards, these come at an extra fee and are accompanied by the Uganda wildlife authority team. Game drives are best done in the early morning time as animals come to graze and drink water, it is lovely during the dry season between June and September or December and January as the grasses be short to see almost every single animal.
Popular activities in Murchison – The National Park
The national park is home to over 350 species of birds, the park is known for its variety of birds that can be spotted anywhere in the conservation area, along with the Marshy swampy areas of the Nile you will possibly view the endangered prehistoric bird shoebill stock, the bird types include the Albertine endemics an example of sightings include the African fish eagle, Abyssinian ground hornbill, Blue snapped mousebirds, goliath herons, Nightjars, grey crowned cranes, yellow-billed stock, rock pratincole, weaver birds, Martial eagles, giant heron, Malachite kingfisher, African jacana, long-tailed nightjar, Red-throated bee-eater. The majority of birds can be seen in November, it is a fruiting season and therefore birds come to gather easily, it is also best if you plan on travelling during the dry season for birding.
Hot air balloon safari
A hot balloon safari in Murchison falls national park is an amazing way to encounter wildlife in the park, imagine viewing animals while in the sky! Murchison falls national park area is a large scope, you will witness the best views of herds of animals, and schools of Hippos concentrated in one point, the minimum age for balloon safari is 6 years, and it carries a weight depending on how much the air is in the balloon with a maximum of eight people, it should be noted that the pilots of the balloons are qualified to ride. You will have a chance to watch the assembling team at the para lodge premises, while you take a briefing on the safety and precautions while doing the Hot air balloon.
Cultural Activities
Cultural encounters in the national park, there are cultural centres where you will be able to indulge in the activities of the Northern people, they have developed ideas like the Bomu women’s centres, which make crafts, prepare traditional foods, or even you can choose a stay in their Bandas for a full experience, the Mubaku community along the southern bank, the women empowerment centre designs crafts, bags for sale as souvenirs, the community offers walks around their beautiful village and great traditional song performances using the ‘Adungu’ a base instrument Known traditionally to the Acholi of Northern Uganda.
Boat Cruise
A boat cruise along the Victoria Nile is as adventurous, it can be done in the morning or afternoon beginning at the Para area, the cruise will give you clear views of the Nile plunging itself in the great water pool, the thunderous roar of the fall is Magical, it Boat Cruise 2-3 hours doing the boat tour expect to see hippos, Nile crocodiles basking on the sand of the river banks, water birds, it can be a lucky day for you to spot the shoebill stock.
Kanio Pabidi forest
Visit the Rabongo and Kanio Pabidi forest presents an opportunity to track chimpanzees in the forest, chimpanzee is very communicable primates, they are social and are the closest to Mankind, they share up to 98% of the Human DNA, and the forest is home to several chimpanzees and other welcoming primates like the olive baboons. Chimpanzees live up in the trees where they love to nest, besides chimpanzees, the nature walks in the forest are rewarding you will meet the oldest and largest tree of Mahogany. Activities begin at the Budongo Ecolodge.
Hiking the top of the falls
Hiking the top of the falls, is a majestic royal walk to the top of the falls, to witness the water squeezing itself through the 7meter gorge is a beautiful sight, you can only see this while at the top of the falls, enjoying the breeze, and the sound of nature. Other hikes in the park are encountered on Guided nature walks.
Visit the oil sites in Murchison
Visit the oil sites in Murchison falls national park, it is Uganda’s oldest and finest conservation area, the Tilenga oil project takes place along the northern shores of Lake Albert delta, the project encompasses six oil fields, in the Murchison falls conservation area, the project activities take place in two parts of the park, along the Lake Albert Delta region, you will be able to view several bird types and also take part in sport Fishing activities taking place on Lake Albert. It’s done on Canoe boats mainly by the locals.
The Accommodations
Murchison Falls National Park has got a number of lodges inside and outside the park giving out services ranging from Best Budget, midrange and Luxury.
How to get to the Park
The most asked question from travellers to Murchison falls national park is where can we stay, this is an answered quiz because Murchison has got accommodation surrounding the park or inside the park, it ranges from the best budget to Luxury, there are camping sites in the park where you can carry your equipment or find it at the lodge. Popular facilities include Murchison river lodge, Chobe safari lodge, Pakuba safari lodge, para safari lodge, and Fort Murchison.
