Things To Do in Murchison Falls National Park.
In terms of both wildlife and visitor activities, Murchison Falls National Park in northwest Uganda is arguably one of Uganda’s most varied safari destinations. Nile cruises, animal drives, nature walks, birdwatching, and even chimpanzee trekking in the neighboring Budongo Forest Reserve are just a few of the many activities available in Murchison.
Activities in Murchison Falls National Park: Things to Do
Cruises on the Nile River
Visitors to this national park have a variety of options for exploring the River Nile, including boat journeys upstream to view the actual Murchison Falls and sunset cruises. For instance, Paraa Safari Lodge offers daily boat trips that depart at 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Paraa, which is situated above the falls, offers visitors stunning views of the river. For the greatest boating experiences, however, a private trip with Baker’s Lodge on the south bank of the Nile is advised.
Sunset cruises are a fantastic way to start any trip to Murchison, especially for those traveling by car. There’s no better way to start your safari than with a cool drink on the longest river in the world. When the Nile thunders through a 7-meter gap—the narrowest point on the entire length of this huge river—cruises to the falls display its raw strength!
Game Drives
Murchison Falls National Park is home to more than 450 bird species, 76 animal species, including four of the Big Five, and numerous primates. This region’s game drives provide a varied and often unique experience!
The park is home to a number of species, including the endangered Rothschild giraffe, Uganda cobs, and huge cats, yet rhinos are not found there. On a drive, the Patas monkey, which is native to the northern Murchison and Kidepo Valley National Parks, is another amazing sight. During their daily outings, enthusiastic birdwatchers can also spot crowned crane, ground hornbills, and Goliath heron.
Hikes & Nature Walks
A great excursion for birdwatchers and the daring, Murchison Falls is a vast and diverse area that may be explored on foot in some areas.
River cruises can include a 45-minute hike through the Rabongo and Kaniyo Pabidi forests to the top of the falls, where hikers can see a huge variety of birds and animals, including primates.
Only when water levels are low can one encounter the odd-looking shoebill stork on guided swamp excursions in the Nile and Lake Albert Delta.
Birdwatching
Uganda has long been regarded as a birdwatcher’s paradise, attracting visitors from around the globe to see endangered species like the Green-breasted pitta and shoebill stork. There are more than 450 distinct bird species in Murchison alone, compared to over a thousand in Uganda overall!
The park’s incredibly diverse landscape is home to a staggering array of species. Murchison offers a diverse array of birds for birdwatchers to witness over a few days, ranging from bustards and cranes that graze the huge plains to herons, ducks, terns, and cormorants that flourish in the Nile and its neighboring deltas!
Trekking with chimpanzees in Budongo Forest Reserve
Although it is not officially a part of Murchison Falls, visitors staying in the national park can readily access the Budongo Forest Reserve.
There are presently 700 individual chimps in the area, along with three habituated groups, one of which is quite friendly. Members of the Kaniyo-Pabidi village have become acclimated to the Jane Goodall Institute.
Although chimp aficionados have long flocked to Kibale Forest, Budongo provides a more sedate experience in terms of visitor numbers and less taxing terrain than Kibale!
