Top Things to Do on a Uganda Safari in Murchison Falls.
Top Activities in Murchison Falls, Uganda, During a Safari: Uganda’s largest and oldest national park is Murchison Falls National Park. The stunning falls in the center of the park are the source of the national park’s name. Murchison National Park is located in northwest Uganda, some 283 kilometers west of Kampala, the country’s capital.
As a result, the ideal location, also known as Murchison Falls National Park, may be reached in roughly four to five hours. Furthermore, the park is the only national park in Uganda where the Big Five can be seen during safari game drives, which include on-foot rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, and is home to the greatest number of Rothschild giraffes in the world.
The park’s varied vegetation is characterized by Savannah, riverine forest, and woodland. Sir Samuel’s White Baker is the inspiration behind the name of this magnificent park. He was the governor-general of the equatorial Nile basin, a famous game hunter, and a British explorer.
The top activities for a fantasy Uganda safari in Murchison Falls National Park are diverse, so safari enthusiasts of all stripes won’t be let down. Game drives, boat cruises, birdwatching, hiking, cultural tours, and guided safari walks are among the safari activities offered in Uganda.
Game drives with a guide
In fact, this is among the nicest and most memorable parts of any safari in Murchison Falls National Park. Due of the park’s abundance of animals, game drive trips are both thrilling and extremely rewarding. Our knowledgeable driving guides typically lead the park’s game drives in the early morning and early evening.
You will get the opportunity to marvel at the diverse range of wildlife that inhabits the park as you traverse its lush foliage during your guided game drive trip. The African elephant, which may even visit your lodge, buffaloes, Rothschild giraffes, hippopotamuses, Nile crocodiles, hartebeests, waterbucks, Ugandan Kob, warthogs, and all the various antelopes are just a few of the creatures you might come across.
You may even see the renowned park predators—lions, leopards, and hyenas—in action, depending on your luck. Additionally, you might see a variety of beautiful bird species, including the Senegal Thick-knee, Hugli’s Francolin, Denham’s Bustard, Martial Eagle, Dark Chanting-Goshawk, and Spotted Thick-knee.
cruising the Nile River in a boat
An exciting option to make the most of your safari experience in Murchison Falls National Park is to take a boat tour along the Nile River. While on an ideal Uganda safari in Murchison, this is still another essential pastime. From the Paraa jetty, the boat cruise excursion departs for the base of the majestic falls.
Hippos can be seen swimming in the water and relaxing on the riverbanks during this boat journey. Additionally, you will get the opportunity to witness a number of wildlife species, such as buffaloes, antelopes, elephants, and basins, satisfying their thirst along the river’s banks. The sights of the vibrant birds and the sound of the thundering falls will also delight you.
The cruise lasts four to five hours, but if you want to take in even more of the natural splendor, you may pay more for more time. Two boat tours, each lasting roughly three hours, are planned for the morning at 9:00 am and the afternoon at 2:00 pm.
Trek to the summit of the waterfall
Visitors can enjoy this spectacular natural wonder in a new way by hiking to the top of the falls. Visitors may see how the Nile River flows via the 7-meter gorge. Following the boat ride, the hike begins beneath the falls and lasts for almost an hour. You will be able to take clear photos of both the Murchison and Uhuru falls and witness the breathtaking falls from an excellent vantage point. With ideal photographic opportunities, the trek takes you high up where the river squeezes through the 7-meter gorge.
Observing birds
One of Murchison Falls’ most gratifying attractions, it allows you to see the park’s many bird species and get a foot-first look at the other side of nature. The park is the greatest place to go birdwatching in Uganda because it is home to more than 450 different species of birds.
You will have the opportunity to see a variety of bird species during your bird watching tour, including the following: Rock Pratincole, Black-headed Plover, Pennant-winged Nightjar, Blue-naped Moosebird, Giant Kingfisher, Pied Kingfisher, Malachite Kingfisher, Swallow-tailed Bee-eater, African Darter, Goliath Heron, Yellow-billed Stork, Abdim’s Stork, White-faced Whistling Duck, Secretary Bird, Osprey, Long-toed Plover, Black-billed Wood-dove, Veracious Dove, Long Tailed Nightjar, Standard-winged Nightjar, Red-throated Bee-eater, Northern Carmine Bee-eater, and Black Scimitarbill, among others.
Tracking chimpanzees in Budongo forest
A thrilling opportunity to witness these amazing creatures in their natural habitat is tracking chimpanzees through the Budongo Forest. Teeming with life, this reserve is one of East Africa’s largest and most varied tropical forests.
The journey will also give you the chance to see the several different animal species that inhabit Budongo’s varied habitat, such as baboons, hundreds of native bird species, and black and white colobus monkeys.
A highlight of every trip to this region is chimpanzee tracking, which is a must-do if you’re organizing a safari in Murchison Falls National Park. Chimpanzee trekking in Budongo is offered in two sessions. Specifically, the morning session, which begins at 8:00 am, and the afternoon session, which begins at noon all year long.
After these primates are assigned to you, you will spend an hour interacting with them in their natural environment while observing how they perform their everyday tasks, such as building nests.
There are only an estimated 5,000 chimpanzees left in Uganda, making them our closest cousins and most endangered species. Surprisingly, there are about 700 chimpanzees in Budongo Forest. It costs $130 for non-foreign residents, $120 for foreign residents, and $85 for Ugandan citizens to obtain a chimp tracking permit in Budongo Forest.
