Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park is part of the bigger Murchison Falls Conservation Area ( MFCA ), which comprises of Murchison Falls National Park, Bugungu and Karuma Falls Wildlife Reserves.  The park is named after Murchison falls on the river Nile which cascades down  the Rift Valley escarpment  form hippo pools  43 metres below.  

Size: Murchison Falls Conservation has an area of 3840 sq making it the largest protected are in Uganda.  

Wildlife:  Like other parks in East Africa, Murchison Falls  hosts an array of  Africa’s mammals: These include, elephants, buffaloes, giraffe, lions, oribis, Hartebeests, Leopards, Uganda Kobs, chimpanzees, leopards etc.  Along the Nile river and other water areas are waterbucks, hippos,  and crocodiles.  

The large number of habitats, forests, riverine, savannah, woodlands, wetlands etc supports a large number of birds.  Bird watching is a major attraction Murchison falls with star species being Blue-napped Mousebird, Silver Black-headed Gonolek, Chestnut-crowned Sparrow-weaver, Vitelline Masked Weaver, And Green-winged Ptyilia, White-rumped Seed-eater.

Spotted and Verreaux’s Owls, Long-tailed and Pennat-winged Nightjar, Goliath Heron, Saddle-billed Stork, Grey-crowned Crane, Long-toed Plover, whilst African Fish Eagle, and African Skimmer, Fox’s Weaver Uganda’s only endemic birdand many more.  

Launch Trips On The Nile

A good way to explore Murchison Falls conservation Area  is the launch trip from Paraa to the foot of Murchison Falls.  In addition to the abundant Hippos and crocodiles, one is likely to spot elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks and birds like; Herons, Cormorants, Ducks, Bee-eaters, Fish Eagles, Kingfishers, and the rare Shoebill. The trip from Paraa to the Falls and back takes about three hours.  

An alternative route is a boat trip to the Delta where the Victoria Nile engorges into the Lake Albert. It takes four to five.  

Sport Fishing

Nile Perch and tiger-fish provide an exciting challenge to anglers. Fishing is available in the river above and below the Falls. Do bring your own fishing equipment.    

Kanio Pabidi

Kanio Pabidi is ideal for nature walks and hikes in search of the Chimpanzees.

Rabongo Forest

Rabongo Forest, sector of Murchison Falls is ideal for walking, hiking and primates tracking.  A nature walk in the forest is likely to reveal Black & White Colobus monkeys, Red-tailed monkeys, Baboons, and occasionally Chimpanzees in addition to forest birds.  By the Wairingo River is a picnic site with a campsite.  One can also stay at the Ecotourism centre cottages.

Accommodation  

Murchison falls has a variety of accommodation facilities ranging from luxury safari lodges to basic campsites.  Below are some of them

• Nile Safari Camp

• Sambiya River Lodge  

• Paraa Lodge Safari Lodge.  

• Paraa Rest Camp- has self contained bandas.

Campsites are available at Top of the Falls, Rabongo Forest and Paraa. Toilets or pit latrines/showers or bathing shelters are provided at these sites.

• Rabongo Eco-Tourism Centre has cottages.