Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison falls national park is the largest and oldest national park of all the 10 national parks in Uganda with the most famous scenic beauty, magnificent falls and high concentration of game/wildlife, covering 5,072 square kilometers, containing 4 conservation reserves including Murchison Falls National park measuring about 3,893 square kilometres, adjoining Bugungu wildlife reserve, Karuma wildlife reserve and Budongo forest reserve. The park was first gazetted as a game reserve in 1926. And later became Murchison Falls national park in 1952. The park got its name from an explorer called Sir Samuel Baker in 1864 naming it in remembrance of the president of the Royal Geographical Society called Roderick Murchison. The park has a tropical and hot type of climate with temperatures quite uniform throughout the year, so it’s pleasant to visit any time of the year. The park has grasslands, wooded savannah, tropical forests, wetlands and an open water landscape hosting about 76 species of mammals and 451 bird species calling it a home. The Nile River divides the park into north and south sections.

The most exceptional attraction in the park is the great Murchison falls (the world’s most powerful waterfalls). The Murchison falls is characterized by eternal war between rocks and water. The waters violently compress through a narrow 7 meters gorge, spraying misty droplets along their wake over a 50 meters radius to a spot that is called the “Devil’s cauldron” This creates a permanent rainbow over the battlefield and causes a continuous roar. The falls can only be accessed by take a boat cruise at the bottom of the falls and then hike up a tuff hill or driving to the top of the falls on the southern side of the park.

Murchison falls national park has a lot of flora and fauna that it offers. While on a Uganda safari to Murchison, a visitor can experience the big five game with a stopover at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary about 70 km south of the park. And the other big four game including Lions, Leopards, Buffaloes and savannah Elephants can be pleasantly viewed inside the park. Other wildlife to explore includes the giraffes, warthogs, and different species of antelopes. The park’s Murchison falls – the world’s most powerful waterfalls is one attraction not to be missed while to a Uganda Safari. Activities carried out in the park include; day and night game drives, boat cruises to the bottom of the falls, hiking, bird watching; nature walks, visiting the top of the falls and cultural tours.

There are a number of finest lodges in the park where you can spend an overnight and enjoy very good food and great views of the park. Luxury accommodations include Chobe safari lodge, Paraa safari lodge, Nile safari lodge, Baker’s lodge. Midrange accommodations include Pakuba Safari lodge, Sambiya River lodge, Fort Murchison lodge, and Murchison River lodge. Budget accommodations include Red Chili rest camp, Budongo eco-lodge, Heritage Safari lodge, Twiga Safari lodge. Tented and camping accommodations can also be provided to interested persons. The park is blessed with 5 gates, Kichwamba gate from Masindi and Bugugu gate in the southern side, Tangi gate, Chobe gate and Kichwamba gate in the northern side.