Murchison falls is one of the largest national park in Uganda lying in the north at the end of Albertine rift valley. The park also includes Bugugu and karuma wildlife reserve in the same vicinity with Murchison conservation area.
Murchison Falls National Park has a concentration of about 76 mammal species, 450 bird species including the 20 Albertine rift valley endemics. There are also several primates in Murchison including chimpanzees in Budogo forest, baboons and other several monkey species. The major highlights in Murchison falls include;
Game Drives
Game drive is that one activity you should not miss while in the park. The early morning game drive or afternoon game drive will guarantee you to see as many mammal species which include herds of buffalos, giraffes, bushbucks and water bucks, Jackson’s hartebeest, warthogs, hyenas, some of the big five family members like lions, leopards and elephants. The park is bisected by the Nile River from the top of the falls, there game drive takes place from the northern sector of the park.
Hike to the Top of the Falls
This is an awesome experience where you burn those calories, usually the hike involves a boat cruise on the Nile River to the starting point, along the way you will spot school of Hippos on the shores and relaxing crocodiles too on shores. Other features include Nyamusika cliff, a spot for many bird species. Hiking to the top of falls usually take 1-2 hours depending on the physical fitness and flexibility one has.
Sunset and Sundowner Cruise
Usually it involves a launch cruise to the delta where the Nile River flows into Lake Albert, While at the delta you will be able to spot several water birds like African fish eagle, Goliath heron, pel’s fishing owl, the rare shoebill stork at the delta. Other notable bird species include white backed jar heron, Black headed batis, sparrow weaver, Black headed Gonolek, Green winged pytilia, and saddle billed stork and many others. In the evening the sun downer is more relaxing watching the sun go down as the night comes in.
Spot Fishing
The Nile river harbors fish right below the top of the falls, the common fish are Nile perch the biggest weighing 65 kg and silver fish. Carry your own equipment for this kind of experience.
