Share this:

MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK

The Murchison Falls National Park is cut in half by the mighty River Nile as it squeezes itself through a 7-metre gap in a cleft of rock, creating an explosion of white water. It’s the most powerful natural flow of water anywhere on earth and the rock actually shakes from the force of the water. You may catch a glimpse of a Nile perch being spat from the river.

ACTIVITIES/ATTRACTIONS

Game Drive;
In the cool early morning before the sun rises too high, you will see plenty of game on the Buligi, Albert and Queen’s tracks north of the river Nile. At Nyamusika cliffs you can picnic, enjoy the view and watch elephants and other game on the grassy hillsides, Go well prepared for a four-hour game drive accompanied by a guide.

Sport fishing;
Nile perch and tiger fish provide an exciting challenge to anglers. Sport fishing is possible in the river sections above and below the falls. Prior booking with the park has to be made, as the number of people doing sport fishing at designated sites at any time has to be regulated. You can bring your own fishing equipments and boats are available for hire on prior booking.

Launch trips on the Nile;
One of the highlights of a visit to Murchison falls national park is a launch trip from paraa to the foot or base of Murchison falls. Hippos and crocodiles are abundant and you will see elephants, buffaloes, water bucks and a variety of birds like herons cormorants, ducks, bee eaters, fish eagles, king fishers and sometimes the rare shoe bill. T he launch trip from paraa to the falls and back takes about three hours. A boat trip from paraa to the delta and back takes about four to five hours and you can see a similar variety of animals and birds. The boat trip is scheduled for 0900hr and 1400hr every day. Any special time arrangement can be made with park arrangement.

Nature walks;
Murchison falls protected area offers the opportunity to explore the world on foot. Animals, birds and plants can be closely and quietly observed. Nature walks are offered at Rabongo Forest, top of the falls and Kaniyo pabidi in Budongo Forest.

Top of the falls;
Trails around the top of the falls go right up to the water’s edge. You have the opportunity to hike to the top of the falls from the boat landing and to get close to the narrow gorge through which the river explodes into the falls. Campsite, picnic sites and walking safaris are available here.

Kaniyo pabidi;
This is an un disturbed area of natural forest within Budongo forest reserve, where you can walk beneath mature mahogany and iron wood trees. Chimpanzee tracking is the most famous activity. You certainly see many forest birds, including the chocolate backed kingfisher, Wight thighed hornbill and puvel’s illadopsis found nowhere else in east Africa. Kaniyo pabidi is on Masindi Paraa road, 8kms from kichumbanyobo gate. There is a campsite where water and fire wood are available. Kaniyo pabidi is managed by the national forestry authority.

Rabongo Forest;
Rabongo forest eco tourism center is situated in an island of tropical riverine forest in the southeast of the protected area. The forest is surrounded by savannah grass land is one and a half hour drive from paraa. Guides will help you explore the forest on foot, spotting primates like black and white colobus, red tailed monkeys, baboons and occasionally chimpanzees, identifying animals, birds, medicinal plants and trees. Picnicking and camping by the river wairingo is also possible. The place is also ideal for student group.

Boat trips to Lake Albert Delta provides a chance in Africa of sighting the shoe bills

Kigaju Forest Masindi;
This is a finger forest that lies with in the budongo forest catchments area this forest has a stream in between and is a habitat for a variety of primates like chimpanzee, black and white colobus monkeys, red tailed monkey, baboons and a variety of birds and butterfly species. This camp lies in the western side of Masindi town, a ten minutes drive out of Masindi town and an average drive of three hours out of Kampala city on a good tarmac road.
This camp offers activities like;

Chimpanzee tracking;
is one of the most exciting activity the camp offers. These chimps are always most exciting in morning and evening hours these may be found on tree tops/nests. The black and white colobus monkey, red tailed monkeys and the baboons can also be found in here.

Nature walks as well as forest walks; is also an exciting activity and here visitors are able to enjoy the silent natural forest setting underneath a rain forest like canopy with a stream in between. The forest has variety of flora and fauna, mahogany trees and an variety of birds like famous turaco, wild green kasuku/parrot, and a variety of butterfly species.
Camping can also be done in Kigaju forest for those who are extending there stay in the forest. Thus campfires and barbeque can easily be arranged for large groups of visitors.
Village walks and crafts for visitors who are interested in traditional African homes, their life, and cultures.

However the forest has no specific threats or dangers but for conveniences visitors are requested to carry jungle boots and appropriate clothing. Taking a guided tour through this forest is a great contribution to the conservation of the forest

ACCESS;
By the road from Kampala through Masindi [via Kichumbanyobo gate], paraa is 4 and a half hours drive 303km, 2 hours on tarmac and 2 and a half hours on murram roads.  four wheel drive is recommended. The ferry at Paraa operates on scheduled time between the southern and northern bank of river Nile.

By air, charter services are available to all weather aerodromes at pakuba about 19kms North West of paraa and bugungu 13kms from paraa.

Back to National Parks Uganda…<<

Share this: