“The World’s most powerful waterfall”
This is Uganda’s largest National Park located in North Western Uganda. The river spreads from the shores of Lake Albert, around the Victoria Nile up to the
Karuma falls. The present day Murchison falls national park was first protected in the 1920s, as Karuma, Bugungu and Kabalega game reserves. It was later gazetted as a national park in 1952 and named Murchison falls national park. Since then up to date the name has never changed. The local name though for this park is “Kabalega national park”.
The park is bisected by the mighty River Nile, from east to west for a distance of about 115 kilometers making the southern and the northern sectors.
The park is endowed with 76 species of mammal and 450 bird species. The palm studded savannah grassland northern sector harbors dense populations of localized wildlife that includes; Rothschild’s Giraffe, Jackson’s Hartebeests, Oribis, Buffaloes, Elephants, Kobs, Patus Monkeys, Jackals, Hyenas, Lions and Leopards among others.
The partly forested southern sector of the park harbors one of the region’s big apes, the Chimpanzees in Budongo Forest, Baboons, Black and White Colobus Monkeys, Red-tailed and Velvet Monkeys among other wildlife.
It also offers immense concentrations of Hippos, as well as Uganda’s largest population of Crocodiles and also the region’s most impressive water falls, where the name of the park comes from.
Attractions;
Murchison Falls: This is characterized by violence of rocks and water compressing through a narrow gorge, spraying misty droplets over a 50m radius which creates a permanent rainbow over the battlefield which also causes a continuous roar. As well from Baker’s point on the southern side you can view the Nile splitting into the smaller Uhuru falls which were formed as a result of the river bursting its banks. With this at Murchison one can have a great experience of adventure with corners of pearl safaris and get your bookings ready.
Karuma Falls
Karuma Falls: These are located on the Eastern boarder of Murchison falls National Park(the largest reserve in Uganda). They are found on the Victoria Nile and they are among the most impressive tourist attractions in Uganda. The name Karuma falls was derived from a belief of a great spirit “Karuma” that positioned the stones which break the waters of the river that bring about these falls. Karuma falls also is comprised of good and beautiful rock formations to mention just a few.
Paraa: The word Paraa is a local name from the Luo culture that means “home of hippos”. Paraa is one the great areas of interest when it comes to visiting Murchison falls. When we talk about it being a home of hippos, be sure to find plenty of them there.
Accommodations
There plenty of hotels and lodges in and out of Murchison falls some of which are; The Red chilli Murchison falls, Paraa lodge Murchison falls, Nile Safari lodge, Nile River lodge, Murchison safari lodge to mention just a few. All these at your disposal to have the best experience during your tour wonderfully guided by the best tour guides from Wild Escort Safaris.
Accessibility; By Road, It takes about 5Hrs 47mins via Kampala-Masindi route to get to Murchison falls National Park
By Air, It takes IHr from Entebbe airport to Pakuba Airfield and you will start off with the best experiences in the wilderness with Katland safaris. Murchison Falls National Park has inland waters which are surrounded by Victoria Nile, therefore a boat cruise is an activity that can be done by the tourists and it takes three hours. Private boats on addition can also be hired to spot water animals such as hippos, crocodiles and many other animals which flop the river bank for drinking water.
Game drive. Murchison Falls National Park is a nice place for game drives take a drive and try out look for wild animals including Elephants, Lions, Leopards, Giraffes, Uganda kobs, Waterbuck, Jackson’s hurtbeast, the visitors can also spot different species of birds over 450 in number.