MURCHISON
FALLS NATIONAL PARK
Introduction
murhison
fallMurchison Falls Protected Area (MFNP), Bugungu and Karuma
Wildlife Reserves. Murchison Falls National Park derives its name
from the Murchison falls where the mighty River Nile explodes
through a narrow gorge and flows down to become a placid river
whose banks are thronged with hippos, crocodiles, waterbucks and
bufalloes. The vegetation is characterised by Savannah, riverine
forest and woodland.
Wild life includes lions, Uganda kobs, chimpanzees and many bird
species including the rare shoebill.
Sport
Fishing Uganda Tour
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. Do bring your own fishing equipment
and some boats are available for hire on prior booking.
Game
Drives: Wildlife Safaris In Uganda
Giraffes at MurchisonIn 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 and ensure a guide accompanies you. The best time is 0700hr
and 1600hr
Nature
Walks
Murchison falls protected area offers the opportunity to explore
the wild 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.
Launch
Cruise On The Nile
One of the highlights of Uganda safaris to Murchison Falls National
Park is the launch trip from Paraa to the foot of Murchison Falls.
Hippos and crocodiles are abundant and you will see elephants,
buffaloes, waterbucks and a variety of birds like herons, cormorants,
ducks, bee-eaters, fish eagles kingfishers and sometimes the rare
shoebill.
The launch trip from Paraa to the falls (17km) and back takes
about three hours. A boat trip from Paraa to the Delta (28km)
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 management.
Top
Of The Fall Trail
Trails around the top of the falls go right up to the water's
edge. You have an opportunity to hike to the top of the falls
from the boat landing and to get close to narrow gorge through
which the river explodes into the falls. Campsites, picnic sites
and walking safaris are available here.
Kaniyo
Pabidi
Kaniyo Pabidi is an undisturbed 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 will certainly see many forest birds, including the chocolate-backed
kingfisher, the white-thigh hornbill and puvel's illadopsis found
nowhere else in East Africa.
Kaniyi Pabidi is on Masindi-Paraa road, 8kms from Kichumbanyobo
gate. There is a campsite where water and firewood are available.
The National Forestry Authority manages Kaniyo Pabidi.
Rabongo
Forest
Rabongo Forest Ecotourism centre is situated in an island of tropical
riverine forest southeast of the protected area. The forest is
surrounded by Savannah grassland and is 11/2hour drive from Paraa.
Uganda safaris guides will help you to explore the forest on foot,
spotting primates like black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed
monkeys, baboons and occasionally chimpanzees, identifying animals,
birds, medicinal plants and trees. You can picnic and camp by
the Wairingo River, the place is also ideal for student groups.
Access
By road from Kampala through Masindi (via Kichumbanyobo gate),
Paraa is a 41/2hours drive, 2 hours on tarmac and 21/2 hours on
murram roads. A 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 northwest of Paraa and Bugungu 13kms from
Paraa.
