Facts about Murchison falls national park : Murchison falls national park is among the destinations which can be visited in the north western part of Uganda.
Some of the facts to know about Murchison falls national park include the following;
- Murchison falls national park is the oldest and largest national park in Uganda.
The national park was introduced in 1952 and was named Kabalega national park after the King of Bunyoro who was Omukama Kabalega and was later renamed Murchison falls national park after the thunderous Murchison falls which are a major tourist attraction at the destination.
Murchison falls national park is also one of the most visited destinations in Uganda for wildlife viewing experienced round the country done throughout the year. The national park covsers about 3860 square kilometers
- The national park has one of the strongest waterfalls
Murchison falls which are formed at a point where the River Nile plunges for about 43 meters through a narrow gorge are part of the attractions found in the national park.
The falls with a strong force form a thunderous roar as they pass through the gorge and flow into the Victoria Nile below.
The waterfalls are strong and can be seen during the different activities carried out around the Murchison falls national park including viewing of the top of the falls, boat rides to the bottom of the falls and hiking to the top of the falls.
- There is a diversity of wildlife species at the destination
Murchison falls national park is home to a variety of wildlife species including over 76 species of mammals which can be seen in its diverse habitat ranging from savannah plains, woodlands, riverine forest among other parts of the national park.
Four of the big 5 are among the animals which can be seen in Murchison falls national park and they include elephants, lions, leopards and buffalos. Other wildlife species found at the destination include giraffes, impalas, hippos, dik dik, elands, waterbucks, bushbucks, warthogs, hyenas among others.
Activities during which these wildlife species can be seen around Murchison falls national park include game drives which are done in the morning and also in the afternoon in search of the various wildlife species.
- There are primate tours around Murchison falls national park
There are also primates including chimpanzees found in Budongo forest in Murchison falls national park which can be seen during safaris. Budongo forest is part of the Budongo forest reserve which was established in 1932 and it covers about 825 square kilometers.
Chimpanzees in Budongo forest can be encountered during chimpanzee trekking experiences at the destination which take place in the morning and in the afternoon. This activity starts at the Kaniyo Pabidi center before tourists are led into the forest to search for the chimpanzees.
Other primates which can be seen in the Budongo forest include black and white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, olive baboons among others. Tourists can also engage in chimpanzee habituation experiences around the destination.
- A variety of bird species can be seen in the national park
Over 360 bird species can be seen when visiting Murchison falls national park including the rare Shoe bill Stork.
Some of the bird species which can be seen during tours in Murchison falls national park include African Finfoot, Papyrus Gonolek, Red-necked Falcon, Francolins, Goliath Heron, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Malachite Kingfisher, African Fish Eagle, Grey Crowned Crane, Great Egret, Northern Red Bishop, White Backed Night Heron among others.
The Budongo forest and the Nile delta in Murchison falls national park are among the places where bird watching takes place during safaris at the destination. The birds can also be seen around the savannah plains and woodlands in the national park.
- Murchison falls national park is crossed by the river Nile
The River Nile which is the longest river in the world flows in Murchison falls national park. The part of the Nile which is in the national park is known as the Victoria Nile and a variety of wildlife species and bird species can be spotted by its shores.
Tourists during their safaris around Murchison falls national park can enjoy boat rides on the Victoria Nile in the morning and in the afternoon to the bottom of the falls and also see various wildlife species like elephants, hippos, buffalos and crocodiles as well as different bird species.
The boat rides on the Victoria Nile in Murchison falls national park take about 2 hours and can be done in groups or as a private safari experience at the destination.
- Murchison falls national park can be accessed by flight and by road
Tourists during their safaris in Uganda can access Murchison falls national park by driving for about 5 hours from Kampala via Nakasongola and Masindi or by flying to the different airstrips found in the park.
Flights to Murchison falls national park can be got from Entebbe international airport to Pakuba airstrip, Chobe airstrip or Bugungu airstrip by booking scheduled and charter flights to the destination.
- There are different entrance gates to Murchison falls national park
Murchison falls national park can be accessed through the different entrance gates at the destination which include Kichumbanyobo gate, Tangi gate, Chobe gate, Wankwar gate, Mubako gate and Bugungu gate.
Some of the gates are in the northern part of Murchison falls national park and others are located along the Karuma falls route, the Budongo forest route and also Paraa.
- Murchison falls national park covers four districts
The national park which is located in the north western part of Uganda covers four districts including Masindi, Nwoya, Buliisa and Kiryandongo.
- The national park is lies in the Albertine rift valley
Murchison falls national park is located in the northern part of the Albertine rift valley which provides amazing views to see during safari.
The national park is part of the Murchison falls conservation area which also includes Bugungu wildlife reserve and Karuma wildlife reserve which are also buffer zones for the national park.