TINA Magazine brings to you one of Africa’s top attraction sites. The Murchison Falls National Park located in Uganda. Here we show you all you need to know about this tourist destination. You will find details about the location, accommodation, history and complete travel guide below. Also we’ve attached a lot of great pictures which you will find down below, video also available. Share your thoughts after reading and share with your audience. Enjoy the piece below.
All To Know About Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda
ABOUT Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park (MFNP) is a national park in Uganda and managed by the Ugandan Wildlife Authority. It is in north-western Uganda, spreading inland from the shores of Lake Albert, around the Victoria Nile, up to the Karuma Falls. Together with the adjacent 748 square kilometres (289 sq mi) Bugungu Wildlife Reserve and the 720 square kilometres (280 sq mi) Karuma Wildlife Reserve, the park forms the Murchison Falls Conservation Area (MFCA).
The park straddles the Ugandan districts of Buliisa, Nwoya, Kiryandongo, and Masindi. The driving distance from Masindi, the nearest large town, to the Kibanda area of the national park is about 72 kilometres (45 mi). This area is about 283 kilometres (176 mi), by road, north-west of Kampala, the capital and largest city of Uganda. The coordinates of the park near the Kibanda area are 02°11’15.0″N, 31°46’53.0″E (Latitude:2.187499; Longitude:31.781400).
Wildlife; Murchison Falls Animals
MFCA and the adjacent Bugondo Forest Reserve have 76 species of mammals as well as Uganda’s largest population of crocodiles. 450 bird species are present ranging from easy variety of waterbirds, including the rare shoe-billed stork, Bugondo’s 59 “restricted range” species, dwarf kingfisher, Goliath heron, white-thighed hornbill and great blue turaco.
The park boasts of lots of flora and fauna, Elephants, Water buffaloes, Lions, Leopards, Hippopotamus, Giraffes, Nile Crocodiles, Antelopes, Uganda Kobs, Hartebeests and Oribis. Birds include-herons, cornmorants, ducks, bee-eaters, fish eagles, kingfishers and sometimes the rare shoebill among others.
BRIEF HISTORY
The explorers John Speke and James Grant were the first Europeans to visit the present day MFCA in 1862. It was more thoroughly explored by Samuel and Florence Baker in 1863-4. Baker named the falls Murchison Falls after the geologist Roderick Murchison, then the president of the Royal Geographical Society.
Between 1907 and 1912, the inhabitants of an area of about 13,000 square kilometres (5,000 sq mi) were evacuated due to sleeping sickness spread by tse-tse flies. In 1910, the Bunyoro Game Reserve was created south of the River Nile. That area roughly corresponds to the part of the MFNP that is in the districts of Buliisa, Masindi, and Kiryandongo. In 1928, the boundaries were extended north of the river into the modern-day Nwoya District.
In 1952, the British administration established the National Parks Act of Uganda. The area described above became Murchison Falls National Park
Expert Guide On Touring Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park Accomodation: Hotels, lodges
Chobe Safari Lodge
Chobe Safari Lodge is one of the best luxury hotels in Uganda. Chobe Lodge Uganda is known for its amazing scenery, overlooking the falls. It is among 5 Star Hotels in Uganda: Traced in Murchison Falls National Park
Paara Safari Lodge
This lodge is well known for its luxurious and comfortable accommodation. It has about 54 beautiful rooms with en-suite bathrooms as well as balconies and some number of suits that offer a perfect view of the Nile.
Simbiya Safari Lodge
is positioned in the glorious Murchison Falls National Park. It has accommodation that will favor all tourist. The lodge is located within and it takes only 15 minutes to get to Murchison falls.
Nile Safari Lodge
This lodge is suited on the southern banks of river Nile surrounded by the well-to-do papyrus forest Nile Safari Lodge is designed to with beautiful wooden chalets along with lavishness tents that are located in a perfect area to give an amazing view of the park along with the African wilderness.
Red Chilli Rest Camp
Red Chilli rest camp is well known to be a financial plan camp, that is located within Murchison falls national park adjacent to the south bank of the River. The camp is mainly for budget travelers.
Chobe Safari Lodge And Murchison Falls National Park
About the Chobe Hotel
Traced in Murchison Falls National Park, Chobe Safari Lodge is irrefutably the jewel in Uganda’s pinnacle of tourism. The incomparable views, coupled with the sounds of the River Nile’s magnificent rapids, sets the scene for an adventure that will sway even the most astute of travellers. An outdoor lavish pool and free Wi Fi are available.
The Lodge features 36 elegant guest rooms, 21 luxury tents, 4 suites and a Presidential Cottage. Guests can enjoy uninterrupted views of the River Nile at leisure from the balcony or terrace. The superfluity is made complete with en suite spotless bathrooms.
Local and continental cuisines can be ordered at the onsite restaurant and the bar serves an array of alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks. The Lodge also offers shared kitchen facilities. The lodge features a fitness and spa/wellness centre where guests can relax, unwind and engage in physical activities.
The Lodge provides luggage storage facilities, onsite and nearby parking facilities for all guests. Laundry and car hire services are available on request at a fee. The premises are guarded round-the-clock by security personnel. Guests can opt to make their stay lively and more adventurous with paid-for activities including; Game drive, sport fishing, boat cruise, white water rafting, nature walk
Chobe Safari Lodge is located above the banks of the River Nile in Murchison Falls National Park, Karuma Falls is close by.
Below find map of Chobe Safari Lodge And Murchison Falls National Park
Address And Contact Of Chobe Lodge Of Murchison Park below
Chobe Safari Lodge
- Tel: +256 312 260260/1, +256 414 255992
- Email: mweyaparaa@africaonline.co.ug, reservations@marasa.net
- Website: www.chobelodgeuganda.com, www.marasa.net
Below are things to do in Murchison Falls National Park;
Things to do at Murchison Falls National Park
- Game drive
- Boat cruise
- Top of the falls visit or hike
- Chimp trekking
- Bird watching
Checkout The 3 Days Murchison falls safari
Price per person for different numbers of people.
| Budget lodging-Heritage lodge | 2 – $570 pp | 3 – $455 pp | 4 – $390 pp | 5 – $385 pp | 6 – $373 pp | 7 – $367 pp | 8 – $345 pp | 9 – $345 pp |
| Mid-range lodging-Murchison River Lodge / Pakuba lodge | 2 – $775 pp | 3 – $655 pp | 4 – $590 pp | 5 – $575 pp | 6 – $560 pp | 7 – $555 pp | 8 – $550 pp | 9 – $550 pp |
| Luxury lodging-Paraa safari lodge | 2 – $890 pp | 3 – $752 pp | 4 – $730 pp | 5 – $670 pp | 6 – $660 pp | 7 – $650 pp | 8 – $625 pp | 9 – $625 pp |
Murchison falls National Park is Uganda’s largest game park. It is most popular for its diversity of animal and bird species immersed in sprawling wooden and open savannah grasslands. The park also boats of the River Nile which crosses through the Murchison falls National Park. Murchison falls is a host to several wildlife including many birds and animal species.
During your 3 days Murchison Falls safari, you will hike to the iconic Murchison Falls for breath taking views of these beautiful falls. The boat ride on the Nile River is ideal for great wildlife spotting and finally go for a game drive to explore the wildlife.
Highlights of the 3 Days Murchison falls safari trip
- Hike to the top of the Murchison Falls.
- Evening game drive on day 1.( for Northern Bank Accommodations)
- Early morning Game Drive on day 2.
- Last and third morning game drive on day 3 before departure.
- Afternoon Boat Ride
Programme for the 3 days Murchison falls safari
Day 1: Transfer to Murchison falls National Park – Hike to the Top of the Falls
After your early morning breakfast, our company driver guide will meet with you at exactly 7:00 am and will brief you on your 3 days Murchison falls wildlife safari Uganda package, then start-off with the 6 hours’ drive to Uganda’s biggest national park (Murchison falls National Park).
We shall have a stopover in Luwero District to pick a couple of fruits, that is to say oranges, pineapples, passion fruits and jackfruits. Then proceed to for lunch at the Kabalega Dinners or Masindi town for our lunch at either Masindi Hotel or Court View Hotel.
After lunch, then drive out of Masindi town to a dirt road for about 20 minutes and get to Murchison falls National Park. After clearance at the park entry, the fun or trip then officially begins. You are immediately ushered into the wildlife park by a number of stubborn baboons lining up along the road. They grapple about anticipating for some goodies, ensure the windscreens are up else they will snatch anything inviting from the car.
Continue the drive as you savour the beautiful landscape while occasionally sighting warthogs and other wildlife species. The sightings at the top of the falls are breath taking with about 300 – 400 cubic meters per second of Nile water force through a tiny gorge of about 7 meters to plunge into a violent tempest in a whirlpool about 42 meters below. It is such a beautiful sight with incredible picture moments here.
After the hike drive to your lodge and check in for dinner and overnight.
Day 2: Morning Game Drive through the park and Boat Ride on the Victoria Nile
The Nile that crosses Murchison falls National Park bisects it into the South and North sections. The North section is more endowed with game compared to the south. For that matter the north is preferred for game drives. If your reserved lodge is found in the southern section, you will get to the ferry crossing to get on the Norther side for your game drive package.
Explore the major game trails especially around the area of Paraa for good game spotting including lots of elephants, lions, giraffes, antelopes, Jackals, hyenas, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, Jackson’s Hartebeests and hopefully the elusive leopards among others.
At around 11:30 am you return to the lodge for your lunch and some relaxation for an indefinitely short time. Later we set out for the afternoon Boat Ride on the Victoria Nile which is the high spot of any Murchison Falls Safari for you to spot lots of wildlife species at a close and clear encounter.
You will have to spot lots of hippos, Nile crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes, and many other animals that come to drink water, refresh and cool themselves off the scorching sun and some animals to eat the fresh grass along the river banks.
The Nile is also a birds’ magnet. You will also be shown the crush point of Ernest Hemingway. The ride takes you close to the base of the Murchison Falls and here you are treated to yet another sight of these lovely falls. You could hike to the top of the falls before the return ride, then return back to the lodge for your dinner and overnight.
Meal Plan – Full Board (breakfast, lunch and dinner).
Day 3: Early Morning Game Drive through the park and return to Kampala
Wake up early morning and get prepared for another game drive through the park. Expecting to increase your game count and spot more other wildlife. At around 11:00 am, check out the hotel and drive to Masindi town for lunch at either Masindi Hotel or Court View Hotel, then embark on the journey to return back to Kampala / Entebbe international airport or preferred destination
Meal Plan – Full Board (breakfast, lunch)
Travel time – 6 hours (Murchison to Kampala)
Have A Good Time Touring!
Pictures And Video Of Murchison Falls National Park And Chobe Safari Lodge Below
Animal Pictures At Murchison Falls National Park Below
Murchison Water Falls And Views Pictures Below
Luxurious Chobe Safari Lodge Murchison Falls National Park Pictures Below
Inside The Lodge
Watch a video documenting Murchison Falls National Park below;
CREDITS: tinamagazine.com, wikipedia.org, adventure-travellers.com, murchisonfallsnationalpark.com