All you need to know about a safari in the Murchison Falls National park

All you need to know about a safari in the Murchison Falls National park

All you need to know about a safari in the Murchison Falls National park : If you are planning a safari in Murchison Falls National Park, the information below will help you plan you’re a safari in this beautiful nature park

Where is Murchison Falls National Park in Uganda?

Murchison Falls National Park is located in the north -western Uganda, spanning an area of 3,893 square kilometers, spreading inland from the shores of Lake Albert on the western side, along the Victoria Nile, up to the Karuma Falls on the eastern side.

Murchison Falls National Park lies at the northern end of the Albertine Rift Valley where the sweeping Bunyoro Escarpment tumbles into vast, palm-dotted savannah. The park occupies the districts of Buliisa, Nwoya, Kiryandongo and Masindi.

Paraa area situated near the Nile is considered the heart of Murchison Falls  National Park, the park is divided into a northern and southern area by the River Nile that runs through the park.

How to get to Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park is not situated to far from Kampala- the capital of Uganda and a starting point for most safaris, it takes approximately 4-5 hours by car to the Southern Entrance (Kichumbayobo Gate) and approximately 5-6 hours to the Northern Entrance (Tangi Gate)

 By road, you can use with public transport or private transport. Normally a private vehicle is included in our Murchison Falls National Park Safari.

Note: Getting to Murchison Falls by public transport is very difficult

 Also, it is possible to travel to Murchison Falls National Park by plane. There are several small airstrips in the park

It is also possible to travel to Murchison Falls by plane. There are several small runways in the park. This is an expensive joke because you have to charter a plane to get here, these flights are operated from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip and are offered by local flight companies like Bar Aviation and AeroLink.

What entrance do you take in Murchison Falls National Park?

There are several entrances to Murchison Falls National Park, if you are traveling to the north region of the park use the Tangi Gate.

Other entrances in the North such as Chobe Gate (Easternmost entrance), Wankwar gate and Mubako Gate. These gates are situated further away from the highlights of Murchison Falls and there is hardly any accommodation in this area that is why they are hardly used.

If you are traveling south through the city of Masindi, Kichumbayobo Gate is the perfect entrance to use. This gate is the main entrance, from this gate it is another 85 kilometers to the Central Paraa area.

Another entrance is Bugungu gate, leading to the west. This gate is more difficult to reach due to the long road which is 135 kilometers from Masindi and it is a very nice route.

Self-drive safari or a guided safari in Murchison Falls National Park?

If you are adventurous travel, then we recommend that you do a self – drive through Murchison Falls National Park. While on this type of safari, you have to hire a UWA ranger for a game drive at a cost of $ 20. The ranger helps you spot animals and find the way.

To see as much Murchison Falls National Park as possible, we recommend that your drive from north to south.

Ferry in the Murchison Falls National Park

The ferry in Murchison Falls National Park is required to go from the north to the south region of the keep, keep in mind that the ferry can get full and it does not depart 24/7.

Ferries run regularly between 7 am and 7.pm.

Highlights Murchison Falls National Park

Some of the highlights you do not want to miss in Murchison Falls National Park are as described below.

Delta area (Buligi – Para: north)

From the Tangi Gate, drive south in the direction of Lake Albert, you are now in the Delta Area – an area that borders Lake Albert on the one hand and the Nile River on the other. This wetland area is a place most of the animals in the park live, you spot elephants, giraffes and zebras drinking water from the river, hippos and lions hunting for prey.

To explore this area, there are various routes you can use including

• The Albert Nile track that borders Lake Albert
• The Queens track, from the river inland
• The Victoria Nile track which runs partly along the river and eventually branches off towards Paraa

As you drive on the routes, you will find most of the animals Murchison Falls National Park is known for.

Wild camping in the park

Is camping in the middle of the wild your dream, then bring your camping gears and visit the UWA (Uganda Wildlife Authority) office in Paraa. There are has three wild camping spots in the north of the park where you can set up camp, the ranger keep watch all night and keeps a fire on so that you sleep safely in your tent.

Rent a ranger for $ 20, camping in Murchison Falls National Park costs $ 10 per person.

Boat trip across the Nile to Murchison Falls

Boat trips up the River Nile departs from Paraa, the center of Murchison Falls National Park. This boat trips gets you close to Murchison Falls and a chance for you to spot beautiful animals and birds that live around the river, it is also possible to take a boat trip to Lake Albert and sail through the delta.

This boat trip lasts about 2 hours.

View the Murchison Falls from above (Top of the Falls Hike)

Murchison Falls from which the park is named after is a major attraction in the park, the falls is a beautiful natural spectacle with thousands of gallons of water pouring fiercely down on a daily.

On the hike to the top of the falls, you get to enjoy amazing views of the falls from the top. The hike of takes approximately 30 minutes.

Spotting chimpanzees

Chimpanzee trekking in Murchison Falls National Park is done in Budongo Forest which is home to the largest number of chimpanzees in Uganda, in addition to chimpanzees, you will also come across olive baboons, white and black colobus monkeys and retailed monkeys.

 

 

Budongo Forest has two ecotourism sites that is Kaniyo Pabidi and Busingiro which are managed by The Jane Goodall Institute.

In Budongo Forest run twice a day, at 7 am and again at 3 pm and all the treks start from the Kaniyo Pabidi eco-site where you will have a briefing about your trek.

How many days do you need for Murchison Falls National Park?

To really discover Murchison Falls National Park you need 2 to 3 days.

Note: the entrance ticket in valid for 24 hours.

If you want to discover different parts of the part at different times, we recommend that you enter the park around 2 pm and discover the north or south first. Then spend the night in the park and finally take the early ferry across the Nile the next morning so that you can also see the other side of the park.

An extra day in Murchison Falls National Park can be nice, this way you see more and maintain a slower pace. Therefore, you have more time to take a boat cruise on the Nile and do other activities.

Note: even in 3 days, you may not have enough time to explore Murchison Falls National Park as a whole.

Entrance and prices of Murchison Falls National park

Below is an overview of prices for admission and activities

• Entrance: $40 p.p. (valid 24 hours)
• Car entrance: 30,000 UGX (valid 24 hours)
• Ferry: car crossing is 40,000, on top of that is UGX 5000 per person
• Boat cruise: $30 p.p.
• Daytime game drive by car: $20
• Night game drive per person: $40
• Camping Ranger: $20
• Camping in the park: $10

Where to stay in Murchison Falls National Park

There are various accommodation options in Murchison Falls National Park ranging from Budget, midrange to luxury. Most of these accommodations are located inside and outside of the park

Red Chili Hideaway: This budget accommodation is a hostel, just south of the Nile and is perfect for budget overnight stay. It has a beautiful swimming pool and a restaurant.

Murchison River Lodge: This beautiful lodge is located in the middle of the park, south of the Nile. It features WiFi and a swimming pool with a beautiful view.

Paraa safari lodge: this super luxurious hotel features beautiful, comfortable guest rooms and a great swimming pool. The lodge is situated in the middle of wild nature and is located north of the Nile, in the Paraa area.

Accommodation facilities situated just outside of Murchison Falls National Park include

• Mama Washindi
• Fort Murchison
• Murchison Backpackers
• New Court View hotel