Top Things to Do in Murchison Falls National Park
Top Things to Do in Murchison Falls National Park : Murchison Falls National Park is located in the northwestern Uganda region, approximately 4 to 5 hours’ drive to access the main visited destination. More so, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site thus making it home to a biodiversity of species that attracts thousands of tourists who flock to the park yearly. Below are the things to do while on safari in Murchison Falls National Park including;
Wildlife Game Drive;
The best way to explore the richness of wildlife at Murchison Falls is by driving around the park and viewing wild animals in their natural habitats. Game drives are ultimately done in the northern part of Murchison Falls National Park which is dominated by open savannah grasslands.
The park is home to over 76 species of mammals in this spectacular destination and around 450 bird species -the most spotted bird is the Shoebill stork, Gray-crowned crane, Giant Kingfisher, Abyssian Ground, Giant Heron many more.
One on the game drive safari in Murchison Falls National Park expects to adventure a wide range of animal species such as warthogs, Kobs, waterbucks, bushbucks, Jackson’s hartebeests, endangered Rothschild Giraffes, Kob as well as 4 of the big five game ‘’elephants, lions, buffaloes and leopards many more.
Boat Rides -Launch cruises
The park is home to the world’s strongest waterfalls which are admired by thousands of tourists on the visit and more rewarding on two boat rides; one heading to the bottom of the falls and the other towards the shores of Lake Albert each offering an astonishing experience.
The Nile Delta boat cruise ‘’Albert Delta’’, sets off from Paraa and follows the flow of the river toward the shores of Lake Albert. The Nile Delta cruise is highly recommended for bird lovers which is more rewarding in the morning thus giving you a great chance to watch the dinosaur-era bird, the shoebill stork, and other bird species.
Another -the Nile River Boat Cruise also is an impressive experience that cruises towards the bottom of the mighty Falls and it sails for about 3 hours. Assuredly, you will witness the greatness of the falls from the boat with water turning into mist and gorgeous splashing waters upon the boat.
While on the board, expect to watch several different wildlife along the shore of the river like pods of hippos, the giant Nile crocodiles with their mouth wide open, elephant bathing, buffaloes wallowing, and various species of water birds.
Hike to the Top of the Falls
This is also a recommendable activity to tourists that does not require any physical fitness. Well, this is another deemed way of walking through the path Winston Churchill took climbing down to catch a boat to Sudan. However, let this activity be on your list of tour packages or things to do in Murchison Falls.
The hike to reach the bottom of the falls -starts right from the Baker Trail until the top of the falls while listening to the sweet roaring of falls from the top as you are re-invigorating by the splashing water drops.
Sport Fishing
Murchison Falls National Park is one of the best activities to do in your leisure time while in the jungle, especially for those who love the fishing experience. You can participate in one of the yearly fishing tournaments that happen on the Nile River in Murchison Falls. The most caught fish is the Nile patch among other species.
Birding
Amazingly, Murchison Falls National Park is home to a paradise of birders because it hosts more than 450 bird species that can be watched around the Nile on the boat cruise, Budongo forest on the nature walk, and chimpanzee trekking many more. Water birds include; African fish eagle, Giant and Malachite kingfisher Black crakes, Red-throated and Northern carmine bee eaters and African skimmer and other bird species includes; Shoe bill ,Long-toed plover ,Grey-headed kingfisher ,Veracious Dove ,Black-headed Lapwing ,Osprey, African Darter,Silverbird ,Red-throated bee-eater ,Piapiac ,Giant heron ,Malachite kingfisher ,Eastern grey plantain eater , Blue-headed lapwing , Black-headed gonolek, Black-billed barbet ,African quail finch , Black-headed gonolek among others.
Nature walks – Rabongo Forest
This is an activity that helps you to encounter the hidden treasure of the park on foot than in the car. You will be guided by the park guide as you get rewarded with the fresh breathing air but also an opportunity for birding, spotting, and learning about different plants and tree species and insects.
This is another way to stretch out your body and experience the jungle memories thus one of the best things to do in Murchison Falls.
Chimpanzee Trekking
Chimpanzee trekking is another remarkable thing to do in Murchison Falls which occurs in Budongo forest within the park and home of the Jane Goodall Chimpanzee Research Station. The experience takes an hour to spend with them as you enjoy their amazing lifestyle and behaviors.
Activities to do in Budongo forest includes; Excellent birding experience, nature walks many more.
Boomu Community Visit
This is a women’s initiative organization that promotes African cultures near the outskirts of Murchison Falls National Park. You visit the Boomu Community visit get to learn how they make nice craft materials like baskets, mats, and more.
You can sleep in their traditional bandas.
White Rhino Tracking -they can not be trekked in Murchison Falls National Park but can be tracked in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary home to only Rhinos in Uganda, one of the big cats to complement the big Five game safaris in Uganda. Murchison has only a big 4 game -lions, elephants, leopards, and buffalo and Ziwa is home to the Rhinos thus making it Uganda’s Big 5 Game Safaris. Ziwa is home to the southern white Rhinos that attract hundreds of tourists to come to trek them.
