Murchison falls national park is one unique wildlife destination in Uganda and a home to various wildlife species. Murchison falls is the largest national park in Uganda covering a land area of 3840 kilometers. The national park stretches from mid western Uganda to northern Uganda and its crossed by the great river Nile – the longest river on the planet.
A trip to Murchison falls national park introduces tourists to the strongest waterfalls – Murchison falls that forms a permanent rain ball. The water of the river falls through a hard rock forming a strong thunderous voice and splashing water several meters above that forms a mist. These falls can be clearly viewed from the top that can be got to after a 10 kilometers drive from the main road in the national park. Alternatively, the waterfalls can be toured while on the boat cruise. The boat usually takes tourists to bottom of the falls where they have great and clear views of the water pouring down the gorge.
Murchison falls national park is comprised of two major sectors – the northern and the southern sector. Most of the wildlife in this national park is situated in the northern sector. While on a game drive there, wild animals like giraffes, elephants, lions, antelopes, hartebeests, buffaloes and many others. The vegetation in the northern sector is also very unique comprised of short savanna grasses with number scattered trees.
While driving through the southern sector of the park, wildlife like buffaloes and some few antelopes are seen but they are not as many as in the northern sector.
Murchison falls national park is a home to the big four wild animals. These include lions, buffaloes, elephants and leopards. Initially there were big five including the rhinos however the rhino population in Uganda was completely wiped out in the 19080’s. Today, rhinos in Uganda can be seen at the Zziwa rhino sanctuary, which is situated in Nakasongola district about 7 kilometers off the Kampala Gulu highway. Nevertheless, tourists going for wildlife safaris in Murchison falls national park usually have a stop over for rhino tracking and then proceed to the national park thus giving them a chance to experience the big five wildlife experience. The lions, elephants, giraffes, leopards, buffaloes and rhinos were called the big five animals because of the challenges that the wildlife rangers would go through as they hunted them.
Murchison falls national park is also a home to human’s closest primates the chimpanzees. These live in Budongo forest one of the natural forests still standing in Uganda. The forest is not only a home to the chimpanzees but also many other wildlife species including over 400 bird species, 450 tree species as well as butterflies, reptiles and many other insects. Chimpanzee tracking is the major wildlife activity carried out here however tourists interested in birding and nature walks can also have a great time while there. Other primates that can be seen while in the Budongo forest include baboons and colobus monkeys.
Sporting fishing is another very enjoyable adventure that is carried out at the bottom of Murchison falls with greater possibilities of having a big catch.
The park is also a home to various bird species making it among the best birding destinations in Uganda.
The wildlife at this park can be explored while on game drives in the two major sectors on the park and while on a boat cruise on river Nile to the Nile delta. Murchison falls national park can be visited at any time of the year.
