Location of Murchison Falls National Park | Murchison Falls Location

Location of Murchison Falls National Park: Murchison Falls National Park is located in the northwest corner of Uganda, occupying parts of the districts of Buliisa, Nwoya, Kiryandongo and Masindi. This location makes it the best destination for Uganda safaris, especially for those looking to see the magnificent Murchison Falls.

The park lies approximately 72 kilometers (45 miles) from Masindi, the nearest town. From Kampala, the park is about 283 kilometers (176 miles) from Kampala, Uganda’s capital, by road. Murchison Falls is famous for its stunning waterfall and wildlife and is one of the most visited sites on safaris in Uganda’s wilderness.

Murchison Falls is conveniently located near the Masindi-Gulu highway, just off the famous Karuma Falls. This area is a part of Murchison Falls National Park, which is one of Uganda’s best wildlife safari destinations.

The park is best known for its dramatic waterfalls, rich wildlife and habitat diversity. Additionally, the site of the 600-megawatt Karuma Power Station is the largest power plant in Uganda. Visitors are interested in a Uganda wildlife safari in Murchison Falls National Park to experience the vibrant colors and shapes of its animal life and green foliage.

The park is also situated close to the main road and is thus easily accessible and very popular with travelers who want to experience a genuine Ugandan safari in Murchison Falls.

Wildlife in Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park is one of the best places to go on a Uganda wildlife safari. The park hosts over 144 mammal species, making it the best option for game drive safaris. Visitors can be able to see elephants in the savannah and woodland, particularly in the Buligi Plains.

The park is home to large herds of buffalo and other wildlife. Leopards are also regularly seen in the park’s scrubs, and lions, the kings of the jungle, frequent the southern part of the park. Other remarkable species, including the rare Rothschild giraffes, bushbucks, Jackson’s hartebeest, crocodiles, hippos, and Uganda kobs, also inhabit the park.

Primates

The park boasts 13 primates, such as olive baboons, the most common species to be watched on the grounds of the park. Other primate species you may also spot here include black and white monkeys, blue monkeys, and red-tailed monkeys, which are among the residents of Budongo Forest.

The best primates to see here are chimpanzees, which attract tourists to visit the park to participate in the Chimpanzee Tracking Safari and are reported to be closest to human genes at 98% of DNA.

Birdlife

Murchison Falls National Park is an excellent destination for birdwatching. The park is home to over 500 bird species, including water birds, savannah birds, Albertine Rift endemic species, and forest birds. Notable species include the rare shoebill stork, yellow-footed kingfisher, white-thighed ground hornbill, goliath bird, gonolek, black-billed barbet, long-toed plover, vinaceous dove, blue-headed coucal, saddle-billed stork, Senegal thick-knee, standard-winged nightjar, swamp flycatcher, martial eagle, long-tailed nightjar, and rock pratincole.

This rich bird diversity makes Murchison Falls one of the top birding safari destinations in East Africa.

Tourism Activities to do in Murchison Falls National Park

Wildlife watching

Wildlife watching is the best activity of every Uganda safari at Murchison Falls National Park. The park has a variety of animals, including 76 mammal species and 451 bird species. Animals include buffaloes, elephants, Jackson hartebeests, antelopes, lions, kobs, giraffes, hyenas, bushbucks, shoebill storks and warthogs. These creatures roam freely on the open plains, grazing or on the hunt, which makes it easy to spot them, whether you’re on a game drive or walking around.

During a Uganda adventure in Murchison Falls, game drives are typically conducted early in the morning, around 6:00 am, for chances of seeing predators like lions and other cats.

However, game drives can be enjoyed at any time of the day and are usually conducted in the northern part of the park, following several well-known trails and tracks, like Victoria Track, Albert Track, and Buligi Track. All safari vehicles have a pop-up roof to enable all guests to have an unobstructed view and take excellent photos.

Boat cruise experience to the Bottom of the falls

A boat ride to the base of Murchison Falls is a highlight for your Uganda tour in Murchison Falls National Park. This boat ride down the River Nile provides an amazing way to see the wildlife and nature of the park. On your way down to the bottom of the falls, expect to see hippos in the water and onshore, sunshine-basking crocodiles, and a variety of birdlife along the riverbanks. Travelers may also see other animals, including wildlife, drinking or lying around the river.

The boat cruise to the bottom of the falls normally lasts for about two hours, but tourists can pay for additional hours if they so wish. The activities are divided into two, a morning session and an afternoon session, and you may select the best and spend a good time as you cruise down the River Nile and on the delta with your love in Murchison Falls.

Hike and visit the top of the falls.

Top of the Falls

Visiting the stunning falls is also among the top safari experiences on your to-do list in Murchison Falls National Park. You will take a boat cruise from which you can hike to the top of the falls, which can take you about one hour to walk. From where you are, you are able to see the incredible falls from a distant vantage point and also take clear pictures of the Murchison Falls and the Uhuru Falls.

Chimpanzee tracking

Chimpanzee tracking is a popular activity for visitors on a Uganda safari in Murchison Falls National Park. This exciting primate experience takes place in Budongo Forest Reserve, which is located within Murchison Falls National Park.

Chimpanzee tracking in Budongo Forest can be enjoyed during the morning or afternoon session, as  we can take care of arranging permits and trekking for you. Budongo Forest Reserve is home to over 700 chimpanzees, which have been conserved for many years. The number of chimpanzee groups within the reserve has steadily grown over the years, which means it is the perfect destination for wildlife safari goers interested in primates.

Conservation in Budongo Forest has been active since the first study of the chimpanzees in 1960, sustaining and protecting these primates and attracting more visitors eager to explore the Ugandan wildlife safaris in Murchison Falls.

Accommodations in Murchison Falls National park

Tourists planning a Uganda safari in Murchison Falls National Park shouldn’t worry about where to stay. The park has a variety of accommodations both in and around the park. Murchison Falls National Park lodges range from luxury to budget.

Some of the accommodation options here include Chobe Safari Lodge, Nile Safari Lodge, and Baker’s Lodge. Comfort and convenience at Kabalega Wilderness Camp, Paraa Safari Lodge, Murchison River Lodge, Pakuba Safari Lodge, Pumba Safari Lodge, Red Chilli Hideaway Lodge, and many more.