Murchison Falls National Park located in the northwestern region of Uganda, is one of the country’s most popular and beautiful wildlife destinations. It covers about 3,893 square kilometers and was named after the stunning Murchison Falls where the Victoria Nile river dramatically forces its way through a narrow gorge, plummeting 43 meters (141 feet) to create an awe-inspiring sight.
The park is a home to a wide variety of animals including the big five animals such as lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards and rhinoceros. On game drives through the park’s savannah and woodlands, you may encounter giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, warthogs and several species of antelope.
Murchison Falls are the centerpiece of the park and they are a must-see when you visit the park. The falls offer spectacular views and a chance to take a boat ride to the base of the falls where you can observe the roaring waters and enjoy the surrounding scenery. Murchison Falls National Park offers boat safaris on the Nile. A boat ride along the Victoria Nile which flows through the park, offers incredible opportunities to see wildlife up close. You can spot hippos, crocodiles, elephants and a rich variety of birdlife, including the famous shoe bill stork.
Murchison Falls National Park is a haven for birdwatchers. The park boasts over 450 species of birds including the rare and elusive shoe bill stork. You can also spot secretary birds, African fish eagles, vultures among others. Murchison Falls National Park harbors Kaniyo Pabidi Forest. This forest area offers a contrast to the savannah with its dense, lush green environment. It is home to chimpanzees and a variety of bird species making it another prime location for wildlife enthusiasts.
The park also harbors Rabongo Forest. This forest is located in the southern section of the park. Rabongo Forest is rich in biodiversity and offers scenic walking trails. It’s a peaceful spot for nature lovers who want to escape the more tourist areas of the park. Hiking to the top of Murchison Falls gives visitors an excellent view of the entire area. The journey is not very difficult and the reward at the end is a breathtaking panorama of the falls and the surrounding landscape.
In Murchison Falls National Park, visitors can interact with local communities like the Batwa people (forest dwellers) or the various ethnic groups who live around the park. You can learn about their traditional way of life including their cultural heritage and crafts. Murchison Falls National Park offers incredible sunrise and sunset views especially when you are on a boat safari or during a game drive. The setting sun over the Nile with the backdrop of trees and wildlife creates magical moments.
The best time to visit this park is during the dry seasons from December to February and June to September since these months makes the game viewing activity easy. During the wet seasons, the park becomes lush and beautiful but some roads may become impassable.
The park is accessible by both road and air. From Kampala, the journey to Murchison Falls National Park takes around 4-6 hours by road or you can take a charter flight into the park’s airstrip. Have no worry on where to stay during your safari in Murchison Falls National Park with the 4×4 rooftop tent there is a wide range of campsite facilities within the park.
The safari lodges come in luxury, mid-range and budget facilities. Some of these accommodations are built on top of the falls, within the park and others are in the wider Murchison Falls Conservation Area. Some of these accommodation facilities include: Nile safari lodge, Paraa safari lodge, Sambiya River lodge, Chobe safari lodge, Red Chill Camp, Kaniyo Pabidi Camp, Murchison Safari Lodge, Budongo Eco Lodge, UWA Campsite among others.
Whether you are looking for adventure, photography or simply a tranquil escape into nature, Murchison Falls National Park offers a truly exceptional experience. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must-visit for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts. Known for its dense forests, rich biodiversity and as a sanctuary for endangered mountain gorillas, Bwindi offers some unforgettable experiences. Here are five unmissable things to do in Bwindi;
Gorilla Trekking. Bwindi is famous for its mountain gorillas and a gorilla trek is undoubtedly the highlight of any visit. There are several trekking routes and you will be guided by experienced rangers through dense forest trails to find a group of gorillas. Spending time with these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat is an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime experience. Gorilla trekking usually begins with briefing early in the morning.
The briefing covers important topics such as how to act around the primates, what to expect and what to pack. The actual trekking can take between 30 minutes to 4 hours depending on the gorilla family and their location.
An advance team of trekkers is sent earlier to locate the primates. This advance team of trekkers locates the gorilla family before communicating by radio to the rangers leading the tourists with details about their location. Once the gorillas are located, tourists are allowed only one hour with the gorillas. This is because the animals are semi-wild and prolonged presence of humans may get to their nerves. Eating near gorillas is prohibited. Gorilla permits in Uganda cost $800 and can only be obtained from Uganda Wildlife Authority through a trusted tour operator (Nature Adventure Africa Safaris).
Bird Watching. With over 350 species of birds, Bwindi is a haven for birdwatchers. The park is a home to some rare and endemic species including the African green broad bill and the Blue-headed Sun bird. You can take guided bird-watching walks to explore the forest and spot these unique creatures.
The best way to spot the birds is to follow the River Ivi trail, Munyaga River trail, Ruhija’s bamboo trail and the Mubwindi Swamp trail. The Munyaga River Trail is the best option for birders with little time to spare. Some of the species to spot include the yellow-whiskered green buls, Yellow-eyed black Fly-catcher, White-tailed fly-catcher, White-tailed Blue Monarch, white-tailed blue flycatcher, White-browed Crombec, White-bellied Robin Chat, white tailed blue monarch, Western Green Tinker bird, Western Bronze-naped Pigeon, strange weaver, Short-tailed Warbler, Shelley’s Crimson-wing, Ruwenzori Batis, Rusty-faced woodland Warbler, Red-throated Alethe, red-tailed bulbul, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Purple-breasted, Mountain masked Apalis, Chestnut –throated Apalises, McKinnon’s grey shrike, Kivu Ground Thrush, honey guide, Handsome Francolin, Gruel’s Rush Warbler, Green Tinkerbird, Grauer’s broadbill, Frazer’s eagle owl, Fine-banded Woodpecker, Elliot’s woodpecker, Dusky crimson honey guide, Dusky crimson wing, Collared Apalis, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eaters, Chapin’s Flycatcher, brown necked parrot, blue-headed sun bird, Regal Sun birds, blue turaco, Black billed Turaco, black bee-eater, Bar-tailed Trogon, the Wing, Bar-tailed Trogon, barred long-tailed cuckoos, bar tailed trogon, Archer’s Robin-Chat, African Wood Owl, African Green Broad bill, Mountain and Yellow-streaked Green buls among others.
Nature Walks in Bwindi. You can enjoy a guided nature walk through the park’s lush forests. These walks allow you to explore the incredible flora and fauna of Bwindi. You will learn about the ecosystem, encounter wildlife and discover stunning waterfalls and viewpoints along the way.
Nature walk is an adventurous activity where you will be able to explore Bwindi Forest on foot with a well-trained park guide and an armed park ranger to protect you from any ranger.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has several nature walk trails that you can follow during the guided nature walk such as Muyangwa waterfall trail in Buhoma sector, Muzubijiro loop trail, Rushura hill walk, Buhoma-Nkuringo trail, Ivi River trail and Habinyanja trail.
During the guided nature walk, you will get up-close and personal with different wildlife species including mammals, primates, view different tree species, colorful butterflies, beautiful scenery among others.
Cultural Experience with Local Batwa Communities. This is an interesting activity in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park that gives you an opportunity to interact with the Batwa people who used to live in Bwindi Forest before it was gazetted as a national park. Batwa cultural tour begins with a prayer from the Batwa guides and after you will start hiking through the forest where the Batwa used to live.
You will be able to learn about their lifestyle. They will teach you on how they used to gather honey, food they used to eat, demonstrate how they used to build huts made of grass and trees, learn how to prepare local dishes, enjoy their traditional dances and songs among others.
Visiting the Bwindi Community Hospital. For those interested in sustainable tourism and supporting local communities, visiting the Bwindi Community Hospital provides an opportunity to learn about the vital health services provided to the local population. The hospital plays an important role in conservation and community development efforts and it’s a great way to contribute to the area’s well-being.
Other activities that someone can engage in while in Bwindi include; Gorilla habituation experience, Canoeing, Mountain Biking among others. These activities combined make Bwindi a one-of-a-kind destination for adventure, culture and conservation in Uganda.