Frequently Asked Questions About Murchison Falls National Park

Are you ready to get some answers to the frequently asked questions about Murchison Falls National Park? Look no further, Bujo Safaris is here to feed you with all you need to know.  Murchison Falls National Park, also known as Kabalega National Park, is the largest and oldest national park in Uganda, covering approximately 3,840 square kilometers. The following are the frequently or commonly asked questions about Murchison Falls National Park and all you need to know about the park.

Where is Murchison Falls National Park located?

Murchison Falls National Park is located in the Masindi district in the northwestern part of Uganda. It is approximately four and a half hours’ drive from Kampala, the capital of Uganda.

What is the main attraction in Murchison Falls National Park?

The major attraction in Murchison Falls National Park is the falls themselves since many people happen to visit the park to witness the strongest waterfalls in the whole world. Murchison Falls was named after the geologist Roderick Murchison who was the president of the Royal Geographical Society in 1863.  Murchison Falls was named by Sir Samuel Baker in 1864.

What is there to see in Murchison Falls National Park?

Apart from the falls itself, there are also many different attractions that people visit to see in Murchison Falls National Park. Some of these attractions include,

Wildlife in Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park is not only famous or known for its great waterfalls but also for the abundance of wildlife that call this park home. Murchison Falls National Park is home to approximately 76 mammal species, making it one of the best destinations for game viewing. Some of the animals you should look forward to include buffaloes, leopards, antelopes, lions, giraffes, elephants, and Uganda kobs, to mention but a few. Did you know that in giraffes, Murchison Falls National Park has the highest number of Rothschild giraffes in Uganda and is one of the few destinations to see them? Murchison Falls National Park is also known to host four animals out of the big five (lion, elephant, leopard, buffaloes). The only missing animal on the Big Five is the rhino, which can be tracked when heading to or coming back from the park at Ziwa rhino sanctuary.

Birds in Murchison Falls National Park

Despite being home to approximately 76 mammal species, Murchison Falls National Park is also home to about 451 bird species. Some of these birds include window birds, kingfishers, grey herons, secretary birds, open-billed storks, and back-bellied bustards, to mention but a few. These birds can be seen flying around the park and during different activities. Activities like boat cruises, nature walks, hiking, and game drives, to mention but a few.

Albert Nile and Victoria Nile

These two water bodies offer beautiful views to tourists during boat cruise activities that are done along them.  Tourists who carry out the boat cruise activity on either of the two water bodies get a chance to encounter different bird species, animals, butterflies, and aquatic animals, to mention a few. These can be seen either along the shores or in the water. The best time for boat cruise activity in Murchison Falls National Park is during the afternoon period. This is because most of the animals will be around the shores drinking water or bathing.  Some of the animals you should expect to see include, giraffes, buffaloes, elephants, kobs, antelopes, waterbucks, hippos, and crocodiles, to mention but a few.

Karuma falls

Located in the northern region of Murchison Falls National Park in the Chobe region situated on Victoria Nile formed as it squeezes itself through the series of hard rocks forming white foam and rapids. These provide a nice view of the tourists who visit.

Some of the other attractions in Murchison Falls National Park include Budongo Forest, Rabongo Forest, and Kaniyo Pabidi Forest, Buligi game tracks, Paraa (home of hippos), to mention but a few.

What activities are done in Murchison Falls National Park?

Different activities are done or carried out in Murchison Falls National Park and below are some of them,

Hiking the top of Murchison Falls  

Hiking the top of Murchison Falls is done in Murchison Falls National Park. This activity takes about 2-3 hours and is a very adventurous activity to do that ends at the top of the falls at the point. You will encounter different attractions like primates, animals, birds, and tree species and end at the point where Sir Samuel Baker stood to name the waterfalls. While at the top of the falls, you will witness the rapids of the strongest waterfalls in the whole world which is breathtaking to sight.

Game drives 

Game drives are also one of the activities that are done in Murchison Falls National Park. You can either opt for evening, afternoon, or morning game drives which take about 3-4 hours. During these game drives, you will be able to encounter different animals, bird species, and plants, to mention but a few. For the nocturnal animals, you can be able to encounter them during the evening game drives including the big cats.

Birding 

Murchison Falls National Park is considered to be one of the best birding destinations in Uganda since it happens to host a large number of different bird species approximately 451 birds. Some of these birds include grey herons, kingfishers, secretary birds, open-billed storks, and back-billed bustards, to mention but a few. So, for bird lovers ready to tick some birds off your birding list, Murchison Falls National Park is your way to go.

Guided nature walks

Guided nature walks in Murchison Falls National Park involve tourists or visitors being led by professional tour guides and escorted by rangers to tour the park through different walking trails. The nature walks in Murchison Falls National Park take about 3-4 hours of adventure. During the guided nature walks, tourists get to see or encounter different animals like elephants, antelopes, and baboons, to mention a few.

Other activities carried out or done in Murchison Falls National Park include spot fishing, culture encounters, and chimpanzee trekking in the Budongo forest, to mention but a few.

What is the best time to visit Murchison Falls National Park?

 Murchison Falls National Park is open or accessible throughout the whole year. But just like any other tourist destination, there is also the best time for visiting Murchison Falls, during this period of visit you will be able to do all activities and have the best experience. The best time to visit Murchison Falls National Park is during the dry season. The dry season is experienced during June, July, August, September, and October. The rest of the months of the year it is the wet season for Murchison Falls National Park.

What is the cost of a safari, tour, or trip to Murchison Falls NP?

The cost of a safari, trip, or tour to Murchison Falls National Park is determined by many different aspects. Some of these aspects include park entrance fee, accommodation fee, transport fee, guide fee, and activity fee, to mention but a few. These costs also differ depending on what you want such as accommodation costs depending on whether you want luxury or budget accommodation.

How many gates does Murchison Falls National Park have?

Since Murchison Falls National Park is considered to be the oldest and the largest national park in Uganda, it happens to have approximately 6 gates and each is situated in a different location. These gates include the Kichumbanyobo Gate, Bugungu Gate, Mubako Gate, Tangi Gate, Chobe, and Wankar gates.

Where to stay in Murchison Falls National Park?

Murchison Falls National Park is filled with many different accommodation facilities that one can choose to stay at during his or her safari, trip, or tour to Murchison Falls National Park. These accommodation facilities range from luxury to budget hence favoring all types of people. Where you stay in Murchison Falls National Park is determined depending on what you want or need and how you stand financially.  Some of the accommodation facilities include Red Chili Rest Camp, Para Safari Lodge, and Murchison River Lodge, to mention but a few.

What to pack when visiting Murchison Falls National Park?

When packing for a trip, tour, or safari to Murchison Falls National Park, there are certain things that you should consider very much so that you have a good experience. What to pack depends on the main activity that you are going to do in Murchison Falls National Park.  Some of these things include,

Hiking boots

Hiking boots will help protect your legs from insect bites, cuts, and scratches from tree branches, the boots will also help you move swiftly during your hiking activity on top of the falls.

Sunscreen

Sunscreen should be handy because it will protect your skin from the direct UV rays from the sun since most of the activities are done in the open in the park.

Insect repellant

Since you are visiting a new environment, you should consider packing an insect repellant to protect you from insect bites that you may encounter during any activity. Some of these insects out there may tend to be poisonous so, to avoid being poisoned through bites it is better you avoid them using repellants.

Hut or cap

A hut or cap should be brought along since it will protect you from the direct sunlight during activity time like nature walks, and birding, to mention but a few.

Sunglasses

Sunglasses should also be packed since Murchison Falls during the dry season experiences a lot of sunlight which may affect or hurt your eyes when doing certain activities. So, the best way to avoid hurting your eyes is by bringing sunglasses to protect them.

First aid kit

Always when traveling to new destinations, you should consider packing along the medications that you have been prescribed to by your doctor and packing them in your first aid kit. This should be done so that in case of any accident, you can get first aid quickly to save your life.

Raincoat or jacket

A raincoat or jacket should also not be left behind for in case it rains, you will put it on to protect yourself from direct rain and keep warm all the time.

Bag pack

A bag pack is considered to be a must-have since it will help you carry all the necessities you will need for a particular activity during your trip, tour, or safari in Murchison Falls National Park.

Camera and extra batteries

A camera will help you capture all the beautiful moments and attractions during your visit to Murchison Falls National Park.

A pair of binoculars

This goes to the bird lovers in most cases, they are advised to bring along a pair of binoculars to help them spot the beautiful birds in the park properly.

Water bottle

Since most of the activities in Murchison Falls National Park are very tiering, you will be very much in need of a water bottle that can carry about 3 liters of water to rehydrate all the time. 

Clothes

When it comes to clothes it also depends on the major or main activities that you are most likely to do in Murchison Falls National Park. For example, chimpanzee trekking requires long-sleeved shirts and trousers, game drives require light clothes, and nature walks, to mention but a few. The clothes to pack also depend on the season you are visiting the park.  

How to access Murchison Falls National Park?

Murchison Falls National Park can be accessed by either road or air transport; by road transport it can be accessed via Masindi road from Entebbe/ Kampala which is about a 3-4 hours ‘drive. The park can be accessed through different routes which lead you to any of the six gates of the park.

By air transport, Murchison Falls National Park can be accessed by boarding a chattered flight from either Entebbe or Kajjansi and flying to Bugungu, Pakuba, or Chobe airfields in Murchison Falls National Park. From there you can be transported to the park headquarters. The flight takes about 1 and a half hours to arrive.

Now are you ready or interested in organizing a trip, safari, or tour to Murchison Falls National Park or Uganda safari? Do not hesitate to contact our company we shall be glad to help.