Best 8 Activities To Do In Murchison Falls

Best 8 Activities To Do In Murchison Falls National Park In Uganda

The best 8 activities to do in Murchison Falls National Park are; Birding, Boat cruising, Game drives, hot air balloon experience, sport fishing and hiking. If it was a shopping mall, Murchison Falls National Park would be your regular hangout spot for everything you need.

At a total surface area of over 3840 square kilometers, Murchison Falls National Park is the largest park in Uganda. It is located in the north western region of the country and is famous for harboring a wide range of flora and fauna which includes Four (No Rhinos at the park) of Africa‘s famous Big Five crew (Lion, Elephant, Buffalo and Leopard).

The park is mainly characterized by a mixture of different vegetation types ranging from riverine forests, swamps, savannah grasslands and woodlands. These are home to over 500 different bird species, insects and other animals.

The best 8 activities in Murchison Falls National Park are discussed below;

1. Birding/Bird Watching in Murchison Falls National Park

With over 500 different recorded bird species, Murchison Falls National Park is like heaven to birders. Some of the birds are residential like the Albertine rift valley endemic birds, others are migratory, water and forest birds.

They all come in different colors, sizes and shapes. You will totally love how lively they make the park feel. Please remember to come with a non flash camera to capture as many pictures and videos as you want. You will be able to share your birding findings with your family back home.

Some of the bird species you will see include; The pied King fisher, Abyssinian ground, shoebill stork, giant king fisher, yellow-fronted tinkerbird, veracious dove, grey-crowned crane, silver bird, black-billed barbet and so many others.

 

2. Boat cruising/ Boat rides in Murchison Falls National Park

Boat cruising along the Nile towards the shores of Lake Albert and cruising to the bottom of the Murchison falls happens to be among the best activities which tourists anticipate to participate in when at Murchison Falls National Park.

These boat rides enable you to soak in the beauty of water dwellers such as hippos (also known as Paraa), fish and crocodiles as well as enjoying the perfect sights of the lake shore and river bank dwellers like the elephants, buffalos, waterbucks and several other animals.

The boat cruise towards the bottom of the falls takes 2-3 hours while the one along the Nile delta and the shores of Lake Albert takes between 4-5 hours. You will love it.

 

3. Game drives in Murchison Falls National Park

This happens to be one of the most fun activities at the park. You will get a golden opportunity to move around the park aboard a 4×4 wheel drive tour van as you look at different animals, birds and the beautiful scenery all over Murchison Falls National Park.

Game drives at the park are conducted both in the morning and during evening hours. The morning game drives will require you to wake up very earlier than usual, then you have a quick breakfast and board an already waiting tour van with the company of a skillful driver and a game ranger who will be willing and happy to answer all your questions.

The morning drive will reward you with sightings of animals at their most active time. You will see elephants, giraffes, waterbucks, Uganda kobs, buffalos and so many other animals.

Evening game drives will enable you to see the nocturnal animals like hyenas, leopards and lions among others. The park is quite lively at night too, I am so sure that you will have a great time.

4. Hot air balloon experience in Murchison Falls National Park

The hot air balloon experience is restricted to only Murchison Falls National Park which in turn gives the park a plus compared to other national parks in Uganda. You will board a secured craft which will rise high enough to give you an aerial view (bird view) of the park

This lovely experience will make you feel like you are soaring on top of the world. The sightings of the falls, river Nile, Lake Albert and the landscape at large will forever be embedded in your mind and heart.

You will also win yourself a certificate and a lovely breakfast backed by champagne from Pakuba Safari Lodge staff as a token of appreciation and recognition for taking part in the hot air balloon experience.

5. Sport fishing in Murchison Falls National Park

Tourists at Murchison Falls National Park have the opportunity of fishing for fun and pleasure. Local fishermen in the area will show you how to set up traps to hold large fish especially the Nile Perch which is a delicacy in the area. This simple sport fishing activity enables you to interact with the locals too.

6. Hiking in Murchison Falls National Park

With the guidance of park guides, you will be led on foot from the top of the falls and you descend halfway down then you hike back up. It is fun watching the waterfalls up-close.

After sitting for so long on your way to the park, hiking is a great way to stay physically fit.

7. Nature Walks in Murchison Falls National Park

Nature Walks in the park involve you walking with park guides and an armed ranger following known trails around the park. It is a lovely way to stretch your legs. You will be able to see several animals from a close range and several details which you would have missed had you been far.

Carry your camera and be ready to take pictures of lions, elephants, hippos, giraffes, several plant species , birds and insects.

8. Chimpanzee trekking in Murchison Falls National Park

Chimpanzee trekking is an exciting activity which most of the visitors to the park, want to participate in. Chimpanzee trekking in Murchison Falls National Park takes place in the famous Budongo Forest which happens to be the largest mahogany forest in Uganda and East Africa at large.

To embark on a chimpanzee trekking safari here, you will wake up very early in the morning, have breakfast as you are being briefed by the park guide. Then you will be allocated to groups of 6 people.

You will each follow a known trail (led by the park ranger). The trek usually takes somewhere between 4 minutes and 4 hours depending on numerous factors like; how fast you are all walking, the time you have started the trek and the location of the chimpanzees.

Thank goodness the chimpanzees in Budongo forest are habituated which simply means that they were trained to have direct contact with humans without feeling scared or thinking that they are going to be harmed.

You will get an opportunity to hang out with these charming fellas as they play, nurse, feed and interact with each other in their natural habitats. You will actually see other animals while you are trekking.

Other than the best 8 activities to do in Murchison Falls National Park, the beauty of the park, its breath-taking sunsets, the lovely scenery, great accommodation facilities and several other activities will ensure that you have a great time.

 

Accommodation in Murchison Falls National Park

Accommodations in the park’s lodges feature a wide range of high-quality facilities, as well as exclusive viewing areas.

The park’s famed diversity is best experienced by staying at several of the various lodges and resorts that can be found both inside and outside the park.

 

My conclusion about the best 8 things to do in Murchison Falls National Park

Please book your tour to Murchison Falls National Park with Kubwa Five Safaris, you are assured of having a thrilling adventure.