Tourist Attractions in Murchison Falls National Park-What to Do and See
The Popular attractions in Murchison Falls National Park include hiking the powerful Murchison Falls, Game Park Safaris, Boat Safaris, Birding Safaris and Chimpanzee tracking in the nearby Budongo Forest.
Murchison falls national park is famously known as the largest national park in Uganda compared to all other game parks in the country and it covers a total surface area of about 3,840 square kilometers. It was first gazetted as a game reserve in 1926 and then later it was officially established as a national park in 1952 which makes it to be considered among the oldest national parks in the country. More so, this national park is located in the Northern region of Uganda in Masindi district and it is known to have deprived its name from the Murchison falls that are within the park and were happened to be named by Sir Samuel Baker after the president of the Royal Geographical society who was known as Sir Roderick Murchison. However, in 1970, the former president of Uganda who was named President Idi Amin Dada renamed the falls to Kabalega after the King or Kabaka of the Bunyoro kingdom but it later in 1979 it was again renamed to Murchison falls after the downfall of the King.
Murchison falls national park is a good destination where tourists on a Uganda safari should visit because it provides you with the best adventurous safaris due to the fact that it is a home to over 76 mammal species that tourists can sight see as they tour around the park such as; African Bush elephants, Nile crocodiles, antelopes, buffaloes, duikers, hippos, elands, giraffes, lions, leopards, Zebras and primate species like; white and black colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, baboons and many others. more so, Murchison falls national park also harbours around 451 bird species that bird lovers can sight see such as; Nightjars, the rare shoebill stork, Marabou stork and many others. More so, this beautiful national park consists of many tourist attractions, which make it a fascinating destination, and attracts many tourists to travel from all over different parts of world to the park. Therefore, these attractions include;
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Boat Safaris to the Power Full Murchison Falls.
Murchison falls is considered the top, greatest attraction found in Murchison falls national park, and it is known to be formed by the waters of the River Nile, which force their way through a gap in rocks hence forming a 7 meters wide and 43 meters waterfall. Murchison falls is a spectacular waterfall, which is also commonly known as Kabalega fall, and it lies between Lake Albert on the Victoria Nile and Lake Kyoga. More so, visiting the Murchison falls is always on a to do list of every tourist exploring within the park and visiting the falls gives you chances to capture the view of the permanent rainbow as it flows westward into Lake Albert and also the falls causes a thunderous roar as it flows which is always best for the sights and the expedition.
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Game Park Drives
Murchison Falls National Park is home to 76 species of mammals, and 451 species of birds, which you can explore over a 3 to 4-hour game drive. The game drive will mainly take place in the northern part of the park which is dominated by open savannah grasslands. You will start with an exploration of the Albert delta track where you will be able to see water birds, buffaloes, crocodiles, lions and giraffes among others. The Buligi Peninsula track is also key for game viewing and in these open grasslands you will be able to see elephants, buffalos, leopards, hippos and giraffes lazing by the water side.
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Boat Safaris
A boat Safari in Murchison Falls is such an amazing experience and there are two options of boat cruises to choose from with each heading in a different direction along the Nile River that cuts through the park.
The first optionis the launch trip which leaves Paraa heading upstream towards the powefull Murchison Falls. On approaching the falls, you witness the water cascading through a small 7-metre gorge which creates a powefull splash and carries mist through to the boat. The 3 Hour launch cruise won’t feel long enough as you will have opportunities to see pods of hippos, Crocs, different birds species and the bathing elephants.
The second option is the Albert delta boat crusie which takes off from Paraa and leads you down the Nile towards the shores of Lake Albert. It takes between 4-5Hours on a distance of 28km. On this cruise you will have an opportunity to see birds and wild animals by the riverbanks.
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Budongo Forest Home to Chimpanzee Tracking and Habituation Experience
Budongo forest is another fascinating attraction that is found within Murchison falls national park and it is located within the Southwestern region of the park. Budongo forest is famously known as a home to the large numbers of primate species and also as a royal Mile which is best for bird watching activities due to the fact that it is harbours around 360 bird species such as; the African Dwarf kingfisher, the blue-breasted kingfisher, the black-eared ground thrush, Cassin’s hawk eagle, capped flycatcher, Cassin’s spine tail, brown twin spot, chestnut-capped flycatcher, Ituri batis, chocolate-backed kingfisher, crowned eagle, grey headed sunbird, lemon bellied crombec, little green sunbird, olive-breasted greenbul, white-spotted fluff tail, white thighed hornbill, yellow crested woodpecker and yellow-footed flycatcher among others. more so, Budongo forest is commonly visited for chimpanzee trekking activities because it is a home to over 800 chimpanzees that are always available to sight se and 9 primate species such as; black and white colobus monkeys, potto, galago species, olive baboons, potto, blue monkeys and many others.
Apart from the mentioned above, there are so many other tourist attractions that are found within Murchison falls national park and some of these are; Rabongo forest, beautiful wildlife animals, Kaniyo Pabidi forest, Buligi game tracks, the Nile-Lake Albert Delta and many others.
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