MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK

Murchison falls Protected Area (MFPA) comprises of Murchison Falls National Park (MFNP), Bugungu and Karuma Wildlife Reserves. Murchison Falls National Park derives its name from the Murchison Falls where the mighty River Nile explodes through a narrow gorge and flows down to become placid river whose banks are thronged with Hippos, Crocodiles, Waterbucks and Buffaloes. The vegetation is characterized by savannah, riverine forest and woodland. Wildlife includes lions, leopards, elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, hartebeests, oribis, Uganda kobs, chimpanzees and many bird species including the rear shoebill.

Game Drives

In the cool early morning before the sun rises too high, y9u will see plenty of game on the Buligi, Albert and queens tracks north of the river Nile. At Nyamusika Cliffs you can picnic, enjoy the view and watch elephants and other game on the grassy hillsid4e. Go well prepared for four-hour game drive. Ensure a guide accompanies you. The boat time is 0700hr and 1600 hr.

Sport Fishing
Nile perch and tiger fish provide an exciting challenge to angler. Sport fishing provides an exciting challenge to anglers. Sport fishing is possible in the river sections above and below the falls. Prior booking with the park has to be made, as the number of people doing sport fishing at designated sites at any time has to be regulated. Do bring your own equipments. Some boats are available for hire on prior booking.

Launch trips on the Nile
One of the highlights of a visit to Murchison falls national park is the launch trip from Paraa to the foot of Murchison falls. Hippos and crocodiles are abundant and you will see elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks and a variety of birds like herons, cormorants, ducks, bee-eaters, fish eagles, kingfishers and sometimes the rare shoebill. The launch trip from Paraa to the falls (17km) and back takes about three hours. A boat trip from to the Delta (28km) and back takes about four to five hours where you can see a variety of animals and birds. The boat trip is scheduled for 0900hr and 1400hr every day. Any special arrangement can be made with park management.

Nature walks
Murchison falls protected area offers the opportunity to explore the wild on foot. Animals, birds and plants can be closely and quietly observed. Nature walks are offered at Rabongo Forest, top of the falls and Kaniyo pabidi in Budongo Forest.

Trip of the falls
Trails around the top of the falls go right up to the waters edge. You have the opportunity to hike to the top of the falls from the boat landing and to get explode into the falls. Campsites, picnic sites and walking safaris are available here.

Kaniyo Pabidi
Kaniyo Pabidi is an undisturbed are of natural forest within Budongo Forest Reserve, where you can walk beneath mature mahogany and iron wood trees. Chimpanzee tracking is the most famous activity. You certainly see many forest birds, including the chocolate backed kingfisher, the white thighed hornbill and puvels illadopsis found nowhere else in East Africa. Kaniyo Pabidi is on Masindi-Paraa road, 8kms from kichumbanyobo gate. There is a campsite where water and firewood are available. The National Forest Authority manages Kaniyo pabidi.

Rabongo Forest
Rabongo Forest Eco-tourism center is situated in an island of the tropical riverine forest in the southeast of the protected area. The forest is surrounded by savannah grassland and is one and a half hour drive from Paraa. Guides will help you explore the forest on foot, spotting primates like black and white colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys, baboons and occasionally chimpanzees, identifying animals, birds, medicinal plants and trees. You can picnic and camp by the Wairingo River. The place is also ideal for student groups.

Access

By road from Kampala through Masindi Via Kichumbanyobo gate, Paraa is a four and a half hour drive, two hours on tarmac and two and a half on murram roads. A four-wheel drive is recommended. The ferry at Paraa operated on scheduled time between the southern and northern bank of River Nile.

By Air: Charter services are available to all-weather aerodromes at Pakuba about 19 kms northwest of Paraa and Bugungu 13kms from Paraa

Accommodation

Campsites are available at the top of the falls, Rabongo forest, and Paraa and delta area. Toilets or pit latrines/ showers or bathing shelters are provided at these sites. Traditional and self-contained bandas are available ate Red chilli Rest Camp. Meals and beverages are also offered. In addition, luxurious accommodation is available at Nile Safari Camp, Sambiya River Lodge and Paraa Safari Lodges.

Facts about the conservation