Attractions in Murchison falls national park
Attractions in Murchison falls national park are those things that draw tourists to the park. Murchison falls national park is located in the northwestern part of the country covering a total area of 3893 sq. km. It’s one of the largest national parks in the country harboring more than 76 mammal species, 451 species of birds, and 13 primate species.
Different attractions are found in Murchison falls national park and these range from animals, to birds, to water sources, to falls, to plants, and much more. Attractions in Murchison falls national park include River Nile, mammals, primates, birds, and waterfalls among others as we are to explain below.
Attractions in Murchison falls national park
Mammals: Murchison falls national park is one of the national parks in Uganda with a high number of mammal species. The national park harbors over 76 mammals which are seen during day or night game drives, nature walks, and during the boat cruise on River Nile. The national park is a place to meet 4 out of the 5 big mammals and these include lions, buffaloes, leopards, and elephants. Other mammal species in Murchison falls national park include hyenas, bushpigs, hyenas, giraffes, Uganda kobs, warthogs, oribis, hartebeest, bushbucks, and hippos among others.
Primates: Murchison falls national park is home to over 13 primate species that have been recorded in the park. These primates are seen in the park as well as Budongo and Kaniyo Pabidi forest next to the park. Some of the primates in Murchison falls national park include chimpanzees, blue monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, patas monkeys, olive baboons, and grey checked mangabeys.
Birds: Murchison falls national park is home to over 451 bird species that live in the savannah grassland vegetation as well as the riverine vegetation. The national park is among the best birding spots in the country with birding activities led by armed ranger guides. There are different areas where these birds are spotted and these include Budongo forest, Kaniyi Pabidi forest, along the shores of River Nile, and Lake Albert delta among others.
Birds of Murchison falls national park include Senegal thick-knee, African qualifinch, cassin’s hawk-eagle, crowned eagle, African dwarf kingfisher, brown twinspot, piapiac, black-billed barbet, veracious dove, goliath heron, palm nut vulture, pied kingfisher, squacco heron, papyrus gonolek, black-eared ground thrush, plain greenbul, ituri batis, little green sunbird, little green sunbird, puvel’s illadopsis, crowned eagle, silver bird, long-toed plover, yellow-billed stork, black-headed lawping, eastern grey plantain eater, rock pratincole, and standard winged nightjar among others.
Waterbodies: River Nile is the main waterbody in Murchison falls national park. The River Nile goes through Murchison falls national park bisecting it into the southern and northern parts. River Nile can be explored on the boat cruise which starts from Paraa to the Albert delta. Tourists who explore the Nile get a chance to see several water bird species, hippos, crocodiles, and park animals around the lake shires trying to graze or drink water, especially in the dry season.
Murchison falls : No single traveler would visit Murchison falls national park and leave without taking a visit to the most powerful falls in the entire world. The Murchison falls were discovered by Samuel baker on his visit to the Bunyoro kingdom. He is the one that named them Murchison falls from the name Kabalega falls.
Tourists to Murchison falls national park can organize boat cruises to the bottom of the falls or can hike to the top of the falls. From both sides, one will be able to see how water squeezes itself through a narrow gorge to the pool which is 40 meters down.
Best time to visit Murchison falls
Are you wondering what would be the best time to visit Murchison falls national park, Yea! the park can be visited at any time of the year however there are some months that are better than the rest. The dry months the best time to visit Murchison falls national park and they happen from June to September and December to February. They are said to be the best because they are characterized by little or no rainfall that makes the game trucks dry and passable, the vegetation is short and scatted with good views of the animals, especially at the water sources and the roads to the park are passable.
Travelers can still visit Murchison falls national park in the rainy season from March to May and October to November because the park is open however they should note that the rainfall makes game trucks muddy and slippery, the vegetation is tall and scattered with unclear views of the park animals and the murram roads connecting to the park are impassable.
Where to stay on a visit to Murchison falls national park
While visiting Murchison falls national park, there are several accommodation facilities where travelers can spend a night or more and these range from budget to mid range to luxury options. Some of the lodges in Murchison falls national park include Chobe Safari Lodge, Paraa Safari Lodge, Nile Safari Lodge, Red Chilli Rest Camp, Nile Safari Lodge, Budongo Eco Lodge, Heritage Safari Lodge, Baker’s Lodge, Twiga Safari Lodge, Kabalega Wilderness Lodge, Amuika Safari Lodge, and Parkside Safari Lodge.
