Murchison Falls is a popular tourist destination located in northwestern Uganda. It covers 3,840 square kilometers, making it the largest and oldest national park in the country. The park offers many exciting opportunities and activities for visitors to enjoy.
Game Drives
One of the main attractions is the game drive, done in safari vehicles. These drives are grouped into three categories:
- Morning Game Drive – Usually done after breakfast and considered the most rewarding. This is when animals are most active, and tourists have a better chance of seeing them clearly.
- Afternoon Game Drive – Done after lunch, but it is less rewarding because many animals rest deep in the forest and are harder to spot.
- Night Game Drive – Also rewarding, especially for seeing nocturnal animals.
During the morning game drive, expect to see elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks, giraffes, Uganda kobs, warthogs, lions, and leopards. On the night game drive, visitors may spot night animals such as lions, bush babies, and nightjars.
Boat Trips
Tourists can also enjoy a boat cruise, offered in two types:
- Upstream cruise to the bottom of the falls
- Downstream cruise to the delta area near Lake Albert
These cruises usually take 2–3 hours, from morning to afternoon.
There is also a Nile Delta cruise, which lasts about 4–5 hours and begins at the Paraa Jetty. During the cruise, tourists often see water animals like hippos and crocodiles along the riverbanks.
Bird Watching
Murchison Falls National Park is also a great place for bird-watching. The park has more than 450 bird species, including migratory birds, Albertine Rift endemics, savannah birds, and water birds. Many of these can also be seen during game drives.
For those who enjoy walking, nature walks are available and offer a peaceful way to explore the park’s natural beauty.
Chimpanzee Trekking
Visitors can also go chimpanzee trekking in small groups of six people after getting a permit. The trek involves spending one hour with a single chimpanzee family, giving tourists a close experience with these intelligent animals.
Community Tours
Another great activity is a community visit or village walk, where tourists learn about traditional African ways of life. These visits offer a chance to connect with local culture and nature.
Visitors can also try African art and crafts like basket weaving, mat making, wood carving, local brewing, and more.
Murchison Falls offers a wide range of activities, and every adventure adds to the full experience. Whether you’re on a game drive, cruise, walk, or cultural visit, everything in the park helps bring a tourist’s dream of African travel to life.
Check out the top things to see at Murchison Falls National Park in our easy guide.
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