Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison falls protected area (MFPA) comprises of Murchison falls national park, Bugungu and Karuma wildlife reserve. 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 a placid river whose banks are thronged with hippos, crocodiles, waterbucks and buffaloes. The vegetation is characterized by savannah, riverine forest and woodland. Wildlife includes leopards, lions, elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, hartebeests, oribis, Uganda kobs, chimpanzees and many bird species including the rare shoebill.

Game viewing

In the cool early morning before the sun rises too high, you 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 hillsides. Go well prepared for a four-hour game drive. Ensure the guide accompanies you; the best time is 0700 hr and 1600 hr.

Sport fishing

Nile perch and tiger-fish provide and exiting 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 fishing 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 is the launch trip from Paraa to the foot of the falls. Hippos and crocodiles are abundant and 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 begins from Paraa to the falls (17km) and back. Takes about three hours. A boat trip from Paraa to the delta (28km) and back takes about four to five hours and you can see a similar variety of animals and birds. The boat trip is scheduled for 0900hr and 1400hr every day. Any special arrangement can be made with the park management.

Nature walks

Murchison falls protected area offers the opportunity to explode 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.

Top of the falls

Trails around the top of the falls go right up to the waters edge. You have the opportunity to hike the top of the falls from the boat landing and to get close to the narrow gorge through which the river explodes into the falls. Campsite, picnic sites and walking safaris are available here.

Kaniyo Pabidi

Kaniyo Pabidi is undisturbed area 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 puvel’s 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

Rabongo Forest

Rabongo forest ecotourism center is situated in an island of tropical riverine forest in the southeast of the protected area. The forest is surrounded by savannah grassland and 1and 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.

Access

By road From Kampala through Masindi Via Kichumbanyobo gate
By Air: charter services are available to all weather aerodromes at Pakuba about 19 kilometers northwest of Paraa and Bugungu 13kilometers from Paraa