Murchison Falls National Park
The Spectacular Falls.
A crown Uganda safari cannot go without including Murchison Falls National Park. From Paara boat is its most pleasing appeal that reclines into the foot of the falls. The park is perched along the edge of Lake Albert and is known worldwide for its majesty. Here the Victoria Nile River heaves between a cramped cavity atop an enormous tumble. The extensive park is blessed with lion-hearted excitement embracing hippos, elephants, crocodiles, and chimpanzees in the Kaniyo Pabidi mahogany forest, and also you will find the elusive shoebill storks, a favorite of mine. Not to overlook the showers of Karuma Falls for its fishing.
Moreover, the different kinds of habitats you will find here that make up the biodiversity are staggering. Providing the already mentioned collection, the Big 5 as well resides here. You can trek Budongo Forest and discover over 350 species of birds and chimpanzees.
Murchison Falls National Park is also referred to as Kabalega National Park. Although Niagara Falls is traditionally recognized as the world’s strongest and most powerful fall, Murchison falls is also famously known as being the world’s most powerful waterfall. Here is where River Nile, the longest river in the world, compresses through a 7-meter gap and then to a 45-meter drop giving birth to the famous Murchison Falls.
The falls can be sighted from the starting point at the head, approachable via an automobile, or attainable at the foot by watercraft. It is also possible to walk to the peak having been dropped off the bottom of the falls by boat. The magnificent water park has much more to offer than the majestic falls themselves.
The River Nile travels easily through Murchison Falls National Park shedding light upon all the various habitats for all of us to witness by watercraft. Birds, mammals, and the wilderness that include exotic beings such as giraffes, hippos, bushbucks, and eagles to name a few are witnesses in plenty on this 3-hour boat ride.
The scenery is heterogeneous and alluring
The Victoria Nile divides Murchison Falls National Park into a Northern and Southern Sector. The grazing rough grasslands and scattered genus of African fan palm are a familiar sight in the Northern Sector. Acacia trees and forests are situated on the river banks. Grassy plains with few trees and thick tropical shrubs reside towards the southern sector.
To witness an astounding scene of nature’s beauty can be amazing. It is an appreciable place for terrain and environmental photography. At its core, Murchison Falls National Park is famous for its twin waterfalls and rightfully the reason is revisited annually. Breathtaking is an understatement. The riverbanks of the Victoria Nile are alive with wildlife and an unimaginable number of birds that love to reside around water.
Catching sight of the game is Excellent
110 or more species easily reside in Murchison Falls National Park. Numerous mammals are large, and favorites. These include lions, leopards, elephants, and antelopes to name a few. The live Victoria Nile is at the very core of this abundant wildlife that relies on its source for water, the Victoria Nile provides thirsty dwellers resources to quench their thirst including birds, vegetation, and mammals. When you are by the water, anticipate seeing crocodiles, hippos, elephants, and more exhilarating life never seen before in its habitat.
Common are the giraffes, antelopes, hippos, elephants, cape buffalos, and Ugandan kobs.
Abundant are Patas monkeys
The bright reddish-yellow short fine hair on its top, distinguishes the Patas monkey, an Old World monkey found in the savannah, Central and Eastern Africa. Male Patas tend to be around 30 pounds, usually twice the size of females.
Unlike other monkeys, Patas monkeys choose the grounds to live their lives. Beautiful, are these species. With mostly white and orange fur they can be spotted in the hundreds at Murchison Falls National Park. Patas monkeys are social and live in large numbers and are the fastest primates in the world exceeding speeds of up to 35 mph.
Rothschild's giraffes
Elegant and beautiful are the Rothchild’s giraffes, and in danger of being extinct. Giraffes are also a favorite of mine to encounter in the wild, a reminder of how gentle beings should appear.
Rothchild’s giraffes are mainly found in protected areas. Besides Uganda, only Kenya houses the few remaining Rothchild’s giraffes in the wild. Murchison Falls national park and Kidepo National Parks are some of the best places to see these elegant favorites.
The Rothchild’s giraffe can be set apart from other giraffes by its coat which has brown, orange, and beige patches and lacks markings on the lower legs. It also has five ossicones. These are the fur-covered horn-like growths from its head. Most giraffes have two.
Uganda kobs
A definite pinnacle is the Uganda kob. The most celebrated of Uganda antelopes and a fixture on the country’s coat of arms in the company of the grey crowned crane (also known as the crested crane or crowned bird).
The Uganda kob loves the open savannah and the grassland. One will find the Uganda kob in plenty at Murchison Falls National park. Only the male kob bears horns making them distinguishable from the females.
Shoebill and more than 450 species of birds
Should birds be your fancy Murchison Falls National Park will deliver. As far as birds go, Shoebill has to be my favorite (I have many favorites), also referred to as the whale-headed stork.
Shoebills are unbelievable hunters and hang around swamps, looking for a meal like eels, lizards and believe it or not small crocodiles. One Of the best places on this planet to spot these prehistoric looking birds is right here by the Victoria Nile within the park.
Grey crowned cranes, also a favorite usually seen in pairs, are the Pearls prize birds found at Murchison Falls National Park.
Ever been on a boat safari?
Boat safari’s are rare and a great way to safari – especially if you want to experience a different way of enjoying a trip in Uganda. You will find that the boat safari allows you to see species other than the traditional way by land. You will see an abundance of different water loving animals like hippos and crocodiles that are not easily viewed on land let alone the amount of beautiful bird species.
Paraa is located within Murchison falls, and this is where you begin the cruise about 15 km in which the river flows. The lion’s share of enjoying the safari cruise is moving upriver through Fajao Gorge. The closely compacted forest surrounds the river on either side detaching you from all your worries and immersing you into a hidden portion of what you have been longing for. You disappear into a stunning unfamiliar world and realize where you are – up until you hear the incredible hammering of the falls. You have arrived.
Birds scramble as crocodiles wobble their way into the river where the Nile runs towards and into Lake Albert. A splendid place to view birds as they gravitate downriver,
Hiking is another option to the top of the falls.
A requirement to the top of the falls is by taking a boat to start your hike towards the top for splendid views of the Murchison Falls. Safari rides are also available from Paraa to the top and back should you choose not to hike.
Contact Barefoot Adventures Africa for a time of your life and visit Murchison Falls National Park.
