Murchison Falls National Park

Location: Murchison Falls National Park, Masindi District, Northern Uganda.

Area: 3,893 km2 (1,503 sq mi)

Overview

Murchison Falls National Park is located northwest of the capital Kampala and extends its boundaries to various districts within and beyond the Bunyoro escarpment including Nwoya, Masindi, Kiryandongo, and Buyisa.

In 1952 the British administration established the National Parks Act of Uganda which became Murchison Falls National Park, found on the northernmost reaches of the Albertine Rift Valley with its terrain bisected by the Victoria Nile.

The Murchison Falls National park has been a forest reserve since 1932, also called Kabalega Fall National Park or Kabarega National Park popularly known for the world’s most powerful waterfall that emits large volumes of water about 300 cubic meters per second that cause the surrounding to tremble.

Gazetted in 1927 and is the largest park in Uganda. Home to more than 73 animal species among which are four of the ‘Big Five’ including buffaloes, leopards, lions, and elephants (excluding the rhino).

Three-quarters of the world’s population of Rothschild giraffes plus a healthy population of herbivores has recently doubled including the Uganda Kobs, and Hartebeests. Various primates living within the verdant forest include the Budongo among over 600 chimpanzees.

Birders have a diversity of species to see like the rare shoebill stork, the Goliath heron, the yellow-footed flycatcher, the African Jacana, the Abyssinian ground hornbill, the Pitta Giant, and the Malachite Kingfisher among over 451 species including 23 Albertine rift endemics.

Accessible by road from Kampala City to the park HQ is 305km (189.5mi) a 4-5 hour drive by car and serviced by three airstrips for just 5¾ hours daily.

The Uniqueness of this Park

• • The Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary: twenty-two southern white rhinos are found at this sanctuary.

• • The world’s most powerful waterfall where the longest river in the world squeezes through a 7-meter gap and then drops down 45 meters.

• • The largest and oldest Conservation Area in Uganda.

Accommodation Options

• • Chobe Safari Lodge (21 luxury Tents, 4 Suites & Presidential Cottage).

• • Paraa Safari Lodge (54 rooms ensuite bathroom).

• • Nile Safari Lodge (8 rooms).

Activities at the Destination

The Murchison Falls, Cultural Tours, Chimpanzee Tracking, Hot Air Balloon Safari, Bird Watching, Nature Walks & Hikes.