Biggest Game Reserve in Uganda: What is the biggest Game Reserve in Uganda? Uganda is a landlocked country known as the Pearl of Africa, located in central Africa, bordering countries such as Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Uganda is one of the destinations in Africa offering the best safari experiences to travelers.
Uganda is home to 10 National Parks; 12 Wildlife Reserves; 5 Community Wildlife Management Areas; and 13 Wildlife Sanctuaries. The ten National Parks include Queen Elizabeth, Lake Mburo, Murchison Falls, Kidepo Valley, Kibale, Mount Elgon, Rwenzori Mountains, Semuliki, Mgahinga Gorilla, and Bwindi Impenetrable National Parks. These parks display the best in East Africa. Their Rift Valley landscapes and tropical forests make dramatic backdrops to an extensive variety of flora and fauna.
Murchison Falls National Park is the biggest game reserve in Uganda. The park is situated in northwestern Uganda, covering the districts of Nwoya, Bulisa, Kiryandongo, and Masindi. It was gazetted as a protected area in 1952, making it one of the oldest national parks. The parks are named after the breathtaking Murchison Falls, where the Nile cascades through a narrow gorge, creating a powerful waterfall. Murchison Falls National Park holds historical significance as one of the first protected areas in Uganda.
Murchison Falls National Park is home to different kinds of savannah plants, such as grasslands, savannah forests, and plains, among others, which act as feeding grounds for many different species of biodiversity, which makes the park their home. Murchison Falls National Park is a perfect destination to go on a Uganda wildlife adventure safari. The park is famously known for having a multitude of wildlife and is more amazing because it is home to four of the Big Five African animals, such as lions, elephants, buffaloes, and leopards. The park does not hold rhinoceroses, which make up the fifth member of the Big Five. It is important to note that the park is famous for its diverse wildlife beyond the Big Five, including zebras, giraffes, warthogs, bush pigs, crocodiles, hippos, Uganda Kobs, and hartebeest, among others. The park is also home to other primate species like olive baboons and chimpanzees, among others.
Murchison Falls Savannah is also home to a variety of several species of bird species, over 450 bird species, making it a paradise for bird enthusiasts and nature lovers. Spotting birds here include the shoebill stork, African fish eagle, African jacana, goliath heron, saddle-billed stork, and many more.
Biggest Game Reserve in Uganda: Tourism activities
Murchison Falls National Park offers a variety of tourism activities, such as:
Chimpanzee tracking
The chimpanzee tracking experience in Murchison Falls National Park is a captivating journey into the heart of Budongo Forest Reserve, adjacent to the park. Chimpanzee tracking in Budongo Forest is a process that involves on-foot adventure. While on your Uganda chimpanzee tracking in Murchison Falls National Park, you will be guided by an experienced ranger and a guide to trek through the lush vegetation of the Budongo Forest, which is home to a thriving population of chimpanzees. During the track, you will have the opportunity to encounter various flora and fauna along the way. Upon meeting these magnificent creatures, you’ll be allowed to be in their habituated presence for only one hour while observing their daily activities as chimpanzees forage food, socialize with each other, and care for their young ones, as well as swinging through trees and displaying their unique personalities.
Boat cruise on the Nile
A boat cruise on the Nile in Murchison falls national park is a mesmerizing experience that allows you to get up close with the wildlife and the exceptional natural wonders of the park. While on your boat cruise safari, you’ll get a great opportunity to be guided along the Nile River, surrounded by a magnificent scenery of verdant vegetation, towering cliffs and captivating landscape. You’ll also be offered a wonderful view of the exceptional wildlife that lives along the shores of the Nile River such as crocodiles basking in the sun, hippos lounging in the water and a variety of birds soaring overhead such as African Fish Eagle, Herons, Kingfishers among others. On reaching the waterfalls, you’ll also witness the awe-inspiring sight of the Murchison Falls, where the Nile River squeezes through a narrow gorge before plunging over a 40-meter cliff while feeling the power of the water as it cascades down, creating a dramatic spectacle.
Bird watching
Murchison falls national park is the home to over 450 bird species, making it one of Uganda’s premier birdwatching destinations. During your birding safari in the park, you will get a chance to spot different bird species such as African fish herons, Kingfishers, shoebill storks, egrets, Marabou Stork, Abyssinian Ground Hornbills, Secretary Birds, Black-bellied Bustards, Open-billed Storks, and Widow Bird among others.
Game drives
Game drives in Murchison Falls National Park offer a thrilling opportunity to observe the park’s diverse wildlife in its natural habitat. Game drives in the park are one way you can explore the hidden gems of the Savannah grasslands. Murchison falls national park is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including a large population of elephants, giraffes, lions, leopards, Uganda Kob, and Jackson hartebeest buffalo among others. During your game drives, you will have the opportunity to stop most of the magnificent African animals in their natural habitat. Game drives in the park are normally conducted with an experienced guide who will provide you with all the necessary information about the park’s diversity as well as the conservation efforts. Game drivers in Murchison fall national park are usually scheduled during the early morning or late evening when most of the wildlife species are active. This is the best time to spot a wide variety of these unique species and observe their natural behavior in the wild such as grazing, hunting and social interaction with nature in the wild.
Hot air balloon safari experience
The hot air balloon safari experience in Murchison falls national park is one of the most exciting safari experiences that offers an astonishing way to experience the park’s natural beauty and its exceptional wildlife. Hot air balloon safari in the national park is normally conducted early in the morning as you soar above the savannah at sunrise. While on your hot air balloon safari in Murchison falls national park, you’ll have the great opportunity to observe the magnificent views of the river Nile, the verdant forest and its exceptionally diverse wildlife from above. You’ll also get the opportunity to see some mammal species, including buffaloes, African elephants, and giraffes, as well as bird species such as kingfisher, African fish eagle, shoebill stork, and African jacana, among others.
Hike and visit the top of the falls is the thrilling activity that offers visitors with a unique perspective on this stunning natural wonder. This remarkable hike to the top of Murchison falls starts at the base of the falls and follows a scenic trail that winds its way through a verdant landscape and rocky terrain. Visit the amazing falls, which are also among the top safari experiences on your to-do list in Murchison Falls National Park. You will take a boat cruise to the start of the trail for the hike to the top of the falls, which can take you about an hour. You will be able to see the amazing falls from a great viewpoint and have clear pictures of the Murchison Falls as well as the Uhuru Falls.
Best time to visit Murchison falls national park
The best time to visit Murchison falls national park is during the dry seasons which run from December to late February and then from June to August. During this season the weather conditions are characterized by little or no rainfall making animal viewing fascinating since they concentrate around the water shores. however, for birding, it is best done in January to March which tends to be a low tourist season and has plenty of bird species.
Accommodation safari in Murchison falls national park
Visitors to the biggest Game Reserve in Uganda shouldn’t worry much about where to stay, the park offers a lot of accommodation facilities to cater for all classes of visitors such accommodation facilities include Murchison Falls Bamboo Village, Nile Breeze Bamboo Lodge, Nile Treats Beach Resort, Ikorom Safari Lodge, Paraa Safari Lodge, Murchison Bush Lodge, Fort Murchison Safari Lodge, Chobe Safari Lodge, Murchison River Lodge, Nile Safari Lodge, Pakora Safari Lodge, Murchison Tree House, Geo Lodge, Nile Safari Lodge, Amuka Safari Lodge, Bakers Lodge, Budongo Eco Lodge, Bwana Tembo Safari Camp, Global Village Guest House, Kabalega Wilderness Lodge, Heritage Safari Lodge among others.
