Game Viewing in Murchison Falls National Park
Game viewing in Murchison Falls National Park is a safari activity where a traveller gets a high chance to spot the big 5 animals and other wildlife on the African continent. Although Murchison its self is a home of big fours mammals thanks be to Ziwa rhino sanctuary which is located on the same route to Murchison falls national park where you can acquire for a stopover at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for Rhino trekking.
This is the best outstanding national park among Uganda National Parks when it comes to the tourist activities. The park boasts with different wildlife species with over 500 bird species, more than 76 mammal species such as lions, buffaloes, leopards, hyenas, warthogs, Elephants Rothschild’s giraffes, Jackson hartebeests, antelopes like bushbuck, Uganda kobs among others, which are widely spread all over the open savannah grassland, grazing and hunting for prey. This makes the park’s scenery land scape so rewardable and stunning for game viewing.
Murchison falls national park is the most attractive park and the largest national park among all Uganda’s national park and it was first explored by John Speke and Grant during those ancient years of 1862 and later it was explored by Samuel and his wife Florence Baker in the 1863 and named it Murchison falls national park after the geologist Roderick Murchison who was the prominent president of the Royal Geographical Society by then. The park sits on land covering 3900 square kilometres in north-western region of Uganda and it is bisected by waters of Victoria Nile which provides with spectacular viewing of splashing white waterfalls.
Rhinos were extinct by 1983, and amazingly they were re-introduced in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary by 2005. It is commonly known that the park is bisected by River Nile into two parts such as Northern bank and Southern bank. Above all, the most highlight of game viewing are best carried out in the Northern bank where you can spot a large concentration of wildlife in the open savannah plains while the Southern bank there are lesser number of antelope herd and other few mammals to see.
However, travellers should notice that there is nothing thrilling other than watching predators like the kings of jungle “lions” make moves on their preys most especially on the Uganda kobs, and it is a quite awesome experience and wondrous to sightsee antelopes being hunted down and killed without notice. And they can be observed during the dry season when the grass is short and it can provide a clear game viewing at the best and rewardable. Notice that, Game drive viewing experience is carried out all year round activity most especially in peak season but during the rainy season the grass becomes thick and tall thus giving a challenge in game viewing and because of tall and thick grass during wet seasons some animals can be missed out.
Game drive tracks in Murchison Falls National Park
Game viewing in Murchison falls national park can be tracked in different area mainly along the delta where you can have an opportunity of seeing lions while waiting for prey as they are linking for water, Buligi Peninsular and Heart of Murchison ‘’southern part’’ of the Park. In Murchison falls national park the exceptional game viewing can be enjoyed while on game drive in different tracking game drive areas, as we have already listed all tracking area within the park and these include;
Buligi peninsula
The Buligi measures 7kilometers located in north of paraa and is the main game viewing point which lies on the buligi peninsular with open savannah grassland bounded by the Victoria Nile connecting to lake Albert and Nile Albert flowing out of it. Along here travellers can expect to view elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, giraffes and you should keep your eyes widely open to see the predators of the park fingers crossed for lions and leopard. Then along Nile delta where the Nile flows north out of Lake Albert and this is the best game track for viewing water birds like the Unique shoe bill stork many more on offshore, water animals such as crocodile, hippos among many. Travellers can also enjoy game viewing while in the air to explore the plain the north and west of paraa in thrilling experience of a hot air balloon.
Heart of Murchison
The highlight of game drive experience in Murchison falls national park can also be done in southern part of the park which is covered by bush and forest and delightful track in savannah rolls down to the river from the Rabongo road just in the centre of the park. And recently the vehicle tracks have been open to run in this area. The animals to see here include the herds of Uganda kobs and it has become a prime location for lions, giraffes are also easy to be spotted in here. The heart of Murchison sits in the east of the Masindi-Paraa road few meters away from park headquarter only 20 kilometres it takes to reach there.
Another place for game drive track include the Victoria truck which is positioned close to the Victoria Nile and truly this is humbling area with rewardable viewing of variety of wildlife Murchison falls national park. Since it is a water source area wide range of animals can be seen concentrating on water banks along the Nile and water bird’s species. You can as well spot a number of mammals at Nyamsika cliff like buffaloes and antelopes, also track predators like lions to those tourists who enjoy birding paradise this can be the best place for you where you can spot beautiful bird species like bee-eater, Nahan’s francolin, Egyptian and many more.
What is the best time to do game Viewing?
The game drive experience has three sessions the morning game drive, afternoon and evening game drive. However, the morning game viewing can start at round 6:30 am and if the lodge you’re sleeping in is in the southern bank, you will be required to first cross the River at the ferry at around 7:00 am.
The evening game drive which begins at around 4:00 pm in local time in open savannah grassland because during this time animal can be settling down for the night and track can last between 3 to 4 hours while enjoying your track.
Traveller should notice that all Uganda safaris on game drive can be done only in the Northern bank covered with savannah grassland thus leading tourist to have wonderful experience of game viewing as well. Game drive carried out within the park can estimate 5 hours which can be enough for your activity.
Vehicles to be Used on game drive viewing
The most admired vehicle to use on your game drive safari is spacious a pop-up roof comfortable and providing great viewing of wildlife species and as there is possibility of taking clear photos. The 4WD is best-recommended safari vehicle to use on your game drive it could be a van, extended land cruiser and also other cars can be used depending on the number of the travellers and such vehicles include; saloon cars, coasters for bigger group among others. One can do self-driven within the park but it is important to have armed ranger guide with you who can defend you in case in any animal attacker, what you need to do is follow rules of the park during your game drive.
When is the best time to do game drive in Murchison falls national park?
The best time to do game viewing in Murchison falls national park is throughout the year but there are the best months to do your game driving most especially during drying season which starts from December to February this is the best time of viewing animals seen gathering around the main water sources quench their thirst. There are also other month with fewer rainfalls which starts from June to September. The drier seasons are characterised with short grass of the open savannah grassland of buligi, the heart of Murchison game drive tracks which make game viewing so possible and rewardable other than the tall grass of the wet season.
The game drive in Murchison falls national park takes you through the real wild nature of the game parks in Uganda and have a great time to enjoy the sights of African big five and leave with unforgettable memory to tell others.
