Murchison falls National Park is the largest and the oldest park which is situated in the north west part of Uganda. It was started by John Speke and James Grant who were the first Europeans to visit the present day Murchison Falls Conservation Area in the year 1862. Before it was renamed Kabalega National Park and it was Explored by Sir Samuel and his Wife Florence in early 1863 -4 and the park was later named by Baker after Geologist Roderick and turned to be Murchison Falls National park.
In 1907 and early 1912 the park’s area that covered 130000 kilometers squared were destroyed by sleeping sickness which was spread by Tsetse flies. In 1926 it become a gazetted area for game reserve and since then it became the largest and oldest conservation area which hosts 451 birds and 76 species of mammals
In 952 the park was described by the British Administrator both boundaries North and South turned to be Murchison Falls National Park. The park is located in north western part of Uganda, it covers 305 kilometers of its distance by road and takes 3 hours drive from the capital Kampala. It is surrounded by different districts of Uganda including Masindi, Mwoyo, Bulisa, Gulu, Kiryandongo and many more.
Murchison Fall National Park is surrounded by waters of Victoria Nile from East to West for a distance of about 115 kilometers squared, and flow though narrow of its distance 7 meters (23ft) before even measuring to 43 meters wide (141ft) up to karuma Fall. The park is also endless with banks of Albert Nile and it is measured approximately 3893 kilometers squared of its land.
Murchison Falls National Park is home for game reserve and Forest reserves in the word with 450 bird’s species, 76 species of mammals, 449 species of trees, 29 species of Reptiles, 49 species of Amphibians. The park is managed under the protection of Uganda Wildlife Authority since 1952.
The park is agame sanctuary where visitors can be able to spot different types of wild animals including Giraffes, waterbucks, worthgos, Uganda kobs, Elephants, lions, buffalos, Leopards, Jacksonhert beast, birds such as Abidin stock, crested crane, Activestock,long crested eagle, cattle egrets and many more. Murchison fall National Park has waters bodies that visitors can view water animals such as hippos, Nile crocodile, water birds such as spurwing bird, Egyptians, Galiath many more and also experience its splashing waters .
Murchison Falls National Park is also a gazetted area for forest reserve of about 825 kilometers squared of the land including figs trees, mahogany tree, Estonia Bonei tree, funtumia elastica tree, and many more.
The park is divided by the Victoria Nile which plungers 45 meter over the remnant rift valley wall, that creates the dramatic Murchison Falls. The final event in an 80 km stretch of the rapids that transforms it into abroad stream that flows across the rift valley floor into lake Albert. Since it is inland waters the Nile squeezes through an 8 meters wide and plunges with a thunderous roar into the “Devil’s Cauldron” creating trademark rainbow.
The park has six gates such as mubako gate, chobe gate, Bugugu gate, tangi gate, kichumbanyombo gate, wangkwar gate and each gate has the same charging tariff foreigners pay 40USD, Foreigner residents 30 USD, East Africa 20000 shillings.
Boat cruise is an activity that can be done by the tourists that lasts three hours and other private boats on additional price can also be hired and people will be able to spot water animals such as hippos, a number of crocodiles, the river bank playing in water banks including spurwing, Egyptian, Galiath, saddle billed stork,kingfishers and many more. It has good viewing of splashing waters on top of the Nile that can be experienced by the visitors.
Game drive: Murchison Falls National Park is agazzeted area for game drive with 3893 kilometers squared of its land, half of it is agazzeted area for wild animals including Elephants, lions, Giraffes, Uganda kobs, waterbuck, Jackson hurt beast, the visitors can also spot different types of birds since they are over 450 birds such as cattle egrets, Active stock, crested crane, long crested eagle, Abidin stock, blue headed coucal many more. It can be done in the morning, afternoon and some times in the night which is guided by the guide.
Nature Walk: The guided nature walk at Murchison Fall can be done at budongo forest that normally takes two to four hours with a number of different tree species including fig trees, mahogany trees, Albania trees, Alstonia Boonei, velvet monkeys, white and Columbus moneys, birding like Green bulls, sun birds, Danvers, horn bills, shoebills and a lot of bird species.
Community Visits: Murchison falls is surrounded by a number of tribes the Alur, Acholi and the Banyoro people who experience the original African culture by visiting this tribe and also to know their different way of life, tourist can buy their locally craft made from local materials and go with them for remembrance.
Chimpanzee Trekking: The guided chimpanzee trekking that can last two to three hours in budongo forest and the visitors can be able to view number of tree species, and also over 450 birds.
Sport Fishing: Murchison Falls offers sport fishing experience which is best done in month of December, march, June to October. Visitors are advised to take the fishing adventure with an expert experience tourist guide however much their good at fishing.
Murchison Falls National Park has every many options of accommodations where tourist can sleep and these include paraa safari lodge, Budongo Eco lodge, sambiya safari lodge, chobe safari lodge, Red chill lodge and many more other but it depends on the tourist budgets.
Murchison Fall National Park is known of its famous activities in East Africa and worldwide which are best done by the tourist in the dry seasons from march, June, October to December. A safari to Murchison is worth a while.
