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The park is located in the northwestern part of Uganda, 90km from Masindi town. This is the largest amongst all national parks in Uganda. It protects a variety of untamed African savannah and most of the tourists who visit Uganda’s national parks have proved that it is the hottest safari destination in Uganda.
Murchsion Falls National Park got its name from the dramatic Murchison Falls which are found within the park. These falls are spectacular and are formed at a point where the world's longest river explodes through a narrow gorge and flows down to become a river.It's banks are thronged with hippos, crocodiles,waterbucks and buffalloes. The vegetation is characterised by Savannah, riverine forest and woodland. Lrage mammals in this area include lions, leopards, elephants, giraffes, cape buffaloes, hartebeests, oribis, Uganda kobs, chimpanzees. It has 450 bird species and 76 mammal species. The Murchison falls National Park together with Bugungu and Karuma Falls Wildlife Reserves form the Murchison Falls Protected Area.
Alot of wildlife was hunted down in the 1970s and 1980s, but animal populations have largely recovered for instance from the lush borassus grassland to the north of the Nile, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes and a variety of antelopes are regularly encountered on game drives, while lions are seen with increasing frequency.
Rabongo Forest which is situated in the South-east of the park is home to a number of primates such as chimpanzees and other rainforest creatures.
The Nile itself hosts one of Africa's densest hippos and crocodile populations, and a dazzling variety of waterbirds such as the African Fish Eagle, African Skimmer and the rare shoebill stork which can easily be seen at the banks of the river. Other bird species that can be seen include Silver Bird, Blue-napped Mouse birds, Grey-crowned Crane, Bluff-bellied Warblers, Goliath Heron, Black-headed Batis, Black-headed Gonolek, Green-winged Ptyilia, Chestnut-crowned Sparrow-weaver, Long-toed Plover, Vitelline Masked Weaver, Saddle-billed Stork, Spotted Mourning Thrush, Spotted and Verreaux’s Owls, Long-tailed and Pennant-winged Nightjars, standard-winged Nightjar, White-backed Night Heron and Pel’s Fishing Owl.
Murchison falls national park is acessed by both road and air transport. If you are to get there by road, the Nile river crossing at Paraa is approximately 5hrs drive from Kampala.Paraa is 85km from Masindi town by the direct route. The longer route passes through Budongo forest and enjoys spectacular views across Lake Albert from the rift valley escarpment above Butiaba. You can also approach Paraa from the north, via Chobe Gate near Karuma Falls and Tangi Gate near Pakwach and Wankwar Gate near Purongo. For travelers interested to travel by air, private charter flights can be arranged from Entebbe International airport to the park.
The park offers early morning and evening game drives on the Buligi, Albert and Queen's tracks north of the river Nile which may give you a chance to view plenty of game.
There are also Picnics at the Nyamsika Cliffs which may also give you a chance to see elephants and other game on the grassy hillsides and the sand river below.
The launch trip from Paraa to the bottom of Murchison Falls is the major activity at the Murchison Falls. On the launch many hippos and crocodiles can be seen as well as buffaloes, elephants, waterbucks and birds such as Cormorants, Herons, Fish Eagles, Bee-eaters, Kingfishers, water ducks, and the rare Shoebill.
This is the best site where spot fishing can be carried. Different fish species such as the Nile Perch and tiger-fish provide an exciting challenge to anglers. Fishing is also another activity available in the river above and below the Falls. For travelers interested in fishing don’t forget your fishing equipment.
There are also opportunities to explore the wild in Murchison Falls while on foot. Trails at Paraa, and to the top of falls offer a memorable experience to tourists as they pass through riverine forests, gullies and low hills. While on the trails different animals, birds and plants can be seen. There is chimpanzee tracking from Kaniyo Pabidi to the an undisturbed and unpolluted natural forest within Budongo Forest Reserve, visitors to Murchison falls can track man’s closest relatives. While tracking other attractive features which can be seen in the forest include mature Mahogany and ironwood trees as well as many forest birds, including the White-thighed Hornbill, Chocolate backed Kingfisher, and Puvel’s Illadopsis found nowhere else in East Africa!
Can also be carried out at the campsite found in Kaniyo Pabidi. At the campsite water and firewood are available. Therefore for those interested in camping don’t forget to bring everything else you may need.
From Rabongo Forest Ecotourism Centre a guided forest help you to explore the forest on foot. Different primates such as Baboons, Red-tailed monkeys, Black & White Colobus monkeys, and occasionally Chimpanzees can be seen as well as birds, medicinal plants and trees.
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